Dysphagia can make eating, drinking, and swallowing more difficult. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and available support can help individuals and families make informed decisions about care.
Written by: William Huynh, MPSA-CPSP, Director of Brighter Futures Allied Health
Published: 12 June 2026
Disclaimer: The information on this page is intended as general guidance only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your child’s development or behaviour, speaking with a qualified healthcare professional is recommended.
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. This condition affects a person’s ability to safely move food, liquids, or saliva from the mouth to the stomach, making eating and drinking more challenging.
To understand dysphagia, it helps to understand how swallowing works. Swallowing happens in three phases:
Dysphagia can affect one or more of these phases, which is why swallowing difficulties can look different from person to person. Depending on the cause and severity, dysphagia can affect nutrition, hydration, comfort, and quality of life.
Clinician’s Notes: Although dysphagia is often associated with older adults, we’ve seen that it can affect people of all ages and may develop suddenly or gradually over time.
Dysphagia is often classified based on which part of the swallowing process is affected. Understanding the different types can help explain why swallowing difficulties vary from person to person and why treatment approaches may differ.
Oral dysphagia affects the mouth and tongue during the early stages of swallowing. People may have difficulty chewing food, forming it into a manageable bolus, or moving it to the back of the mouth.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia affects the mouth and throat during swallowing. People may find it difficult to initiate a swallow or may experience coughing, choking, or a sensation that food or liquid is going down the wrong way.
Oesophageal dysphagia affects the oesophagus, the tube that carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach. People often describe a feeling of food sticking in the chest or taking longer than usual to pass after swallowing.
Clinician’s Notes: Although they can occur together, dysphagia and odynophagia are not the same thing. Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing, while odynophagia refers to pain when swallowing. A person with odynophagia may be able to swallow normally but experience discomfort, whereas dysphagia involves problems moving food, liquids, or saliva safely and effectively through the swallowing process. It is critical to distinguish between both during clinical assessment, as they represent distinct physiological disruptions
Dysphagia can occur when the muscles, nerves, or structures involved in swallowing are affected. Depending on the underlying cause, swallowing difficulties may develop gradually over time or appear suddenly.
Common causes of dysphagia include:
Identifying the cause of dysphagia is an important part of assessment, as treatment recommendations are often tailored to the underlying condition and the specific stage of swallowing that is affected.
Swallowing difficulties should not be ignored, especially if they are persistent, worsening, or affecting a person’s ability to eat and drink safely. Early assessment can help identify the cause of dysphagia and reduce the risk of complications.
It may be time to seek support if you or a loved one:
Note: If swallowing problems develop suddenly, become severe, or are accompanied by breathing difficulties, seek urgent medical attention.
If you are looking for more information about dysphagia, the following resources may be helpful:
While occasional swallowing difficulties can occur from time to time, persistent or worsening symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional. Depending on the underlying cause, support may also involve collaboration with a doctor, dietitian, or allied health providers.
If you or a loved one is experiencing ongoing swallowing difficulties, speaking with a speech pathologist is an important first step towards understanding the cause and exploring available dysphagia therapy support options.
William Huynh is a senior speech pathologist and the director of NDIS-registered provider Brighter Futures Allied Health. He has over a decade of experience working with children and adults with complex communication needs, including disability, dysphagia, and acquired language impairments. William has completed specialist training in approaches such as Key Word Sign, LAMP Words for Life, Grid 3, and Hanen’s More Than Words. He also supervises speech pathologists and student placements, supporting evidence-based and family-centred practice.
