Difficulty swallowing, also called dysphagia, occurs when food, drinks or pills don't move smoothly from your mouth to your stomach. You may feel like something is stuck in your throat or chest, experience pain or pressure when swallowing, or find yourself gagging or choking during meals.
You may notice one or more of the following when you have trouble swallowing:
Swallowing problems can stem from a variety of underlying issues, including:
With a focus on patient-centered care and comprehensive swallowing disorder management, GastroDoxs provides expert diagnostics and effective treatment for dysphagia and related conditions. Our approach is rooted in compassionate, personalized care to help you regain safe, comfortable eating, achieve long-term relief, and improve your quality of life. Book your appointment with GastroDoxs in Katy today!
We've successfully treated more than 9K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Dysphagia can result from acid reflux, stress-induced throat tension, weakened or disordered swallowing muscles, structural narrowing of the esophagus, or neurological conditions affecting nerve control.
If swallowing causes pain, frequent choking or coughing, a sensation of food sticking, or unexplained weight loss, you should seek medical evaluation promptly.
Yes. Chronic acid reflux (GERD) can inflame and scar the esophagus lining, leading to narrowing that makes swallowing harder over time.
Treatment depends on the cause and may include dietary modifications, swallowing therapy with a speech-language specialist, medications to reduce acid or relax muscles, esophageal dilation, or, in some cases, surgery.
Infants often benefit from specialized feeding therapy, adaptive nipples or bottles, and close monitoring by pediatric feeding specialists to ensure safe and effective nutrition.
Yes. Anxiety can trigger throat muscle tightness or a "globus" sensation, making it feel like there's a lump in the throat even without a physical blockage.
Nurses commonly use the diagnosis "Impaired Swallowing." Care focuses on safe feeding techniques, positioning, and monitoring to maintain nutrition and prevent aspiration.
Call GastroDoxs in Katy, TX, to schedule an appointment with our board-certified gastroenterologists and get personalized care for swallowing difficulties.
Soft, moist foods and thickened liquids are ideal. Avoid hard, dry items; offer smaller, more frequent meals; and consider purees or texture-modified diets as recommended by a speech-language pathologist.
Yes. Cognitive decline can impair the coordination needed for safe swallowing. We provide diet adjustments, caregiver training, and monitoring to reduce choking risk and ensure adequate nutrition.
