Common symptoms
- Food feeling stuck in your throat or chest
- Needing to drink to wash food down
- Pain when swallowing
- Coughing or choking when eating or drinking
- Bringing food back up
- Feeling sick most days
- Vomiting that keeps coming back
- Feeling full quickly or losing weight
Conditions diagnosed and managed
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Painful swallowing (odynophagia)
- Persistent nausea
- Recurrent vomiting
- Food sticking or difficulty passing food
- Oesophageal disorders, including strictures and eosinophilic oesophagitis
Understanding swallowing problems (dysphagia)
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It can feel like food is sticking in the throat or behind the breastbone. Swallowing difficulty that is new or getting worse should always be assessed promptly, usually with a gastroscopy.
Difficulty swallowing food and liquids
Difficulty mainly with solid foods often points to a narrowing in the oesophagus, which may be caused by reflux-related scarring (a stricture), eosinophilic oesophagitis, a ring or web, or, less commonly, a tumour. Difficulty with both solids and liquids from the outset can suggest a problem with how the oesophagus muscles move, such as achalasia.
Painful swallowing
Pain on swallowing (odynophagia) is usually caused by inflammation of the oesophagus — from reflux, infection, or tablets that have lodged and irritated the lining.
Oesophageal disorders
Conditions affecting the oesophagus include reflux oesophagitis, strictures, Barrett’s oesophagus, eosinophilic oesophagitis (an allergic-type inflammation that commonly causes food to stick) and motility disorders. Many can be diagnosed at gastroscopy, and some — such as strictures — can be treated during the procedure by gently stretching (dilating) the narrowed area.
Persistent nausea and recurrent vomiting
Ongoing nausea or vomiting can be caused by stomach inflammation or ulcers, delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis), medicines, gallbladder problems, functional disorders and conditions outside the gut. A careful assessment narrows down the cause and avoids unnecessary tests.
How Dr Khalid investigates the problem
Dr Khalid will ask exactly what happens when you swallow, which foods are difficult, and whether you have lost weight. Investigations may include:
- A gastroscopy — the main test for swallowing problems, with biopsies where needed
- Blood tests
- A barium swallow or CT scan where appropriate
- Referral for oesophageal manometry (pressure studies) if a motility disorder is suspected
- Gastric emptying studies for suspected gastroparesis
Treatment and management
Treatment depends on the cause. Strictures can often be dilated during gastroscopy; reflux and eosinophilic oesophagitis respond to targeted medicines and, sometimes, dietary changes. Nausea and vomiting are treated by addressing the underlying cause. If a serious condition is found, Dr Khalid will arrange prompt referral to the appropriate specialist team.
When should you see a gastroenterologist?
See a specialist promptly if you have any difficulty swallowing, pain on swallowing, or nausea or vomiting lasting more than a couple of weeks — particularly with weight loss.
Book a private consultation at Spire Cheshire in Warrington or The Highfield Hospital in Rochdale.
When to seek urgent help
Don’t wait for a routine appointment. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have:
- Food completely stuck and unable to swallow saliva
- Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Severe abdominal pain
- Signs of dehydration from persistent vomiting
Frequently asked questions
Is difficulty swallowing serious?
It is often caused by treatable conditions such as reflux or a narrowing of the oesophagus, but new or worsening difficulty swallowing should always be assessed promptly, usually with a gastroscopy.
Can a narrowing of the oesophagus be treated during a gastroscopy?
Often, yes. Many strictures can be gently stretched (dilated) during the gastroscopy, which can quickly improve swallowing.
What causes nausea every day?
Daily nausea can be caused by stomach inflammation, ulcers, reflux, delayed stomach emptying, medicines, gallbladder problems or functional disorders, among other causes. A specialist assessment helps identify which applies to you.
Medically reviewed by Dr Sal Khalid, Consultant Gastroenterologist. Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information and does not replace a personal medical consultation.