What is painful swallowing?
The act of swallowing involves several organs of the digestive system, including the mouth, throat, pharynx and esophagus. It begins during mastication, or chewing of food, which is part of mechanical digestion. Your saliva contains enzymes that break down or emulsify food into a soft mass that can travel down the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach. Swallowing is partly voluntary, occurring at your command, and partly involuntary, controlled by muscles and nerves.
Problems during any stage of this process can cause painful or difficult swallowing. The pain may occur in your throat, chest or neck. You may feel pressure, heaviness, or the sensation of choking. It can also result in regurgitation or vomiting.
Painful swallowing can indicate a serious problem. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you experience painful swallowing accompanied by difficulty breathing, choking, vomiting blood, or stools that are bloody, black or tarry.
SYMPTOMS
What other symptoms might occur with painful swallowing?
Painful swallowing may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the digestive tract may also involve other body systems....
Read more about painful swallowing symptoms
CAUSES
What causes painful swallowing?
Painful swallowing can have a number of causes, including infections, conditions specific to the esophagus (tube connecting your mouth to your stomach), and mechanical obstructions, such as food or something caught in your throat....
Read more about painful swallowing causes
