difficulty swallowing
There are 29 conditions associated with difficulty swallowing. The links below will provide you with more detailed information on these medical conditions from the WebMD Symptom Checker and help provide a better understanding of causes and treatment of these related conditions.
- Viral pharyngitisViral pharyngitis is a sore throat caused by a virus, and causes throat pain and cold-like symptoms.
- TonsillitisTonsillitis is painful swelling in the tonsils, causing sore throat, red tonsils, pain, fever, and more.
- Heartburn/GERDSymptoms of heartburn and GERD are a burning feeling in the chest, throat, or mouth, nausea, and more.
- Panic attackWhen someone has a panic attack, that person feels a sudden, intense fear that can't be controlled.
- StrokeA stroke occurs when blood and oxygen to the brain are cut off, and causes numbness, confusion, and more.
- Thyroid cancerThyroid cancer is cancer of the thyroid gland and can cause a cough, hoarseness, a lump in the neck, and more.
- Thyroid nodulesThyroid nodules usually don't cause symptoms, but can cause a visible lump, neck pain, hoarseness, and more.
- Transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke)Transient ischemic attacks cause headache, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, and more.
- Peritonsillar abscessA peritonsillar abscess is a pus-filled sore in back of the throat causing sore throat, chills, and more.
- Scarlet feverScarlet fever is a red itchy rash on the body caused by streptococcal bacteria.
- Sjogren's syndromeSjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that most often causes dry eyes and dry mouth.
- MumpsMumps is a contagious viral disease that causes painful swelling of the glands that produce saliva.
- DermatomyositisDermatomyositis is a condition that causes muscle swelling and weakness, and a rash on the face and joints.
- EpiglottitisEpiglottitis is a rare, life-threatening illness that keeps air from getting to the lungs.
- GoiterA goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland, causing a lump in the throat below the Adam's apple.
- Hypothyroidism (adult)Hypothyroidism your body functions slow down, making you gain weight and feel tired all the time.
- Swallowed objectSymptoms of swallowing an object include coughing, choking, vomiting, throat pain, breathing trouble, and more.
- Myasthenia gravisMyasthenia gravis is caused by abnormal immune responses that weaken muscles, particularly of the face.
- Thermal burn of mouth or tongueA thermal burn of the mouth or tongue can cause pain, blisters, peeling skin, and temporary loss of taste.
- Bleeding esophageal varicesEsophageal varices are caused by high blood pressure and lead to a bloody cough and black, tarry stools.
- Aortic aneurysm (chest)Thoracic aortic aneurysm is the swelling of the chest aorta and can cause chest or back pain.
- EsophagitisEsophagitis, an inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, causes chest pain, nausea, and more.
- Barrett esophagusBarrett's esophagus occurs when the lining of the esophagus is damaged, usually by acid reflux.
- Esophageal cancerEsophageal cancer starts in the lining of the esophagus and can cause difficulty swallowing.
- TetanusTetanus is a potentially fatal toxic infection and causes stiffness in the jaw and neck, fever, and more.
- Hypothyroidism (infant and child)Hypothyroidism in children can cause delayed growth, weight gain, a puffy face, a large tongue, and more.
- Chagas diseaseChagas disease is caused by a tropical parasite and can cause fever, ill feeling, and swelling around the eye.
- Throat cancerThroat cancer can cause symptoms including difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and chronic cough.
- CREST syndromeCREST syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease that causes tissues to harden throughout the body.