--- title: "Difficulty swallowing: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers" description: "Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can be caused by reflux, stroke or oesophageal cancer; progressive symptoms or weight loss need urgent assessment." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/difficulty-swallowing/ robots: noindex --- # Difficulty swallowing: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers Symptoms Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can be caused by reflux, stroke or oesophageal cancer; progressive symptoms or weight loss need urgent assessment. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What could difficulty swallowing mean? Dysphagia is difficulty moving food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach, and food may feel stuck in the chest. Persistent or progressive swallowing problems always need medical assessment. Call 999 if someone suddenly cannot swallow, is choking or is drooling, as this can put the airway at risk. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Difficulty swallowing, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 4 sections ## Common causes of difficulty swallowing - Acid reflux is one of the most common causes of swallowing difficulty. - A stroke can affect the muscles and nerves that control swallowing. - Oesophageal cancer typically causes swallowing difficulty that gets steadily worse. - Swallowing difficulty together with weight loss needs urgent assessment. - Eating upright and chewing food well can make swallowing safer. ## What dysphagia is Swallowing is a complex process that relies on many muscles and nerves working together in a coordinated way. Swallowing problems that get progressively worse need to be investigated with an endoscopy. ## Causes of difficulty swallowing Common causes of dysphagia include **acid reflux**, a **stricture** (narrowing of the oesophagus), **stroke** and **cancer**. Neurological diseases can also affect swallowing. ## Eating safely with swallowing problems Sit upright when eating and take small bites, chewing each mouthful well. If you are referred, a speech and language therapist (SLT) can assess your swallowing and suggest ways to make eating safer. ## When difficulty swallowing is urgent Call 999 if a swallowing problem suddenly puts the airway at risk — for example, if someone is choking or cannot swallow their own saliva. Swallowing difficulty that gets progressively worse is investigated through an urgent referral pathway. ## ! When to get medical help for difficulty swallowing See a GP urgently if difficulty swallowing is persistent, getting worse, or comes with unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, black stools, or a feeling that food sticks every time you eat. Call **111** if you cannot get a same-day appointment and are worried. Call **999** or go to A&E if someone is choking, suddenly cannot swallow saliva, is drooling with breathing difficulty, or has stroke symptoms (face droop, arm weakness, speech problems). ## Common questions about difficulty swallowing What is dysphagia? Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty moving food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. Food can feel as though it is stuck in the chest. Can acid reflux cause difficulty swallowing? Yes, long-standing acid reflux can inflame the oesophagus or cause it to narrow. Both of these problems can make swallowing difficult. When is difficulty swallowing an emergency? Difficulty swallowing is an emergency when it comes on suddenly, or when someone is drooling and cannot swallow their own saliva. These signs suggest the airway is at risk, so call 999. What tests are used for difficulty swallowing? An endoscopy is the main test used to investigate dysphagia. A barium swallow is sometimes used as well. ## Sources - [NHS — Swallowing Problems Dysphagia](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/swallowing-problems-dysphagia) - [NHS — Heartburn And Acid Reflux](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-reflux)