Swallowing problems

With swallowing problems, food, drink or saliva does not pass safely or smoothly from the mouth to the stomach. The cause may lie in the mouth, throat, nervous system or oesophagus. Choking, weight loss and dehydration need timely assessment.

• Coughing, throat-clearing, a wet-sounding voice or breathlessness during or shortly after eating and drinking.
• A feeling that food sticks in the throat or behind the breastbone.
• Eat sitting upright, take small bites and sips, and remain upright for a while after meals.
• Eat calmly without talking or distractions, and swallow each mouthful fully before the next.
• Call the same day if swallowing suddenly becomes harder, food often sticks, drinks come back up, you cannot swallow your saliva or you repeatedly choke.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.