What is chronic dysphagia?
When a mass of chewed food does not travel easily through your mouth or esophagus, it is called dysphagia. The word chronic is used to describe problems that may come and go, slowly get worse, and last for a long time. The esophagus is the muscular tube where food and liquid pass from your mouth to your stomach. Swallowing happens when your brain carefully controls muscles in your throat and esophagus. When you swallow, food should go past your throat and esophagus smoothly, down to your stomach. People who have chronic dysphagia have trouble swallowing. Many older adults have this condition, but it can affect people of any age.
