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If you’re experiencing ongoing problems with swallowing, it’s important to identify the exact cause. Different conditions can affect the oesophagus (food pipe) or the throat muscles in different ways, and having the right diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment and relief.
At Gut Diagnostics, we use advanced investigations to assess how well your swallowing muscles and oesophagus are working. Two of the key tests we provide are:
While dysphagia itself usually requires medical assessment and treatment, there are some practical steps you can take at home to make eating and drinking safer and more comfortable. These strategies won’t cure the underlying problem, but they can help reduce discomfort and lower the risk of complications.
For many people, dysphagia is a long-term condition that requires changes to eating habits. Adapting food texture is one of the best strategies—avoiding meals that are too hard, dry, crumbly, or runny. Soft, moist dishes like stews, casseroles, and pasta are often easier to swallow and need little modification.
Tip: Small adjustments can make eating safer and more comfortable. For tailored guidance, consider speaking with a speech and language therapist or dietitian.
By combining lifestyle adjustments with professional guidance, many people find they can manage their symptoms more effectively and improve their overall quality of life.
If your swallowing difficulties are linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), reducing acid reflux can often improve symptoms, although it may take time for any inflammation in the oesophagus to heal.
Lifestyle changes are the first-line approach:
Medications can provide additional support:
Combining lifestyle adjustments with the right medications often provides the best outcomes for managing GORD-related dysphagia.
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Surgery can involve a fundoplication, which tightens the junction between the stomach and oesophagus to prevent acid reflux. Another option is the LINX device, a small ring of magnets placed around the junction to support normal swallowing while reducing reflux.
Gut Diagnostics does not perform surgery but can refer you to a specialist.
These conditions may require dilation, where the narrowed area is gently stretched, or a myotomy, where a small incision is made in the muscle to allow food to pass through more easily.
Gut Diagnostics does not perform surgery but can refer you to a specialist.
Depending on the stage, treatment may involve chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Surgery to remove the cancer is considered if the tumour has not spread to surrounding tissues, aiming to restore swallowing function and improve outcomes.
Gut Diagnostics does not perform surgery but can refer you to a specialist.