The inability to swallow while eating is caused by the inability of food to move down the esophagus. Common causes include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal tumors, and stroke or spinal cord injury.
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): In GERD, stomach acid will reflux from the stomach to the esophagus, causing esophageal ulcers, which eventually lead to esophageal scarring, and the scarring will eventually lead to esophageal stricture.
2. Esophageal tumors: benign and malignant esophageal tumors can cause the internal diameter of the esophagus to become smaller and the esophagus to become narrower, which will cause the patient to be unable to swallow when he/she eats.
3. Stroke or spinal cord injury: Stroke patients or spinal cord injury patients may have abnormal nerve function, which may cause inability to swallow when it affects the function of the muscles and nerves that help the esophagus move from the larynx and esophagus to the stomach.
In addition, dry mouth can also lead to worsening of dysphagia. If the patient realizes that he/she is unable to swallow when eating, he/she should go to the hospital in time and follow the doctor’s instructions for appropriate examination and treatment.