Difficulty swallowing

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

Living with swallowing difficulties can be challenging. Dysphagia may affect your interaction with friends and family, your productivity at work, and the overall quality of your life.

You may find that talking to a counselor or therapist can help you cope with the effects of swallowing difficulties. Or you may find encouragement and understanding in a support group.

Although support groups aren't for everyone, they can be good sources of information. Group members often know about the latest treatments and tend to share their own experiences. If you're interested, your doctor may be able to recommend a support group in your area.

References
  1. Dysphagia. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/dysph.asp. Accessed Aug. 1, 2009.
  2. Fass R. Approach to the patient with dysphagia. http://www.uptodate.com/index/home.html. Accessed July 30, 2009.
  3. Dysphagia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec02/ch012/ch012b.html. Accessed July 30, 2009.
  4. Goyal RK. Dysphagia. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2888607. Accessed Aug. 3, 2009.
  5. Feeding and swallowing disorders in children. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/FeedSwallowChildren.htm. Accessed Aug. 1, 2009.
  6. Swallowing trouble. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/swallowingTrouble.cfm. Accessed Aug. 1, 2009.
  7. Barrett KE. Esophageal Motility. In: Barrett KE. Gastrointestinal Physiology. New York, N.Y.: Lange Medical/McGraw Hill Medical; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2307248. Accessed Aug. 3, 2009.
  8. Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Aug. 13, 2009.

DS00523

Oct. 10, 2009

© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger