What Causes Painful Swallowing?
Apr 16, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Bing
Introduction
What causes painful swallowing? Painful swallowing often indicates a disease of the pharynx or throat. First, it is commonly caused by inflammation. Second, it may result from a foreign body lodged in the throat; in such cases, prompt medical attention is required to remove the foreign object. Third, persistent, chronic painful swallowing—or the sensation of a foreign body during swallowing—warrants evaluation for possible local neoplasms.
What causes pain during swallowing? Painful swallowing often indicates a disorder of the pharynx or larynx. However, the most common cause is inflammation—such as acute pharyngitis or acute epiglottitis—in which case painful swallowing occurs.
In such cases, anti-infective therapy is typically required. If the throat pain is severe or if painful swallowing is accompanied by respiratory distress, prompt medical evaluation at a hospital is essential. This represents the first major category—painful swallowing caused by inflammation.
Secondly, painful swallowing may result from a foreign body lodged in the pharynx—for example, a fish bone or other foreign object. Swallowing becomes painful in such instances, and timely hospital referral is necessary for safe removal of the foreign body.
Thirdly, persistent chronic swallowing pain or a sensation of a foreign body during swallowing warrants consideration of localized neoplastic lesions—such as tumors—and prompt medical evaluation is recommended to rule out such possibilities.
This is especially important for middle-aged and elderly individuals, as well as for those with long-standing habits of smoking, alcohol consumption, or frequent intake of spicy foods—these individuals should seek timely medical evaluation.
