Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing is a symptom of many different medical conditions. These conditions can include nervous system and brain disorders, muscle disorders, and physical blockages in the throat.

Why am I having a hard time swallowing food?

It is usually a sign of a problem with your throat or esophagus—the muscular tube that moves food and liquids from the back of your mouth to your stomach. Although dysphagia can happen to anyone, it is most common in older adults, babies, and people who have problems of the brain or nervous system.

Does Covid make it hard to swallow food?

COVID can affect your breathing. This can interrupt the breathe-swallow pattern as you need to hold your breath momentarily while you swallow. Due to this you may find that you become breathless while eating and drinking or that it is hard to hold your breath to swallow, or you are coughing when you swallow.