Pharyngeal dysphagia is when a problem with a passageway in the throat (the pharynx) causes trouble swallowing. This may be due to a problem with the throat's structure or with the muscles or nerves that help control swallowing.

The pharynx leads to the esophagus (a tube that carries food down to the stomach) and to the beginning of the airway to the lungs. When we swallow, a flap of tissue (the epiglottis) normally covers the opening to the airway. This keeps food and drink from getting into the airway and lungs. Normally, the food and drink are then pushed down to the esophagus.

In pharyngeal dysphagia (fair-en-JEE-ul diss-FAY-jee-uh), kids have trouble swallowing. This can cause food or drink to get into the airway when they swallow. If this happens, it can make them cough, gag, become irritable or congested, or have watery eyes. If food or drink gets into the lungs, it can lead to pneumonia or breathing problems.

Dysphagia can be mild or more severe. Treatment varies depending on the symptoms and what's causing the swallowing trouble. It may include changing the way a child is fed or changing the texture of food to make it easier to swallow. It also may include feeding therapy with a speech therapist or occupational therapist.

• Make any changes to your child's diet and feeding as instructed by your health care provider or therapist. This may include thickening liquids, changing the texture of your child's food, or changing your child's sitting position during meals.
• Your child should use any special bottles, cups, or eating utensils recommended by the health care provider or therapist.
• Do not give your child drinks with a straw unless told to by the therapist.
• Make meals a positive time for your family to enjoy together. Keep a low stress level about feeding.
• Tell your child's school or childcare providers about any changes to your child's diet and any special requirements during feeding. You may need to show caregivers how to feed your child.
• Schedule any follow-up care visits as directed.

Your child:

• coughs or gags during eating or drinking
• makes wet or gurgling sounds when feeding
• gets a stuffy nose, cold, or cough
• has a fever
• resists eating

Your child:

• has lips or skin that appear blue or gray
• has a choking spell
• has trouble breathing (Signs include being short of breath, breathing quickly, or the skin between the ribs and neck pulling in tight during breathing.)
• appears dehydrated (Signs include dizziness, drowsiness, a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, increased thirst, peeing less than usual, or crying with little or no tears.)

What causes pharyngeal dysphagia? Many kids who have pharyngeal dysphagia are born with it, but some develop it later. Pharyngeal dysphagia can happen from:

• an epiglottis that doesn't close properly
• weak throat muscles
• brain or nerve problems that can cause issues with swallowing