Swallowing disorders dysphagia treatment

Swallowing Disorders

Difficulty swallowing food or feeling like something is stuck can signal a treatable condition. Dr. Maher pinpoints the cause and often provides treatment during the same procedure.

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Esophageal Specialist

Board-certified gastroenterologist

Same-Visit Treatment

Diagnosis and dilation in one endoscopy

6 Conditions Treated

Strictures, EoE, rings, GERD, and more

When Swallowing Becomes a Problem

Swallowing is something most people do hundreds of times a day without thinking about it. When it stops working properly, everyday meals become stressful and even frightening.

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It can feel like food is getting stuck in your throat or chest, like you have to work hard to get food down, or like something is pressing on your esophagus. Some patients avoid certain foods entirely or eat less because swallowing has become uncomfortable or unpredictable.

These symptoms are not normal, and they are not something you should learn to live with. Most causes of swallowing difficulty are treatable, and many can be identified and addressed in a single endoscopy visit with Dr. Maher.

What Is Causing Your Swallowing Problem?

As a gastroenterologist, Dr. Maher specializes in esophageal causes of dysphagia — the conditions that affect the tube connecting your throat to your stomach.

Note: Some swallowing problems originate in the throat or nervous system and may require evaluation by an ENT or neurologist. If your evaluation points to a non-esophageal cause, Dr. Maher will refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Esophageal Stricture

Scar tissue narrows the esophagus, making it physically harder for food to pass. Strictures often develop from years of untreated acid reflux and are one of the most common causes of swallowing difficulty.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)

An allergic inflammatory condition that causes the esophagus to swell and stiffen. EoE is increasingly common, particularly in younger adults, and can cause food to become lodged in the esophagus.

Esophageal Rings and Webs

Thin bands of tissue that partially block the esophagus. These are usually found during an endoscopy and can often be treated immediately during the same visit.

GERD-Related Damage

Chronic acid reflux irritates and inflames the esophageal lining over time, leading to swelling, narrowing, and the sensation that food is not going down easily. Learn more about GERD →

Achalasia

A rare condition where the muscles of the lower esophagus fail to relax properly, trapping food above the stomach. Patients often feel food coming back up or experience chest pressure after meals.

Esophageal Motility Disorders

The muscles of the esophagus contract in an uncoordinated way, making it difficult to push food toward the stomach. Esophageal manometry testing can identify these patterns precisely.

When to See a Gastroenterologist

Not every episode of food going down slowly is a cause for concern. But if you experience any of the following regularly, it is time to be evaluated:

  • Food feels stuck in your throat or chest during or after meals
  • You need to drink liquids to wash food down
  • Swallowing is painful (odynophagia)
  • You have started avoiding certain foods because they are hard to swallow
  • You have lost weight without trying
  • You cough or choke frequently while eating
  • You have a history of acid reflux or GERD
Important: Difficulty swallowing can be a warning sign of esophageal cancer, particularly in patients over 50 with a long history of heartburn. Prompt evaluation is important — do not wait to see if it gets better on its own.

Your Diagnostic Pathway

From your first visit to a clear answer — and often a solution.

1

Your Consultation

Dr. Maher starts by understanding your experience. When did the problem begin? Is it getting worse? Do solids get stuck more than liquids? Does food come back up? Are you also dealing with heartburn? These details help narrow the cause before any testing begins.

2

Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

The most direct way to evaluate your esophagus is to look inside it. Dr. Maher uses a thin, flexible scope to visually examine the entire esophageal lining. He can identify strictures, rings, inflammation, EoE, Barrett's esophagus, and tumors — and often treat them on the spot.

Learn about upper endoscopy →

3

Additional Testing (If Needed)

For motility-related problems, Dr. Maher may recommend:

  • Esophageal manometry — to measure how well your esophageal muscles contract and relax
  • Barium swallow study — to watch food and liquid move through your esophagus on real-time imaging
  • Ambulatory pH monitoring — if acid reflux is suspected as the underlying cause

Treatment That Often Happens During Your Endoscopy

One of the key advantages of seeing a gastroenterologist for swallowing problems is that diagnosis and treatment frequently happen in the same procedure.

During your upper endoscopy, Dr. Maher can perform the following without scheduling a separate visit:

  • Dilate a StrictureGently stretching the narrowed area to restore normal food passage. Most patients notice improvement immediately.
  • Remove Rings or WebsTissue bands partially blocking the esophagus can be removed on the spot during the same exam.
  • Take Targeted BiopsiesTissue samples to diagnose EoE, Barrett's esophagus, or other conditions requiring specific treatment.
  • Evaluate and DocumentPhotograph the extent of damage and establish a baseline for ongoing monitoring over time.
For EoE or achalasia: Dr. Maher will design a longer-term treatment plan based on biopsy results and diagnostic findings. These conditions require ongoing management beyond a single procedure.
Gastroenterologist discussing GERD and swallowing problems Katy TX

The Link Between Acid Reflux and Swallowing Problems

Many patients with swallowing difficulty do not realize that chronic acid reflux is the underlying cause. Years of stomach acid washing into the esophagus can create scar tissue (strictures), inflammation, and changes to the esophageal lining that make swallowing progressively harder.

If you have a history of heartburn or GERD and are now experiencing difficulty swallowing, these symptoms may be directly connected. Dr. Maher evaluates and treats both conditions together — addressing the root cause so the swallowing problem does not return.

Learn About GERD & Acid Reflux

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers about dysphagia symptoms, endoscopy, dilation, and what to expect from your evaluation.

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Why does food feel stuck in my chest?
This sensation, called esophageal dysphagia, usually means something is interfering with food moving through your esophagus. Common causes include strictures from acid reflux, eosinophilic esophagitis, esophageal rings, or a motility disorder. An upper endoscopy is the most direct way to find the cause.

Is difficulty swallowing serious?
It depends on the cause. Many swallowing problems are caused by treatable conditions like strictures or inflammation. However, difficulty swallowing can also be a symptom of esophageal cancer, which is why it should always be evaluated promptly, especially if the problem is new, worsening, or accompanied by weight loss.

What is esophageal dilation?
Dilation is a procedure where Dr. Maher gently stretches a narrowed section of your esophagus during an endoscopy. It is performed under sedation and is the primary treatment for strictures. Most patients feel improvement in swallowing right away. Some patients need repeat dilations over time, depending on how quickly the narrowing recurs.

Will I be awake during the endoscopy?
No. You will receive light sedation and will not feel pain or remember the procedure. Most patients describe waking up and feeling like no time has passed.
Learn more on our Upper Endoscopy page →

Do all swallowing problems need a gastroenterologist?
Not all. Swallowing problems that originate in the throat (oropharyngeal dysphagia) may require evaluation by an ENT specialist or neurologist, particularly if the issue is related to a stroke, Parkinson's disease, or muscle weakness. Dr. Maher focuses on esophageal causes of dysphagia. If your evaluation points to a non-esophageal cause, he will refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Can swallowing problems come back after treatment?
Some conditions, like strictures, can recur over time. Dr. Maher monitors your progress and schedules follow-up endoscopy if needed. Treating the underlying cause, such as controlling acid reflux, helps prevent recurrence and reduces the need for repeat dilation.

Stop Working Around the Problem

You should not have to avoid foods you enjoy or dread mealtimes. If swallowing has become difficult, uncomfortable, or unpredictable, schedule an appointment with Dr. Maher and find out what is causing it.

Schedule an Appointment Call (346) 637-4874

Mon–Thu 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM  |  Fri 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
19255 Park Row #104, Houston, TX 77084