First, some reassurance. Most people with this symptom do not have anything serious — but it is always better to know than to worry. A quick assessment can put your mind at rest or get treatment started early, when it works best.
Common, usually harmless causes
Acid reflux
Long-standing reflux can irritate and narrow the gullet, making swallowing harder.
A muscle or motility problem
Sometimes the gullet does not squeeze food down as smoothly as it should.
Anxiety or a dry throat
Can cause a sensation of a lump, usually without true food sticking.
Why it's worth getting checked
Difficulty swallowing that is getting worse, or where solid food genuinely sticks, can occasionally be due to a narrowing or growth in the gullet. This is one symptom where prompt assessment really matters, because early diagnosis makes a real difference.
When to get this checked
Please arrange to be seen promptly if:
- Food or drink feels like it is sticking on the way down
- Swallowing is becoming harder over weeks rather than better
- You have lost weight, or food comes back up
- You also have persistent heartburn or hoarseness
- It is affecting what or how much you eat
Get urgent help now if…
Go to A&E or call 999 (or NHS 111 for advice) if:
- Food is completely stuck and you cannot swallow your own saliva
- You are choking, or have chest pain with swallowing
These need emergency care, not a routine appointment. Please do not wait for a private booking.
How I can help — and how quickly
If your symptom is not an emergency, you do not have to sit on a waiting list to get answers. Here is how it usually works:
- A quick telephone consultation. Often arranged within 24 hours. I listen to your history and explain what is likely going on.
- The right test, arranged fast. Where appropriate, I can organise a gastroscopy (a quick camera test of the gullet and stomach) to find and treat the cause promptly — sometimes before your first face-to-face visit, to speed things up.
- Clear answers and a plan. We go through your results together, and I explain exactly what they mean and what happens next.
Some symptoms need an in-person examination first, and I will always tell you honestly what the best next step is for you.
Why patients choose me
- JAG-accredited in gastroscopy & colonoscopy
- 8,000+ procedures performed
- FRCS — Consultant Colorectal & General Surgeon
- MB ChB with Honours & Distinction (Sheffield)
Request a telephone consultation
Prefer a call before coming in? Leave your details below and my secretary will contact you to arrange a telephone consultation, usually within 24 hours. Where appropriate, a phone consultation can fast-track you straight to the right test.
Prefer to email directly? Email a 24-hour callback request · or call 01926 935121
Your details are used only to arrange your consultation. Please don't include sensitive medical information in this form.
Get seen quickly
Call my secretary to arrange a fast appointment, or book online via my Nuffield Health profile. I see patients privately at Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital, Leamington Spa.
Call 01926 935121Common questions
Should difficulty swallowing always be checked?
Yes. Trouble swallowing solids, or swallowing that is getting worse, should be assessed promptly — usually with a straightforward camera test.
Is a gastroscopy uncomfortable?
It is quick and well tolerated, with throat numbing or light sedation available. I will make sure you are comfortable and fully informed.
How soon can I have it done?
A telephone consultation can usually be arranged within a day or two, with the gastroscopy organised quickly afterwards.