Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly. If a person suddenly shows signs of choking and difficulty breathing, the Heimlich maneuver should be performed immediately.

You may have an easier time swallowing liquids or pureed foods than solids. Avoid very cold or very hot foods if you notice that they worsen the problem.

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Blood in your stools or your stools appear black or tarry
• Shortness of breath or light-headedness
• Weight loss

Call if the problem continues, even if the symptoms come and go.

Tell your doctor about any other symptoms that occur with the painful swallowing, including:

• Abdominal pain
• Chills
• Cough
• Fever
• Heartburn
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Weight loss
• Wheezing

The doctor will examine you and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

• Do you have pain when swallowing solids, liquids, or both?
• Is the pain constant or does it come and go?
• Is the pain getting worse?
• Do you have difficulty swallowing?
• Do you have a sore throat?
• Does it feel like there is a lump in the throat?
• Have you inhaled or swallowed any irritating substances?
• What other symptoms do you have?
• What other medical problems do you have?
• What medications do you take?

The following tests may be done:

• Barium swallow and upper GI series
• Chest x-ray
• Esophageal pH monitoring (measures acid in the esophagus)
• Esophageal manometry (measures pressure in the esophagus)
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
• HIV testing
• Neck x-ray
• Throat culture