Complications of dysphagia

The main complication of dysphagia is coughing and choking, which can lead to pneumonia.

Coughing and choking

If you have dysphagia, there's a risk of food, drink or saliva going down the "wrong way". It can block your airway, making it difficult to breathe and causing you to cough or choke.

For more information and advice, see What should I do if someone is choking? .

If you have dysphagia, you may alsodevelop a fear of choking. However, it's very importantyou don't avoideating and drinking, as it could cause Dehydration and malnutrition .

If you often choke on your foodbecause ofdysphagia, you may also be at an increased risk of developing acondition called aspiration pneumonia .

Aspiration pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia is a chest infection that can develop after accidentally inhaling something, such as a small piece of food. It causes irritation in the lungs, or damages them. Older people are particularly at risk of developing aspiration pneumonia.

The symptoms of aspiration pneumonia include:

• a cough this may be a dry cough , or you may produce phlegm that's yellow, green, brown, or bloodstained
• a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or over
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing your breathing may be rapid and shallow and you may feel breathless, even at rest

Contact your treatment teamimmediately if you're being treated for dysphagia and you develop these symptoms. If this isn't possible, contact your local out-of-hours service or call NHS 111 .

Symptoms of aspiration pneumonia can range from mild to severe, and it is usually treated with antibiotics . Severe cases will require hospital admission and treatment with intravenous antibiotics (through a drip).

In particularly old orfrail people, there's a chance the infection could lead to their lungs becoming filled with fluid, preventing them working properly. This is known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) .

Your chances of developing pneumonia as a result ofdysphagia are higher if you havea weakened immune system, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , or if your oral and dental hygiene is poor.

Dysphagia in children

If children with long-term dysphagiaaren't eating enough, they may not get the essential nutrients they need for physical and mental development.

Children who have difficulty eating may also find meal times stressful, which may lead to behavioural problems.