5 Times to Worry About Swallowing Problems – And 5 Times You Shouldn’t

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Swallowing problems happen throughout childhood for one reason or another but they are always scary. If your child shows signs of swallowing difficulty, it is common to worry about illnesses, injuries and developing malnutrition. 

If your child is experiencing symptoms of swallowing problems, it is important not to panic. Gathering more information and getting proper care is key to helping your child recover. Sometimes, there is no cause for concern. 

Here are five times to worry about swallowing problems and five times you shouldn’t.

What is Dysphagia?

If you bring your child in for swallowing problems, you might hear the doctors say “dysphagia.” This fancy word is another way of saying “difficulty swallowing” and is not a specific diagnosis. 

Sometimes, it is hard to know whether your child is experiencing dysphagia, as they could struggle to describe the sensations they feel. Here are some common signs of the condition. 

  • A gurgle sound when eating or drinking. 
  • Excess saliva or drooling. 
  • Struggling to chew.
  • Feeling like food gets stuck in their throat or chest. 
  • Coughing while eating or drinking. 
  • Regurgitating through the mouth or nose. 
  • Chest infections. 
  • Weight loss. 

By knowing the signs, you can better explain concerns to your child’s medical team. 

When to Worry About Swallowing Problems 

It is understably scary any time your child struggles to eat or drink. It is important to remember that many issues are treatable and some resolve on their own. However, there are some symptoms that you should stay alert for and seek treatment as soon as possible. 

1. Struggling to Breathe 

If your child is struggling to swallow and beginning to struggle with breathing, seek immediate treatment. Your child could be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction which causes the tongue to swell and the throat to close. 

This condition happens when your child is allergic to something and their body has an extreme immune response to the ingredient or substance. If you suspect your child has a food allergy, chances are you try to monitor their food and drinks to avoid it. However, mistakes happen and you can’t be with your child for every meal and snack. Many manufactured foods and ingredients contain items you might not expect. 

Even a mild rash or reaction to a food or drink likely means your child needs to avoid it. Their reactions could increase in severity over time and you never know when the body will experience anaphylaxis. 

If your child had a severe enough reaction before, they likely have an epinephrine auto injector, commonly called an epi-pen. If you suspect anaphylaxis, administer the drug if you have it and call 911. 

2. Causes Severe Pain 

If your child experiences severe pain while swallowing, it’s important to seek medical care. Several illnesses can cause discomfort or even prevent your child from wanting to swallow, but severe pain even with small amounts of liquid needs addressed. 

When a child is in agony while trying to swallow, it could mean a severe illness or injury is taking hold. The lack of swallowing liquid could quickly lead to dehydration, especially if they are exerting themselves by crying and screaming. 

3. Comes With Vomiting 

Vomiting once while eating doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to worry. Sometimes, kids eat too fast or throw up as the first sign of a stomach bug. However, if your child vomits while eating and drinking and doesn’t during other times, it’s time to seek care. 

Regurgitating food could signal an esophageal blockage. It could be that other food or a toy is blocking their throat from letting everything get to their stomach. In a worst-case scenario a tumor or other growth could have the same effect. 

4. Causes Anxiety 

If your child has trouble swallowing one time–even if it wasn’t an emergency– it could scare them off from trying to eat or even drink. If they don’t feel well while swallowing, it can have the same effect. 

We all need to fuel and hydrate our bodies and you don’t want mealtimes to be a traumatic experience. What might seem like a temper tantrum around meals or extreme pickiness could actually mean they are experiencing anxiety around trying to eat or drink. 

There are many reasons a child might feel anxious around eating, but it’s important to work with their pediatrician to narrow down the cause as quickly as possible to avoid mental or physical damage. 

5. No Apparent Reason 

You should seek medical assistance if your child repeatedly struggles to swallow and you can’t identify the reason. Maybe they don’t seem sick or distressed but are having a hard time mechanically swallowing. It’s always best to be safe than sorry when there is a potentially serious issue. 

When Not to Worry About Trouble Swallowing

As a parent or guardian, it is common to worry when a child struggles with something as common as swallowing. However, there are cases where it might not be as serious as you think. 

1. Eating Dry Food

As adults, we often will take a sip of liquid to combat an extremely dry food texture. However, a kid might have to learn from experience. If they struggle to swallow when eating a dry food, like toast or crackers, see if a drink helps. You could also give them a less dry food and see if they swallow it easily. 

2. Trying to Swallow Too Much Food or Water 

Kids sometimes rush their meals or snacks so they can get back to playtime. This sometimes means they try to swallow too much food or liquid at once. So long as they are able to breathe and are not choking, you can have your child try again with a smaller bite. 

3. Not Chewing Well Enough 

Similar to the previous incidence, sometimes kids don’t chew their food as thoroughly as they should, causing it to go down with difficulty or them to regurgitate it. Explain the importance of thoroughly chewing and how to do it. Then, have them try again. 

Difficulty chewing could happen with sore teeth and gums. Consult with your child’s dentist if you think that could be a contributing factor.

4. Treating a Sore Throat

If your child has a sore throat, it can be painful to swallow things. If they have throat numbing sprays or throat drops, it can make swallowing some things feel strange. Sore throats can come from viruses, bacterial infections or strain. 

So long as they are still getting liquids down and they don’t have a high fever or other concerning symptoms, you can wait to see if the symptoms resolve on their own. Experts recommend bringing your child to the doctor if they still have a sore throat after 48 hours. 

5. Taking a Pill 

Swallowing pills is sometimes hard for adults to do, let alone children. Don’t panic if they can’t get a pill or capsule down the first time. If they struggle multiple times to swallow a pill or capsule but can swallow food and beverages, consult with your pediatrician about other medication options. 

Treating Swallowing Problems 

It can be scary to see a child struggling to swallow, but the issue doesn’t always mean there is a major problem. Trust your instincts and talk with your pediatrician about any concerning signs or symptoms.

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Beth, the Managing Editor at Body+Mind, is well-respected in the fitness and nutrition spaces. In her spare time, Beth enjoys going for runs and cooking.

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