(HealthDay News) -- Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common problem among the elderly, according to The Center for Voice at Northwestern University.
Contributing factors could include poor teeth, ill-fitting dentures or a cold. One of the most common causes is gastroesophageal reflux, when stomach acid moves up the esophagus to the pharynx.
Medication and surgery can help treat dysphagia. Swallowing therapy performed by a speech pathologist also can help. If the problem persists, however, see an otolaryngologist -- more commonly known as an ear-nose-and-throat doctor.
