Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)

May be brought on by Anxiety, which interferes with nervous control of peristalsis and usually feels like a ball or lump in the throat; a fishbone lodged in the throat can cause coughing and pain on swallowing (see First Aid treatment); some narrowing of the throat is quite normal with a Sore Throat or Tonsillitis; if food feels stuck high up in chest and pain worsens when you bend or lie down, cause may be Hiatus Hernia or reflux oesophagitis (see under Hiatus Hernia) or stricture of the oesophagus; pain on swallowing, accompanied by inexplicable Weight Loss of more than 0.5 kg (1 lb) per week, may be cancer of the oesophagus (see Cancer), in which case consult your doctor if there is no improvement in 48 hours.

See remedies under conditions above; if none diagnosed try these specific remedies to be given every 4 hours for up to 2 days

• Throat feels as if there is a lump in it, but swallowing otherwise normal Ignatia 30c
• Person can't stand scarves or tight clothes around neck Lachesis 30c

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