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Physical problems can arise in people born with abnormalities of the swallowing mechanism who may not be able to swallow normally. Infants who are born with an opening in the roof of the mouth called the cleft palate aren’t able to suck properly. Some people develop vocal cord paralysis, and they have weakness of the swallowing muscles as well. And they can present with trouble swallowing and / or choking. As people age, their spine can actually grow and push on the throat in the esophagus, making swallowing solids more difficult. Surgery on the spine in the neck area can also be a cause. In addition, cancer of the head, neck and esophagus can cause swallowing problems. Sometimes the treatment for these types of cancers can actually cause dysphagia as well, such as radiation. Injuries of the head, neck and chest can also create swallowing disorders, as can infections in irritation from acid, which can lead to narrowing of the esophagus, inflammation and acid can also affect the throat, contributing to swallowing problems. Finally, people with dementia, memory loss and cognitive decline may make it difficult for them to chew and swallow.
