CHILD’S DISORDERS: SWALLOWING DIFFICULTY (DYSPHAGIA)
Cause
If your child has trouble swallowing food or liquids it is most likely to be due to a sore throat, mouth infection or ulcer. Avoid giving him spicy or sour foods, and offer purees and soups instead of solid food which requires a lot of chewing. Ice blocks are often well tolerated, as are jellies. Swallowing difficulty may be associated with a serious underlying condition such as a weakness of the sphincter between the oesophagus and the stomach.
When to see your doctor immediately
• if your child is having difficulty breathing;
• if you suspect that he has swallowed or breathed in a foreign object;
• if your child is unable to swallow anything at all;
• if you suspect that your child has drunk some household chemical;
• if you suspect that your child has been stung or bitten by some insect.
You should also see your doctor if your child has a fever and is generally unwell for no apparent reason.
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