Swallowing Problems

Swallowing problems, or dysphagia, make it difficult for food to pass from your mouth to your stomach. Swallowing difficulties can occur for reasons ranging from dehydration to illness to obstructions. Most cases are not serious and are short-lived, but sometimes medical treatment is needed.

The Division of Thoracic Surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) treats a wide range of swallowing issues including achalasia, a disorder that affects the esophagus. Other motor disorders include diffuse esophageal spasms and nutcracker esophagus. Our board-certified surgeons are experts in the latest minimally invasive thoracic surgical techniques for swallowing problems, including per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).