Difficulty or Pain Swallowing
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. This generally refers to the inability to swallow food or drinks easily. Difficulty swallowing can make a person choke on their food or drink. It may or may not be indicative of an underlying condition and usually goes away by itself.
People with hiatal hernias may find it difficult to swallow food or may experience pain while doing so. This is typically caused by the backflow of stomach contents in the esophagus or heartburn. This feeling can sometimes be relieved by taking medication.