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Esophageal & Swallowing Care · Cypress & Katy, TX
Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia) Specialist in Cypress & Katy
Difficulty swallowing, called dysphagia, can feel like food moving slowly, food sticking in your throat or chest, coughing during meals or pain when you swallow. Persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated, because many causes are treatable once they are found. Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE, a board-certified gastroenterologist at United Gastroenterology Associates, evaluates swallowing problems at offices in Cypress and Katy. Call (346) 340-4414.
Appointments: (346) 340-4414
Meet Your Dysphagia Specialist: Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE
BOARD-CERTIFIED Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist
CREDENTIALS AT A GLANCE
Board-Certified
Gastroenterology, hepatology, and internal medicine
Academic Medicine
Former Associate Professor, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Published Research
More than 100 peer-reviewed articles in gastroenterology
FACP and FASGE
Fellow, American College of Physicians and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
“My gastroenterology & hepatology practice is dedicated to working closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and preferences.”
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE
Board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist, United Gastroenterology Associates
Swallowing problems are evaluated by Dr. Khan, a gastroenterologist board-certified in gastroenterology, hepatology and internal medicine and a Fellow of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, who performs upper endoscopy and esophageal dilation.
Dr. Khan is a former Associate Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications.
Areas of care
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Food getting stuck
- GERD and esophagitis
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Upper endoscopy and esophageal dilation
What Is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. Swallowing involves the mouth, throat and esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food to the stomach, and a problem anywhere along that path can make swallowing hard.
Doctors separate swallowing problems into two broad types. In oropharyngeal dysphagia, trouble starts in the mouth or throat: food is hard to start swallowing, or you cough or choke. In esophageal dysphagia, food seems to stick in the throat or chest a few seconds after you swallow. A gastroenterologist focuses on esophageal causes.
Go to the emergency room now if:
Food is completely stuck, you cannot swallow your saliva, you are drooling, or you have trouble breathing. Do not wait for a routine appointment.
What Does Difficulty Swallowing Feel Like?
Dysphagia does not feel the same for everyone. Some people have trouble only with solid foods such as meat or bread, while others have trouble with liquids as well. Some feel pressure in the chest after swallowing; others cough or choke while eating.
Two details are especially useful to your doctor: whether solids, liquids or both are difficult, and whether the problem is steady, comes and goes, or is getting worse over time.
Common symptoms
- Food feeling stuck after swallowing
- Trouble swallowing solids or liquids
- Pressure or discomfort in the chest
- Needing liquids to wash food down
- Coughing or choking during meals
- Food coming back up
- Pain when swallowing
- Avoiding foods that are hard to swallow
Persistent changes in swallowing should be discussed with a doctor.
What Can Cause Difficulty Swallowing?
Many conditions can cause dysphagia. The diagnosis cannot be made from one symptom alone, but the pattern of symptoms helps guide testing.
| Possible cause | What happens | Typical pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Peptic stricture from acid reflux | Long-standing reflux scars and narrows the lower esophagus | Gradual trouble with solids, often with heartburn |
| Schatzki ring or esophageal web | A thin ring of tissue narrows the esophagus | Food sticks now and then, often with meat or bread |
| Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) | Allergic-type inflammation stiffens and narrows the esophagus | Food sticking, sometimes food impaction; often in younger adults |
| Esophageal motility disorders | The muscles of the esophagus do not move food normally, as in achalasia | Trouble with both solids and liquids, regurgitation |
| Esophagitis from reflux, infection or pills | Inflammation of the esophageal lining | Pain with swallowing |
| Esophageal tumor (less common) | A growth narrows the esophagus | Steadily worsening trouble with solids, weight loss |
This is not a complete list. Swallowing problems that start in the mouth or throat can also be caused by neurological or muscle conditions, which may involve other specialists.
When Should You See a Dysphagia Specialist?
Occasional trouble swallowing can happen when you eat too quickly or do not chew well. Recurring or persistent difficulty swallowing should not be ignored, even if it seems mild, because many causes are easier to treat when found early.
See a gastroenterologist if swallowing problems keep returning or are getting worse, or if they come with weight loss, food coming back up, heartburn or pain. Read more about when an endoscopy is needed for difficulty swallowing.
See a specialist if you have
- Swallowing trouble that keeps returning
- Food that often feels stuck
- Symptoms getting steadily worse
- Trouble with liquids as well as solids
- Pain when swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Changes to your diet because of swallowing
Food completely stuck or trouble breathing needs emergency care.
Can Acid Reflux Cause Difficulty Swallowing?
Yes. Long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can inflame the esophagus and, over time, cause scarring that narrows it. People with reflux-related dysphagia often also have heartburn, regurgitation or a sour taste in the mouth.
Difficulty swallowing should not automatically be blamed on reflux, because conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis or motility disorders can cause similar symptoms. Learn more about GERD treatment and acid reflux care.
How Dysphagia Is Evaluated
A careful history often points to the cause before any test is done.
Symptom history
When swallowing problems began, whether solids, liquids or both are difficult, where food sticks, and whether symptoms are getting worse.
Related symptoms
Heartburn, regurgitation, pain with swallowing, coughing or choking, and weight change.
Medicines and history
Medicines that can irritate the esophagus, earlier digestive conditions, allergies, and previous tests or procedures.
Upper endoscopy
Often the first test for esophageal dysphagia: the doctor examines the esophagus and can take biopsies.
Additional testing
If needed, a barium swallow or esophageal function testing can be arranged to look at how the esophagus moves.
Tests and Treatments for Dysphagia
Not every patient needs the same tests. Treatment depends on the cause that is found.
| Test or treatment | What it does | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Upper endoscopy (EGD) | Examines the esophagus, stomach and duodenum; biopsies can check for eosinophilic esophagitis and other conditions | EGD · Cypress · Katy |
| Esophageal dilation | Gently widens a narrowed esophagus, often during the same endoscopy | Esophageal dilation |
| Esophageal pH monitoring | Measures acid reflux when reflux is suspected but not proven | pH monitoring |
| Barium swallow or motility testing | Shows how food moves and how the esophageal muscles work | Arranged when needed |
| Medicines | Acid-reducing medicine for reflux-related narrowing; anti-inflammatory treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis | Discussed with Dr. Khan |
What Should You Do While Waiting for an Appointment?
When you can swallow safely and are not having emergency symptoms:
- Eat slowly
- Take small bites
- Chew thoroughly
- Avoid foods that have repeatedly become stuck
- Sit upright while eating
- Remain upright after meals when reflux is present
- Take note of which foods or liquids cause symptoms
- Record whether symptoms occur at the start of swallowing or after food has passed into the chest
- Bring a complete medicine list to your appointment
- Tell your clinician about prior choking or food-impaction episodes
Do not:
- Force additional food on top of something that feels stuck
- Repeatedly drink large amounts to push down an impaction
- Attempt home remedies for a complete blockage
- Continue eating when choking repeatedly
- Delay emergency care when you cannot swallow saliva or breathe normally
How to Prepare for a Dysphagia Appointment
Bring or record:
- When the problem began
- Whether it is getting worse
- Whether the problem involves solids, liquids, pills, or saliva
- Where food feels stuck
- Whether you cough or choke
- Whether your voice changes after swallowing
- Any previous food impactions
- Any history of reflux
- Any history of asthma, eczema, or food allergies
- Unintentional weight change
- Current medicines and supplements
- Previous EGD, barium-study, or manometry reports
- History of stroke or neurologic illness
- History of head-and-neck surgery or radiation
- History of esophageal dilation
- Family history of upper digestive disease or cancer
This information can help determine whether the problem is more likely to involve the throat, esophageal structure, inflammation, or esophageal movement.
Patient Reviews
These reviews were shared by patients of United Gastroenterology Associates and are published on the practice website.
“Dr. Khan is an exceptionally kind and compassionate physician. He truly listens to his patients and takes the time to explain everything clearly and thoroughly. His treatment plans are straightforward and easy to understand, and he provides a very personalized, attentive level of care. I felt respected, heard, and genuinely cared for throughout my visit.”
Maria Andreina Behrens · Katy
“Dr Kahn and his staff are AWESOME. He is thorough, kind, listens and puts you at ease. The staff are patient and very helpful. I was so afraid of having a colonscopy. Dr Kahn was wonderful. My procedure went so well. It was over and done with in what seemed like a minute! So expect that! Dr Kahn is excellent, I trust him completely. And I recommend him, and his staff.”
Steph Apie · Fulshear
“Dr. Khan is an amazing physician. He is so kind hearted & wants to help you in every way possible. He listens & doesn’t make you feel rushed. I feel so comfortable talking to him about anything. I am so glad to have him as my gastro doctor. His staff is outstanding as well. Shout out to Dr. Khan & his staff.”
Donna LaPlante · Cypress
Difficulty Swallowing FAQs
Answers to common questions about dysphagia.
What type of doctor should I see for difficulty swallowing?
A gastroenterologist evaluates swallowing problems that involve the esophagus, especially the feeling that food sticks in the chest after you swallow. If the problem starts in the mouth or throat, an ENT doctor or a speech-language pathologist may also be involved. At United Gastroenterology Associates, Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE, sees patients in Cypress and Katy.
What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It can feel like food moving slowly, food sticking in the throat or chest, coughing or choking during meals, or pain when swallowing.
Why does food feel like it gets stuck in my chest?
Food sticking in the chest usually points to the esophagus. Common causes include narrowing from acid reflux, a Schatzki ring, eosinophilic esophagitis and esophageal motility disorders. A gastroenterologist can find the cause, often with an upper endoscopy.
Can acid reflux cause difficulty swallowing?
Yes. Long-standing acid reflux can inflame or scar the esophagus and narrow it. Difficulty swallowing should not automatically be blamed on reflux, though, because other conditions can cause it too.
Will I need an endoscopy?
Many people with persistent difficulty swallowing need an upper endoscopy (EGD). It lets the doctor see the esophagus, take biopsies and, if a narrowing is found, widen it with esophageal dilation during the same procedure.
When is difficulty swallowing an emergency?
Go to the nearest emergency room if food is completely stuck, you cannot swallow your saliva, you are drooling, or you have trouble breathing. These are signs of a food impaction or another urgent problem.
Where can I see a dysphagia specialist in Cypress or Katy?
United Gastroenterology Associates has offices at 21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 640, Cypress, TX 77429, and 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555, Katy, TX 77494. Call (346) 340-4414 to schedule.
Dysphagia Specialist in Cypress and Katy
Patients from Cypress, Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Rosenberg and the wider Houston area can be evaluated at either office of United Gastroenterology Associates.
United Gastroenterology Associates – Katy
Katy Freeway (I-10) near the Grand Parkway
- Address: 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555, Katy, TX 77494
- Phone: (346) 340-4414
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:30 PM for lunch; last appointment 4:30 PM)
United Gastroenterology Associates – Cypress
Northwest Freeway (US-290) in Cypress
- Address: 21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 640, Cypress, TX 77429
- Phone: (346) 340-4414
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:30 PM for lunch; last appointment 4:30 PM)
Find Out Why Swallowing Feels Difficult
Most causes of dysphagia can be treated once they are found. Call (346) 340-4414 or request an appointment in Cypress or Katy.
Sources
- American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. The role of endoscopy in the evaluation and management of dysphagia. asge.org
- MedlinePlus. Swallowing Disorders. medlineplus.gov
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Upper GI Endoscopy. niddk.nih.gov
This page provides general information and does not replace medical advice. If food is completely stuck or you have trouble breathing, call 911. Last updated October 5, 2026.