The Oaks Hospital · Colchester, Essex
Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia) Investigation in Colchester
Difficulty swallowing should never be ignored. Dr Thines Karunakaran offers rapid consultant-led assessment and gastroscopy at The Oaks Hospital in Colchester to find the cause — and to exclude serious disease quickly.
Dr Thines Karunakaran
Consultant Gastroenterologist
Symptoms worth investigating
Dysphagia can feel different from person to person. You should seek specialist assessment if you have:
- The sensation of food or drink sticking in the throat or chest
- Swallowing that is becoming progressively more difficult
- Pain on swallowing
- Food coming back up (regurgitation) after meals
- Unexplained weight loss alongside swallowing problems
- Persistent heartburn or reflux with swallowing difficulty
- Iron-deficiency anaemia with swallowing symptoms
- Recurrent chest infections or coughing when eating or drinking
Why prompt investigation matters
Most causes of swallowing difficulty are benign and easily treated — but dysphagia is also one of the symptoms that can indicate cancer of the oesophagus or stomach, so it should never be left uninvestigated. A private consultation and gastroscopy is often the fastest route to a definite answer, and most patients are reassured.
What happens at your appointment
Dr Karunakaran will take a careful history of your symptoms, examine you and explain the likely causes. In most cases a gastroscopy is recommended — a short camera test of the oesophagus and stomach, usually arranged within days, with the findings explained to you on the day.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the cause. Reflux-related inflammation usually settles with medication; benign narrowings can often be stretched during the gastroscopy itself. Where a condition needs more specialised treatment, Dr Karunakaran will discuss the options and coordinate your ongoing care.
Insured and self-pay
Recognised by insurers including Bupa (Fee Assured), AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Healix, Allianz, Aetna International, The Exeter and Benenden Health. Self-pay patients are welcome — consultations are £215 and follow-ups £150, with endoscopy quoted separately in advance.
Difficulty swallowing FAQs
What is dysphagia?+
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing — the sensation that food or drink is sticking, going down slowly, or getting stuck in the throat or chest. It should always be assessed by a specialist rather than ignored.
When should I see a doctor about difficulty swallowing?+
Promptly. Difficulty swallowing that is persistent, worsening, or comes with weight loss, pain, regurgitation of food or iron-deficiency anaemia should be investigated without delay, usually with a gastroscopy.
What causes difficulty swallowing?+
Common causes include acid reflux and oesophagitis, benign narrowings (strictures or webs), a loose gullet muscle (achalasia), eosinophilic oesophagitis and, less commonly, cancer of the oesophagus or stomach. A gastroscopy distinguishes between these.
How is dysphagia investigated?+
The first test is usually a gastroscopy, which directly examines the oesophagus and stomach and allows biopsies to be taken. Depending on the findings, further tests such as a barium swallow or oesophageal manometry may be arranged.
Further information
Get your swallowing difficulty investigated
GP referrals and self-referrals welcome · Rapid appointments at The Oaks Hospital, Colchester.