The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of potential causes:
- Gulping your food too fast or taking big bites.
- Having insufficient water with food.
- Eating while you lie down.
- Having an injury or disorder affecting the muscles and nerves, such as a stroke, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
- Having damage to the esophagus, such as scar tissue from acid reflux.
- Having health problems that apply pressure to the esophagus, such as an enlarged heart or thyroid.
