Difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, can occur in people with fibromyalgia and usually causes fear, insecurity and a sensation of suffocation. Often exams of the throat, esophagus and digestive system do not show structural changes explaining the symptom.
In fibromyalgia, the main mechanism involved is nervous system dysfunction, particularly in how the brain coordinates and interprets sensory and motor signals. Swallowing is a complex process that depends on precise communication between muscles and nerves. When this communication is disregulated, a sense of difficulty may arise even without any real obstruction.
In addition, the autonomous nervous system, often affected by fibromyalgia, also takes part in swallowing control. Changes in this system may cause a cakey sensation in the throat, frequent choking, excessive effort to swallow or a perception that food “doesn’t go down”.
Another common factor is hypersensitivity of the throat and neck region. Normal stimulus, such as the passage of food or saliva, can be perceived as discomfort, tightness or pain. Muscle tension in the cervical and mandibular region, common in fibromyalgia, can also contribute to feeling of difficulty.
Fibromyalgia-related dysphagia can vary in intensity, appear in seizures and intensify with stress, anxiety, fatigue or general pain. Generally, it’s not associated with significant weight loss or serious neurological signals, but it can impact diet and quality of life.
It is critical that dysphagia is investigated to rule out structural, neurological or gastrointestinal causes. When these causes are ruled out, understanding the symptom may be linked to fibromyalgia helps to reduce fear and tension, which often aggravate the sensation.
The difficulty of swallowing in fibromyalgia is real, even without any visible change. She reflects how the nervous system amplifies sensations and disorganizes automatic functions, reinforcing the broad and systemic impact of the condition.
