Sometimes, no cause can be found. Prevention is related to the cause. For example, early treatment of gastroesophageal reflux and goiter can prevent these conditions from causing trouble with swallowing. Some cases of esophageal cancer could be prevented by not drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes . Many cases cannot be prevented.
Diagnosis begins with a history and physical exam.
Sometimes, this is all that is needed to make the diagnosis. In many cases, further testing is required to determine the cause of the condition. Different tests may be ordered, depending on the suspected condition. If the swallowing trouble is thought to be due to a narrowing of the throat, an x-ray test called a upper GI may be ordered. In this test, a person is asked to drink a dye.