It might feel like drowning when your body stops swallowing on its own. According to one doctor, "it's like getting waterboarded all the time." When you can't swallow, eating becomes dangerous. Dysphagia can induce choking, but it can also cause patients to breathe in food and liquids, which can lead to pneumonia. People who have had strokes or neurological diseases often develop dysphagia. As their ability to move muscles decreases, they become more susceptible to developing this problem. Also, as people get older, they tend to lose muscle mass, which makes it harder for them to eat properly and avoid choking. Finally, if a patient has been diagnosed with cancer, he/she is at risk of developing dysphagia due to treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. There are two types of dysphagia: acute and chronic. Acute dysphagia occurs when you stop being able to swallow completely; instead, you only be able to swallow parts of foods or liquids. This may be because of an illness or injury that has caused damage to the mouth, throat, or esophagus. With treatment, most people will be able to learn how to swallow again eventually. However, if the damage to your throat is severe, it may take longer for you to recover. Chronic dysphagia is permanent inability to swallow. It may be caused by disease, such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis; or it may be due to aging.