causes of pain in the esophagus and difficulty swallowing
The causes of pain in the esophagus may be related to pathology within the esophagus or referred to the esophagus usually from neighboring structures like the stomach. Esophagitis is frequently seen in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the rising acid irritates the esophageal lining.
Difficulty swallowing is called dysphagia. It means having trouble passing food or liquid down the throat. Some people may gag, cough, or choke when trying to swallow. Others may feel like food is stuck in the throat. One cause is cancer, especially mouth, throat, or esophageal cancers.