Abnormal swallowing is commonly perceived as food "sticking on the way down." If this complaint persists, it is sometimes due to a serious condition and should always prompt medical attention.
Swallowing difficulty may be caused by a number of different problems including:
Poor or incomplete chewing (possibly the result of dental problems, poorly fitted dentures, or eating too quickly)
Abnormal muscle contraction
Scar tissue from chronic inflammation
Infection
Cancer
Heartburn is a very common problem caused by regurgitation or reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus, which connects the mouth and the stomach.
Heartburn can often be eliminated by avoiding:
Smoking
Fatty food in the diet
Caffeine
Chocolate
Peppermint
Overeating
Bed-time snacks
Tight-fitting clothes that constrict the abdomen
Certain medications
Heavy lifting, straining
It is important to consider the possibility of heart disease before attributing any kind of chest pain to gastroesophageal reflux.