The term dysphagia is defined as difficulty in swallowing and originates from the Greek words dys, with difficulty, and phagia, to eat. Dysphagia should be distinguished from ‘odynophagia’ or painful swallowing, although both may appear together. Dysphagia is a distressing symptom and can have serious effects on a patient's health. The main concern is airway obstruction and the risk of aspiration. Suspicion of a swallowing difficulty should lead to accurate assessment and patient precautions must be taken. Furthermore, the physician should always suspect a malignant cause of dysphagia.