We've all run into situations or statements that we find hard to swallow. But for up to 700,000 people every year, it’s food and drink that cause the problem.

A condition called dysphagia can trigger coughing while eating and force liquid and food to come back into the throat or out of your nose or mouth.

We each swallow about 600 times a day using 30 pairs of muscles and multiple nerves. But when that mechanism isn't working right, it can lead to malnutrition or pneumonia, and also trigger social isolation and depression.

Diagnosis of dysphagia involves clinical observation (you swallow liquid or food as your doctor observes) and examination of your throat and esophagus using a fiberoptic endoscopic.

Once it becomes clear what’s causing the problem — that can range from chronic lung disease to throat cancer or stroke, dementia, or Parkinson's — your gastroenterologist can help you overcome the problem.

Unfortunately, one survey found that fewer than half of people with trouble swallowing went to a doctor who was trained to treat the condition.

So, you need to get a good referral. (For help doing that, see my book, "YOU: The Smart Patient: An Insider's Handbook for Getting the Best Treatment.")

Remedies for dysphagia depend on the cause and severity of the condition, but may involve swallowing exercises, medicines that relax muscles, ease inflammation or control GERD or surgery.

A special diet might also ease swallowing and you may need to cut food into smaller bits and use liquid-thickening products. Don't put off getting the help you need.