The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of potential causes:

• Gulping your food too fast or taking big bites.
• Having insufficient water with food.
• Eating while you lie down.
• Having an injury or disorder affecting the muscles and nerves, such as a stroke, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
• Having damage to the esophagus, such as scar tissue from acid reflux.
• Having health problems that apply pressure to the esophagus, such as an enlarged heart or thyroid.

-- Diana Kohnle