Common symptoms with lateral medullary syndrome may include difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia. There may be difficulty with swallowing and loss of tongue mobility. Health issues can include difficulty in feeding, jaw opening, chewing and swallowing. Saliva coats the oral mucosa mechanically protecting it from trauma during eating, swallowing, and speaking. Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance intended for chewing but not swallowing. The weakness of the muscles involved in swallowing may lead to swallowing difficulty (dysphagia). People with dementia are likely to have difficulty eating and swallowing. These conditions can impair coughing, swallowing, clearing the airways, and in the worst cases, breathing. Dilation of the esophagus results in difficulty swallowing. This can cause difficult swallowing, called dysphagia, or painful swallowing, called odynophagia. Inhaling a substance is not the same as swallowing it. Other symptoms may include trouble swallowing and chest pains. Over time, people experience increasing difficulty moving, swallowing (dysphagia), and speaking or forming words (dysarthria). It does not chew its food, instead swallowing it whole. They do not chew their food, instead swallowing it whole.