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Swallowing Disorders

 
 
What is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing due to various medical conditions that damage sensation, weaken muscle strength or cause dis-coordination of the muscles involved in swallowing.  Dysphagia can affect one's ability to safely and efficiently consume food or liquids.
 
What causes dysphagia?
  • Congenital abnormalities
  • CVA
  • Head and neck cancers
  • Neurological diseases
  • Structural damage

 

What are the symptoms?
  • Feeding Aversions
  • Inability to recognize food
  • Difficulty placing foods on the mouth
  • Difficulty controlling food or saliva in the mouth
  • Coughing during eating or drinking
  • Recurrent pneumonia
  • Weight loss
  • Gurgly voice

 

What should I do if I have dysphagia?
Your health care provider may refer you to a speech pathologist.  Speech pathologists can frequently help alleviate symptoms of dysphagia and improve swallow function and safety.  Your therapy will emphasize:
 
Correctly identifying contributing factors in dysphagia
 
Designing, training and implementing an individualized exercise program to improve muscle function
Identifying possible compensatory strategies to improve safety and function
 
Strategies to increase diet tolerance and improve quality of life
 
Suggestions for maintenance of hydration and nutrition
 
Caregiver training as needed
 
FAQs on Swallowing and Feeding
 
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