Dysphagia
Swallowing problems, medically termed dysphagia, can impact people following a stroke, brain injury, head and neck cancer, or result from neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and ALS.
Dysphagia can affect different people in different ways.
Common symptoms include:
Muscle weakness or drooping
Extra time needed to eat
Difficulty with specific food types or amounts
Leftover food in your mouth after you swallow
Coughing during meal times
Sensation of food “sticking” or “fullness” in the neck
Drooling
Ineffective chewing
Changes in vocal quality (e.g., wet or gurgly sounding voice) during or after eating or drinking
Weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration from not being able to eat enough
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) evaluate and treat swallowing disorders. Treatment will vary based on the type of dysphagia, signs and symptoms, medical history, cognitive function, as well as other factors.
Your SLP will partner with you to develop a treatment program focused on restoring safety and efficiency in swallowing, so you can have more manageable and enjoyable mealtimes.
Instrumental assessments of swallowing function, such as a Modified Barium Swallow (MBS), are often recommended to assist with rehabilitation.