Swallowing Disorders
Swallowing is something that seems so simple but it can be a complicated process.
People who have swallowing difficulties, or dysphagia, may complain of the following:
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food sticking in their mouth or throat
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choking or coughing with liquids or food
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pain with swallowing
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drooling
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regurgitation
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unexplained weight loss
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difficulty controlling food in their mouth
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difficulty starting a swallow
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too many swallows needed to clear the food
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food or liquid coming out the nose
Swallowing difficulties may result from some medical conditions, head and neck cancer treatment, illnesses, or surgery.
A swallowing assessment in our office includes obtaining a detailed history, assessment of the oral musculature, eating and swallowing various food and liquid textures, review of results and recommendations. We have a variety of foods in the clinic; however, if there are foods that are particularly difficult for you, we might ask that you bring those at the time of the assessment. If a more objective assessment is recommended by the Speech-Language Pathologist, we will facilitate this referral via one of your physicians.
Swallowing therapy may involve a combination of strengthening exercises, compensatory strategies, and diet modifications to help achieve the safest swallow possible.