Dysphagia - Swallowing
Dysphagia is defined as a difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can range in severity from mild difficulty when swallowing to complete inability to eat or drink anything by mouth. Estimates conclude that as many as 15 million Americans suffer from some level of dysphagia, with an additional 1 million people receiving a new diagnosis every year.
Dysphagia can arise from a wide variety of causes which can include:
• Stroke and other cerebral vascular accidents
• Traumatic head injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Meningitis and brain tumors
• Head, neck, and esophageal cancers and their treatment (e.g. radiation)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS)
• Spinal cord injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Polymyositis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Respiratory Conditions (e.g. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Weakness due to a decreased medical condition
Your speech language pathologist will conduct a bedside swallowing evaluation or review a recent modified barium swallow study and develop a plan for you!
Therapy plans may include:
• Compensatory techniques
• Exercises and airway protection
• Vital Stimulation
• Up to date Evidence based treatment techniques