If you struggle to swallow food or drink, treatment is available!
Do you or a loved one cough or choke when eating or drinking? Have your difficulties with swallowing caused you to lose interest in food and drink? It may be dysphagia, a swallowing disorder involving the mouth, throat, and oesophagus. Fortunately, speech therapy at Aspen Rehab can help!
Dysphagia is probably more common than you think. One study estimates that it can affect one in every 25 adults in the United States. However, getting an accurate number is difficult since dysphagia is associated with several diseases, injuries, and other health disorders.
While dysphagia doesn’t necessarily affect speech, speech therapy at Aspen Rehab still plays a vital role in treatment. Our therapists have a keen understanding of the mouth and throat muscles, making us an excellent choice for helping you find strategies to cope with the condition.
If left untreated, dysphagia can be dangerous. Request an appointment at our speech therapy clinic to start treatment today!
The symptoms and causes of dysphagia
There are two broad categories of causes of dysphagia:
- Damage to your brain or nerves from neurological conditions like stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis
- Damage to your head, neck, or mouth due to cancer, injury, or surgery
Furthermore, dysphagia can result from dysfunction in one of three body parts involved in eating and swallowing: your mouth, throat, or esophagus.
The exact symptoms you experience will vary based on the reason for your dysphagia and the area where you’re experiencing dysfunction. That said, here are some of the more common symptoms associated with dysphagia:
- Coughing or clearing your throat while you eat or drink (or immediately after)
- The sensation that something is lodged in your throat after eating or drinking
- Taking longer than usual to chew or swallow
- Food or liquid leaking out of your mouth
- Food getting stuck in your mouth
- Difficulty breathing after you eat or drink
Left untreated, dysphagia can lead to poor nutrition, dehydration, and weight loss. When eating and swallowing are so difficult, you may find yourself trying to avoid them altogether, leading to a new set of concerns. That’s why getting an assessment and seeking treatment from the team of experts at Aspen Rehab is essential.
Treatment options for dysphagia
Because dysphagia can stem from so many different causes and exhibit so many different symptoms, treatments can vary. Our speech therapists will work with you to determine a treatment plan to best soothe your symptoms. Often, this will involve addressing the underlying cause and the dysphagia itself.
Here are some of the treatment options our speech therapist might use to help:
Swallowing exercise: These targeted exercises improve the function of your lips, jaw, soft palate, or tongue so you can chew and swallow more easily. Our therapists will walk you through each one.
Postural techniques: Sometimes, adjusting your posture as you eat or drink can improve your swallowing ability. Our therapists will show you different postures to try, such as tucking your chin down or lifting your chin, and help you determine which one works best for you.
Maneuvers: Maneuvers are movements that can help facilitate swallowing–for example, you might swallow hard while pushing your tongue against the back of your throat. Again, our therapists will walk you through different maneuvers to find the ones that work.
Technology: If you have no cognitive impairment, we might utilize biofeedback to help you better understand swallowing mechanics so you can make the necessary corrections. We could also apply a gentle, non-painful electrical current to stimulate the muscles of your mouth and throat.
Assistive devices: Some patients might benefit from assistive devices or prosthetics to facilitate swallowing. Our therapists can let you know your options.
What to expect at your Aspen Rehab appointments
Before beginning any treatments, our speech therapists will conduct an assessment to confirm whether your swallowing difficulties are related to dysphagia. We’ll watch you eat and drink during the assessment, looking out for impairments. We’ll also take a full health history to get a complete picture of your symptoms.
The assessment will also help us determine the best course of treatment for your particular case. Our therapists will often utilize a couple of different approaches to get the best results.
For patients with cognitive impairment (such as stroke or brain injury survivors), we’ll work closely with caregivers on an in-clinic treatment plan and strategies for improving eating and drinking at home.
Request an appointment for an assessment today!
If you suspect you or a loved one has dysphagia, contact Aspen Rehab to schedule an assessment. It’s essential to begin treatment as soon as possible to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need–plus, therapy can help make eating enjoyable again!
