Swallowing Difficulties Q & A

What causes difficulty swallowing?
Swallowing problems, also known as dysphagia, arise when you have trouble moving food from your mouth to your esophagus and stomach. When you have trouble swallowing, you run the danger of starvation, choking, and aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when bacteria-carrying food particles become lodged in your lungs.

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Dysphagia can be caused by a variety of medical disorders, including:

• Obstruction of the esophagus

• Narrowing of the esophagus

• Reflux of acid

• Tumors

• Strike alien items with your hand

• Muscular dystrophy is a type of muscular dystrophy.

• Achalasia (non-relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter) is a condition in which the lower esophageal sphincter does not relax.

Scarring from radiation therapy for head and neck cancer can make swallowing difficult.

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What are the signs and symptoms of swallowing problems?
One or more of the following symptoms are caused by swallowing difficulties:

• Drooling

• Hoarseness

• Regurgitation

• Choking\sHeartburn

• Coughing while eating or thereafter

• During meals, you should clear your throat.

• Suffering from swallowing pain

• After ingesting, I have a gurgling voice

 

You may also experience a lump in your throat or notice that foods and liquids are going down the incorrect pipe more frequently than usual.

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How are swallowing problems addressed?
Taking care of underlying issues including blockages, acid reflux, and problems with the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that opens to enable food and fluids into your stomach, is the first step in treating swallowing problems.

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The next step in dysphagia treatment is swallowing therapy, which is a form of orofacial myofunctional therapy.

 

Swallowing treatment is a sort of orofacial myofunctional therapy that focuses on the muscles involved in swallowing. Though swallowing appears to be an easy task, it necessitates synchronization of the tongue, mouth, throat, and facial muscles. Proper tongue pressure is also required to transport food from your mouth to your throat during swallowing.

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You will do specialized exercises to strengthen the muscles and assist you to control your tongue during your therapy. Ms. Shahar may also include swallowing therapy instructions to help you avoid aspiration. Aspiration, or breathing food or liquid into your lungs without realizing it, can happen before, during, or after swallowing.

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You might also pick up some swallowing skills. You may need to adjust the consistency of your drinks or your eating position, for example.

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Call or arrange an appointment with TASL Speech Therapy Consultants today if you're having trouble swallowing.