Dysphagia Management: Speech Therapy Solutions for Swallowing Disorders

Speech Therapy for Dysphagia Management Can Help Take the Stress Out of Eating, Drinking, and More

You know that feeling when you choke on your water while drinking, which turns into an embarrassing coughing fit? Or, is someone you know showing signs of a swallowing disorder that can be related to a disease or other condition? If challenges with swallowing when eating, drinking, or speaking become a regular occurrence, it might be a sign of a swallowing disorder known as dysphagia. Fortunately, speech therapy at our Go Physical Therapy clinic offers a supportive environment for your dysphagia management journey.

Don’t let swallowing difficulties hold you back – take the first step and schedule a consultation today.

The Sooner You Start Dysphagia Management, the Better

Each year, approximately 1 in 25 adults in the United States will experience difficulty swallowing. That number could be higher because it is not uncommon for adults to overlook the seriousness of the condition and not seek the help they need.

Dysphagia is a serious condition that should be treated as soon as symptoms appear. A lack of dysphagia management can lead to a host of complications, including:

• Choking
• Malnutrition
• Aspiration
• Dehydration
• Depression and Isolation

Causes

Damage to the central nervous system from conditions such as:

• Stroke
• Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) – aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Conditions that affect the head and neck, like:

• Cancer and related treatments
• Trauma or surgery
• Critical care involving intubation
• Improper Dental Hygiene

Additionally, metabolic disturbances, some infectious diseases, and certain medications that cause dry mouth can lead to swallowing disorders.

Therapy for Swallowing Disorders with Go Physical Therapy

Treating dysphagia promptly is crucial, so it’s essential to know the signs. Simply coughing or clearing the throat after eating aren’t necessarily clear indications of dysphagia. Here are some signs to look out for when eating and drinking:

• Trying to swallow the same bit or drink several times before it works
• Drooling or saliva leakage
• Difficulty keeping the mouth closed
• Irregularly long time chewing
• The feeling of food being “stuck” in the throat
• Pain when swallowing

In addition to safe eating and drinking, improper swallowing techniques affect our ability to speak. Individuals recovering from a stroke, surgery, or injury or who have a neurological disease may experience muscle weakness in the face, throat, and mouth. We use these muscles to form words and make sounds, so we can’t communicate effectively when they are weak or have limitations.

Speech therapy interventions involve specific techniques and tools to address individualized conditions, limitations, and needs.

• Swallowing exercises to strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing and respiration.
  • Larynx (aka voice box) training to improve the ability to maintain a lifted position
  • Practice holding the tongue correctly to prevent coughing and choking
  • Head lifting exercises to practice using the muscles that allow food and liquid to pass into the esophagus
• Learning proper pacing and feeding strategies
• Postural awareness and techniques are tailored to the severity and type of dysphagia and are often helpful to patients with neurological impairments and structural damage.
  • Tucking the chin toward the neck while swallowing
  • Tilting the chin upward to allow gravity to help move the food/liquid from the mouth to the esophagus
  • Rotating the head to the right or left side helps steer food/liquid to the more substantial muscle groups.

Our dysphagia management programs are highly personalized to address the individual needs of our patients. We may include other speech therapy methods like equipment or environmental modifications and sensory stimulation for additional support.

We’re here to help you regain your confidence in eating, drinking, and communicating so you can return to the activities you love most.

Contact us today and learn how our dysphagia management programs can make a difference in your life.