Are you having difficulty swallowing? Were you diagnosed with something called Dysphagia? Neuro Speech Therapy specializes in swallow rehabilitation and can help you!
What is Dysphagia?
Swallowing problems, known as Dysphagia, can result from a variety of neurological impairments including stroke, brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and ALS. Injury, such as trauma to the neck region or surgical intervention could also affect swallow function.
Common symptoms of dysphagia include:
- Coughing when eating or drinking or right after a meal
- Wet or ‘gurgly’ sounding voice during or after meals
- Globus sensation - or feeling of food ‘stuck’ in the throat or neck
- Pain when swallowing
- Food or liquid remaining in the mouth after meals
- Frequent drooling or spilling
- Extra time and effort needed to chew solids
- Recurrent pneumonia
- Change in eating habits
- Avoidance of certain foods/drinks
- Weight loss
Dysphagia Treatment
A speech-language pathologist can treat dysphagia with comprehensive evaluation and treatment methods. At Neuro Speech Therapy, an initial swallowing evaluation is completed to determine where the problem is, potential causes, and the most appropriate treatment method. Imaging of the swallow mechanism is often recommended to assist with completing a comprehensive assessment and plan for rehabilitation.
Treatment can then be initiated and a personalized treatment program is designed specifically for your needs.
Treatment can include:
- Evidence-based swallowing exercises
- Safe swallowing strategies
- Recommendations for food textures and consistencies
- Education related to dysphagia and how to apply what you’ve learned into your daily life
If any of these symptoms resonate with you and you are ready to improve your swallowing abilities, don’t wait anymore and set up a time to discuss your needs with us!