Adult Dysphagia
Swallowing disorders, also called dysphagia (dis FAY juh), can occur at different stages in the swallowing process:
- Oral phase - sucking, chewing, and moving food or liquid into the throat
- Pharyngeal phase - triggering the swallowing reflex, squeezing food down the throat, and closing off the airway to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway (aspiration) and prevent choking
- Esophageal phase - relaxing and tightening the openings at the top and bottom of the feeding tube in the throat (esophagus) and squeezing food through the esophagus into the stomach
For more information about dysphagia and its treatment, please contact Speech, Language & Literacy.
What Are The Causes Of Adult Dysphagia?
Damage To The Nervous System, Such As...
- Stroke
- Brain or spinal cord injury
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease)
- Muscular dystrophy
- Cerebral palsy
- Alzheimer's disease
Problems Affecting The Head And Neck, Including...
- Cancer in the mouth, throat, or esophagus
- Injury or surgery involving the head and neck
- Decayed or missing teeth, or poorly fitting dentures
What Are The Signs Of Dysphagia?
Many other diseases, conditions, or surgical interventions can result in swallowing problems.
General Signs May Include
- Coughing during or right after eating or drinking
- Wet or gurgly sounding voice during or after eating or drinking
- Extra effort or time needed to chew or swallow
- Food or liquid leaking from the mouth or getting stuck in the mouth
- Recurring pneumonia or chest congestion after eating
- Weight loss or dehydration from not being able to eat enough
As A Result, Adults May Have
- Poor nutrition or dehydration
- Risk of aspiration (food or liquid entering the airway) which can lead to pneumonia and chronic lung disease
- Less enjoyment of eating or drinking
- Embarrassment or isolation in social situations involving eatin
What Can Be Done?
For help, consult your doctor about the possible medical cause of the swallowing problem. If appropriate, your physician may provide a referral to a speech-language pathologist, who can perform an evaluation of feeding and swallowing and, if appropriate, provide treatment. Many medical specialists and other health care professionals may work together to evaluate and / or treat feeding and swallowing problems.
The Speech-Language Pathologist...
- Will take a careful history of medical conditions and symptoms
- Will look at the strength and movement of the muscles involved in swallowing
- Will observe eating situations with different food and liquid consistencies to assess your posture, symptoms, and oral movements
- May perform special tests to evaluate swallowing
Treatment varies greatly depending on the cause, symptoms and type of swallowing problem.
The Speech-Language Pathologist May Recommend...
- Exercises, positions, or strategies to help swallow more effectively
- Specific food and liquid textures that are easier and safer to swallow
Family Members Or Caregivers Can Help
- Ask questions to understand the problem and the recommended treatment
- Assist in following the treatment plan
- Help with exercises
- Prepare the recommended textures of food and liquid, making sure that recommendations for eating safely are followed
- Keep track of how much food or liquid is consumed
Contact Speech, Language & Literacy
Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center (HSDC)
Artz Communication Center
1625 19th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone 206.388.1300
TTY 206.388.1275
Fax 206.388.1301
Email speech@hsdc.org / contact
Hours Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
