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SWALLOWING DISORDERS
Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing can occur at any age, resulting from congenital abnormalities (i.e., cleft palate, cerebral palsy), structural damage (mouth, head and neck) and neurological impairment (i.e., stroke, head trauma, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson Disease, spinal cord injury, ALS, etc.).
Signs and symptoms of dysphagia include difficulty placing food in the mouth, the inability to control food or saliva in the mouth, extra effort or time required to chew or swallow, coughing during or after eating or drinking, difficulty initiating a swallow, a gurgly or wet sounding voice after swallowing food or liquid, nasal regurgitation, unexplained weight loss and/or dehydration and frequent pneumonia or chest congestion after eating.
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can complete a swallowing assessment to determine the safety of the swallow and recommend appropriate diet texture and treatment options. The SLP will also provide education to caregivers regarding safe feeding strategies and signs/symptoms of dysphagia.
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Please contact Speech Solutions to set up a free telephone consultation to discuss an assessment and possible treatment options. You may also be eligible to receive financial coverage through your extended health care insurance provider.
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