If you experience discomfort or difficulty while eating or drinking, you may have a swallowing disorder or dysphagia. This type of disorder can develop later in life, and it can have a serious impact on your health, nutrition, and quality of life. The good news is that speech therapy can help you overcome the challenges associated with a swallowing disorder.
At Rebound Physical Therapy, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained to assess and treat swallowing disorders in adults. Keep reading to learn what a swallowing disorder is, what causes it, and how our experts at Rebound can help you eat and drink more safely and comfortably.
What Is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing food and/or drinks. Swallowing involves a complex coordination of muscles in the mouth, throat, and esophagus. When any part of this system is disrupted, swallowing problems can happen.
Dysphagia can affect your ability to move food or liquids from your mouth to your stomach. It can cause discomfort, coughing, or even choking while eating and drinking.
Common Signs of a Swallowing Disorder
It’s not always easy to recognize a swallowing problem at first. Some of the most common signs of dysphagia include:
- Coughing or choking while eating or drinking
- A sensation of food sticking in the throat or chest
- Pain when swallowing
- Drooling or difficulty managing saliva
- Wet or gurgly-sounding voice after eating
- Unexplained weight loss or dehydration
- Frequent heartburn or regurgitation
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider or our expert SLPs. Left untreated, dysphagia can lead to serious complications like pneumonia and malnutrition that can affect your quality of life.
What Causes Dysphagia?
Swallowing disorders can develop from a variety of medical conditions. One of the most common causes is neurological damage, such as from a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis, because these conditions can affect the nerves and muscles responsible for swallowing.
Head and neck cancers, as well as the treatments for them—like surgery or radiation—can also interfere with normal swallowing function. Even traumatic brain injuries can impair the brain’s ability to coordinate the muscles involved in eating and drinking.
As we age, natural muscle weakness can also lead to difficulty swallowing, even without a specific medical condition. Understanding the underlying cause of your dysphagia is the key to determining the right treatment approach.
How Speech Therapy Can Help with Dysphagia
Speech therapy is one of the most effective treatments for dysphagia. At Rebound, our speech-language pathologists will start with a thorough evaluation to determine the cause and severity of your swallowing difficulty. This may include clinical assessments and, if needed, imaging studies.
Based on the evaluation, your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan to address your specific challenges. Therapy is tailored to your specific needs and will progress at your pace. Many adults with dysphagia experience significant improvement with consistent support through speech therapy.
Your dysphagia treatment plan may include:
- Swallowing Exercises – To strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing
- Compensatory Strategies – To teach you techniques like posture changes or specific swallowing maneuvers to make swallowing safer
- Diet Modifications – To reduce your choking risk by adjusting the types of food and drink you eat
- Education – To help you understand how to manage your symptoms and avoid discomfort or other health complications
Reach Out to Rebound for Expert Support
If you or someone you love is dealing with swallowing difficulties, Rebound Physical Therapy is here to help. Give us a call at (785) 367-3079 to schedule a speech therapy screening, and let’s work together to tackle your swallowing challenges today.
Tags: Therapy, Speech, Swallowing, dysphagia
