Dysphagia

By Nichole Dooling, BS, Dietetic Intern

1 Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing that may include pain May only be unable to swallow certain food or liquids

Normal Swallow
chewing and swallowing

There are several muscles and nerves involved in

3 phases of swallowing Oral (mouth) Pharyngeal (throat) Esophageal (food channel to stomach)

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/dysph.aspx

Causes of
Brain injury, stroke

1 Dysphagia

Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, Cerebral Palsy

Cancer of head or neck and cancer treatments

Dementia or memory loss

Signs and Symptoms of Dysphagia2

Coughing or gurgled voice during or after eating or drinking Extra effort or time needed to chew or swallow Food or liquid leaking from the mouth Food getting stuck in the mouth

Problems Caused by Dysphagia2

Less enjoyment of eating or drinking Embarrassment during social eating situations Food or liquid entering the airway

Malnutrition or dehydration

Diagnosing Dysphagia1,2
Physician will make a referral to a specialist, such as a speech language pathologist who does tests

Observe eating and drinking Watch swallowing with an x-ray or small camera

http://www.bidmc.org/Centers-and-Departments/Departments/Patient-And-Family-Care-Services/RehabilitationServices/Outpatient-Rehabilitation-Services/Voice-Speech-and-Swallowing/SwallowingDisorders/Videofluoroscopy.aspx

Treatment for Dysphagia1,2

Facial exercises to improve muscle movement Positioning during meals Change food and drink consistencies

Adaptive equipment

Positioning During Meals3

Sit upright Support Back

Face forward
Head upright

Changes in Food
Pureed

4 Texture

applesauce, pudding
Moist, semi-solids

cottage cheese, egg salad

Soft food

breads, ground meats, casseroles

http://theyfashion.com/pureed-diet-a-solution-to-chewing-or-digesting-solid-food-problem/pureed-diethandout/

Thickened Liquids4
Nectar thick Honey thick Spoon thick

Nectar thick

Honey thick

Spoon thick

http://www.patientprovidercommunication.org/gallery/?Category=Dysphagia%20Icon%20Images

Adaptive Equipment

https://www.dysphagia-diet.com/c-484-adaptive-eating-aids.aspx

Additional resources
MedLine Plus

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/swallowingdisorders.html
Mayo Clinic

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dysphagia/care-at-mayoclinic/why-choose-mayo-clinic/CON-20033444 Web MD

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/difficulty-swallowing-dysphagiaoverview

Questions

References
1.
2. 3. 4.
Dysphagia. Available at: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/dysph.aspx. Accessed March 18, 2014 Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) in Adults. Available at: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/Swallowing-Disorders-in-Adults/. Accessed March 18, 2014. Positioning at meals and How to Feed a person with Dysphagia. Available at: http://www.safeswallowing.com.au/FAQRetrieve.aspx?ID=44833. Accessed March 28, 2014. National Dysphagia Diet: What to Swallow? 2003. Available at: http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2003/031104/f031104c/. Accessed March 18, 2014.