What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulties with swallowing. This can include difficulties with swallowing fluid, diet, saliva and medications. Dysphagia can occur in varying degrees from mild discomfort or difficulty, to a complete inability to swallow.

How is Dysphagia assessed?

Dysphagia is assessed, diagnosed and treated by a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT). Assessment may include watching you eat/drink different types of food, putting their fingers lightly against the front of your throat to “feel” your swallow and listening to your breathing.

Once dysphagia has been identified and diagnosed, the SLT will make recommendations based on the difficulties experienced. This may include diet/fluid modification, certain exercises and/or postures to strengthen or maintain your swallow safety. A dietitian may be involved to ensure you are getting enough to eat and drink.

What can cause Dysphagia?

Dysphagia can occur from a number of medical conditions including stroke, dementia, COPD, cancer, neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease, trauma, disease or as a result of surgery and/or medical treatments. It is important that dysphagia is recognised and treated quickly to reduce the development of chest infections and the complications that may come with this.

Recognising the signs and symptoms of Dysphagia

• Coughing or choking when swallowing food or drink (during or after meals)
• A ‘gurgly’ voice after eating or drinking
• Food remaining in your mouth after a meal
• Shortness of breath during or after eating
• Food feeling stuck in your throat
• Extra effort or time needed to chew and/or swallow
• Food or liquid leaking from the mouth
• Repeated chest infections, chesty cough or high temperatures
• Weight loss and/or dehydration from not being able to eat/drink enough

Please note: your swallow may be worse than usual if you are sleepy or unwell.

If you notice any of these signs or symptoms listed above, or any changes to your swallowing, please contact your speech and language therapist or, if you are at home, your GP.

How is Dysphagia Treated?

Modifications to your diet/fluids may be advised to avoid food/drink going into your lungs rather than your stomach (aspiration). 

Fluids

Fluids are thickened by a powder called Thickener. Fluids can be thickened to various consistencies. Your SLT will advise you on which consistency (and how much thickener) you need to put in your drinks to maximise the safety of your swallow. Thickener will be prescribed by your GP when you are discharged home.

Diet

Your SLT may advise you need to alter the texture of your diet to increase the safety of your swallow. This can include soft or pureed foods. This may reduce the risk of choking and the build-up of food in the mouth. Your SLT will advise and explain which texture is the safest for you to have.

What happens once I am home?

You may need to continue the SLT recommendations once you are home. If necessary, you may be referred to community speech and language therapy services for ongoing support at home. You will be notified if a community SLT referral will be made. If you have any questions, please ask on the ward to speak with a speech and language therapist.