Care for Dysphagia in Cannon Falls

Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, is common in older adults, but it can happen at any age. Swallowing problem causes vary, and treatment depends on the cause. Speech-language pathologists will determine the best treatment plan to help you increase your safety and swallowing efficiency.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms that can be associated with dysphagia can include:

• Coughing or gagging when swallowing
• Drooling
• Food or stomach acid backing up into your throat
• Frequent heartburn
• Hoarseness
• Not being able to swallow
• Pain while swallowing (odynophagia)
• Regurgitation
• Sensation of food getting stuck in your throat, chest or behind your breastbone (sternum)
• Unexpected weight loss

Conditions

Patients with any of these conditions may have problems with swallowing or feeding:

• Apraxia
• Brain injury
• Cancer
• Cardiac problems
• Cerebral palsy
• Dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• Muscular dystrophy
• Neurological conditions
• Oral weakness
• Parkinson's disease
• Reflux
• Spina bifida
• Tube feedings

Therapy

Speech-language pathologists will use several methods to determine the most appropriate therapy for you. You will be evaluated and together we will create a personal plan for therapy.

Your therapy may include:

• Compensatory techniques
• Diet modification to increase safety
• Laryngeal pharyngeal strengthening and coordination exercises
• Optimal positioning to increase safety
• Oral motor strengthening and coordination