What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is a medical condition characterized by difficulty or discomfort when swallowing food or liquids. In severe cases,  food or liquid may enter the airway, potentially causing choking or aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia is commonly observed in patients post-stroke or those with neurological disorders. Arranging a swallowing assessment and treatment promptly is crucial for improving quality of life.

Signs of Dysphagia Include:

• Frequent coughing or choking during meals
• Sensation of food being stuck in the throat during swallowing
• Pain while swallowing
• Needing to swallow multiple times for a single bite of food
• Excessive drooling
• Unexplained weight loss
• Prolonged meal times

Common Causes of Dysphagia

• Stroke: Swallowing function may be impaired due to neurological damage from a stroke.
• Neurological Disorders: Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or brain injury can weaken the control and strength of swallowing muscles.
• Age-Related Decline: As people age, the coordination and strength of swallowing muscles may deteriorate.
• Surgery or Tumors: Head and neck surgeries or tumors may disrupt swallowing function.

Swallowing Assessment

• Clinical Evaluation: Observation of oral muscle function, testing with foods and liquids of varying textures, and screening for any signs of food or liquid entering the airway.

• Objective Testing: If necessary, speech therapist will collaborate with an ENT specialist (otolaryngologist)  to perform a Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) to directly visualize the swallowing process for accurate diagnosis.

Evidence-Based Swallowing Treatments:

1. Compensatory Strategies
   • Adjustments to the Eating Environment: Modifying the patient’s seating position and dining methods (e.g., using adaptive utensils) to improve swallowing efficiency.
   • Diet Texture Modification: A speech-language therapist will recommend food and liquid textures that the patient can safely swallow based on their condition.
   • Use of Feeding Tubes: If assessments indicate that oral intake is unsafe, a feeding tube may be necessary to ensure adequate nutrition.
2. Rehabilitation Exercises
   • Oral and Throat Muscle Training: Exercises designed to strengthen and improve the coordination of muscles involved in swallowing.
   • Electrical Stimulation Therapy: Use of electrical stimulation (NMES- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) to activate and strengthen throat muscles, enhancing swallowing function.

Related resources：吞嚥障礙系列 — 呼籲預防及治療

Why KK Speech Therapy?

• Trilingual Therapy Services: Our speech therapists are all bilingual and are able to deliver therapy fluently in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English to meet the needs of diverse linguistic backgrounds with utmost professionalism.
• Experienced and Trusted Speech Therapy Team: Our team has extensive expertise, successfully supporting numerous adults in improving language and swallowing abilities.
• Personalized Treatment Plans: We design tailored intervention strategies based on each client’s unique needs and circumstances.
• Ongoing Progress Monitoring and Adjustments: We regularly assess treatment outcomes and adapt strategies to ensure therapeutic goals are met.
• Supportive Family Program: We empower family members to become the most effective supporters of stroke patients as well as effective advocates for their child’s language and social development.