Swallowing Disorders

Every day we swallow hundreds of times - a function that is necessary for life and taken for granted until a problem erupts.

The condition of difficulty in the swallowing of food and/or liquid is called Dysphagia. This can bring about serious medical complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, airway blockage and aspiration. Aspiration refers to the passing of food or liquid into the lungs, which may lead to pneumonia.

There are many causes of dysphagia. It can stem from neurologic, medical and structural problems. Dysphagia occurs in  all age groups from newborns to the elderly. It may start slowly because of disease or suddenly as a result of a stroke or trauma.

There is no single treatment, technique or management strategy for a swallowing problem. Your otolaryngologist or speech-language pathologist, often working with a swallowing team comprised of other professional specialists, can design a treatment program for your specific condition and symptoms.