Do you have difficulty swallowing? Have often experienced drinks ‘go the wrong way’ or nearly choked on food? Speech Pathologists are trained to assess and treat ‘oro-pharyngeal’ dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) where there is difficulty with the control of ‘oral’ (mouth) or ‘pharyngeal’ (throat) muscles. As we age, or if we suffer a stroke or have a neurological condition or other disability we may experience this ‘dyphagia’.
Did you know that the most difficult thing to swallow can be room temperature water?
If some of the 55 pairs of muscles involved in swallowing are not working with split second timing to co-ordinate a well timed effective swallow, then water and other thin liquids can easily ‘go the wrong way’. This means instead of going down the ‘food pipe’ or oesphagus, some can enter the larynx at the top of airway . This triggers a throat clear or cough reflex in most people. Apart from being irritating, we then risk aspiration (when the material goes past the level of the vocal cords in to the lungs). This can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
Speech Pathology treatment includes modifications to posture and head positioning, as well as techniques and exercises to strengthen or make your swallow more effective. We also focus on strategies to deal with a swallowing mechanism that is less than optimal, so you can be protected from aspiration or choking ……and enjoy your meals.
Everyone wants to enjoy their meals and this may be difficult if you have ‘oro-pharyngeal’ dysphagia and keep coughing or feel food getting stuck in the throat. Weight-loss or porr nutrition may also occur due to dysphagia.
Speech Pathologists use the International Dysphagia Diet Standards Initiative (IDDSI) to guide you in modifying the texture of your food when necessary. This may include avoiding dry hard flakey foods and having somewhat softer or moister foods that are easier to chew thoroughly. Most people don’t need ‘pureed food’ however it can be a huge relief to modify or avoid certain food textures that commonly cause difficulty, ‘get stuck in the throat’ or ‘make you cough’.
Recommended ‘safe swallowing strategies’ may include taking smaller mouthfuls, concentrating on chewing more thoroughly or having a ‘double swallow’ which can help to clear any residue in the throat.
Carmel provides support for NDIS and My Aged Care clients in assessing and treating swallowing difficulties and developing Meal Time Management Plans so swallow safety and enjoyment of food can be optimised. With 40 years experience helping people with ‘dysphagia’, Carmel has developed expertise in training clients, families, support workers and other caregivers in dealing with dysphagia.