Swallowing Disorders

Dysphagia is a feeding / swallowing disorder that occurs in the mouth, pharynx, larynx and/or esophagus, indicating a delay and/or disorder in the development of eating/drinking skills. This includes difficulty with ingestion of food and liquid, saliva management, and taking oral medications.

What are the symptoms of a Swallowing Disorder?

Food sticking in their throat

Having to change what type of foods or liquids are eaten

Coughing or choking with meals

Coughing with reflux

Difficulty with chewing or initiating swallow

Difficulty with management of own oral secretions

Extra effort to eat, chew or taking a long time to eat a meal

Feeling of food being stuck in esophagus

Food or liquids leaking out of mouth

Gurgly vocal quality after swallowing

Having to cut food into smaller pieces or avoiding certain foods because of trouble swallowing

Less enjoyment in eating

Voice changes (hoarseness)

Holding food in mouth or finding food in mouth long after a meal is complete

Unexplained weight loss

Pneumonia

Recurring pneumonia

Chest congestion

Shortness of breath during or after meals

Fatigue during meals

Pain while swallowing

Reflux of food or liquids back up into mouth or back of throat

Recurrent heart burn