Dysphagia is a term that refers to a swallow that is disordered or not working as it should. 

Some of the most common reasons that a person might get dysphagia include:

  • Stroke 
  • Brain injury 
  • Aging
  • Dementia
  • Parkinson’s Disease

Many people are referred for a swallowing assessment with a speech pathologist and at the time of the assessment, the client will receive some recommendations and a plan for management. If any difficulty is observed a review assessment will be recommended! 

Review assessments are a vital part of care and ensure that the swallowing recommendations change with the client’s needs. Health can fluctuate and if the diet or fluids were changed at the initial assessment, it does not mean that this recommendation will be appropriate in the long-term. For example, a person who has had a stroke in hospital may be downgraded to thickened fluids and a puree diet. However, often people who have had a stroke will improve in the days and weeks after as they recover. As they improve, it is vital that they have contact with a speech pathologist who can upgrade their fluids and diet as needed! 

When someone is identified as having dysphagia, they are at a higher risk of ongoing swallowing difficulties. If someone remains on the wrong diet, this can also contribute to the risk of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia, fatigue during mealtimes, or malnutrition.  

The signs of aspiration include: 

  • Coughing during or after swallowing
  • Choking on food or drink
  • Having a wet sounding voice after swallowing
  • Difficulties chewing or getting food into your throat
  • Food getting ‘stuck’ in your throat
  • Breathlessness during swallowing
  • Pain with swallowing

If you have concerns about your mealtimes or that of a loved one, please don’t hesitate to contact Hanrahan Health on (02) 4862 5063 to book an assessment or review.