One of the many specialities of speech pathologists is assessment and management of swallowing function. 

Some people may have difficulties with swallowing. This is called dysphagia. Swallowing difficulties can cause frustration, reduced/insufficient nutritional intake or serious illness such as aspiration pneumonia. 

Speech pathologists complete mealtime assessments and provide a range of recommendations to ensure that the patient can have safe and enjoyable mealtimes. 

Alongside dietary modifications to suit the individual needs of the patient, there are many safe swallowing strategies which can be beneficial for most people. These include: 

  • Being upright and alert for all eating and drinking - Maintaining an upright posture is important to minimise the risks of food going the wrong way (known as aspiration). Eating or drinking while lying down can be risky, especially if you already have reduced swallowing coordination or strength. 
  • Remaining upright for some time after eating and drinking (30 mins or longer) - Staying upright after eating is recommended to ensure digestion is completed as well as possible. This strategy can be particularly helpful for those individuals that struggle with gastro-oesophageal reflux/heartburn as it reduces the likelihood of the acid coming back up to the level of the throat/pharynx. This is important for reducing the risk of swallowing the reflux the wrong way (i.e., aspirating the acid material).
  • Maintaining good oral hygiene including - Oral care is very important for the maintenance of healthy airways as it removes harmful bacteria from the mouth, reducing the chance that bacteria enters the lungs if food or drink is accidentally swallowed the ‘wrong way’ (aspirated). It is recommended that everybody cleans their mouth, brushes their gums and tongue 2x daily (after breakfast AND dinner) AND rinse their mouth after lunch using fluid.
  • Considering the environment - If an individual has difficulties with eating and drinking and may be prone to distraction, it is important to consider the environment in which the person is having their meals. Reducing distractions such as turning of the TV or radio, or eating in a quiet space may help to increase the safety of a meal. 

Some other frequent mealtime recommendations involve reviewing the levels of support that may need to be provided during mealtime and the types of cutlery, cups and plates/bowls a person is using. 

If you have any concerns about the mealtime enjoyment and safety of yourself or a loved one, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Hanrahan Health via email on admin@hanrahanhealth.com.au or via phone on 4862 5063.