Swallowing Disorders

swallowing-disorders-in-chennai
Swallowing disorders, also known as dysphagia, refer to difficulties with the process of swallowing food, liquids, or saliva. This can occur at any point during the swallowing process, from moving the food or liquid from the mouth to the throat to the movement of the food or liquid down the oesophagus and into the stomach. Swallowing disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis, as well as structural issues like tumours or strictures in the oesophagus. Certain medications, radiation therapy, and ageing can also contribute to swallowing disorders.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms of swallowing disorders are as follows:
  • Difficulty initiating swallowing
  • Coughing or choking
  • Regurgitation
  • Heartburn or chest pain
  • Weight loss
  • Changes in voice or speech
  • Recurrent pneumonia
Treatments offered
Some common treatments that are offered for swallowing disorders at Progress Gastro Care are as follows:
  • Dietary modifications: Altering the texture or consistency of food or liquids to make swallowing easier. For example, foods may be pureed or mashed, or liquids may be thickened to reduce the risk of aspiration.
  • Swallowing therapy: Working with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to learn swallowing exercises and techniques to improve muscle control and coordination.
  • Medications: In some cases, medications may be used to reduce inflammation, treat underlying medical conditions, or manage symptoms of GERD.
  • Surgery: For structural issues such as strictures or tumours, surgery may be necessary to widen or remove the affected area.
  • Feeding tubes: In severe cases, feeding tubes may be necessary to provide nutrition and hydration while the patient’s swallowing function is being improved.
  • Behavioural therapy: In some cases, behavioural therapy or counselling may be used to address psychological factors that may be contributing to the swallowing disorder.

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