Imagine your favorite meal. Think of the textures, the flavors, and the joy of taking and savoring each bite. For people who have suffered a serious injury or have a disability, it can become a real challenge. The good news is that specialized therapy can help a person regain or improve their swallowing abilities.
What is a swallowing disorder?
A swallowing disorder, also called dysphagia, is when a person has a hard time safely and comfortably swallowing foods or liquids. This can happen at any stage of swallowing, from chewing to the food moving down the throat and into the stomach.
Serious injuries or certain disabilities can cause damage to the nerves and muscles that are involved in the swallowing process. This damage can be caused by:
- Brain injury — A stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or tumors can affect the parts of the brain responsible for coordinating swallowing.
- Spinal cord injury — Damage to the spinal cord can cause disruption in the path that messages travel between the brain and the muscles used for swallowing.
- Head and neck injuries — Injuries to the mouth, throat or esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) can make swallowing difficult or painful.
- Muscular diseases — Conditions like muscular dystrophy or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can weaken the muscles needed for swallowing.
What are the signs of a swallowing disorder?
If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one after a serious injury or disability diagnosis, it’s important to talk to a doctor:
- Coughing or choking while eating or drinking
- Feeling like food or liquid gets stuck in your throat
- Drooling
- Frequent heartburn
- Difficulty chewing
- Having a wet voice
- Unexplained weight loss
How can specialized therapy help with swallowing disorders?
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is a healthcare professional who is specially trained to help people with swallowing problems. An SLP will work with you and your loved one to assess the specific challenges and develop a personalized treatment plan. Here are some ways specialized therapy can help swallowing disorders:
- Swallowing exercises — Just like any other muscle, the muscles used for swallowing can be strengthened and retrained with specific exercises. These exercises may involve head and neck movements, lip and tongue stretches, or techniques to help improve the coordination of swallowing. For example, the SLP may teach you or your loved one a technique called the “supraglottic swallow,” which involves holding your breath briefly before swallowing to help protect the airway.
- Modified swallow techniques — The SLP may teach you or your loved one special techniques that can help make swallowing safer and easier. This may involve learning how to position the head and body during swallowing, taking smaller bites, or thickening liquids. For instance, you may learn the “chin tuck” maneuver, where you slightly tuck your chin toward your chest to help improve the closure of your airway during swallowing.
- Sensory stimulation — In some cases, stimulating the muscles in the mouth and throat can help improve the swallowing reflex. The SLP may use gentle massage techniques or taste stimulation to activate these muscles.
- Electrical stimulation (Ampcare or VitalStim) — The SLP, with certification in these areas, may use neuromuscular electrical stimulation with traditional therapy exercises to improve ease, efficiency and safety of swallow.
- Dietary modifications — Some people with dysphagia may benefit from changes to their diet. The SLP may recommend certain textures of food and liquids that are easier to swallow, such as pureed foods or thickened drinks. They may also work with you or your loved one to ensure that the right balance of nutrients and hydration is being achieved, even with a modified diet.
The benefits of specialized therapy for swallowing disorders
The benefits of successful swallowing therapy go far beyond just enjoying favorite foods again. Here are some of the positive impacts it can have:
- Improved nutrition and hydration — As mentioned above, specialized therapy can help you or your loved one learn to swallow safely and effectively, ensuring that the adequate amount of nutrients and fluids needed for the body to stay healthy and strong are taken in. This can lead to increased energy levels, better wound healing and a stronger immune system.
- Reduced risk of aspiration pneumonia — Aspiration occurs when food or liquid goes into the lungs instead of the stomach, which can lead to serious infections like pneumonia. Specialized therapy can help prevent aspiration by improving swallowing and protecting the airway.
- Increased independence — Regaining the ability to eat and drink safely can give you or your loved one back a sense of control and independence in daily life. This means being able to manage meals more independently, participate in social activities that involve eating and improve overall quality of life.
- Improved communication — For some people with dysphagia, swallowing difficulties can also affect their speech. Specialized therapy can help address both issues simultaneously, helping people to communicate more effectively.
- Reduced emotional distress — The inability to eat and drink without issue can be very frustrating and isolating. Specialized therapy for swallowing disorders can help you or your loved one learn how to manage these emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
With patience, perseverance and the support of the healthcare team, you or your loved one can make progress toward swallowing safely and exhibit an improved quality of life.
Get help for a swallowing disorder after a serious injury or disability with specialized therapy at Ability KC
At Ability KC, we understand the impact a swallowing disorder after a serious injury or disability can have on your life or the life of your loved one. Our team of experienced and compassionate SLPs specializes in helping individuals regain their swallowing abilities. We believe in the power of personalized treatment plans, crafting a program specifically tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals. With a proven track record of success for more than 75 years, we’ve helped countless individuals and their families overcome challenges. Specialized therapy can help empower you to enjoy the simple pleasures of eating and drinking again, and ultimately change your life for the better.
Ability KC is a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) with a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.