clinical swallowing examinations

Clinical swallowing examinations are assessments performed by healthcare professionals to evaluate how well someone can swallow safely and efficiently. The examiner observes the patient’s oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal functions, often asking them to swallow different food and liquid textures. They look for signs of difficulty, such as coughing, choking, or pocketing food. The goal is to identify any swallowing problems, determine their cause, and plan appropriate treatment or further testing. This non-invasive evaluation provides essential information to ensure safe eating and drinking, reducing the risk of aspiration and nutritional issues.