eating and swallowing assessments

Eating and swallowing assessments evaluate how effectively a person can safely chew and swallow food and liquids. Healthcare professionals observe or test for issues like coughing, choking, or difficulty moving food from the mouth to the stomach. They may use specialized tools or involve a speech-language pathologist to identify impairments in muscle strength, coordination, or sensation. The goal is to determine the safest way for someone to eat and drink, prevent complications like aspiration pneumonia, and develop a personalized plan to improve swallowing function or recommend appropriate diets and strategies.