Patients with Swallowing Disorders

Patients with swallowing disorders, also called dysphagia, have difficulty safely moving food and liquids from their mouths to their stomachs. This can result from various health conditions affecting the muscles, nerves, or structures involved in swallowing, such as stroke, neurological diseases, or cancer. Symptoms may include coughing during eating, a sensation of food getting stuck, or unintentional weight loss. Managing dysphagia often involves a team approach, including speech-language therapists, doctors, and dietitians, to improve safety, nutrition, and quality of life through strategies like modified diets, exercises, or swallowing techniques.