For many people, swallowing is something that happens naturally when they consume food and drink or when they need to clear saliva. This bodily function requires coordinated muscle movements in the mouth, the esophagus, and the back of the throat. The act of swallowing is surprisingly complex, and a lot of people can experience some level of difficulty when swallowing at some point in their life. Here is a short guide to swallowing disorders and how to deal with them.
- What is a Swallowing Disorder?
Swallowing is a complex bodily function that requires around 50 pairs of muscles to work together at the same time, and studies show that people perform this complex action at least 900 times a day. Unfortunately, swallowing doesn’t come naturally to some people, and others might find it difficult to swallow as a result of another health condition. There are two main reasons why people have difficulty with swallowing; odynophagia and dysphagia.
- Odynophagia—this is when someone feels a pain in the throat or chest while they swallow. This pain could be caused by poor coordination of a person’s nerves or muscles.
- Dysphagia—this medical term describes the feeling of something stuck in the chest, and can result in coughing or choking when a person tries to swallow
- What are the Signs of a Swallowing Disorder?
Those with swallowing disorders may find it difficult to chew food and may cough or choke when trying to consume food or drink. Eventually, the food or drink might end up regurgitating through the nose or mouth. Other signs of a swallowing disorder include shortness of breath, hoarseness in the throat, and pain. Some people may experience difficulty with all types of food and drinks, while others may find it difficult to consume specific types of food and drink. Moreover, swallowing disorders can affect people once or twice in their life, or it can become a consistent problem.
- Diagnose Your Disorder
A gastroenterologist is a medical professional who has the knowledge to diagnose swallowing disorders. They have received specialist training in the liver and the digestive system. First they will perform a physical examination and collect your medical history. If necessary, they will then perform a diagnostic procedure. This could include a wireless pH test, a barium esophagogram, an esophageal manometry, or an endoscopy.
- Swallowing Therapy
Speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, are specially trained to help people with swallowing difficulties. Physio Inq have clinics across Australia, and they provide person-centered allied health services to people from all walks of life. You can find out more at physioinq.com.au/speech-pathology-near-me. Their speech therapists can provide swallowing therapy to their patients and give them exercises that will improve their condition. Speech therapy sessions can help strengthen the muscles required to swallow and enable them to function properly. Ultimately, it can help people develop techniques to cope with their swallowing disorder.
- Make Changes to Your Diet
People with dysphagia may find certain substances easier to consume than others. Therefore, changing your diet is an effective way to ensure you stay healthy. Soft textured foods or thick fluids are often more palatable. Besides including more of these types of foods in your diet, you can use specially-formulated thickening products to make swallowing easier.
