Dysphagia or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties can happen at any time during a child’s or a person’s life for many different reasons. In adults, it is often caused by conditions, such as a stroke, dementia or Parkinson’s Disease. The swallowing muscles are affected making it more difficult and more dangerous for the person to swallow. Here are some warning signs below to look out for and some tips to help.
Dysphagia Warning Signs
- Coughing or choking when eating or drinking
- Difficulty chewing certain foods
- Feeling that food is sticking in your throat
- Difficulty swallowing your tablets
- Difficulty initiating a swallow
- A dry mouth which affects eating or drinking
- Difficulty controlling saliva in the mouth i.e. drooling
- Starting to avoid certain types of food
- Getting regular chest infections
- Weight loss
Top Tips to Help with Dysphagia
- Sit as upright as possible in a chair when eating and drinking. Avoid eating and drinking when you are lying down.
- Remain upright for 30 minutes after eating and drinking.
- Keep your chin slightly down when swallowing. Avoid tipping your head back.
- Concentrate and reduce distractions when eating and drinking e.g. television, talking
- Make sure you’ve swallowed and your mouth is clear before you talk.
- Take small mouthfuls of food, or sips of drinks
- Take your time
And last, but not least, make sure you contact a speech and language therapist for an assessment of your swallowing. You can contact us here.
