Dysphagia

Dysphagia, or a swallowing disorder may include difficulty in chewing, drooling and emptying the mouth. Food and liquids may also enter the airway resulting in either laryngeal penetration or aspiration.

Dysphagia may have serious health implications including pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, reflux and weight loss.

An estimated 6 to 10 million Americans suffer from some degree of dysphagia, where more than 40 percent of patients in acute rehabilitation settings are dysphagic.

Contact Jackie

Feeding

Feeding difficulties can begin at birth due to a tongue-tie or lip-tie and can impact the ability to latch onto the breast or nipple. Other difficulties in food management may occur when new textures are introduced. The child may have difficulty chewing, moving the food around in the mouth or drinking from a normal cup. In some cases food aversions. occur, often after difficulties with reflux or a feeding tube or autism. Any of these problems may have a significant impact on family dynamics and meal time interactions.

Dysphagia can result from:

Congenital or acquired neurological damage such as cerebral palsy, stroke, or head injury
Treatment for head and neck cancer
Progressive neurologic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease
Myasthenia gravis
Motor neuron disease
Multiple sclerosis
Systemic disease such as scleroderma and dermatomyositis
Orofacial myofunctional disorders, cognition, fear, prolonged use of NG Tubes or G Tubes, and sensory issues.

Feeding issues can be caused by:

Orofacial myofunctional disorders
Cognition
Fear
Polonged use of NG Tubes or G Tubes
Sensory issues

Why Speech Matters is the best fit?

I have an extensive background in evaluating and treating dysphagia and feeding disorders. I worked in hospitals conducting hundreds of the visual imaging studies known as "Videofluoroscopies" or "Modified Barium Studies". These are conducted in the radiology department and are used to observe the food or drink as it moves through the mouth and trachea, down to the vocal folds. It is highly specialized and the best diagnostic tool we have. At the same time I conducted hundreds of "bedside evaluations" which are conducted to determine if an MBS is needed and also during treatments. After interpretation of the results, I was responsible for selecting the safest diet, and training the patient, nurses and family in the appropriate techniques and strategies to be implemented. I continued working with swallowing and feeding issues in rehabilitation facilities, outpatient rehabilitation, private practice, schools and home health.

Personalized Swallowing Solutions

Efficacy studies indicate improvements in swallowing safety (reduced aspiration), improved nutrition and efficiency as a result of both compensatory and direct treatment procedures. My treatment is not one size fits all so I use different strategies for different swallowing problems. The patient and family are both an integral part of the process at every step of the way. They can include:

Aspiration Precautions to eliminate aspiration of liquids
Introduction of different textures and flavors
Diet changes that allow a person to continue enjoying meals
Exercise programs to strengthen and coordinate muscles needed for chewing and swallowing

At Speech Matters, my goal is to return clients to safe, efficient and pleasurable oral intake.