What is Swallowing Therapy?

Swallowing therapy, also known as dysphagia therapy, involves assessment and treatment to improve swallowing function and prevent complications related to swallowing difficulties. Swallowing is a complex process involving a coordinated sequence of muscle movements in the mouth and throat to move food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. Swallowing occurs numerous times a day, typically without conscious effort, during meals and when consuming liquids. Swallowing therapy is crucial for individuals with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) to prevent aspiration, malnutrition, dehydration, and improve overall quality of life.

Reasons for Swallowing Therapy

Swallowing therapy is necessary for individuals experiencing difficulty swallowing due to various causes such as neurological conditions, stroke, head and neck cancers, or age-related changes.

Clinical Manifestations & Signs

Signs of swallowing difficulties include coughing or choking while eating or drinking, food sticking in the throat, weight loss, recurrent chest infections, and a gurgly voice after meals.

Therapy & Treatment

Treatment may include swallowing exercises, dietary modifications, compensatory strategies, postural adjustments, and texture modifications to improve swallowing function and safety.

How to Avoid Swallowing Issues

Preventative measures include maintaining good oral hygiene, eating slowly, taking small bites, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding foods that may pose a choking hazard.

Assessment Process

Assessment involves evaluating the individual’s swallowing function through clinical observations, swallowing tests, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals like otolaryngologists and gastroenterologists.

Interventions by Speech Therapist

Speech therapists implement interventions such as swallowing exercises, sensory-motor techniques, dietary modifications, and strategies to improve swallowing safety and efficiency.

什麼是吞嚥治療？

吞嚥治療是一種被稱為吞嚥障礙治療或吞嚥困難治療的方法，包括評估和治療，旨在改善吞嚥功能，預防與吞嚥困難相關的併發症。吞嚥是一個複雜的過程，涉及口腔和喉部的協調肌肉運動序列，將食物或液體從口腔移至胃。吞嚥在一天中發生多次，通常在進餐和飲用液體時無需刻意注意。對於患有吞嚥困難（吞嚥障礙）的個人來說，吞嚥治療至關重要，可防止吸入、營養不良、脫水，並提高整體生活質量。

吞嚥治療的原因

吞嚥治療對於由於神經系統疾病、中風、頭頸部腫瘤或隨年齡變化等各種原因導致吞嚥困難的個人是必要的。

吞嚥困難的臨床表現和徵象

吞嚥困難的徵象包括吃飯或喝水時咳嗽或窒息、食物卡在喉嚨、體重減輕、反覆的胸部感染，以及進餐後喉部有水聲。

如何治療

治療可能包括吞嚥練習、飲食調整、補償策略、姿勢調整和食物質地調整，以改善吞嚥功能和安全性。

如何避免吞嚥問題

預防措施包括保持口腔衛生、慢慢進食、小口咬食、多喝水，避免可能造成窒息危險的食物。

評估過程

評估包括通過臨床觀察、吞嚥測試以及與耳鼻喉科醫師和胃腸科醫師等其他醫療專業人士的合作，評估個人的吞嚥功能。

言語治療師的治療措施

言語治療師實施吞嚥練習、感覺運動技巧、飲食調整和策略等干預措施，以改善吞嚥的安全性和效率。