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What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is defined as difficulty or discomfort in swallowing. It can occur for a variety of reasons, and to people of different ages. Dysphagia can occur in varying degrees, ranging from mild discomfort or difficulty, to complete inability to swallow.
Symptoms of dysphagia include:
- Chest infections
- Coughing before, during and after swallowing
- Wet, gurgly voice after swallowing
- Throat clearing after swallowing
- Change in breathing after swallowing.
- Other signs of an unsafe swallow:
- Choking
- Avoidance of food or drinks
- Loss of appetite and/or weight loss
- Poor saliva control
- Dribbling during eating and drinking.
What can happen?
Dysphagia can result in decreased food and fluid intake, longer time spent eating meals and less enjoyment of eating and drinking. Dysphagia can also result in food or drink going the wrong way into the airway, past the vocal cords, and going to the lungs. For some people this can cause a chest infection called ‘Aspiration pneumonia’. Other possible problems are reduced oral intake, dehydration, weight loss and airway obstruction (choking).
Referrals
If you or someone you care for is having difficulty swallowing and they have never been seen by a Speech & Language Therapist, please speak to your GP and ask them to make a referral to Speech & Language Therapy for an assessment. Please also see our Safe Swallowing leaflet for general advice.
Downloads
Adult Speech and Language Therapy - patient information leaflet
Safe Swallowing - patient information leaflet
Help with health costs
If you're referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). Find out more about the HTCS.