July 16, 2009
Joining us today for Martha Jefferson Healthwise is speech-language pathologist Cindy Kyle to talk about swallowing disorders, or Dysphagia, its effects, and what treatment is available.
Dysphagia is most likely to occur in the elderly, but people of all ages can have health conditions that lead to Dysphagia. Any of these conditions can cause pain while swallowing or difficulty or inability to swallow liquids, foods or saliva.
General signs of Dysphagia include:
• Coughing during or right after eating or drinking.
• Wet or gurgling voice during or after eating or drinking.
• Extra effort or time needed to chew or swallow.
• Food or liquid leaking from the mouth or getting stuck in the mouth.
• Chest congestion after eating.
• Recurrent pneumonia.
• Weight loss or dehydration from not being able to eat enough.
Attached above is the full interview.
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