Dysphagia- Ch. 1 Overview

* Difficulty moving food from mouth to stomach OR * Includes all of the behavioral, sensory, and preliminary motor acts in preparation for the swallow, including cognitive awareness of the upcoming eating situation, visual recognition of food, and all of the physiologic responses to the smell and presence of food such as increased salivation

* All age groups- infants to elderly * Variety of causes * Congenital abnormalities * Structural damage * Medical conditions * CVA * Progressive neurological diseases * Cancer

* Inability to recognize food * Difficulty in placing food in the mouth * Inability to control food or saliva in the mouth * Coughing before, during, or after a swallow * Frequent coughing toward the end or immediate after a meal * Recurring pneumonia * Weight loss with no defined reason * Gurgly vocal quality * Increase in secretions in the pharynx or chest after a swallow * Patient complaints of swallowing difficulties

* Looking for signs and symptoms that a patient is at high risk for oropharyngeal dysphagia * Presence or absence of symptoms of dysphagia * Determines whether you proceed to an evaluation * Can be completed by an SLP, nurse, physician or dietitian and a referral is given for an evaluation

* Pneumonia * Malnutrition * Dehydration

* Physician * Dietitian * Nurse * Dietary personnel * Occupational Therapist * Physical Therapist

* Safety first * Aspiration can be a life or death issue * If you are not sure, a modified barium swallow should be ordered and completed