Swallowing Problems After Stroke: Signs, Treatment & How to Recover (Dysphagia)

Swallowing Problems After Stroke

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing after a stroke: diagnosis and treatment

Over 50% of stroke survivors experience dysphagia during the acute period of their recovery, which is a typical consequence. Strokes are one of the primary causes of disability globally. Dysphagia raises the risk of pneumonia, dehydration, and malnutrition, all of which have a substantial negative influence on a person’s quality of life. Dysphagia must be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible in order to maximize recovery and avoid consequences.

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Why Do Stroke Victims Have Trouble Swallowing?

Swallowing Problems After Stroke

The brain coordinates a complicated process that is swallowing. Food and liquids are moved from the mouth to the stomach by a series of carefully synchronized muscular movements. Dysphagia can result from injury to the brain regions in charge of these motions following a stroke. The precise swallowing muscles or impaired coordination depend on the location and severity of the stroke.

Signs and Symptoms of Dysphagia Following Stroke

Swallowing Problems After Stroke

The following are indications that a person who has had a stroke may be suffering from dysphagia:

• choking or coughing while swallowing
• Sighing in anticipation
• Having trouble starting to swallow
• putting food in one’s cheek pocket
• moist voice following ingestion
• frequent regurgitation or heartburn
• inability to control one’s saliva
• taking a very long time to eat

Evaluation of Dysphagia

Swallowing Problems After Stroke

A thorough evaluation will be carried out by a medical specialist to diagnose dysphagia and gauge its severity. Usually, this evaluation entails:

• Clinical bedside assessment: This could involve noting the patient’s mental attentiveness, oral motor skills, and cough reflex.
• Tests for swallowing screening: To ascertain whether more assessment is required, standardized questionnaires or bedside tests might be used.
• Evaluation of Instrumental Swallowing: Instrumental examinations such as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) or videofluoroscopy (X-ray with barium swallow) may be utilized for a more thorough assessment. These show the swallowing process visually and point out particular weak points.

Handling Dysphagia Following a Stroke

Swallowing Problems After Stroke
The management strategy for dysphagia following a stroke is based on the demands of the patient and the degree of their swallowing impairment. The following are some crucial tactics:

• Dietary Modification: In order to make food and beverages easier and safer to swallow, swallowing therapy frequently entails changing their texture. This could entail utilizing pureed or soft foods, thickening liquids, and staying away from thin liquids and particular textures.
• Exercises for Swallowing: An exercise regimen can be created by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to strengthen and retrain the weak swallowing muscles. These workouts could include tongue strengthening exercises, facial massages, and practicing particular swallowing procedures.
• Postural Methods: Occasionally, modifying one’s posture when swallowing can enhance the effectiveness and security of the swallow. To help with swallowing, a therapist might teach methods like chin tucking and head tilting.
• Neuromodulatory Techniques: To enhance swallowing function, new therapies such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may be used with existing therapy.

The Value of Prompt Intervention

Swallowing Problems After Stroke
It’s crucial to diagnose and treat dysphagia following a stroke as soon as possible. This may:

• Lower the chance of side effects such as malnourishment and pneumonia.
• Boost a person’s capacity for social interaction and quality of life.
• Reduce hospital stays and medical expenses.

If you have had a stroke and are having trouble swallowing, or if you are caring for someone who is, you should get medical help and be referred to a speech-language pathologist for an appropriate assessment and treatment plan.

Swallowing Problems After Stroke

Notice: Nothing on this blog should be interpreted as medical advice; it is simply meant to be informative. For a diagnosis and course of treatment, always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare provider.