Assessment & Management of Swallow Pathologies
What is Dysphagia?
Swallowing disorders, medically referred to as dysphagia, can severely impact nutritional health, hydration safety, and general airway protection. Dysphagia interferes with standard eating and drinking routines, occurring across all pediatric, adult, and geriatric groups.
Causes & Symptoms
Common Causes: Stroke, Parkinson's disease, head and neck cancers, surgical trauma, post-intubation states, tracheostomy patients, and pediatric feeding disorders.
Common Symptoms: Frequent coughing during meals, throat-clearing, wet vocal quality after swallowing, aspiration signs, breathlessness, Shortness of Breath (SOB), breathing difficulties, and painful swallowing (odynophagia).
Assessment & Diagnostics
- Comprehensive Clinical Swallow Assessments
- Aspiration Risk & Hydration Health Audits
- Oral Motor & Chewing Ability Evaluation
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
- Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)
- Acoustic Swallowing Analysis
- Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) Follow-up
Clinical Management
- Certified VitalStim Electrotherapy Stimulation
- Biogenic Ultrasound Therapeutic Management
- Motor Relearning Program
- Swallowing System Strengthening
- Endoscopically Guided Ryle's Tube Placement
- Flexible Endoscopic-Based Swallowing Therapy
- Airway Safety & Secretion Management
- Manual Tactile Swallow Exercises
- Modified Feeding Retraining & Caregiver Coaching