What is a Swallowing/Feeding Disorder?

Causes:  Dysphagia may develop secondary to damage to the central nervous system (CNS) and/or cranial nerves such as:

• stroke
• traumatic brain injury
• spinal cord injury
• dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• multiple sclerosis
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• muscular dystrophy
• myasthenia gravis 
• polymyositis and dermatomyositis

Dysphagia may also occur from problems affecting the head and neck, including:

• cancer in the oral cavity, pharynx, nasopharynx, or esophagus
• radiation and/or chemoradiation for head and neck cancer treatment
• trauma or surgery involving the head and neck
• decayed or missing teeth
• critical care that may have included oral intubation and/or tracheostomy

Treatment:  Treatment of dysphagia may include rehabilitative and/or compensatory techniques. A rehabilitative approach aims to include restoration of a normal swallow function through a variety of techniques and swallowing exercises that are designed to improve underlying physiological function and provide lasting functional improvement. A compensatory approach is used to alter the swallow but does not create lasting functional change. It is used to compensate for deficits that cannot be or are not yet rehabilitated sufficiently. Techniques such as head rotation, diet modification, pacing and feeding strategies, postural adjustments, and caregiver/patient education may be used in compensatory approaches.  

Resources: Visit the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association for more information on swallowing and feeding disorders

•  https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/adult-dysphagia/