Passage: Swallowing (Problem Solving)

Swallowing is a natural event that most folks enjoy without thought. This is because it comes so easy. Folks with difficulties swallowing need proper care in order to recover. Difficulties with swallowing can lead to a disease called "dysphagia". Dysphagia is a disease the occurs when too much of food and liquid travel down the wrong way. Food and liquid normally travel to the stomach via the esophagus. During dysphagia, food and/or liquids are aspirated. This means food and/or liquids travel to the lungs. Most folks with dysphagia have had other illnesses that have compromised the parts of the mouth and throat that are responsible for swallowing.

Dysphagia symptoms can include coughing during meals , excessive drooling, inability to keep food in the mouth when eating, and an inability to chew food properly. Some folks appear to be choking on meals frequently. Dysphagia can also include aspiration pneumonia which has flu like symptoms.

When caring for dysphagia, patients are recommended the use of strategies to improve the liklihood of good swallowing. These strategies include the following:

Sitting in a chair during all meals
Sitting up for an hour after meals.
Decrease talking during meals.
Alternate bites and sips during meals.
Take small bites and sips during meals.
Regularly engage in exercises involving the mouth and throat.

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