Assessment and Treatment
A Speech-Language Pathologist can help ensure you are swallowing safely. If not effectively managed, difficulties with swallowing can lead to food or other foreign substances entering the lungs which may lead to aspiration pneumonia.
If you have noticed a change in your swallowing ability or are experiencing any of the following symptoms when eating or drinking, we may be able to help.
- Sensation of food getting stuck in the mouth or throat
- Chronic coughing
- Persistent coughing or choking when swallowing food or drink
- Excessive throat clearing
- Difficulty with different textures, temperatures, or types of food
- Difficulty clearing food from the mouth
- Shortness of breath during eating
- Thick secretions (mucous)
Note:
*In some cases, we might recommend that you ask your family doctor for a referral to a hospital where a Speech-Language Pathologist will conduct a videofluoroscopic (VF) study of your swallow. If you have had a VF study of your swallow done recently, be sure to bring any information when you meet us.