Speech therapy plays an important role in the management and treatment of dysphagia, a condition that affects a person’s ability to swallow. Dysphagia can occur in people of all ages, from infants to the elderly, and can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and head and neck cancer.
SLPs are trained to evaluate and treat dysphagia. The first step in treatment is a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause of the swallowing difficulties and to assess the extent of the problem. Based on the evaluation, the SLP will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include exercises to improve swallowing function, education on proper eating and drinking techniques, and recommendations for appropriate food and liquid consistencies. The goal of treatment is to improve swallowing function, reduce the risk of aspiration (when food or liquid enters the lungs), and improve overall quality of life.