Have you heard of the Phagiaflex?
It is the most advanced tool for helping your patients perform chin tuck against resistance (CTAR) and jaw opening against resistance...
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Path to Dysphagia Diagnosis
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jan 25, 2022
Bone Spur: A Closer Look
A bone spur, also called an osteophyte, is a smooth, bony lump that grows off a bone. Bone spurs develop over long periods of time,...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jan 17, 2022
Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion (ACDF)
The Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion (ACDF) surgery has 2 parts: Anterior cervical discectomy: The spine is approached through the...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jan 13, 2022
Saliva: A Closer Look
We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jan 12, 2022
Reducing Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia:
One of the most serious health risks to patients who have difficulty swallowing is developing aspiration pneumonia. “Aspiration” is the...
Josh Lade
Nov 29, 2021
Stay Hydrated
One of the most overlooked aspects of keeping your body working at its peak condition is hydration. Hydration has become more of a...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Nov 17, 2021
The Pros and Cons of Thickened Liquids
Thick liquids are often recommended for individuals with swallowing disorders. Some of the reasons thickened liquids are recommended...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Nov 8, 2021
Aerophagia: A Closer Look
Did you know that we all ingest approximately 2 quarts of air when we talk, eat, or laugh per day? Aerophagia is the medical term for...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Nov 2, 2021
The Esophageal Sweep: A Closer Look
Anatomically, swallowing disorders have been divided into three phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal. Dysphagia can occur in any of...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Oct 26, 2021
Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD)
Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a rare genetic condition that causes weakness in the muscles around the upper eyelids and...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Oct 18, 2021
Modified Barium Swallow vs. Esophagram
A Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) study is often referred to as a Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), helps identify why you may be...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Oct 15, 2021
What is Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)?
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is difficulty in swallowing solid food (dysphagia) due to allergies. Specifically, the food becomes stuck...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Oct 12, 2021
What is a Corkscrew Esophagus?
Corkscrew esophagus is a condition that results from nerve damage and makes it difficult for the body to pass food and liquid to the...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Sep 27, 2021
The Mixed Consistency Conundrum
There are patients who safely consume thin liquids in isolation and solids in isolation but exhibit signs and symptoms of aspiration with...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Sep 22, 2021
September: World Alzheimer's Month
Although eating and drinking difficulties are fairly common in individuals with dementia, each person’s difficulties will be unique to...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Sep 20, 2021
Dysphagia after COVID-19:
Some people who have had COVID-19 (coronavirus) may have difficulties eating and drinking. They may also become tired more easily or feel...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Sep 17, 2021
Mobile MBSS vs the Hospital
A mobile MBSS (Modified Barium Swallow Study) provides a cost-efficient and convenient option to transporting a patient to an outpatient...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Aug 30, 2021
Silent Aspiration: A Closer Look
Silent aspiration is difficult to assess when screening a patient for dysphagia as well as during the clinical (bedside) swallow...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Aug 27, 2021
Cough: A Closer Look
Cough is already an integral part of the clinical practice of the Speech-Language Pathologist. When Speech-Language Pathologists complete...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Aug 26, 2021
Mastication: A Closer Look
Speech-Language Pathologists often make comments concerning mastication in clinical and instrumental swallowing assessments such as...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Aug 25, 2021
Presbyphagia: A Closer Look
The term “presbyphagia” refers to natural changes within the swallowing mechanism for aging adults. As the prevalence of swallow...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jul 26, 2021
Orofacial Clefts and Dysphagia: A Closer Look.
In anatomical terms, cleft is an abnormal opening in the body. A cleft lip or palate means that either (or both) of the two have a hole...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jul 19, 2021
Candida Can Cause Dysphagia: A Closer Look.
Candida normally lives in the mouth, throat, and the rest of the digestive tract without causing any problems. Sometimes, Candida can...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jul 14, 2021
Dentures Can Affect Swallowing? A Closer Look.
The instability of dentures should be considered when assessing swallow function. A removable denture may have negative effects on...
Josh Lade
Jul 13, 2021
National Ice Cream Month
National Ice Cream Month is celebrated each year in July. Sadly, ice cream is not recommended for individuals with dysphagia who require...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jun 28, 2021
Muscle Tenson Dysphagia
Muscle tension dysphagia refers to the patient population that upon work-up, reveals no organic etiology for swallowing issues however,...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jun 21, 2021
June is both Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and Dysphagia Awareness Month
June is both Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and Dysphagia Awareness Month, which provides the opportunity to help raise dementia and...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jun 14, 2021
June is National Scleroderma Awareness Month
In scleroderma, the immune system damages healthy tissue like collagen and replaces it with scar tissue, causing thickening and...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jun 7, 2021
June is National Mysathenia Gravis Awareness Month
Myasthenia Gravis is a disease that causes difficulty sending messages through nerves to muscles. Usually, muscles become weak or tired...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
May 24, 2021
May is National Lupus Awareness Month
For some people living with lupus, swallowing difficulties are among the more challenging of these symptoms. Their swallowing problems...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
May 17, 2021
Stroke & Dysphagia: A Deeper Look
Because May is National Stroke Awareness Month, it is especially important to learn how to recognize symptoms of dysphagia that can occur...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
May 10, 2021
May is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a brain disorder in which there is progressive neurodegeneration leading to motor, cognitive, and...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
May 5, 2021
Better Hearing & Speech Month
Better Hearing & Speech Month is a time to spotlight swallowing disorders, called dysphagia, which are treated by speech-language...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Apr 22, 2021
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month:
It is the time of year when those with Parkinson's, have a friend or family member with Parkinson’s, and those who work with or on behalf...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Apr 22, 2021
April is Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month:
Treatment for oral, head, and neck cancer can cause swallowing problems. Head and neck cancer includes oral cancer and laryngeal cancer....
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Apr 13, 2021
Xerostomia: A Closer Look
Xerostomia describes the sensation of oral dryness and is commonly called “dry mouth.” Some typical causes of dry mouth include...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Apr 7, 2021
What could be addressed after the MBS:
If a person has difficulty with secretion management or has anterior spillage of the bolus, there are probably some labial seal issues;...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Apr 3, 2021
Age Associated Changes or Dysphagia?
There are changes that occur in swallow function that are associated with healthy aging that do not result in dysphagia. The swallow...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Apr 1, 2021
Lump in the Throat Sensation:
The exact cause of a feeling of a lump in the throat, or globus sensation is basically unknown. Some specialists believe that it is due...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Mar 27, 2021
Difficulty Swallowing and Parkinson’s:
Difficulty swallowing (called dysphagia) can occur at any stage of Parkinson’s disease. Signs and symptoms include difficulty swallowing...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Mar 25, 2021
What is Aspiration Pneumonia?
Aspiration pneumonia is a type of pneumonia that might occur if a person breathes something in instead of swallowing it. The germs from...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Mar 23, 2021
March is Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Awareness Month:
MSA is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a combination of symptoms that affect both the autonomic nervous system...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Mar 23, 2021
March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month:
For the millions of people throughout the world with multiple sclerosis, symptoms can be debilitating, especially when it comes to speech...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Mar 23, 2021
Is a Runny Nose a Reliable Indication of Dysphagia?
While a person who is aspirating may have a runny nose, watery eyes, and cough, the presence of only a runny nose while eating is not a...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Mar 23, 2021
Dysphagia Associated with COVID-19:
The most common symptom of COVID-19 in critically ill patients is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The majority of patients...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Mar 23, 2021
Anxiety Can Cause Difficulty Swallowing
One of the biggest fears that people have when they suffer from anxiety is that their anxiety symptoms are not anxiety symptoms at all....
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Feb 15, 2021
Odynophagia: A Deeper Look
Odynophagia is the medical term for painful swallowing. Pain can be felt in your mouth, throat, or esophagus and painful swallowing may...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Feb 8, 2021
Thickened Liquids & Dehydration: A Closer Look
The first concern with maintaining hydration with thickened liquids is whether the water present in the thickened liquid will be...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Feb 1, 2021
Tools for Evaluating the Swallow
Tests that further evaluate the upper portion of the swallow are the Modified Barium Swallow (involves eating and drinking foods and...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLP
Jan 25, 2021
Relationship Between Breathing & Swallowing
The swallowing reflex is a multi-step patterned response that is based on learning and experience. While its main function is the intake...
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