Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPJan 25Bone Spur: A Closer LookA 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/SLPJan 17Anterior 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/SLPJan 13Saliva: A Closer LookWe 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/SLPJan 12Reducing 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 LadeNov 29, 2021Stay HydratedOne 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/SLPNov 17, 2021The Pros and Cons of Thickened LiquidsThick liquids are often recommended for individuals with swallowing disorders. Some of the reasons thickened liquids are recommended...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPNov 8, 2021Aerophagia: A Closer LookDid 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/SLPNov 2, 2021The Esophageal Sweep: A Closer LookAnatomically, swallowing disorders have been divided into three phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal. Dysphagia can occur in any of...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPOct 26, 2021Oculopharyngeal 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/SLPOct 18, 2021Modified Barium Swallow vs. EsophagramA 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/SLPOct 15, 2021What 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/SLPOct 12, 2021What 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/SLPSep 27, 2021The Mixed Consistency ConundrumThere 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/SLPSep 22, 2021September: World Alzheimer's MonthAlthough eating and drinking difficulties are fairly common in individuals with dementia, each person’s difficulties will be unique to...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPSep 20, 2021Dysphagia 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/SLPSep 17, 2021Mobile MBSS vs the HospitalA mobile MBSS (Modified Barium Swallow Study) provides a cost-efficient and convenient option to transporting a patient to an outpatient...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPAug 30, 2021Silent Aspiration: A Closer LookSilent aspiration is difficult to assess when screening a patient for dysphagia as well as during the clinical (bedside) swallow...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPAug 27, 2021Cough: A Closer LookCough is already an integral part of the clinical practice of the Speech-Language Pathologist. When Speech-Language Pathologists complete...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPAug 26, 2021Mastication: A Closer LookSpeech-Language Pathologists often make comments concerning mastication in clinical and instrumental swallowing assessments such as...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPAug 25, 2021Presbyphagia: A Closer LookThe term “presbyphagia” refers to natural changes within the swallowing mechanism for aging adults. As the prevalence of swallow...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPJul 26, 2021Orofacial 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/SLPJul 19, 2021Candida 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/SLPJul 14, 2021Dentures 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 LadeJul 13, 2021National 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/SLPJun 28, 2021Muscle Tenson DysphagiaMuscle tension dysphagia refers to the patient population that upon work-up, reveals no organic etiology for swallowing issues however,...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPJun 21, 2021June is both Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and Dysphagia Awareness MonthJune is both Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and Dysphagia Awareness Month, which provides the opportunity to help raise dementia and...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPJun 14, 2021June is National Scleroderma Awareness MonthIn scleroderma, the immune system damages healthy tissue like collagen and replaces it with scar tissue, causing thickening and...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPJun 7, 2021June is National Mysathenia Gravis Awareness MonthMyasthenia Gravis is a disease that causes difficulty sending messages through nerves to muscles. Usually, muscles become weak or tired...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPMay 24, 2021May is National Lupus Awareness MonthFor some people living with lupus, swallowing difficulties are among the more challenging of these symptoms. Their swallowing problems...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPMay 17, 2021Stroke & Dysphagia: A Deeper LookBecause 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/SLPMay 10, 2021May is Huntington’s Disease Awareness MonthHuntington’s disease (HD) is a brain disorder in which there is progressive neurodegeneration leading to motor, cognitive, and...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPMay 5, 2021Better Hearing & Speech MonthBetter Hearing & Speech Month is a time to spotlight swallowing disorders, called dysphagia, which are treated by speech-language...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPApr 22, 2021April 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/SLPApr 22, 2021April 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/SLPApr 13, 2021Xerostomia: A Closer LookXerostomia describes the sensation of oral dryness and is commonly called “dry mouth.” Some typical causes of dry mouth include...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPApr 7, 2021What 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/SLPApr 3, 2021Age 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/SLPApr 1, 2021Lump 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/SLPMar 27, 2021Difficulty 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/SLPMar 25, 2021What 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/SLPMar 23, 2021March 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/SLPMar 23, 2021March 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/SLPMar 23, 2021Is 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/SLPMar 23, 2021Dysphagia 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/SLPMar 23, 2021Anxiety Can Cause Difficulty SwallowingOne 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/SLPFeb 15, 2021Odynophagia: A Deeper LookOdynophagia 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/SLPFeb 8, 2021Thickened Liquids & Dehydration: A Closer LookThe first concern with maintaining hydration with thickened liquids is whether the water present in the thickened liquid will be...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPFeb 1, 2021Tools for Evaluating the SwallowTests that further evaluate the upper portion of the swallow are the Modified Barium Swallow (involves eating and drinking foods and...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPJan 25, 2021Relationship Between Breathing & SwallowingThe swallowing reflex is a multi-step patterned response that is based on learning and experience. While its main function is the intake...
Carinda Stout, MS CCC/SLPJan 18, 2021A Deeper Look into the Frazier Free Water ProtocolThe Frazier Water Protocol allows patients with dysphagia (swallowing problems) to drink water that is not thickened, between meals. This...