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,...

The Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion (ACDF) surgery has 2 parts: Anterior cervical discectomy: The spine is approached through the...

We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in...

One of the most serious health risks to patients who have difficulty swallowing is developing aspiration pneumonia. “Aspiration” is the...

One of the most overlooked aspects of keeping your body working at its peak condition is hydration. Hydration has become more of a...

Thick liquids are often recommended for individuals with swallowing disorders. Some of the reasons thickened liquids are recommended...

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...

Anatomically, swallowing disorders have been divided into three phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal. Dysphagia can occur in any of...

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a rare genetic condition that causes weakness in the muscles around the upper eyelids and...

A Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) study is often referred to as a Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), helps identify why you may be...

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is difficulty in swallowing solid food (dysphagia) due to allergies. Specifically, the food becomes stuck...

Corkscrew esophagus is a condition that results from nerve damage and makes it difficult for the body to pass food and liquid to the...

There are patients who safely consume thin liquids in isolation and solids in isolation but exhibit signs and symptoms of aspiration with...

Although eating and drinking difficulties are fairly common in individuals with dementia, each person’s difficulties will be unique to...

Some people who have had COVID-19 (coronavirus) may have difficulties eating and drinking. They may also become tired more easily or feel...

A mobile MBSS (Modified Barium Swallow Study) provides a cost-efficient and convenient option to transporting a patient to an outpatient...

Silent aspiration is difficult to assess when screening a patient for dysphagia as well as during the clinical (bedside) swallow...

Cough is already an integral part of the clinical practice of the Speech-Language Pathologist. When Speech-Language Pathologists complete...

Speech-Language Pathologists often make comments concerning mastication in clinical and instrumental swallowing assessments such as...

The term “presbyphagia” refers to natural changes within the swallowing mechanism for aging adults. As the prevalence of swallow...

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...

Candida normally lives in the mouth, throat, and the rest of the digestive tract without causing any problems. Sometimes, Candida can...

The instability of dentures should be considered when assessing swallow function. A removable denture may have negative effects on...

National Ice Cream Month is celebrated each year in July. Sadly, ice cream is not recommended for individuals with dysphagia who require...

Muscle tension dysphagia refers to the patient population that upon work-up, reveals no organic etiology for swallowing issues however,...

June is both Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and Dysphagia Awareness Month, which provides the opportunity to help raise dementia and...

In scleroderma, the immune system damages healthy tissue like collagen and replaces it with scar tissue, causing thickening and...

Myasthenia Gravis is a disease that causes difficulty sending messages through nerves to muscles. Usually, muscles become weak or tired...

For some people living with lupus, swallowing difficulties are among the more challenging of these symptoms. Their swallowing problems...

Because May is National Stroke Awareness Month, it is especially important to learn how to recognize symptoms of dysphagia that can occur...

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a brain disorder in which there is progressive neurodegeneration leading to motor, cognitive, and...

Better Hearing & Speech Month is a time to spotlight swallowing disorders, called dysphagia, which are treated by speech-language...

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...

Treatment for oral, head, and neck cancer can cause swallowing problems. Head and neck cancer includes oral cancer and laryngeal cancer....

Xerostomia describes the sensation of oral dryness and is commonly called “dry mouth.” Some typical causes of dry mouth include...

If a person has difficulty with secretion management or has anterior spillage of the bolus, there are probably some labial seal issues;...

There are changes that occur in swallow function that are associated with healthy aging that do not result in dysphagia. The swallow...

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...

Difficulty swallowing (called dysphagia) can occur at any stage of Parkinson’s disease. Signs and symptoms include difficulty swallowing...

Aspiration pneumonia is a type of pneumonia that might occur if a person breathes something in instead of swallowing it. The germs from...

MSA is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a combination of symptoms that affect both the autonomic nervous system...

For the millions of people throughout the world with multiple sclerosis, symptoms can be debilitating, especially when it comes to speech...

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...

The most common symptom of COVID-19 in critically ill patients is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The majority of patients...

One of the biggest fears that people have when they suffer from anxiety is that their anxiety symptoms are not anxiety symptoms at all....

Odynophagia is the medical term for painful swallowing. Pain can be felt in your mouth, throat, or esophagus and painful swallowing may...

The first concern with maintaining hydration with thickened liquids is whether the water present in the thickened liquid will be...

Tests that further evaluate the upper portion of the swallow are the Modified Barium Swallow (involves eating and drinking foods and...

The swallowing reflex is a multi-step patterned response that is based on learning and experience. While its main function is the intake...

The Frazier Water Protocol allows patients with dysphagia (swallowing problems) to drink water that is not thickened, between meals. This...