Swallowing Management

Weakness of the facial, jaw, and throat muscles can lead to swallowing problems (dysphagia), further accentuating nutritional issues. Dysphagia can also cause aspiration (bits of food or fluid going into the lungs) because of poor movement of the swallowing muscles, which can increase the risk of pneumonia. Dysphagia can often come on very gradually, meaning it can be difficult to spot. For this reason, swallowing symptoms need to be reviewed at every visit.