Most of us take swallowing for granted, but for some swallowing can become very difficult. Trouble swallowing, known as dysphagia, is difficulty in moving food or liquid from your mouth to your stomach. Dysphagia may be associated with pain while swallowing or not being able to swallow at all.

Dysphagia can occur at any age, but is most common in older adults. The causes of dysphagia vary, and treatments depend upon the cause. Dysphagia is very common in patients who have had a stroke. In many cases, dysphagia can be partially or completely corrected.

The FirstHealth Centers for Rehabilitation offer VitalStim Therapy for as a treatment option for dysphagia. VitalStim Therapy uses small electrical currents to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing. During this therapy, the speech-language pathologist helps the patient reeducate their muscles through rehabilitation therapy. With repeated therapy, the swallowing muscles can be reeducated.

The speech-language pathologists at FirstHealth also offer Modified Barium Swallow Studies and fiber endoscopic evaluations of swallowing add link to ehealth –go to Laryngoscopy . These studies are used to identify swallowing efficiency in patients with dysphagia. A Modified Barium Swallow Study can help determine the best sitting position for meals, as well as the type and consistency of foods that are least likely to cause choking or strangulation in a person suffering from dysphagia.