Diagnosis

Your doctor will review your symptoms and may refer you to a Speech Therapist for an assessment of your swallowing status. The therapist will then do a physical examination and assess your swallowing when you eat or drink.

Further instrumental examination may be required e.g. doing a video X-ray (Videofluoroscopy) or a scope (Flexible Endoscopic Examination of Swallowing) when deemed necessary.

How is Dysphagia Managed?

Patients with dysphagia are co-managed by the doctor and the speech therapist. Management of your swallowing condition may include:

• Modification to the type, texture and consistencies of your food or fluid
• Oral-motor exercises
• Specific swallowing strategies for safe swallowing
• Use of instrumental devices e.g. surface electro-myographic feedback, a nose scope, special cutlery to assess and/or teach therapy techniques

Tips to Improve Your Swallowing

• Keep upright when eating/drinking
• Take small sips when drinking. Using a straw to suck may be difficult to control the rate and amount of fluid intake, causing you to cough
• Take small, bite-sized mouthfuls when eating
• Do not drink more water to flush food down when you cough while eating/ drinking. Cough out any food/ fluid first and let your breathing settle before you continue to eat or drink
• Take soft foods such as porridge, bean curd and oats
• Chop up fibrous/ hard foods e.g. vegetables, fruits and meat
• Separate the solids from the liquids e.g. do not put noodles in a spoon of soup to eat. Try to swallow the noodles completely before drinking the soup
• Use thickening agents to hold food together e.g. corn flour, sauces, gravy or fluid thickener to allow easier swallowing
• Avoid talking with food in your mouth. Cut down distractions during eating/drinking

If your condition persists or worsens, please consult your doctor or speech therapist.