Swallowing is the process which food/liquid passes from the mouth, to the throat and then the stomach. Impaired swallowing is known as dysphagia and it describes one’s inability to swallow in a safe, effective and timely manner. Dysphagia is often a result of weakened muscles and can be complicated by poor attention.
What is normal swallowing?
Swallowing is the process which food and liquid travels from the mouth to stomach – it is an automated and reflexive process for most of us. Swallowing can be evaluated at
3 different stages:
1. Oral stage (in the mouth)
- Sucking, chewing and moving food/liquid to the back of the throat
2. Pharyngeal stage (in the throat)
- Start of swallow reflex
- Food and liquid squeezed down the throat
- Breathing passage closing to prevent food and liquid from entering the lungs
3. Oesophageal stage (in the food pipe/stomach)
- Food and liquid squeezed down into the stomach by squeezing movement in the food pipe
What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia means a person has difficulties with swallowing, usually caused by problems with nerves and/or muscles that are responsible for swallowing. Muscles involved in the three stages described above may be weak or discoordinated. Dysphagia leads to the possibility of food and liquids we eat and drink entering the lungs, causing an infection called aspiration pneumonia.
If you or a family member has difficulties with swallowing, speak to your doctor to check if a referral to a Speech Therapist is required.
