What Is Dysphagia?

Diagnosing Dysphagia

Have you experienced difficulty with swallowing? Or have you been told that you have dysphagia? Difficulty with swallowing can place you at higher risk for pneumonia, dehydration and malnutrition. Inadequate nutrition and hydration will make you physically weak and unable to fight infection and/or illness. That is why it is important to identify this condition, so you can stay healthy.

Who Can Help

When learning more about dysphagia, you may come in contact with medical professionals who have different areas of expertise and different roles in your treatment.

Your primary care provider

• Checks if you have problems with your swallowing reflexes
• Observes for signs and symptoms of dysphagia, dehydration and malnutrition
• Refers you to the correct specialists
• Helps you understand if it is a structural or a functional problem (Is your esophagus too narrow? Or is your muscular mechanism responsible for passing food from your mouth to your stomach not functioning properly?)

A registered dietitian

• Ensures you get a balanced, appropriate diet and adequate hydration
• Provides guidance on food selection and preparation

A specialist, such as a speech language pathologist (SLP)

• Determines in detail what is causing you to have difficulty swallowing
• Offers tongue and swallowing exercises to help build up your strength
• Recommends and performs different tests to explore what is causing you difficulty and to determine the appropriate diet and therapy