Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), which occurs when liquid and solid food cannot be swallowed or when the food taken into the mouth cannot be safely delivered to the stomach, reduces the quality of life and brings with it many health problems. Dysphagia, which causes many problems such as water and weight loss, lung diseases, poor oral hygiene, opening of the trachea from the throat, feeding from the nose or stomach, can also cause the death of the patient.
Difficulty in swallowing brings health problems
Swallowing disorder causes dehydration, weight loss, lung diseases, poor oral hygiene, breathing out of the throat and into the trachea. It may cause the patient to open, feeding from the nose or stomach, deterioration of the quality of life, and death of the patient. Difficulty in swallowing can occur in people of all ages. It is especially seen more frequently in individuals with neurological diseases and head and neck cancer. However, difficulty in swallowing is encountered even in individuals aged 60 and over who do not have any disease.
What are the symptoms of difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)?
• Recurrent lung diseases,
• Frequent fever with no known cause,
• Excessive effort while eating,
• Prolongation of eating time,
• Feeling of stuckness/residue in the throat,
• Cough after swallowing,
• Change in voice after swallowing,
• Change in eating habits,
• Avoiding drinking water and decreasing the amount of consumption,
• Prolonging the amount and duration of swallowing,
• The need to clear the throat after swallowing,
• Eating and/or or fatigue after drinking,
• Weight loss after malnutrition.
What practices are in the oral-motor rehabilitation program?
In the oral-motor rehabilitation program;
•Ensuring safe swallowing by changing the way of nutrition,
•Ensuring safe swallowing with postural techniques and continuing nutrition,
•Protecting the respiratory system and ensuring swallowing with swallowing maneuvers,
•Thermal tactile stimulation,
•Exercise programs for the muscles responsible for swallowing� �,
•Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques,
•Motor learning strategies,
•Neuromuscular electrical stimulation,
•Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation,
• Muscular strength training,
• Joint and soft tissue mobilization techniques,
• Taping applications.
Depending on the severity of the disease, in cases where safe swallowing is not possible, safe feeding methods are taught, thus trying to prevent food from entering the lungs and the problems that may arise as a result.
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