Swallowing Problems / Dysphagia

The purpose of swallowing is to get food from the mouth, through the throat to the stomach, without allowing it to go down the nose or the windpipe. When liquids or food go down the wrong way and are not removed by coughing this is called aspiration.

Sometimes swallowing problems occur because of illness, for example, after a stroke, or an operation on the throat, or in people with dementia and neurological conditions. People who experience problems with swallowing may notice coughing or choking on food or liquids, food not going down or getting stuck in the throat, a 'wet' or 'gurgly' voice after swallowing, or problems with chronic chestiness or recurring chest infections.

People with swallowing problems must be referred to a healthcare professional that specialises in dysphagia. They may suggest changing the consistency, temperature and/or taste of drinks and food, which may include using a specially designed powder to thickened fluids and food to help make them easier to swallow. If you have been prescribed Nutilis, you can find out more about the product by clicking on the image below. Oral nutritional supplements are also useful to increase the amount of calories, proteins and nutrients a person takes in. If despite these changes enough food cannot be eaten, or if swallowing is not safe a liquid feed through a tube may be needed to provide the body’s essential daily nutrient needs.

For further information on swallowing problems please click on the picture below

HCP Information for Swallowing Problems / Dysphagia