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Swallowing Impairment

Swallowing Impairment

Chemotherapy as well as radiation and surgical treatment, especially for head and neck cancers, can cause lymphedema. This swelling in the head and neck due to upper or lower throat, voice box, mouth, nasal cavity or salivary gland cancers can cause changes in swallowing, eating or speaking.

Dysphasia, or difficulty swallowing, can be uncomfortable, inconvenient and even life-threatening. It also can increase a person's risk of developing respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia caused by food or liquid aspirated into the lungs.

Symptoms of dysphasia include:

  • Needing to swallow many times to clear food from your mouth and throat.
  • Having a gurgly, wet-sounding voice after swallowing.
  • Coughing, choking or clearing your throat when eating or drinking.
  • Having pain with swallowing.
  • Having a dry mouth or throat or excessive production of saliva.
  • Not being able to take in enough food to maintain your weight.

Treatment

Our speech pathology therapists can help you adapt to swallowing changes caused by cancer treatment. They are certified in VitalStim therapy, a leading-edge treatment for swallowing disorders.

In addition, you may receive modified barium swallow studies that uses X-rays to analyze the swallow mechanism. These video swallow studies can help therapists diagnose a swallowing disorder to develop a tailored treatment plan.

Contact Us

Our swallow therapy services require a doctor's referral. If you need help with a referral or for more information on our services, call 816.691.1795.