General Information

More people than you may imagine struggle to swallow food and drink and it is not only elderly people who suffer. The condition is called dysphagia. It ranges from discomfort in swallowing – which may lead to poor nutrition or dehydration, to difficulty in swallowing – which may cause food and drink to go down […]

Dysphagia refers to the difficulty or discomfort in swallowing food or liquids. The reasons for dysphagia can vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. As a guide, some common signs of dysphagia can include: Increased difficulty in swallowing: A person may experience a worsening of their ability to initiate or complete

Dysphagia, or swallowing issues, can affect individuals of all ages, although it is more commonly observed in older adults and those with certain health conditions. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) estimates that dysphagia affects around 8% of the global population. However, it’s important to note that the prevalence of dysphagia can vary significantly

Many of us do not understand the difference between dysphasia and dysphagia. They are two different terms that refer to distinct conditions related to language and swallowing, respectively, and they have different underlying causes. As outlined below, dysphasia is a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand and use language, while dysphagia refers

In everyday use the terms Dietitian and Nutritionist are often interchanged but there is a significant difference in their work. Crucially, only dietitians can recommend special diets for an individual’s specific medical condition. Dietitians Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and

It may become more difficult to swallow medicine in either a tablet or liquid form as the issue of swallowing deteriorates. This is a difficult subject and one that can be very traumatic. We want to do the best for those we care for. If it is becoming a challenge, then it is important to

Trying to clean the mouth of someone with swallowing issue can be traumatic. The task is made even more complex if the person has dementia and may not want to co operate even though you know it is for their own good. The importance of oral hygiene Oral hygiene is essential for everyone, perhaps even

Speech and language therapists play an important role in supporting adults who have eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) to eat and drink safely. They do this by working directly with individuals or indirectly by training others, including families and the wider health and care workforce, to identify and manage problems. Speech and language therapists

After you start the swallowing process it  should continue without any conscious thought. When the involuntary phases of swallowing cease to happen automatically and reliably, resultant swallowing issue may require medical attention. The process of swallowing involves four main phases: Oral Preparation Phase: This phase begins with the voluntary movement of food or liquid into

The term “bolus” has different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. The two common uses are outlined below. Medical Context: In medicine, a bolus refers to a concentrated dose or amount of medication or fluid that is administered rapidly into the body. It is often given as an injection or through