Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)

Dysphagia can commonly be mild choking, most often with liquids but can also be quite severe. The variation of MS involvement offers the potential for a wide variety of swallowing difficulties: a delay in triggering the swallow response is common, causing difficulty with liquids. A weakened pharyngeal wall contraction may result in food being left behind after a swallow and food aspiration in small amounts can pose risk of infection to lungs.

Management

Treatment will focus on rehabilitative strategies and may include interventions in posture, thermal-tactile stimulation, counseling about eating habits, and voluntary swallow strategies.

Identification and assessment of swallowing difficulties by speech language pathologist, using videofluoroscopy may be very useful.

Key Healthcare Professionals

• Speech language pathologist
• Dietitian/nutritionist