What is dysphagia? Ever heard of it? It is often referred to as the silent epidemic. Dysphagia means that you can’t swallow well. It is not a diagnosis; it is a symptom. Many factors may cause dysphagia, and most are temporary and non-life-threatening.
Like breathing, swallowing is essential to everyday life. Humans swallow between 500-700 times a day, around three times an hour during sleep, once per minute while awake, and even more during meals.
Dysphagia is a disorder associated with a wide variety of conditions including stroke, head and neck cancers, and neurologic disorders such as dementia, ALS, Parkinson’s, motor neuron disease and muscular dystrophy, etc. Complications of dysphagia include aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and choking. In addition, those with swallowing disorders often report the feeling of isolation and depression as many no longer partake in social gatherings that take place around a meal.
Swallowing Awareness month is an opportunity to bring attention to swallowing disorders and to connect people with speech pathologists, the professionals who can help.
If you or someone you know, thinks that they might have dysphagia, don’t hesitate to reach out to your ENT or a speech pathologist. The best treatment is prevention.