Dysphagia Evaluation and Treatment

Frederick, Maryland
Wilmington, North Carolina 

Dysphagia Evaluation and Treatment Frederick MarylandWe all take the ability to swallow for granted. It is as necessary to sustaining life as our ability to breathe. Difficulty with swallowing not only affects the quality of our lives, but can cause life-threatening pneumonia in our lungs. Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, can be the result of stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, MS, Alzheimers, spinal cord injury, Cerebral Palsy, injury or surgery to the head or neck, cancer of the mouth, throat or esophagus, or a generalized weakness-related illness or injury.

At Better Speech and Swallow, we provide a comprehensive swallowing evaluation for each patient. We may recommend a Modified Barium Swallow Study if one has not already been completed or significant time has passed since completing one.

Our primary goal is to improve swallowing ability so that the patient may tolerate the least restrictive diet safely.

Treatment may include any or all of the following:

  • Oral exercises
  • Sensory stimulation
  • Trials of various food and liquid consistencies
  • Compensatory techniques
  • VitalStim Therapy