Swallowing Problems

When there are swallowing problems that may cause aspiration of food or liquids, a physician may order a Swallow Study. This study involves a patient swallowing fluids of different consistencies and an image being viewed of the patient swallowing to see whether the fluid goes where it is supposed to or whether it goes down the windpipe.

Recommendations for the consistency of food for safe swallowing are made based on the results of this study. These studies are performed and interpreted by speech therapists on outpatients and inpatients at Forsyth Rehabilitation Center and Forsyth Medical Center.

Swallowing Treatment

Physicians may prescribe speech therapy evaluation and treatment. Speech therapists provide:

• Oral Motor Exercise (OME)
• Deep Pharyhgeal Nerve Stimulation (DPNS)
• Vital Stim
• Safe swallow techniques