16/03/2023
What is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia is any problem with sucking, swallowing, drinking, chewing, eating, controlling saliva, or protecting the lungs from food and drink ‘going the wrong way’. It can be a problem with keeping the lips closed so that food, drinks or saliva doesn’t dribble out.
Who can have it:
- anyone
- babies born prematurely
- children with different structures in their head and neck, like cleft lip or palate
What it looks like:
- babies having difficulty sucking during breast or bottle feeding
- feeling that food or drink gets stuck in your throat or goes down the wrong way
- taking a long time to eat (30mins or more)
- coughing or choking while eating or drinking
- frequent chest infections with no known cause
Why does it matter?
- it can make you sick. Food, drinks or saliva can go down into the lungs (aspiration) and this can cause lung infections (pneumonia)
- it can stop children getting the nutrition they need to grow their body and brain
- it can be very socially isolating for kids and their families, when mealtimes are usually one of the most shared social experiences
If your child has difficulties swallowing or you are concerned about their communication, don't wait and see, call us for a chat on 0432309882 or email us at [email protected]