What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulties1. Some people with dysphagia have problems swallowing certain foods or liquids while others can’t swallow at all. Rather than being a disease in its own right, it is often the consequence of an underlying condition2. Knowing how the swallowing process works is helpful in understanding dysphagia.

What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulties1. Some people with dysphagia have problems swallowing certain foods or liquids while others can’t swallow at all. Rather than being a disease in its own right, it is often the consequence of an underlying condition2. Knowing how the swallowing process works is helpful in understanding dysphagia.

dysphagia-header-002

The Swallowing Process

  • Swallowing is the mechanism by which we transport food and drink from the mouth to the stomach3
  • We swallow 500-700 times a day4
  • Swallowing involves the coordinated use of over 30 different muscles5
  • Swallowing starts when food enters the mouth, with the production of saliva5
  • Swallowing briefly interrupts breathing5

A safe swallow

A safe swallow ensures that food, drink or medication is transferred from the mouth to the stomach, bypassing the airway and avoiding food or drink from entering the lungs (aspiration).

Was this information helpful?

References

  1. GI Society. Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.
    Available at: https://badgut.org/information-centre/a-z-digestive-topics/dysphagia/
    Accessed 28 February 2022.
  2. NHS. Overview. Dysphagia (swallowing problems).
    Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/swallowing-problems-dysphagia/
    Accessed 28 February 2022.
  3. Swallowing Reflex, Phases and Overview of Neural Control. Alila Medical Media.
    Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQm5RCz9Pxc
    Accessed 28 February 2022.
  4. Speech Pathology Australia.
    Available at: https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/whats_on/Swallowing_Awareness_Day/
    SPAweb/What_s_On/SAD/Swallowing_Awareness_Day.aspx?hkey=d40795b9-eba6-413b-939a-c3eb9a69084c
    Accessed 28 February 2022.
  5. Tracheostomy Education.
    Available at: https://www.tracheostomyeducation.com/normal-swallowing/
    Accessed 28 February 2022.