Swallowing Treatment

What is Swallowing?
Swallowing is a general description of the movement of food from the oral tract through the upper esophagus to the stomach. Swallowing process; Oral preparation consists of oral, pharyngeal and esophageal phases, respectively. A problem occurring in any phase may cause other problems in other phases. Phase relationships in swallowing are quite different and are affected by the type, size and density of the bolus.

What is Swallowing Disorder (Dysphagia)?
Swallowing disorder (dysphagia) is a condition where there is an obstacle or delay in the passage of food from the oral cavity to the stomach during the swallowing process, and the food escapes into the nasal cavity or trachea. If food enters the larynx after being taken from the mouth and accumulates in the area where the vocal cords are located, it causes penetration, and if it passes to the area below the vocal cords, it causes aspiration. Aspiration is the movement of a bolus (bite) into the lungs. While eating, anyone can leak food into the windpipe and become blocked. However, when this happens, the remaining food in the throat is cleared by coughing, which is a reflexive movement. In some diseases, people may not be able to clear their throat. For these people, swallowing carries a risk factor of harm to the person.

Swallowing disorders can be seen in all age groups. Although swallowing disorders may occur later in people, they may also occur due to some congenital abnormalities or structural damage. Various disorders can cause the sensation required during swallowing to be impaired, muscles to weaken, or one or more muscles to not work in a coordinated manner. The food may accumulate in the cheeks, remain in the pharynx, escape into the lungs, or fail to reach the esophagus.