Signs & Symptoms

         Common patient complaints indicative of dysphagia may include:

  • Pic of 3 senior citizens enjoying coffee
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • Difficulty initiating a swallow
  • Coughing/choking episodes
  • Pain while swallowing
  • Feeling something “stuck” in the throat
  • Food or liquid “coming back up” after swallowing
  • Heartburn/Indigestion
  • Difficulty swallowing pills
  • Poor appetite
  • Decreased quality of life

                                                                                                                                                                       

Other signs and symptoms of dysphagia may include:

  • Decreased oral intake percentages
  • Lengthy feeding/meal times
  • Weight loss
  • Malnutrition
  • Dehydration
  • Loss of food/liquid from mouth
  • Drooling
  • Pocketing or holding food in the mouth
  • Nasal drainage
  • Nasal regurgitation
  • Throat clearing
  • Coughing
  • Choking
  • Wet/gurgly vocal quality
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pneumonia
  • Reflux