Consultants in Dysphagia Evaluation and Management Phone: 817-514-MBS1 or 1-888-514-MBS1 Fax: 817-514-MBS8 or 1-877-514-MBS8 Speech Pathologist Reference Sheet By: Ronda Polansky M.S. CCC-SLP     STRATEGIES in Head and Neck Cancer For those patients who have undergone surgical resection or organ preservation protocols for head and neck cancer and who are unable to […]

Family Education Sheet ASPIRATION   Aspiration – Aspiration occurs when material such as gastric contents, saliva, food, nasopharyngeal secretions are inhaled into the airway or upper respiratory tract.  In a healthy population, micro aspiration is common and pulmonary secretions seldom occur. In the unhealthy population risk for pneumonia is higher due to levels of consciousness, […]

                             Consultants in Dysphagia Evaluation and Management Phone: 817-514-MBS1 or 1-888-514-MBS1 Fax: 817-514-MBS8 or 1-877-514-MBS8 By: Ronda Polansky M.S. CCC-SLP   PUREE Pizzazz Jazz it up tips!   The puree diet is recommended as an alternative for those unable to tolerate regular or mechanical soft foods.  A puree diet is generally a cohesive mashed […]

It is very important to understand WHY the dysphagia is occurring before initiating treatment for it. Velopharyngeal insufficiency raise and lower velum during the production of  /a/ to produce nasal and oral contrasts, as in /ng-a, ng-a/ Pretend to be “stopped up” and then gradually eliminate denasality to more oral resonance Raise the velum mechanically […]

Feeding and Alzheimer’s Disease   Intervention and useful strategies with AD during meals  (Brush, J., Slominiski T., Boczko F., 2006) Visual cues and written reminders Cups and handles that are easy to grasp.  Try the Provale cup –  800-757-7579 Serve larger portions at breakfast to maintain weight Seat patients according to compatibilities rather than disabilities […]

Strategy Why? How to do What it does Head Back Poor oral control Must have normal pharyngeal phase Tilt head back during swallow Uses gravity, duration of UES relaxation decreases with increased head extension Chin Tuck Premature loss Reduced airway closure Touching chin to chest before & during swallow widens valleculae narrows airway Pushes tongue […]

Problem Probable Cause Phase Anterior loss of food or liquids Decreased lip, jaw strength Oral Can not suck through straw Decreased lip, jaw strength Decreased lip sensation Oral Pocketing Decreased tongue strength and sensation Oral Reduced mastication Decreased tongue strength Oral Oral hold Decreased tongue strength & sensation Oral Loses food prematurely over back of […]

Tracheotomy – Between 43-80% of the patients with tracheotomy tubes will manifest signs of aspiration or aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia is produced by physiological changes associated with opening the trachea to atmospheric pressure, not merely the presence of the tube in the neck ( Murray, T, Carrau, R, 2006) Physiciologic changes following a Tracheotomy Loss or […]

Dysphagia Cups Rolyan Cup – tool for precisely quantifying sips. Cup adjusts from 2.5 ml to 20 ml. Dysphagia cup – weighted base slows tremors to help self drinking · Sip-Tip – reduced amount of air ingested, less coughing and choking on some individuals · Pre-Set drinking cup – preset measured cup delivers 1 tsp […]

Oral Motor Function  The following exercises should be performed 10 times each 2-3 times a day. Lips – reduced lip sensation, strength, and ROM may result in drooling, lip biting and pocketing, as well as anterior loss. Assess labial musculature by pressing lips tightly around a tongue depressor as the SLP tries to remove it […]

What is an MBSS and why does it need to be done? Dysphagia is the medical term describing a condition of swallowing difficulty that occurs from an underlying condition. Fifteen million people in the United States suffer from dysphagia (J. Logemann, 1991), and 40-60% of those are residents of a long-term care facility. A Modified […]

Aspiration Aspiration occurs when material such as gastric contents, saliva, food, nasopharyngeal secretions are inhaled into the airway or upper respiratory tract. In a healthy population, micro aspiration is common and pulmonary secretions seldom occur. In the unhealthy population risk for pneumonia is higher due to levels of consciousness, altered airway defenses, and depressed immune […]