Articles
Treatment for Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement (PFMV): Prior to speech therapy for a voice disorder, a patient should be seen by an ear nose and throat specialist to determine the cause of the voice disorder. The differential diagnosis will determine the appropriate treatment. Medical intervention of paradoxical vocal fold movement involves patient education, termination of… read more
Patients with tracheostomy tubes are unable to produce voicing when the cuff is full inflated. Airflow goes in and out through the tracheostomy tube only and bypasses the upper airway. Airflow does not flow through the vocal folds, rendering the patient aphonic (no voicing). Deflating the tracheostomy tube cuff allows airflow to pass up… read more
Patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation are at high risk for dysphagia. These patients should perform swallow exercises to reduce the effects of the radiation and improve strength/range of motion of the tongue, lips and jaw. Patients should be instructed to continue swallowing as long as possible, even if it is just their saliva.… read more
Masako Maneuver The Masako Maneuver, or tongue-hold manuever, is a swallowing exercise for patients with dysphagia. It is designed to increase the extent of anterior movement of the posterior pharyngeal wall. Masako Maneuver Instructions: 1. Stick out your tongue. 2. Gently hold your tongue between your teeth/lips. 3. Swallow while holding the tip of… read more
SHAKER SWALLOW EXERCISE The Shaker exercise is a swallow exercise for dysphagia. It strengthens the muscles that lift the hyoid bone, which lift the larynx upward and forward and open the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). The muscles that lift the hyoid are called the suprahyoid muscles and these include the anterior belly of the digastric,… read more
Paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM) is characterized by innappropriate adduction of the vocal folds during inspiration (Murry, Tabaee, & Aviv, 2004). Other names for this syndrome include Munchausen’s stridor, vocal cord dysfunction, paradoxical vocal cord motion, and irritable larynx syndrome. Some patients who present with dyspnea, strior and airway obstruction have PVFM. Patients with a… read more
The 3 ounce water test is frequently used as a dysphagia screening method by nurses for stroke patients. Individuals are required to drink 3 ounces of water without interruption. If they stop, cough, choke, or show a wet-hoarse vocal quality during the test or for one minute afterward, they are considered to have failed. Patients… read more
Silent Aspiration: Definition, prevalence, risk factors Aspiration is when secretions, food, liquid or gastric contents enter into the trachea, past the vocal folds and possibly into the lungs. When aspiration occurs, the normal response is to cough or throat clear to attempt to remove the aspirate from the airway. The cough reflex has both sensory (afferent) and motor… read more
What kinds of cancers are considered cancers of the head and neck?Most head and neck cancers begin in the cells that line the mucosal surfaces in the head and neck area, e.g., mouth, nose, and throat. Mucosal surfaces are moist tissues lining hollow organs and cavities of the body open to the environment. Normal mucosal cells… read more
TREATMENT OF LPR: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) can be treated by lifestyle changes, medication, or in severe cases, surgery. Speech pathologists may be treating patients with LPR and should be aware of the treatment options. Lifestyle Changes Speech-language pathologists should particularly know the lifestyle changes to be able to educate our patients to reduce symptoms… read more
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