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

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

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

Speech Pathologists should be competent in the tests that they perform, including the video swallow study.  The American Speech and Language Association’s (ASHA) Principle of Ethics II Rule B states “Individuals shall engage in only those aspects of the profession that are within their competence, considering their level of education, training, and experience.  SLPs providing highly specialized or specialized… read more

Pharyngeal Stage The SLP will be looking at the function of the swallowing at the oral, pharyngeal and part of the esophageal phase during an MBS. Here are some pharyngeal deficits to look out for when performing an MBS:   Inability to initiate the swallow in a timely and coordinated manner-  occurs if the bolus rolls… read more