Dysphagia Therapy Options to Improve Swallowing and Quality of Life

Swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, can affect many adults for various reasons. It can make eating and drinking uncomfortable, scary and potentially dangerous. If you or someone you care for struggles with swallowing, understanding therapy options can help you regain confidence and improve daily life.

Dysphagia therapy offers ways to make swallowing safer and more effective. It usually involves exercises, changes to lifestyle and / or specialised tools. In this post, I’ll guide you through common therapy approaches and share examples of helpful products that support swallowing.

Close-up view of a person drinking water with a thickened liquid consistency

Understanding Dysphagia and Its Impact

Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing. It can happen after a stroke, due to neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, or from ageing. Sometimes, it results from surgery or injury affecting the throat or mouth, including cancer. There are also other types of swallowing difficulty caused by acid reflux - that will be another post!

Swallowing problems can cause coughing, choking or the feeling of things sticking in that throat. Dysphagia which causes food and drink to go down the "wrong way" (or be aspirated) raises the risk of chest infections and unintentional weight loss as material collects in the base of the lungs. It also affects social activities like eating with family or friends.

Recognising dysphagia early and seeking therapy is important. Therapy aims to improve swallowing safety and efficiency, helping people enjoy food and drink again.

Common Dysphagia Therapy Approaches

Therapy for dysphagia always starts with an assessment by an experienced dysphagia speech and language therapist (SLT) followed by a range of management approaches, depending on what is causing your dysphagia and how severe it is.

Here are some common dysphagia management options:

Swallowing Exercises

Exercises strengthen the muscles used for swallowing. They can improve coordination and reduce the chance of food or liquid entering the airway.

Examples include:

• Base of tongue strengthening exercises

  
  

• Effortful swallow techniques

  
  

• Shaker exercise

  
  

• Airway protection exercises

  
  
  
  

Doing these exercises regularly can make a noticeable difference over weeks or months. Your therapist can tailor a program of swallowing exercises depending on your swallow presentation.

Diet and Texture Modifications

Changing the texture of food and drink can make swallowing safer. For example, soft, moist food textures are more cohesive in the mouth and easier to control and transfer into the throat. Pureed foods reduce the risk of choking. Your SLT may suggest specific texture levels based on your swallowing ability.

Thickened fluids should never be used or prescribed without a speech & language therapist assessment as they can actually increase the risk of silent aspiration (material entering the lungs without any obvious signs such as coughing).

Postural Adjustments

Changing the position of your head or body while eating can help. For example, tucking the chin down or turning the head to one side can protect the airway.

These adjustments are simple but effective techniques taught by therapists and will only be recommended after a full assessment.

Use of Assistive Products

Sometimes, specialised products support swallowing therapy, this includes:

• Alternative drinking aids or cutlery designed to slow down the pace of eating and drinking or help coordination so someone can feed themselves independently for longer.

• Products which provides resistance training for swallowing muscles e.g. EMST (expiratory muscle strength training) and Swallow Strong devices.

How Farnham SLT Supports Dysphagia Therapy

At Farnham SLT, I focus on personalised, evidence-based assessment & management for adults with swallowing difficulties. .

If you have severe dysphagia or I am not sure exactly the best way to support you, you may be referred for an instrumental swallowing assessment such as a videofluoroscopy (video x-ray swallowing assessment) or a fibreoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing (FEES). These will generally be provided by NHS teams in a hospital setting.

If you want to explore therapy options or need advice on managing dysphagia, Farnham SLT offers expert guidance tailored to you.

Tips for Managing Dysphagia at Home

Alongside professional therapy, there are simple steps you can take daily to optimise your swallow safety.

• Eat slowly and take small bites

  
  

• Sit upright during and after meals

  
  

• Avoid distractions while eating

  
  

• Avoid tilting your head back when drinking (i.e. when drinking from the end of your cup)

• For people who need help with feeding, encourage self feeding as much as possible or provide hand over hand support

When to Seek Professional Help

If you notice coughing during meals, frequent chest infections, or weight loss, it’s important to get assessed. Early intervention can prevent complications and improve outcomes.

If swallowing difficulties are new and you don't know what is causing them, visit your GP to discuss your symptoms - a referral to ENT or Neurologist may be recommended.

If you have existing difficulties or you have been discharged from NHS therapists and feel you need more input, you can contact an independent therapist (search on ASLTIP, or contact me!) to see how I can support you.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personalised care.