Dysphagia is a medical condition that can involve difficulty eating, drinking and swallowing. It can occur at different stages of the swallowing process, such as when moving food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. If your child has been diagnosed with dysphagia, this can be overwhelming. In this article we break down some of the basics of dysphagia.

Causes of Dysphagia

Dysphagia in children can be caused by various factors, including:

• Developmental delays
• Neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy)
• Structural abnormalities (e.g., cleft palate)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Infections or injuries affecting the mouth, throat, or oesophagus (the tube that transports food from the mouth and throat into the stomach)

Symptoms of Dysphagia

Common symptoms include:

• Difficulty swallowing food or liquids
• Coughing or choking while eating or drinking
• Sensation of food being stuck in the throat or chest
• Refusal to eat certain foods or textures
• Frequent respiratory infections

Treatment Options

Treatment for dysphagia depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. Some common treatment approaches include:

1. Speech and Language Therapy:
• Therapists work on strengthening the muscles involved in swallowing and teaching strategies to improve swallowing safety.
2. Dietary Changes:
• Modifying the texture of foods and liquids to make them easier to swallow.
• Using thickeners for liquids to prevent aspiration (when food or liquid enters the windpipe).
3. Feeding Techniques:
• Positioning strategies during feeding.
• Introducing specialised feeding equipment like certain bottles or utensils.
4. Medical Interventions:
• Treating underlying conditions such as GERD with medications.
• In some cases, surgical interventions might be necessary to correct structural abnormalities.
5. Alternative Feeding Methods:
• If oral feeding is not safe or adequate, temporary or long-term use of feeding tubes (e.g., nasogastric tubes, gastrostomy tubes) might be recommended.

It's essential to work with a team of healthcare professionals, including paediatricians, speech and language therapists, dietitians, and possibly ENT specialists, to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your child's specific needs.

Further Help

Our Speech Pathologists support children and young people through Brisbane and the greater Brisbane area and are here to help. You can call us on 1800 XAVIER or email intake@xavier.org.au