A Speech Pathologist Explains Common Swallowing Issues Part 1: Causes and Coping
A few months ago, a gerontologist told us her story about how she coped as a family caregiver when her father developed swallowing problems (dysphagia). Considering the seriousness and frequency of these issues with aging adults, I felt that we needed further information from a specialist. I contacted speech-language pathologist Kathryn Kilpatrick who has spent four decades helping people cope with these issues.
Kilpatrick is the author of the popular 5-volume “Therapy Guides for Language and Speech Disorders workbooks.” Her website, Communication Connection, is an excellent resource for memory fitness and successful aging. Below, she gives us insight into causes and coping with swallowing problems.
Knowing when swallowing problems can occur
Something most of us take for granted is our ability to swallow. There are many things that can contribute to swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) including stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, oral cancer or problems with teeth or dentures. In some situations the symptoms are obvious, but in others a person may see gradual changes and not realize that the problems a person is…
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