Some people have a hard time swallowing foods or liquids. This is called dysphagia.
Symptoms of swallowing problems are:
Symptoms may be mild or severe.
Most people with dysphagia should have a medical evaluation, but these general tips may help with swallowing problems:
Do not drink thin liquids without checking with your doctor or therapist first. It may help to ask caregivers and family members not to talk to you when you are eating or drinking.
Call your doctor if:
Dysphagia - self-care
Dysphagia. Rockville, MD. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders. October 2010. NIH publications 10-4307.
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
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