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Signs and symptoms of dysphagia

Long-Term Care Nursing Advisor, August 12, 2005

Dysphagia is a condition marked by difficulty swallowing foods, fluids, and oral secretions. Estimates suggest that more than half of long-term care facility residents suffer from the condition.

Some common signs and symptoms of dysphagia include

  • coughing while swallowing
  • weight loss
  • frequent throat clearing
  • recurrent upper respiratory infections
  • weak voice
  • feeling of fullness in the throat or chest
  • needing to swallow three or four times for each bite of food

If you notice a resident experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, work with a speech-language pathologist to perform the necessary diagnostic tests.

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