Practical SLP Info©
  • Start
    • Introduction video
    • Site Map
  • The NTLS
  • Laryngectomy
    • Stories, testimonials and clinical videos
    • Laryngectomees making news (videos)
    • Changes following a laryngectomy >
      • Anatomical Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Functional Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Swallowing After Laryngectomy
      • Smelling after Laryngectomy
    • General Care >
      • Stoma Care
      • Using Suction
      • Saline Bullets
      • Bathing/Showering as a Laryngectomy
    • Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) >
      • Cleaning Your Voice Prosthesis
      • Troubleshooting Voice Prosthesis Issues
      • Voicing Tips
      • Hands Free Speech
      • Controlling Fungal Growth
      • TEPs and HME’s During Radiation Treatment
    • The Electrolarynx
    • HME & Tubes >
      • Using an HME Cassette
      • Cleaning Mucous From An HME
      • How To Apply An Adhesive Housing
      • Applying an OptiDerm Adhesive Housing
      • Larytube Use and Cleaning
      • Larybutton Use and Cleaning
    • Laryngectomy FAQs >
      • General Post-Op
      • Swallowing
      • HME's / Adhesives / Larybuttons
      • TEP's and voicing
    • Rescue Breathing for Laryngectomees and Neck Breathers
  • Radiation
    • Swallowing During Radiation Treatment
    • Preventing Trismus
    • Oral Care During Radiation Treatment
    • Nutrition During Radiation Treatment
    • When Nothing Tastes Right
    • TEPs and HMEs During Radiation
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Swallowing
    • Normal Swallowing
    • Dysphagia >
      • What is dysphagia
      • Common Symptoms of Dysphagia
      • Evaluating Dysphagia
    • Management of Dysphagia >
      • Overview: Diet and Intake Modifications
      • Therapy
      • Medical Management
      • VitalStim instructions
    • Trismus
    • Returning to Eating Again
    • Dietary Guidelines >
      • SOFT DIET
      • PUREED DIET
      • MOIST DIET
      • Thickening Liquids at Home
    • Therapeutic feeding
    • Swallowing exercises
  • Tracheostomy
    • Indications
    • Trach Tube Anatomy 101
    • Tracheostomy Tube Varieties >
      • Cuffed vs Cuffless Tubes
      • Types of Cuffs
      • Proper Cuff Inflation
      • Foam Cuff Inflation
      • Assessing Cuff Status
      • Fenestrated vs. Non-Fenestrated Tubes
    • Being a “Neck Breather” >
      • Physiologic/Functional Changes
    • Speaking with a Tracheostomy Tube >
      • Understanding How a Voice is Produced
      • Speaking Valves and Alternatives
    • Swallowing with a Tracheostomy
    • Suction
    • Tracheostomy Care & Decannulation
    • Tracheostomy FAQ
  • Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Guide
    • Overview
    • Why Feeding Tubes are Used
    • Types of Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Methods
    • Gastrostomy Tube Troubleshooting
    • G-Tube Removal: Preparation and Post-Removal Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Reflux
    • What is reflux?
    • Evaluating Reflux
    • Reflux Management
    • Medications
    • Reflux Diet: Beneficial Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
    • Reflux and Diet: So What Can I Eat?
    • More Extensive Testing/Management
    • Reflux FAQs
  • Voice
    • Voice Care
    • Evaluating Voice Disorders
    • Types of Voice Disorders
    • Managing Voice Disorders
  • Chronic Cough
    • Chronic Cough Management
    • Irritable Larynx Diagnosis
    • Management of ILS
    • Vocal Hygiene
    • Cough Cessation Protocol
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Publications
    • Meet the Staff
    • Office Locations and Hours
    • Contact
    • Informational handouts
    • Links
    • Disclaimer

Evaluating Dysphagia

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Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examination of Swallowing (FEES)
This is the most commonly performed swallow evaluation in this office. During this examination, a flexible nasopharyngeal fiberscope, as used by the physicians in the office, is passed into the throat. The throat is then thoroughly examined and may be tested for sensitivity as well as reflexes (cough and swallow).

Dyed food samples are then used to test the swallow ability across a variety of different textures. In doing this, the SLP is able to determine if there is normal swallow function or if there is a dysphagia. If dysphagia is present, the SLP will assess why the swallow is not normal, what can be safely eaten by mouth, if tube feeding is warranted and what necessary treatment is needed to improve the swallow.

Following the examination, you will be thoroughly counseled regarding findings, eating recommendations and necessary interventions to improve the swallow function.

Modified Barium Swallow
This examination requires use of fluoroscopy, a type of x-ray, and for this reason, cannot be done in the office. It is less commonly used in this practice to assess the swallow, although it is performed on occasion, as deemed appropriate by the SLP staff. This is typically indicated when patients are unable to tolerate the presence of the endoscope and/or when esophageal dysfunction is suspected.

For this examination, various textures of barium are used to test the swallow ability across a variety of different textures. In doing this, the SLP is able to determine if there is normal swallow function or if there is a dysphagia. If dysphagia is present, the SLP will assess why the swallow is not normal, what can be safely eaten by mouth, if tube feeding is warranted and what necessary treatment is needed to improve the swallow.

Following the examination, you will be thoroughly counseled regarding findings, eating recommendations and necessary interventions to improve the swallow function.

Clinical Swallow Examination
This is a non-instrumental examination conducted by the SLP. During this examination, various food textures and liquids may be testing with clinical observations made. In this practice, a clinical examination is not frequently performed as instrumental findings can be more valid, especially in the presence of surgical changes. Often this is done when there is very little suspicion of dysphagia.

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  • Start
    • Introduction video
    • Site Map
  • The NTLS
  • Laryngectomy
    • Stories, testimonials and clinical videos
    • Laryngectomees making news (videos)
    • Changes following a laryngectomy >
      • Anatomical Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Functional Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Swallowing After Laryngectomy
      • Smelling after Laryngectomy
    • General Care >
      • Stoma Care
      • Using Suction
      • Saline Bullets
      • Bathing/Showering as a Laryngectomy
    • Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) >
      • Cleaning Your Voice Prosthesis
      • Troubleshooting Voice Prosthesis Issues
      • Voicing Tips
      • Hands Free Speech
      • Controlling Fungal Growth
      • TEPs and HME’s During Radiation Treatment
    • The Electrolarynx
    • HME & Tubes >
      • Using an HME Cassette
      • Cleaning Mucous From An HME
      • How To Apply An Adhesive Housing
      • Applying an OptiDerm Adhesive Housing
      • Larytube Use and Cleaning
      • Larybutton Use and Cleaning
    • Laryngectomy FAQs >
      • General Post-Op
      • Swallowing
      • HME's / Adhesives / Larybuttons
      • TEP's and voicing
    • Rescue Breathing for Laryngectomees and Neck Breathers
  • Radiation
    • Swallowing During Radiation Treatment
    • Preventing Trismus
    • Oral Care During Radiation Treatment
    • Nutrition During Radiation Treatment
    • When Nothing Tastes Right
    • TEPs and HMEs During Radiation
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Swallowing
    • Normal Swallowing
    • Dysphagia >
      • What is dysphagia
      • Common Symptoms of Dysphagia
      • Evaluating Dysphagia
    • Management of Dysphagia >
      • Overview: Diet and Intake Modifications
      • Therapy
      • Medical Management
      • VitalStim instructions
    • Trismus
    • Returning to Eating Again
    • Dietary Guidelines >
      • SOFT DIET
      • PUREED DIET
      • MOIST DIET
      • Thickening Liquids at Home
    • Therapeutic feeding
    • Swallowing exercises
  • Tracheostomy
    • Indications
    • Trach Tube Anatomy 101
    • Tracheostomy Tube Varieties >
      • Cuffed vs Cuffless Tubes
      • Types of Cuffs
      • Proper Cuff Inflation
      • Foam Cuff Inflation
      • Assessing Cuff Status
      • Fenestrated vs. Non-Fenestrated Tubes
    • Being a “Neck Breather” >
      • Physiologic/Functional Changes
    • Speaking with a Tracheostomy Tube >
      • Understanding How a Voice is Produced
      • Speaking Valves and Alternatives
    • Swallowing with a Tracheostomy
    • Suction
    • Tracheostomy Care & Decannulation
    • Tracheostomy FAQ
  • Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Guide
    • Overview
    • Why Feeding Tubes are Used
    • Types of Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Methods
    • Gastrostomy Tube Troubleshooting
    • G-Tube Removal: Preparation and Post-Removal Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Reflux
    • What is reflux?
    • Evaluating Reflux
    • Reflux Management
    • Medications
    • Reflux Diet: Beneficial Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
    • Reflux and Diet: So What Can I Eat?
    • More Extensive Testing/Management
    • Reflux FAQs
  • Voice
    • Voice Care
    • Evaluating Voice Disorders
    • Types of Voice Disorders
    • Managing Voice Disorders
  • Chronic Cough
    • Chronic Cough Management
    • Irritable Larynx Diagnosis
    • Management of ILS
    • Vocal Hygiene
    • Cough Cessation Protocol
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Publications
    • Meet the Staff
    • Office Locations and Hours
    • Contact
    • Informational handouts
    • Links
    • Disclaimer