Dysphagia: Navigating Difficulty With Swallowing and Dementia

University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Nicole Rogus-Pulia said there is often a connection between dementia and dysphagia — swallowing disorders — with people suffering from both conditions often excusing themselves from family dining, reports Being Patient . Rogus-Pulia and University of Mississippi Medical Center speech-language pathologist Rinki Varindani Desai cite dysphagia signs like throat-clearing, changes in voice quality, spilling food from the mouth, holding food, chewing for too long, or fatigue. Moreover, people with dysphagia may shun certain foods, and suffer weight loss, dehydration, or recurring chest infections. Experts say neurodegeneration in the brains of people with dementia likely worsens swallowing problems, which may ultimately result in dysphagia. In a study in Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports , Rogus-Pulia and colleagues said cognitive impairment and attention deficits can affect people's ability to swallow safely. Desai said caregivers can help prevent dysphagia-related complications by spotting early symptoms and consulting with a physician who can refer them to a speech-language pathologist for evaluation and therapy. Following a clinical swallow assessment, the pathologist may test further to determine the cause of the dysphagia and provide treatment.