Oral Pharyngeal Dysphagia

Oral-pharyngeal dysphagia is a common sequelae to a variety of acute and chronic illnesses, including cerebrovascular accident, traumatic brain injury, oral-pharyngeal carcinoma and a myriad of degenerative neuromuscular diseases(5). Swallowing impairment can result in significantly delayed recovery, malnutrition and dehydration, pulmonary complications leading to aspiration pneumonia and potentially death. Common deficits include weakness in the musculature of the lips, mouth, tongue, palate, pharynx and esophagus, incoordination of movements, surgical ablation of tissue and decreased sensation of the oral and pharyngeal cavities leading to a delay in the stimulation of the swallow.