June is Dysphagia Awareness Month: Understanding Swallowing Disorders and the Power of Early Intervention

Swallowing should feel natural and effortless. When it doesn’t, it may indicate signs of Dysphagia and should be evaluated by a specialist.

June is Dysphagia Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding of swallowing disorders and highlighting the importance of early identification and treatment. At The Speech Pathology Group & Rehab Services of CT, we see firsthand how dysphagia can impact safety, nutrition, and quality of life—and how targeted speech-language pathology services can make a meaningful difference.

Swallowing is something most of us do without thinking hundreds of times a day. But when it becomes difficult, it can affect not only eating and drinking, but also health, independence, and overall well-being.

What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing foods or liquids due to challenges with the muscles and nerves in the mouth, throat, or esophagus. It can range from mild discomfort to severe impairment and may occur at different stages of the swallowing process.

Swallowing is typically broken into three phases:

• Oral phase

• Pharyngeal phase

• Esophageal phase

Each phase plays a critical role in safely moving food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach.

What Does Dysphagia Look Like?

Dysphagia can present in different ways depending on which phase is affected:

Oral Phase Dysphagia

This involves difficulty using the lips, tongue, jaw, and cheeks to properly chew, manipulate, or control food and liquids. You may see:

• Difficulty chewing

• Pocketing food in the cheeks

• Poor control of liquids

Pharyngeal Phase Dysphagia

This occurs when there is difficulty moving food or liquid from the throat into the esophagus. Signs may include:

• Coughing or choking during swallowing

• Wet or gurgly voice after swallowing

• Sensation of food “sticking” in the throat

Esophageal Phase Dysphagia

This phase involves the esophagus itself and is typically related to structural or functional issues. It is diagnosed and treated by a gastroenterologist (GI), and may present as:

• Feeling like food is stuck in the chest

• Regurgitation of food or liquids

• Pain with swallowing

How is Dysphagia Diagnosed?

Dysphagia may be initially identified through:

• Clinical observation

• Bedside swallow evaluations

• Screening tools or rating scales

However, best practice for diagnosing pharyngeal swallowing difficulties often involves instrumental assessment, such as:

• Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)

• Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS)

These studies allow clinicians to visualize swallowing in real time and determine the safest and most effective treatment plan.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association supports the use of instrumental assessments as a gold standard for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning in many cases.

Why Dysphagia Matters: Functional Impact

Dysphagia is more than a swallowing difficulty—it can significantly affect health and safety. Without proper management, individuals may be at risk for:

• Choking episodes

• Dehydration or malnutrition

• Reduced enjoyment of meals

• Aspiration (food or liquid entering the airway)

• Aspiration pneumonia

These risks highlight the importance of early identification and intervention.

What Does Dysphagia Therapy Look Like?

Treatment is highly individualized and may include:

Swallowing Skill Re-Training

Therapists may work to strengthen and improve coordination of the muscles involved in swallowing.

Compensatory Strategies

These are techniques designed to make swallowing safer and more efficient, such as:

• Postural adjustments during meals

• Modified pacing or bite size

• Safe swallowing techniques

Diet Modifications

Adjusting food textures and liquid consistencies can reduce risk and improve safety while maintaining nutrition and hydration.

Support You Can Trust

At The Speech Pathology Group & Rehab Services of CT, our speech-language pathologists provide compassionate, evidence-informed dysphagia evaluation and treatment for children and adults. We are committed to improving safety, function, and quality of life through individualized care.

A Final Word during Dysphagia Awareness Month

Swallowing disorders are often overlooked, but they can have serious consequences when left unaddressed. During Dysphagia Awareness Month, we encourage families, caregivers, and healthcare providers to recognize the signs early and seek support when needed.

If you have concerns about swallowing safety, our team is here to help guide the next steps toward evaluation and treatment.

The Speech Pathology Group & Rehab Services of CT is proud to support our community in building safer, healthier mealtimes—one swallow at a time.