The Voice & Swallowing Center

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Swallowing Disorders

Swallowing can be thought of as an interplay between two separate but related, physiologic events, airway protection - will a patient be able to prevent themselves from choking while eating - and bolus transport - how food moves from the mouth into the stomach.

All swallowing disorders can be traced to some malfunction of one or both of these events. The diagnostic tests and therapeutic maneuvers that take place at the Voice and Swallowing Center address the issues of airway protection and bolus transport.

But first, what is difficulty with swallowing, or DYSPHAGIA? Dysphagia is defined as any subjective or objective patient complaint of trouble swallowing, coughing, choking or inability to safely handle food or secretions.

Please click to the left to read more about the swallowing disorders treated at the Voice & Swallowing Center.

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