Swallowing Evaluations & Therapy

Trust the experienced speech-language pathologists at UHS for expert evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of swallowing conditions (dysphagia).

Signs of Dysphagia

You or a loved one may have one of three types of swallowing conditions:

• Oral – Moving food into the throat
• Pharyngeal – Moving food through the throat and away from the airway
• Esophageal – Pushing food from the throat into the stomach

Signs of those types of dysphagia include:

• Chest congestion after you eat
• Coughing when or after you eat or drink
• Extra effort or time needed to chew or swallow
• Food or liquid leaking from or getting stuck in your mouth
• Recurring pneumonia
• Weight loss or dehydration from inability to eat
• Wet, gurgling sound to your voice after you eat or drink

Swallowing Evaluations

Find expert evaluations for oral and pharyngeal swallowing conditions from UHS speech-language pathologists. During your evaluation, your care provider will assess not only your specific condition but also how certain therapies may improve your swallowing function.

Your swallowing evaluation may include:
• Clinical or bedside swallowing test – Evaluates the strength and movement of the muscles you use to swallow as well as your posture, behavior and oral movements while you eat and drink
• FEES test (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallow) – Assesses your swallowing and how it affects your airway using a thin, fiber optic tube with a tiny light and camera attached (endoscope)
• Videofluoroscopy – Examines how you swallow liquids and solids of varying consistencies using a motion-picture X-ray

To get care for an esophageal swallowing condition, schedule a consultation with UHS.

Therapy for Swallowing Conditions

Our Speech-Language Pathologists are certified to provide:

• Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (Vital-Stim®) – Increases swallow strength, coordination and timing using pain-free electrical stimulation

Pediatric Swallowing & Feeding Therapy

Your child’s speech-pathology care team will evaluate and treat his or her swallowing behaviors through developmental approaches. This may include oral stimulation, exercise, sensory-behavioral techniques and parental education.

Expert Speech-Language Care Close to Home

Find exceptional speech-language services throughout the UHS service area in New York’s Southern Tier. Services and treatments may vary by location. Your doctor will refer you to the location that best suits your care needs.

Get a Referral

Ask your doctor if you’d benefit from speech-language therapy at UHS. Schedule an appointment today with your primary care doctor to ask for a referral.