Disorder of swallowing (also called dysphagia) is a condition where a person has difficulty safely swallowing food, liquids, or medications. Sahara Hospice Care provides 24/7 in-home hospice support, sending nurses directly to the patient’s home—day or night—to manage symptoms, reduce choking risk, and support families.

Quick Facts for Families

• Difficulty swallowing is common in advanced illness, stroke, dementia, and late-stage cancer
• Early evaluation and comfort-focused treatment can reduce fear, choking, and aspiration
• Available 24/7: Our team comes to your home any time of day or night
• Sahara Hospice supports both patients and caregivers emotionally and medically

What Is a Swallowing Disorder (Dysphagia)?

A swallowing disorder, medically known as dysphagia, occurs when the muscles or nerves involved in swallowing do not work properly. This can make eating, drinking, or taking medications difficult, uncomfortable, or even dangerous.

Common symptoms include:

• Coughing or choking during meals
• Food sticking in the throat
• Wet or gurgly voice after swallowing
• Frequent chest infections
• Fear or anxiety while eating

Swallowing disorders can affect anyone, but they are especially common in older adults or people with neurological conditions.

Types of Swallowing Disorders

Swallowing involves three main areas: the mouth (oral cavity), throat (pharynx), and esophagus. Dysphagia is classified based on where the problem occurs:

1. Oral Dysphagia

• Difficulty chewing or moving food in the mouth
• Jaw, teeth, and tongue may not work effectively together
• Saliva production may be insufficient to soften food

2. Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

• Difficulty moving food from the mouth to the throat
• The voice box may not close properly, increasing the risk of aspiration
• Also called transfer dysphagia

3. Esophageal Dysphagia

• Food feels stuck in the chest or esophagus
• Esophageal muscles may not contract properly (peristalsis issues)

Causes of Dysphagia

Dysphagia can result from issues affecting muscles, nerves, or structural pathways. Common causes include:

Nervous System and Brain Disorders

Stroke, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, MS, dementia, cerebral palsy, brain tumors

Muscle Disorders

Achalasia, esophageal or cricopharyngeal spasms, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, myositis, scleroderma

Narrowing, Blockages, and Structural Issues

Cancer (esophagus, head, neck), eosinophilic esophagitis, esophageal diverticulum, webs or rings, GERD

Other Causes

Infections like strep throat, surgery or radiation therapy to the head, neck, or chest

Risk Factors

While aging itself doesn’t cause dysphagia, older adults are more at risk due to:

• Muscle weakening over time
• Increased likelihood of neurological disorders
• Higher risk of complications like aspiration pneumonia

Diagnosing Dysphagia

A healthcare provider may use a combination of physical exams and specialized tests:

• Esophagram (Barium swallow test)
• Esophagoduodenoscopy (EGD / upper endoscopy)
• Laryngoscopy
• Modified Barium Swallow
• Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
• Esophageal Manometry

Treatment and Care

The approach depends on the cause and severity of dysphagia. Common options include:

Medical and Lifestyle Approaches

• Medications: For infections, GERD, or muscle spasms
• Diet adjustments: Softer foods, thickened liquids, avoiding extreme temperatures
• Procedures: Botox® injections, esophageal dilation, or tumor removal

Feeding Tubes

• Recommended if there’s risk of choking, malnutrition, or dehydration
• Delivers nutrients directly to the stomach or intestines

Rehabilitation

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can guide exercises and techniques:

• Chewing thoroughly, taking smaller bites
• Adding thickening agents to liquids
• Sitting upright or tilting the head for safe swallowing
• Controlled throat clearing to prevent choking

Complications of Untreated Dysphagia

• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Choking
• Aspiration pneumonia, especially in stroke survivors (silent aspiration)

In-Home Support for Swallowing Disorders

In-home hospice and palliative care focus on comfort, safety, and dignity. Sahara Hospice Care provides specialized swallowing disorder support:

How Sahara Hospice Cares for Swallowing Disorders

• In-home assessment of swallowing symptoms
• Comfort-focused care plan tailored to each patient
• Aspiration risk reduction strategies
• Caregiver education and emotional support
• 24/7 on-call nursing availability

In-home hospice and palliative care focus on comfort, safety, and dignity. Learn the benefits of in-home hospice care with Sahara Hospice Care’s specialized support for swallowing disorders.

Real Experiences from Local Families

A Family Faced Every Mealtime With Fear

A family caring for their father after a stroke noticed coughing with every sip of water. Meals became stressful. A Sahara Hospice nurse visited their home, adjusted medications, taught safe swallowing techniques, and restored calm to daily life.

A 2 AM Call—And We Came

At 2 AM, a daughter called our 24/7 helpline when her mother began struggling to swallow. Our night nurse arrived quickly, repositioned the patient, managed secretions, and reassured the family—demonstrating true around-the-clock care.

Author: Alan Jacob — Medical Writer.
Primary locale: Sugar Land, Houston, Katy, Richmond, Pearland, Missouri City, Stafford, Cypress & surrounding areas.
Primary action: Call Sahara Hospice at (281) 245-9977 to schedule a local intake and home assessment.