What are the available treatments for patients with swallowing disorders?

Treatment depends on the cause, symptoms, and type of swallowing problem. Therapy may include education in compensatory techniques to make swallowing more efficient and to reduce the risk of aspiration, diet modification, and/or instruction in exercises to strengthen and improve the coordination of the swallowing mechanism. Moreover, using VitalStim therapy (Electrical shock wave that is helpful for some patients to strengthen muscles responsible for swallowing mechanism.) A Swallowing Disorder Physician may recommend:
• Specific swallowing treatment e.g. Rehabilitative exercises to improve muscles movement.
• Positions or strategies to help the individual swallow more effectively.
• Specific food and liquid textures that are easier and safer to swallow.
• After the evaluation, family members or caregivers can be helped by:
• Asking questions to understand the problem and the recommended treatment.
• Assisting in following the treatment plan:
• Help with exercises.
• Prepare the recommended textures of food and liquid, making sure that recommendations for eating safely are followed.
• Keep track of how much food or liquid is consumed.