Each week we will be sharing educational tid-bits and facts about feeding and swallowing disorders.
What is a feeding disorder?
Feeding disorders include problems gathering food and getting ready to suck, chew, or swallow it. For example, a child who cannot pick up food and get it to her mouth or cannot completely close her lips to keep food from falling out of her mouth may have a feeding disorder.
What is a swallowing disorder?
Swallowing disorders, also called dysphagia (dis-FAY-juh), can occur at different stages in the swallowing process:
- Oral phase – sucking, chewing, and moving food or liquid into the throat
- Pharyngeal phase – starting the swallow, squeezing food down the throat, and closing off the airway to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway (aspiration) or to prevent choking
- Esophageal phase – relaxing and tightening the openings at the top and bottom of the feeding tube in the throat (esophagus) and squeezing food through the esophagus into the stomach
(ASHA) For more information go to: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/FeedSwallowChildren.htm
Feeding and swallowing disorders are complex medical conditions that require specialized assessment and treatment by a qualified feeding therapist. Sage Care Therapists are highly experienced in feeding and swallowing disorders and specialize in treatment. Contact us for more information!