The average Australian swallows 500 to 700 times a day.
That’s around three times an hour during sleep, once per minute while awake and even more during meals. Most Australians are unaware how difficulty with swallowing can be frightening and life threatening.
Today on Thursday 16 March, Adele Jones, a speech pathologist working with adults in bed-based services at Monash Medical Centre is campaigning to promote Swallowing Awareness Day.
Swallowing Awareness Day is an opportunity to bring attention to swallowing disorders and to connect people with speech pathologists, the professionals who can help. Speech Pathologists assess and treat people with Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
“A swallowing problem can occur at any stage of life,” says Adele. “Swallowing is a skill developed from infancy.”
Adele says it’s estimated that 1 million Australians have difficulty with swallowing. Swallowing problems can mean food, drinks or saliva gets into the lungs (aspiration) and this can cause lung infections (pneumonia). Severe swallowing complications can lead to death, while other swallowing complications can lead to poor nutrition, dehydration, health complications, and social isolation.
Swallowing disorders remain largely invisible and poorly understood by the general community.
“Almost half of adults who have had a stroke will have a swallowing problem,” explains Adele.
“Recently I worked with a gentleman who presented to our Emergency Department with signs of a stroke. I completed a bedside swallow exam. This involved an assessment of each cranial nerve and its function in speech and swallowing tasks. I also assessed his ability to safely swallow a range of different texture-modified foods and drinks like pureed food and thick drinks. I recommended that the client commence eating and drinking texture-modified diet and fluids with safe swallowing strategies.”
In collaboration with the medical team, Adele also conducted a Videofluoroscopy Swallow Study (VFSS) – a dynamic x-ray of swallowing function. The VFSS allowed the team to examine the structure and function of the muscles involved in swallowing. They were able to identify ways to support the client to eat and drink safely and improve his swallowing function.
“His goal was to drink a diet soft drink and eat some coffee cake,” explains Adele. “In completing the VFSS we were able to identify swallowing strategies and commence swallow rehabilitation. This therapy continued with our subacute speech pathologists working with the client in the rehabilitation setting. After some time, a repeat VFSS was completed, and the patient achieved his goal!”
Adele says supporting clients to have these moments is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.
“To me it highlights why Swallowing Awareness Day is so important to so many Australians.”
Approved by Andrew Perta