What are the Different Types of Dysphagia?? Oral, Pharyngeal, and Esophageal Dysphagia Differences

As an SLP, we know that simply saying someone has dysphagia doesn’t really give us a ton of information. One of the first things we might wonder is which phase of swallowing is affected?

Does the person have a hard time keeping food in their mouth? Do they struggle with food and liquid entering the airway? Or maybe they always feel like food is stuck in their throat.

Not all dysphagia is the same, and I’m here today to dig a little bit deeper into three different phases of dysphagia - which in reality are not separate phases at all. They’re interrelated and should be considered a “continuum.”

Watch and Enjoy!
Theresa Richard

VIDEO RESOURCE:
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KEY MOMENTS IN THE EPISODE:
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00:00

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT:
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Med SLP Inside Look | What Does A Med SLP Do?:

ACCESS TO MED SLP RESOURCES:
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Get my Amazon and Barnes & Noble Best Selling Book;

Listen to the Swallow Your Pride Podcast:

MedSLPEd (an approved ASHA CEU provider):

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MedSLP Pediatric Clipboard Kit:

CITED ARTICLES:
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ABOUT THERESA RICHARD::
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Theresa Richard, a medical speech pathologist for 15+ years, is a board certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders, and the founder and CEO of the MedSLP Collective and MedSLP Education. Theresa is also the mother of a son with severe disabilities who humbles her daily and is the inspiration behind all of the work she does in the world.

Theresa, host of Swallow Your Pride Podcast, has over 3 million unique downloads, and her book “So You’re Having Trouble Swallowing'' is an Amazon and Barnes and Noble best seller.

Theresa Richard, M.A. CCC-SLP, BCS-S - Medical Speech Language Pathologist

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#SLP
#MedicalSLP
#Dysphagia

[Stalaxian]

I have ehlers danlos syndrome that causes esophageal dysphagia which I just found out, thank you for this video

[scottwyatt]

I struggle swallowing liquids but not food? I swallow liquids and i can feel it rasting soon after but feels like it sits there in a ball but shrinks not long after as i can feel it going down slowly

[josephinenirmala]

Thank u some much for your powerfull knowledge sharing
which exercise can help epiglottic movement to avoid resjidue in vallecula

[deedee]

Good God morning Theresa! I am lucky to have found you here! I am an SLP, have been for 23 yrs. and work with babies and school age. I want to do dysphagia again. I did it in the beginning and went the school route and EI but now in my soon to be down the road retirement, I want to get back into the hospital setting.. pls tell me what is the absoulute best way to be begin educating my self to get back to it? In a nut shell! lol if that is realistic! I have watched you and enjoy all you videos!! thank you for all you do! Bless you! dee dee

[FullTimePatient]

1:13 my tounge is folded and curved and can't move it to the left..also hard to control lips.. also because of my jaw diversion makes food get stuck .i keep coughing and clearing my throat and drooling I'm exhausted so much..i have general Dystonia

[emmaelson]

I struggle with swallowing pills especially big pills

[RabbitAndTheLabBestFriends]

I also had issues with bread like stuff it gets stuck and it’s so painful and I can’t drink to move it because every time i chock I almost choked on a donut and coffee one morning

[leadelgado]

Hello, I have oropharyngeal dysphasia(base of the tongue weakness), my food gets stuck in the pyriform sinuses and at the vallecula. I was seeing a SLP but they said I was fine to do exercises on my own after my course. I tried talking to my ENT to see if I can get another referral to see my SLP again and it was a total brush off. They changed my meds and have me taking these big horse pills that are impossible and they seem to not care. The pills feel like they get stuck and it’s awful. How can I see a SLP without my Dr.s referral? I need help.

[darlenegrieco]

Hello, I had a barium swallow to access occasional sternum discomfort and it revealed diminished esophageal motility, though I did not have any type of pain or symptoms. I had the upper gi endoscopy done on Friday to look for any clues/damage. It was unremarkable and according the report went without any problems. I woke up with a terrible sore throat and difficulty swallowing (at the pharyngeal level) as well as it painful to laugh or cough. It is now Monday. I was hoping it was related to trauma of some sort and will heal up, which I am still hoping for. Just wondering if you have any suggestions.

[RabbitAndTheLabBestFriends]

My 15 year old son since he had Covid over a year ago now since then every time he eats he coughs So bad

[crazycorbinbleux]

Do you get offended if someone calls you a Speech Therapist instead?

[Amit-iiu]

"I’ve tried everything, but Planet Ayurveda’s approach was the first to provide real relief. I’m amazed at the results. My throat feels so much better!"