How Does Speech Therapy Help With Swallowing?
Something as simple as swallowing is more complex than you might think. More than 20 muscles work together as you swallow foods or beverages, and they work in conjunction with messages sent by your brain. The communications between your muscles, nerves, and brain stem make sure food goes down the correct path and doesn’t end up in the lungs.
After a stroke, the pathways between the brain and the muscles and nerves are impacted. It’s why the risk of aspiration pneumonia is so great. It’s also why speech therapy is so important.
The Muscles Used When You Swallow
In the oral phase of swallowing, a person chews food using teeth and the muscles of the jaw and tongue. The tongue pushes food against the soft palate and into the oropharynx. Nerves in the oropharynx send a message to the brain that food is there and the brain sends signals to open the esophagus to allow food to pass.
As food enters the esophagus, the impulse to breathe is paused and the epiglottis blocks the upper airway to keep food from entering the airway. If it does accidentally make it into the airway, the brain sends a message to cough. Involuntary muscle contractions keep moving the food through the esophagus toward the stomach.
Once it’s at the opening to the stomach, the cardiac orifice opens and allows the food into the stomach. It then closes again to prevent acid reflux.
What Does a Speech Therapist Do?
That’s what happens when you swallow. After a stroke, this process is often complicated by a loss of communication between the brain and the muscles in your mouth and throat. How will a speech therapist help?
One of the first things a speech therapist works on are exercises to help strengthen muscle strength. As funny as it may seem, something as simple as sticking out the tongue helps strengthen the muscles.
Thrusting the tongue in different directions is one of the first things your dad will do. He’ll also strengthen muscles through swallowing exercises and by working on getting his tongue and lips to work in coordination.
Regaining muscle control is part of the process, but he also needs to change some of his former habits. Cutting foods into smaller pieces is important. Adding thickening agents to make liquids easier to swallow is also something speech therapists will do. He needs to learn to slow down and carefully chew his food items.
Your dad’s speech therapist will help him work on proper posture. Instead of hunching while he eats, he needs to learn to sit straight and make sure his chin and throat are aligned properly.
Your dad had a stroke. It’s very likely that his medical team already includes a speech therapist, but make sure that the help he’s getting continues at home. Ask about speech therapy at home to ensure he continues to work with an expert in regaining muscle control after a stroke.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring speech therapy in Media, PA, and the surrounding area, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care. (484) 206-4544
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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