Although dysphagia are becoming increasingly common in Hong Kong, many people still overlook their dangers.
Dysphagia occur when there are problems in the process of food moving from the mouth to the stomach during eating. This can lead to food entering the trachea or lungs, resulting in aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia can be classified as short-term or long-term. Short-term refers to patients recovering after surgery, while long-term may affect individuals such as stroke or Parkinson's disease patients, as well as the elderly.
If patients experience symptoms such as vomiting or choking, coughing while eating, or pain or a foreign body sensation when swallowing, they should seek help from a professional speech therapist or doctor. The therapist will develop a treatment plan based on the patient's specific situation, which may include oral muscle training, swallowing muscle strengthening, and respiratory coordination exercises.
