Swallowing therapy Swallowing problems are usually very easy to treat

Swallowing therapy can often remedy the symptoms
Dysphagia (dysphagia) can be the result of various illnesses and often brings with it significant impairments in everyday life. But with the right training, the swallowing problems can be corrected in many cases, reports the University Hospital Münster (UKM).

"Not only patients with head and neck cancer are affected by dysphagia. Even after a stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease, or even advanced dementia, sufferers may suffer from dysphagia, "says the UKM. A swallowing therapy could help many sufferers.

Swallowing problems are often a significant burden in everyday life, but usually treatable with a Shlucktherapie well. (Image: CrazyCloud / fotolia.com)

Signs of dysphagia
Dysphagia usually manifests itself as a constant feeling of lumpiness in the throat, ingestion of food or increased coughing and hawking. The UKM reports a patient who suddenly develops acute respiratory distress following a disease of esophageal cancer and multiple surgeries following surgery, requiring a tracheotomy. Since then, she has been permanently wearing a so-called tracheal cannula so that she can breathe and speak, explains the UKM.

New life situation for those affected
As a result of the radiation treatment, but also through the multiple operations, the tissue in the area of ​​the patient's esophagus and esophagus was severely scarred, according to the attending physician, Muhittin Demir, from the Department of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology of the UKM. This is a common complication in patients with a tumor in the head and neck area. According to the doctor, the need to carry the cannula since then is associated with difficulty swallowing and therefore has to be trained. "With the new life situation, those affected first have to learn how to handle it"; so Demir.

Swallowing therapy as a support
At UKM, patients are therefore offered the support of psycho-oncologists, swallowing therapists, dieticians and social workers. The patient gradually returns to normal life. Overall, the situation of patients who are suddenly dependent on a tracheal cannula, but should not be underestimated. "Nothing is the same as before: not breathing, not speaking, not eating," says the UKM. Support is therefore urgently needed.

Interdisciplinary approach of treatment
Today, the woman is fed mainly via a PEJ tube, which feeds directly into the gastrointestinal tract, and at first she has retreated sharply. In order to enable her to participate in social life, an intensive swallowing therapy and instructions for special swallowing exercises, which she can do at home, was reported by the UKM. In addition, a speech therapy was done to improve the clarity of the language. The UKM is pursuing an interdisciplinary approach that also involves working with occupational therapists and, of course, nutritionists to gradually reintegrate patients, Demir said.

According to the UKM, the interdisciplinary therapy is tailored to the respective clinical picture and a successful treatment - which also largely depends on the cooperation of the patient - always brings with it a piece of quality of life regained. (Fp)