Why is monitoring swallowing so important?
We all understand the importance of eating and drinking in our lives. When a medical condition or accident changes our ability to swallow it not only can influence our nutritional requirements, but it can significantly effect the quality of our lives. When the muscles involved in swallowing have been effected, this can result in liquids or foods entering the lungs, which is known as aspiration. Of course having any substance entering the lungs is an unsafe situation. If an individual has repeated events of aspiration, this can lead to aspiration pneumonia, which is a serious, live threatening situation.
Symptoms of swallowing dysfunction
retrieved from Parkinson.bc.ca; July, 1, 2013