Dysphagia

Chewing and swallowing food is a critical component of the digestive process that allows us to nourish our bodies. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can result in choking and asphyxiation, aspiration (1-3), malnutrition (3,4), dehydration (3,4,) and depression (3). Even in its mildest forms, it negatively impacts a person’s nutritional status, physical and mental well-being (3,5). Dysphagia also increases morbidity, mortality, hospital length of stay and health