Lakeview Medical Center is pleased to announce the launch of our Swallowing Disorders Center headed by Lynda Lee Lunday, M.Ed., M.S., CCC/SLP. The center will have the ability to provide Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS) and Flexible Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing (FEES) at our outpatient clinic or in our specially designed mobile unit. Stay tuned for further information!
4868 Bridge Rd. Suffolk, VA 23435
757-923-9645
Lynda Lee Lunday, M.Ed, M.S., CCC/SLP
What is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia is a disorder affecting the oral, pharyngeal, and/or esophageal phases of swallowing due to various medical conditions such as: neuromuscular disease, cancer, post surgical complication or obstructions. Examples of neurological diseases causing dysphagia are stroke, Alzheimer's Disease, traumatic brain injury, organic brain syndrome, Parkinson's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's Disease.
Patients may experience difficulty initiating a swallow, feeling food sticking in their throat, feeling food or liquids go down the wrong pipe or they may experience coughing or choking. Swallowing difficulty may result in poor nutrition or dehydration, aspiration (accidentally inhaling food or liquids into the lungs during swallowing) or embarrassment in social situations that involve eating.
| Possible Symptoms of Dysphagia |
Diagnoses with Risk of Dysphagia |
| Recurrent pneumonia |
CVA - right/left hemisphere |
| Weight loss (5% of ideal weight over one month with no other apparent etiology) |
Brainstem infarcts |
| Coughing w/ medication or at mealtimes |
Intercerebral hemorrhage |
| Dehydration |
Multiple sclerosis |
| Recurrent temperature spikes without other observable etiology |
Cerebral palsy |
| ENT consult with cord paralysis |
Myasthenia gravis |
| Labored breathing |
Alzheimers disease |
| Reporting of a wet vocal quality (gurgly voice) |
Current or past history of malnutrition |
| History of GI problems (hiatal hernia, ulcer, etc) |
Parkinson's disease |
| Recent changes in eating/dietary habits |
Muscular dystrophy |
| Non-oral feeding (syringe or tube feeding) |
Tardive dyskinesia |
| Abnormal oral feeding |
Spinal cord injury, particularly anterior spinal fusion |
| Altered Diet |
Head and Neck Cancer |
| Documented difficulty in chewing |
Traumatic Brain Injury |
| Reported loss of appetite |
COPD |
Resources for Patients
The products/websites listed above are strictly for the convenience of our patients. This list in no way endorses any particular product or site. You or your family member should consult with your speech-language pathologist and/or physician prior to ordering any dysphagia related products to ensure patient safety.
Resources for Professionals
For information on other health topics and diseases, please click here.
Click on the link below to take the Swallowing Disorders Quality of Life Survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FBHNWFZ
Click on the link below to take the Swallowing Disorders Quality of Care Survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GBXKTR9
