About Swallowing

Swallowing is a complex, patterned response involving the mouth, throat, esophagus, and several regions of the brain. A breakdown in function can occur in any or all of these areas. Individuals with difficulty swallowing may have leftover food or drink sticking in their mouths and/or throats – and they may or may not feel it. The food or drink could even go “down the wrong tube,” toward the airway instead of the stomach. This can cause illness, like pneumonia or respiratory failure. If you think that you might have difficulty swallowing, contact your local speech-language pathologist for an assessment.