Mayo Clinic Health System
  • Patient Online Services
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Adams
      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Janesville
      • Kenyon
      • Lake City
      • Le Sueur
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • New Richland
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah
      • Lake Mills

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals
    • COVID-19
    • Request an Appointment
    • Patient Online Services
    • Pay Bills Online
    • Refer a Patient
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Billing & Insurance
    • Careers
    • Online Services
    • Patients & Visitors
    • Services & Treatments
    • Volunteer
    Need to make an appointment?
    • 651-345-1100

    Rehabilitation Therapies

    • Overview
    • Amputee Rehabilitation
    • Dysphagia (Swallowing Difficulties)
    • Gait and Balance Dysfunction
    • Hand Therapy
    • Industrial Rehabilitation
    • Neurological Rehabilitation
    • Orthopedic Rehabilitation
    • Orthotics
    • Outpatient Home Safety Evaluations
    • Pediatrics - Speech
    • Sports Medicine
    • Vestibular Rehabilitation
    • Wellness Classes
    • Women's Health and Incontinence

    Dysphagia (Swallowing Difficulties)

    Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is common in older adults but can happen at any age. The causes of swallowing problems vary and treatment depends on the cause. Therapists will determine the best treatment plan to help you increase your efficiency of swallowing and enhance your safety.

    • Signs and symptoms that can be associated with dysphagia may include:
    • Pain while swallowing (odynophagia)
    • Not being able to swallow
    • Sensation of food getting stuck in your throat, chest or behind your breastbone (sternum)
    • Drooling
    • Hoarseness
    • Regurgitation
    • Frequent heartburn
    • Food or stomach acid backing up into your throat
    • Unexpected weight loss
    • Coughing or gagging when swallowing

    Patients with any of the following may have issues with swallowing or feeding:

    • Cerebral palsy
    • Spina bifida
    • Brain injury
    • Cardiac problems
    • Reflux
    • Muscular dystrophy
    • Apraxia
    • Oral weakness
    • Neurological conditions
    • Tube feedings
    • Cancer
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease

    Therapists will use a variety of methods to determine the most appropriate therapy for you. A thorough evaluation will be performed and your personal plan for therapy will be determined.

    Your therapy may include the following:

    • Compensatory techniques
    • Optimal positioning to increase safety
    • Oral motor strengthening and coordination
    • Laryngeal pharyngeal strengthening and coordination exercises
    • Diet modification to increase safety

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Home
    © 2018 - 2022 Mayo Clinic Health System