What Are the Components of a Swallowing Evaluation?
Swallowing evaluations often include several components to comprehensively assess the swallowing mechanism:
Clinical Swallowing Examination The SLP will first conduct a detailed medical history review and a physical examination. This may include observing the patient's ability to swallow different consistencies of food and liquid, checking for signs of aspiration, and assessing the strength and coordination of the muscles involved in swallowing.
Instrumental Assessments When necessary, instrumental assessments such as a videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) may be conducted. These tools allow for a detailed, dynamic view of the swallowing process, helping to identify specific areas of dysfunction.
