Surgery or radiation therapy in the head and neck area can affect your ability to eat and drink safely and effectively. Difficulty swallowing is also known as dysphagia.
When there is difficulty swallowing, you may encounter problems with:
The following are some exercises that can help with strengthening the muscles used in swallowing. It is important to work with your speech therapist to choose the exercises that are suitable for you.
You should aim to do these exercises multiple times a day.
Do this exercise multiple times a day as instructed by your speech therapist.
If you have had surgery, please check with your doctor or therapist before starting these exercises. If these exercises cause pain or numbness, stop doing them immediately and inform your doctor or therapist.