Author: Emily Cummins

6 Benefits of FEES Swallowing Assessment

There are many ways to assess swallow function, but one of our favourites as Speech Pathologists is FEES. A FEES swallowing assessment is a non-invasive procedure that allows health professionals like Speech Pathologists to see the functional aspects of swallowing in real-time. Keep on reading to discover six benefits of FEES swallowing procedures and learn […]

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Swallowing Difficulties and Parkinson’s Disease

Swallowing difficulties are common in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, affecting more than 80% of people with the condition. While the underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood, changes in dopamine levels, as well as weakened muscles, reduced reflexes and sensation in the throat are considered to affect how effectively individuals with Parkinson’s Disease can swallow food and […]

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Videofluoroscopy vs Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing

If you or someone you care for are experiencing swallowing difficulties, you know how much it can impact mealtime enjoyment and safety. While assessment of swallowing difficulties generally starts with a Speech Pathologist observing a typical mealtime, when more information is needed, an instrumental swallowing assessment is usually the next step. Two common instrumental assessments […]

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What to Know Before Your FEES Procedure

If you’ve recently been recommended to have an instrumental swallowing assessment, there’s probably a lot of things going through your mind. First of all – what is involved in a FEES procedure, and how is this going to help you improve your swallowing safety in the long run? At Speak and Swallow, we’ve recently launched […]

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Why You Should Try Speech Therapy for Chronic Cough

Do you or someone you love have a cough that has been lingering for over 8 weeks? It’s likely that you’re experiencing what’s known as chronic cough or refractory chronic cough. It’s a common symptom that can be debilitating and frustrating to deal with. Keep on reading to find out more about what causes chronic […]

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Vocal Cord Dysfunction and Speech Therapy

Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD), otherwise known as Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO) or Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement (PVFM) is a voice disorder that is often misdiagnosed as asthma. Understandably, this can be frustrating and can result in a longer period between symptom onset and treatment. If you or your loved one has recently been diagnosed with […]

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