Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a degenerative brain disorder associated with deterioration of the cells in the brain responsible for controlling body movement and cognition (e.g. planning, thinking and reasoning). It’s important to note that while PSP is still classified as a rare disorder, PSP affects approximately 5-6 in every 100,000 people. However, due to […]
Are you a support worker or carer for someone with a Mealtime Management Plan? If so, there is a lot of important information you need to not only be aware of but be able to practically implement. This practical knowledge matters because choking is the second most common cause of death in aged care and […]
Do you or someone you care about have an upper airway or voice disorder? A flexible laryngoscopy is a valuable assessment tool that a Speech Pathologist may recommend to support planning and evaluation of progress in upper airway/voice therapy. Keep on reading to find out what is involved and why we use flexible laryngoscopy for […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Vocal nodules may be small, but these bilateral masses can make a big impact on the way your voice sounds. Thankfully, speech therapy for vocal nodules is a treatment option that can help you regain your voice and keep it healthy. Keep on reading to find out more about what causes vocal nodules and how […]
Getting a good night’s sleep can be a real challenge for some people. And when sleep isn’t providing the rest and recovery that we need, it can take a toll on many different aspects of our daily lives. Just think about the last time that you didn’t get as much sleep as you needed – […]
Coughing once in a while is one thing, but when coughing crops up day after day, it can be frustrating. Chronic cough is a condition that impacts 11-16% of the population and not only causes physical symptoms but can impact a person’s psychosocial and overall health. Speech Pathologists can help you to identify if the […]
So, you’re in your final year of Speech Pathology university studies. You’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to finish off those last few assignments and exams while juggling the job hunt. Especially when there are students from many different universities looking at the same jobs you are, it can feel daunting going into a […]
