The Essentials: Dysphagia and COPD

Video Runtime: 35 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 12 Minutes

Dysphagia is a symptom, not a disease unto itself. Difficulty swallowing can be a symptom of a wide variety of medical diagnoses. The underlying diagnosis is a critical factor to consider when developing a treatment approach. Dysphagia clinicians must guard against a “one-size-fits-all” approach and instead develop an understanding of the causative factors and pathophysiology of swallowing disorders in each disease process.

This course will discuss dysphagia in the setting of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The characteristics of dysphagia in COPD will be reviewed. Specific considerations for assessment, including respiratory indicators, coordination of breathing and swallowing, and respiratory rate will be examined. The evidence base for treatment strategies specific to COPD will be provided, including the role of compensatory strategies in managing respiratory demands during swallowing, and participants will be provided with an opportunity for problem-solving through case review.

This course is appropriate for dysphagia clinicians working in medical settings, including acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, and long-term care.