The Essentials: Dysphagia and Neuromuscular Disease

Video Runtime: 36 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 neuromuscular disease, including multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multisystem atrophy, Huntington's disease, and myasthenia gravis. The characteristics of dysphagia in patients with neuromuscular disease will be reviewed as they manifest themselves in each specific disease. Considerations for assessment of these patients will be discussed, including respiratory functions, fatigue, and potential for cough. The evidence base for treatment strategies specific to neuromuscular disease will be examined, with a focus on fatigue management, respiratory function, and positioning. 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.