Overview
Swallowing, choking, safe feeding and warning signs.
Clinical relevance
Dysphagia may affect hydration, nutrition, eating safety and respiratory complication risk. Recognizing early signs helps patients, caregivers and professionals decide when to seek specialized assessment.
Signs and symptoms
- Coughing or choking during meals.
- Feeling that food is stuck in the throat.
- Wet voice after eating.
- Weight loss or recurrent pneumonia.
Related conditions
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Assessments
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Clinical assessments
Dysphagia Screening
Educational questionnaire for signs of swallowing difficulty.
Purpose: Support initial identification of signs that justify professional assessment.
Interpretation: An altered result is not a diagnosis; it indicates the need for professional guidance.
Start assessmentGuides
Available
Complete dysphagia guide
Complete educational guide to signs, risks, safe eating, screening and when to seek assessment.
Open resourceProtocols
Available
Feeding warning signs protocol
Educational flow to guide when to seek professional assessment.
Open resource
Articles
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Related articles
FAQ
Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing saliva, liquids, foods or medicines.
Seek assessment if there is frequent choking, coughing during meals, weight loss, fever, pneumonia or voice changes after eating.
No. Screening is educational and does not replace diagnosis or professional care decisions.
References
- Torres ACM. Rastreamento da Disfagia Orofaríngea: Desenvolvimento de uma Interface Tecnológica. UFBA, 2023.
- Aguiar IVC. DisfagiaAPP: Aplicativo Multiplataforma para auxílio no rastreamento de risco da Disfagia Orofaríngea. IFBA, 2022.