What is a swallow test?

A swallow test is usually carried out by a speech and language therapist (SLT) and can give a good initial assessment of your swallowing abilities. The SLT will ask you to swallow some water. The time it takes you to drink the water and the number of swallows required will be recorded.

How is a swallowing test performed?

The test uses X-rays in real time (fluoroscopy) to film as you swallow. You'll swallow a substance called barium that is mixed with liquid and food. The barium shows the movements of your throat and esophagus on the X-ray while you swallow.

What is the purpose of a swallowing test?

A bedside swallow exam is a test to see if you might have dysphagia, which causes trouble swallowing. Dysphagia sometimes leads to serious problems. When you swallow, food passes through your mouth and into a part of your throat called the pharynx.

How long does a swallowing test take?

The test will take about 30 minutes, and there will be no restrictions to your diet or daily activities after the test unless your doctor specifies otherwise.

What does it mean if you fail a swallow test?

Test failure is defined as the inability to drink the entire amount continuously, any cough up to 1 min after the swallowing attempt, or the development of a wet, gurgly, or hoarse vocal quality.

Neurology - Topic 24 - Swallow test

When should I be worried about trouble swallowing?

You should see your doctor to determine the cause of your swallowing difficulties. Call a doctor right away if you're also having trouble breathing or think something might be stuck in your throat. If you have sudden muscle weakness or paralysis and can't swallow at all, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

How do you fix swallowing problems?

Try eating smaller, more frequent meals. Cut your food into smaller pieces, chew food thoroughly and eat more slowly. If you have difficulty swallowing liquids, there are products you can buy to thicken liquids. Trying foods with different textures to see if some cause you more trouble.

Can I drive after a barium swallow test?

You should not drive immediately after the procedure because some of the drugs can affect vision. You may feel a bit ill after the procedure and can be quite constipated for several days. You should drink lots of fluid and eat lots of fruit to minimise the constipation.

How do you feel after barium swallow?

Patients may feel nauseous after a barium swallow test or become constipated. Drinking lots of fluids can help to relieve constipation. Symptoms of nausea should improve as the barium passes through the system.

Which is better barium swallow or endoscopy?

The barium swallow is a less invasive way to look at the upper GI tract than an endoscopy. Barium swallows are a useful diagnostic tool for checking for upper GI tract disorders that can be easily diagnosed with X-ray alone. More complex disorders require endoscopy.

What are the signs that a person may have dysphagia?

Does swallowing get more difficult with age?

But swallowing difficulty can also be associated with aging. In fact, it has been estimated that as many as 20% of individuals over the age of 50 years, and most individuals by the age of 80 years, experience some degree of swallowing difficulty.

What conditions might affect the ability to swallow?

Can anxiety cause difficulty swallowing?

Anxiety. Anxiety or panic attacks can result in a feeling of tightness or a lump in the throat or even a sensation of choking. This can temporarily make swallowing difficult.

How long does it take to get results from barium swallow?

Getting your results

You should get the results in 1 or 2 weeks. The doctor who arranged the barium swallow gives them to you. Waiting for results can make you anxious. You can ask your doctor or nurse how long it takes to get the results.

How do I prepare for a barium swallow test?

You will need to stop eating and drinking for about 8 hours before the swallowing test. Generally, this means after midnight. Tell your provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant before scheduling a barium swallow test.

Why do I need a barium swallow test?

A barium swallow is used to help diagnose conditions that affect the throat, esophagus, stomach, and first part the small intestine. These include: Ulcers. Hiatal hernia, a condition in which part of your stomach pushes into the diaphragm.

Does barium swallow require anesthesia?

The barium provides an image of the upper gastrointestinal structures on the X-ray images. A barium swallow is commonly used to determine the cause of pain, swallowing problems, blood stained vomit, and unexplained weight loss. A barium swallow is an outpatient procedure that does not require sedation or anesthesia.

What can I eat the day before a barium swallow?

The day before your procedure:

Ask your healthcare provider about directions for eating and drinking. Do not eat or drink dairy products. Limit sugar. You may need to drink clear liquids, such as gelatin, broth, or clear fruit juice.

Can swallowing problems be cured?

Many cases of dysphagia can be improved with treatment, but a cure isn't always possible. Treatments for dysphagia include: speech and language therapy to learn new swallowing techniques. changing the consistency of food and liquids to make them safer to swallow.

What medications cause difficulty swallowing?

Agents such as antiepileptics, benzodiazepines, narcotics, and skeletal muscle relaxants place the patient at greater risk for dysphagia due to decreased awareness, decreased voluntary muscle control, and difficulty initiating a swallow.

What doctor treats difficulty swallowing?

If swallowing is difficult on a regular basis, you should see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, or otolaryngologist. People normally swallow hundreds of times a day to eat solids, drink liquids, and swallow the normal saliva and mucus that the body produces.

What are three disorders that cause swallowing?

Neurological conditions that can cause swallowing difficulties are: stroke (the most common cause of dysphagia); traumatic brain injury; cerebral palsy; Parkinson disease and other degenerative neurological disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), multiple sclerosis, ...

Can thyroid cause swallowing problems?

Thyroid enlargement can cause difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, as a result of the thyroid gland directly compressing the swallowing organs. The thyroid gland, which is usually about the size of a quarter, can become enlarged as a symptom of various thyroid disorders, as well as other medical conditions.

Should I go to the doctor for difficulty swallowing?

If you regularly have difficulty swallowing, you should make an appointment to discuss this with your physician. Other signs of dysphagia that should prompt a visit to your doctor include: Trouble swallowing accompanied by weight loss, regurgitation or vomiting. A sensation that food is stuck in your throat or chest.