3 Websites About Dysphagia.

[ 1 ]

• DYSPHAGIA: SWALLOWING PROBLEMS AFTER A STROKE

http://stroke.about.com/od/supportgroups/a/dysphagia.htm

This website provides information on dysphagia.. It provides background information on the basics of swallowing and how it is linked to the brain before jumping into dysphagia. It also talks about the evaluation and therapy of swallowing difficulties and the option of acquiring a feeding tube. Personally, I like this website because it provides just a brief, basic description under each topic. Along with the description, it provides a link to that topic which goes into further detail. I like that it gives links to the basics of swallowing so the viewers can understand the process first. Also, telling how swallowing is connected to the brain helps link dysphagia to a stroke and how the stroke affects the brain. Something else that I thought was beneficial was the top of the site provides tabs that further explain symptoms, treatment, and recovery of strokes.


[ 2 ]

• NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS: DYSPHAGIA

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/dysph.asp

To me, this website was very easy to navigate. At the top, each section is provided by a link, which transfers you directly to that place if you click on it. This site focuses more on dysphagia in general, rather than relating it to a stroke. It too presents information on swallowing, problems with dysphagia, causes, and treatment. I like how it goes into further detail on the treatment section and actually mentions speech-language pathologists (my future career!). It introduced me to new ways of treating swallowing difficulties, such as a fiber optic laryngoscopy, a video fluoroscopy, ultrasounds, muscle exercises, and even surgery. It’s also neat that there is a section on dysphagia research and the variations of tongue movement. Also, this website provides instructions on how to get help if you think you have a swallowing problem. It tells viewers who to consult and tells of places where more information can be obtained.


[ 3 ]

• AMERICAN SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION: SWALLOWING DISORDERS (DYSPHAGIA) IN ADULTS

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/SwallowingAdults.htm

I LOVE this website. The information is very detailed and organized, yet very easy to understand. It describes dysphagia and the three stages in the swallowing process. I never knew the three phases (oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal) existed until viewing this website. The bulleted lists on this page help organize the information and make it easy to read. It lists the signs of dysphagia and also lists the resulting symptoms adults may get. I like that it tells specifically what a speech-language pathologist would do to diagnose a swallowing disorder and the recommendations they may provide. I really enjoy reading over this website because it connects to me personally since it mentions speech-language pathologists a lot and I can learn about what I will be doing in my own career choice. I also find the tabs on the left side very resourceful and helpful. Each one can go into further detail on certain topics such as swallowing and feeding. It also provides other organizations that have more information about swallowing disorders. I find this one to be the most helpful on my topic.