Feeding Therapy
If your child is not receiving adequate nutrtion or hydration, your child may have a sensory processing disorder and/or a disorder known as Dysphagia, (dis-FAY-juh).
Dysphagia can occur at different stages in the swallowing process:
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Oral phase – sucking, chewing, and moving food or liquid into the throat
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Pharyngeal phase – starting the swallow, squeezing food down the throat, and closing off the airway to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway (aspiration) or to prevent choking
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Esophageal phase – relaxing and tightening the openings at the top and bottom of the feeding tube in the throat (esophagus) and squeezing food through the esophagus into the stomach
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Signs & symptoms of feeding and swallowing disorders in children:
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Children with feeding and swallowing problems have a wide variety of symptoms. Not all signs and symptoms are present in every child.
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The following are signs and symptoms of feeding and swallowing problems in very young children:
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arching or stiffening of the body during feeding
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irritability or lack of alertness during feeding
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refusing food or liquid
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failure to accept different textures of food (e.g., only pureed foods or crunchy cereals)
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long feeding times (e.g., more than 30 minutes)
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difficulty chewing
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difficulty breast feeding
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coughing or gagging during meals
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excessive drooling or food/liquid coming out of the mouth or nose
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difficulty coordinating breathing with eating and drinking
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increased stuffiness during meals
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gurgly, hoarse, or breathy voice quality
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frequent spitting up or vomiting
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recurring pneumonia or respiratory infections
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less than normal weight gain or growth
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As a result, children may be at risk for:
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dehydration or poor nutrition
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aspiration (food or liquid entering the airway) or penetration
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pneumonia or repeated upper respiratory infections that can lead to chronic lung diseas
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embarrassment eating around others.
Prestige Therapy specializes in Pediatric Feeding Disorders. Contact us today to schedule your child's feeding evaluation.