Survivors of a stroke sometimes experience a swallowing problem known as dysphagia. When an individual has a swallowing disorder, there is always the danger that food or liquid will go into the lungs rather than into the stomach. This is known as aspiration which can cause pneumonia. Dysphagia also makes it more difficult for patients to get their nutritional needs met.

BAPTIST HEALTH Rehabilitation Institute utilizes an interdisciplinary team, led by Speech-Language Pathologists, to provide comprehensive services for dysphagia patients and their families. No two patients are exactly alike in their swallowing problem. Each patient must have an individual treatment plan developed after a careful, detailed assessment of their swallowing. Some treatments are as simple as changing the patient's head or body position when they swallow, or changing the types of foods the patient eats. Others may involve the patient's learning new ways to swallow. The professionals at BHRI have the training and expertise to assess the swallowing disorder and determine the proper treatment regimen for each individual.