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European Speech Therapy Day | 6 March

Updated : 05/03/2021

Drawing of a human head with waves coming out of the mouth
O European Day of Speech Therapy It is celebrated on March 6 and aims to alert to the existence and importance of the treatment of communication and swallowing disorders.
A data foi criada pelo Comité Permanente de Ligação dos Terapeutas da Fala e Logopedistas da União Europeia (CPLOL), em 2004, com o objetivo de chamar a atenção para a profissão em toda a Europa, sensibilizando os cidadãos para as perturbações da comunicação, o seu efeito sobre a saúde humana, os direitos dos pacientes com perturbações da comunicação e a forma de os ajudar.
This year, the Committee decided to highlight Dysphagia as a topic to be explored further. Dysphagia is often associated with stroke, multiple sclerosis, TBI, Parkinson's, tumors, Machado-Joseph disease and aging.
Dysphagia – a change in the swallowing process that results in difficulty swallowing solid and/or liquid food – can be considered the most serious consequence of the disease, which can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss and serious respiratory infections such as pneumonia. Dysphagia decreases the quality of life of oneself and one's family and has a negative impact on social relationships.
Currently, there is still no adequate medication for the treatment of this disease. However, the Speech Therapist can help minimize the difficulties presented, increasing the quality of life of the patient and minimizing their difficulties.
Do not underestimate the symptoms, early identification reduces the possibility of clinical complications. The most common signs are:
Frequent choking and coughing during feeding;
Feeling of a foreign body in the throat after feeding;
Changes in vocal quality after meals;
Loss of saliva or food from the corners of the mouth;
Change in the sensitivity of the tongue, cheeks and lips;
It takes longer to swallow and more effort is needed;
Exhaust of food and/or water through the nose;
frequent respiratory infections;
Difficulty chewing food.
Make it now self-assessment of your swallowing!