dysphagia matters

Julia and Jule

dysphagia matters – a podcast about swallowing, swallowing disorders and the latest and greatest, or sometimes not so great, evidence!

  1. EP 54: More than snoring: the connection between obstructive sleep apnea and dysphagia with Ankita Bhutada

    29 juni

    EP 54: More than snoring: the connection between obstructive sleep apnea and dysphagia with Ankita Bhutada

    When we think of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), we usually think of snoring, disrupted sleep, and daytime fatigue. But there is a critical link between OSA and dysphagia. In this episode, we sit down with Prof. Ankita Bhutada from Northwestern University to explore how upper airway collapse and chronic respiratory disruption can profoundly impact swallowing function. We cover: Understanding OSA: What is obstructive sleep apnea, its primary risk factors, and why it is a major public health concern. The link to dysphagia: Understanding the sensorimotor mechanisms and neuromuscular changes that connect sleep-disordered breathing to swallowing dysfunction. Clinical Presentation: How dysphagia typically manifests in individuals with OSA  Diagnostics: Why clinicians should consider routinely screening people with OSA for dysphagia and how to adapt existing assessment tools for this population. High-Risk Groups: Identifying which specific patient profiles within the OSA population face the highest risk for airway compromise. Management & Treatment: A look at current and emerging treatment approaches for dysphagia in people with OSA. Literature that we discuss: Bhutada et al. (2022). Predictors of Patient-Reported Dysphagia and Reflux Symptoms in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Bhutada et al. (2020). Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and swallowing function—A systematic review. Bhutada et al. (2025). Effects of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training on Oropharyngeal Swallow Physiology in Persons with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A Preliminary Study.

    30 min
  2. EP 53: Mind meets body: exploring functional dysphagia with Anna Miles

    31 maj

    EP 53: Mind meets body: exploring functional dysphagia with Anna Miles

    What do you do when patients report severe swallowing difficulties, but all structural and neurological exams come back normal? In this episode, we talk to Prof. Anna Miles about her paper “Functional dysphagia: Developing a framework for assessment and treatment”. We explore why terms like “psychogenic dysphagia” or “phagophobia” are outdated, look into the neurobiological underpinnings of the condition, and discuss practical, biopsychosocial strategies for speech and language therapists. Key Takeaways: Language Matters: Why shifting from psychogenic to functional dysphagia reduces stigma and improves patient care. The Biopsychosocial Framework: Moving away from a diagnosis of exclusion toward a positive, holistic assessment. Neurobiology & Agency: How functional dysphagia relates to a real disruption in the voluntary control of swallowing (loss of agency). Hypervigilance: How past negative events (e.g., a choking incident) lock patients into a restrictive cycle. Clinical Crossovers: Applying techniques from voice therapy (e.g., laryngeal massage) and laryngeal hypersensitivity management (cough/gag reflex) to functional cases. Psychoeducation: Why explaining the underlying mechanisms to the patient is a highly effective therapeutic tool in itself.

    35 min
  3. EP 52: Developing biomarkers for dysphagia assessment with Ervin Sejdić

    27 apr.

    EP 52: Developing biomarkers for dysphagia assessment with Ervin Sejdić

    What if a microphone and a few sensors placed on the neck could detect dysphagia; without access to FEES  or videofluoroscopy, maybe even without a dysphagia specialist in the room? In this episode, we sit down with Prof. Ervin Sejdic, a biomedical engineer at the university of Toronto, whose research is changing the way we think about dysphagia assessment. Ervin leads work on High-Resolution Cervical Auscultation (HRCA) – a method that captures the sounds and vibrations of swallowing using sensors on the throat, then analyses that data with signal processing algorithms and artificial intelligence to identify aspiration risk and characterise swallowing function. We talk about how to develop biomarkers for dysphagia, and how they could one day fill the gap of reliable swallowing assessment where FEES or videofluoroscopy may not be accessible; in hospitals, nursing homes, and community settings alike. We discuss: What a computational biomarker is and why it matters clinically What HRCA looks like in practice: setup, sensors, and data What the algorithms can detect today, and what’s still on the horizon The path from research lab to clinical routine

    34 min
  4. EP 51: Dysphagia post cardiac surgery with Cara Donohue

    31 mars

    EP 51: Dysphagia post cardiac surgery with Cara Donohue

    Dysphagia is an under-recognised but clinically important complication following cardiac surgery. In this episode, Prof. Cara Donohue discusses why dysphagia can occur despite surgery being anatomically distant from the swallowing mechanism. We explore the complexities of dysphagia in patients post cardiac surgery, highlighting risk factors, prevalence, assessment methods, and potential interventions. Cara shares her research findings and clinical perspectives, emphasising the importance of early detection and proactive management to reduce complications and improve patient outcomes. Topics covered Why dysphagia occurs after cardiac surgery Mechanisms contributing to postoperative swallowing impairment Prevalence and potential under-recognition of dysphagia in this population Typical clinical and instrumental findings Surgical and perioperative risk factors Consequences for recovery and patient outcomes The role of prehabilitation and respiratory strength training Identifying patients who may benefit from preoperative interventions Key clinical messages for SLTs in cardiothoracic settings

    36 min
  5. EP 50: Beyond the blender – dysphagia made easier with Simone Howells

    23 feb.

    EP 50: Beyond the blender – dysphagia made easier with Simone Howells

    Preparing safe, enjoyable meals for people with dysphagia can be challenging but it does not have to mean sacrificing enjoyment of food, variety, and social connection. How can clinicians and caregivers help ensure meals remain safe and enjoyable? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Simone Howells from Griffith University, Australia, about the second edition of Beyond the Blender: Dysphagia Made Easier; a freely available cookbook featuring 30 recipes organised according to IDDSI Levels 2–6. We discuss: the inspiration behind creating the cookbook how recipes were developed, selected and adapted across IDDSI levels the challenges of modifying everyday meals while maintaining taste, texture, and visual appeal the broader responsibilities of SLTs beyond recommending modified diets practical strategies and resources to better support patients and families

    26 min
  6. EP 49: How to use meta-analyses as a dysphagia clinician with Kendrea Garand

    23 jan.

    EP 49: How to use meta-analyses as a dysphagia clinician with Kendrea Garand

    Meta-analyses are powerful tools, but they can be challenging to interpret. In this episode, we explore how dysphagia clinicians can better understand and critically evaluate meta-analyses to support evidence-informed practice. We are joined by Prof. Kendrea Garand to talk about the article “How to Interpret and Evaluate a Meta-Analysis in the Field of Speech and Language Therapy: A Tutorial for Clinicians.” We discuss: What meta-analyses are and why they matter for dysphagia clinicians How to conduct a meta-analysis How to critically interpret and evaluate a meta-analysis Red flags in pooling studies in meta-analyses Rapid appraisal tips for clinical decision-making Integrating evidence with clinical expertise and patient values

    35 min
  7. EP 48: Health (in)equity in dysphagia care with Raele Loy

    2025-12-22

    EP 48: Health (in)equity in dysphagia care with Raele Loy

    In this episode, we talk to Dr. Raele Loy, a Speech and Language Therapist and research scientist at the Center for Health Disparities Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We discuss a critical but often overlooked aspect of dysphagia care: health equity, or the lack thereof. Raele discusses what sparked her interest in health equity, and explains what ‘health disparities’ mean in clinical practice and research today. She discusses what is currently known about disparities in dysphagia assessment and management, and presents her conceptual framework which illustrates how disparities emerge and persist throughout the entire eating and swallowing care pathway in people with dementia.

    35 min
  8. EP 47: Understanding Parkinson’s disease with Werner Poewe

    2025-11-25

    EP 47: Understanding Parkinson’s disease with Werner Poewe

    Behind the tremor in Parkinson’s disease lies a complex neurodegenerative process that affects far more than movement. In this conversation, we are joined by Prof. emer. Werner Poewe, neurologist and one of the world’s leading experts in Parkinson’s disease. He unpacks the evolving understanding of Parkinson’s disease, from James Parkinson’s first observations to today’s insights into pathology, prodromal symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. With a special focus on swallowing and dysphagia, we explore what clinicians need to know to support individuals with Parkinson’s disease across all stages of the disease.

    36 min
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Om

dysphagia matters – a podcast about swallowing, swallowing disorders and the latest and greatest, or sometimes not so great, evidence!

Information

  • Skapad av
    Julia and Jule
  • Aktiva år
    2022 - 2026
  • Avsnitt
    55
  • Åldersgräns
    Barnvänligt
  • Programmets webbplats
    dysphagia matters

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