Exercises to improve swallowing

My Mother is 77 she has had a stroke which effected her swallowing. She is on thickener, but can drink water. She needs to be able to drink more liquides. Are there any exercise that wood help her regain her swallowing ablity?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Difficult to say without evaluation.  

I am quite sure that a speech therapy evaluation was performed as part of the workup.  The speech therapist can give some specific, directed treatment to help in the rehabilitative process.  

With a stroke, it can be difficult to predict how much function can return.  Sometimes it can take days, at times months.  It is entirely possible that swallowing function may not return, may return fully, or somewhere in between.  

You can discuss your concerns with a speech therapist, or your personal physician or neurologist.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com