Although many conditions can cause difficulty swallowing, the difficulty can be different following a stroke.

Whether a stroke causes difficulty swallowing depends on what part of the brain was damaged. Some people who have a stroke often have weakness on one side of their body and facial droop (only able to smile on one side).

When someone who had a stroke is eating, they often pocket food on the weak side of the mouth. This means they may finish a meal and have food left in their mouth.

These people should eat in front of a mirror to be aware of their weak side and be reminded to check that side of their mouths.

Swallowing food improperly may cause food to go down your windpipe.

A modified barium swallow is an imaging study that tells which foods are safe for the patient to eat. During the study, different consistencies of food and liquid are mixed.

If the study finds any food or liquid went down the windpipe, a modified diet is ordered. Strict adherence to the modified diet helps to prevent aspiration pneumonia which occurs when small pieces of food or liquid get into the lungs and start growing bacteria.

A modified diet may require a thickening agent to be added to a liquid. The best way to do this is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly.

This article is intended for information and is not medical advice. Please seek personal medical advice from your primary care provider.