Functional dysphagia

Dysphagia is another term for swallowing difficulties. There are many different types of dysphagia, including functional dysphagia. Functional dysphagia occurs when there is a sensation of foods and liquids getting stuck or passing abnormally through the oesophagus (food pipe), although there may not be a physical problem.

The Kids Feeding Team will work closely with a dysphagia trained speech and language therapist in order to diagnose and treat functional dysphagia.

What is functional dysphagia?

Functional dysphagia occurs when there is a sensation of foods and liquids sticking, lodging or passing abnormally through the oesophagus (windpipe). The term functional dysphagia is used when people have this experience but no organic cause for dysphagia can be found.

The Kids Feeding Team will work hard to ensure that these difficulties are minimised or reduced in order to help achieve a safe and effective swallow. We are able to assess, treat and monitor functional dysphagia and advise on how best to support your child's needs.

What causes functional dysphagia?

Functional dysphagia can occur at any age. Children can be born with functional dysphagia or it can occur at any point through later childhood development. It is rare that children are born with functional dysphagia and it is most likely that this type of dysphagia is develops as the child gets older.

The causes of functional dysphagia are unknown. There is no physical cause to this sensation. It may be predicted that functional dysphagia has psychological, emotional or neurological relations.

The Kids Feeding Team will work hard to assess the causes of functional dysphagia in each child in order to gain more understanding of the nature of your child&rsqauo;s problems. By identifying the underlying cause of the functional dysphagia our multidisciplinary team of experts will be able to decide how best to help.

Jada smiling

What problems caused by functional dysphagia can we help with?

Children that experience functional dysphagia may have the following problems that our team of dieticians, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists can help minimise and support:

• Difficulty initiating a swallow.
• Coughing, choking or redness in the face when eating.
• Reduced ability to thrive or gain weight.
• Nasal regurgitation.
• Gurgly or wet voice after swallow.
• Increased stress and anxiety for children and families.
• Risk of aspiration causing pneumonia and recurrent chest infections.
• Lack of confidence at mealtimes and when feeding.

How can the Kids Feeding Team help a child with functional dysphagia?

The Kids Feeding Team will be able to provide many benefits to a child that experiences functional dysphagia. If left untreated functional dysphagia can potentially cause malnutrition, dehydration and pneumonia from aspiration. These side effects can cause many other complications, potentially life-threatening which our team can prevent. Through careful assessment and bespoke treatment options, we would aim to:

• Identify any problems in the child’s anatomy that may cause swallowing difficulties.
• Identify any psychological, neurological or emotional problems that may be causing the functional dysphagia.
• Refer to relevant professionals if child needs psychological input.
• Increase confidence and reduce anxiety around mealtimes.
• Promote weight gain.
• Reduce and prevent the risk of aspiration.
• Recommend different textures and thicknesses of foods and liquids for the child if appropriate.
• Recommend alternative methods of feeding if needed.
• Ensure the child has a safe and effective swallow.

Jada with bottle sitting on Saffron's Lap

We make every effort to help and support for continued oral feeding as we know this is the preferred method. However, on occasions there may be indication for tube feeding if it is unsafe for a child to be fed orally. On most occasions, after being tube fed a child will be able to return to oral feeding once it is safe to do so. Children with functional dysphagia are the most unlikely to be tube fed and problems should be minimised before tube feeding is necessary.

What would treatment for functional dysphagia involve?

Our multidisciplinary Kids Feeding Team will use various treatment options to support a child with functional dysphagia, this might include one or a number of:

• Assess the child's ability to swallow in order to identify strengths, weaknesses and the potential cause of their difficulty.
• Assess whether the child is aspirating and whether it is safe for them to orally feed in the meantime.
• Individualised goal setting with the parents and child in order to gain the best benefits for the child.
• Discussion and support for parents, with time to ask questions.
• Discussion and practice of any therapeutic techniques or exercises that the child may be able to use to ensure a safe swallow.
• Implement strategies that promote safe and effective swallowing and minimise the feeling of functional dysphagia.
• Advice, education and training.
• Oral motor and breathing exercises.
• Continuous monitoring of the child's progress through reviews to ensure that the child’s diet and therapy programme is well suited.
• Advice on different food textures and liquid thicknesses.
• Monitoring and preventing potential risks.
• Referral to other health professionals if this is appropriate and would benefit the child’s functional difficulty.

Jada with bottle sitting on Saffron's Lap

How do I arrange an assessment for functional dysphagia?

If you would like to know more about the services we offer for functional dysphagia or to arrange an assessment with a member of our multidisciplinary Kids Feeding Team, do not hesitate to email office@kidsfeedingteam.co.uk or call 0161 820 8262.

Summary

Functional dysphagia occurs when there is a sensation of food and drink getting stuck or passing through the windpipe abnormally, despite their being no organic cause to this feeling. Functional dysphagia can occur at any time but children will most likely develop functional dysphagia due to potential psychological, emotional or neurological conditions. The Kids Feeding Team are able to identify the root cause of the functional swallowing problems and can help ensure a safe and effective swallow through different therapeutic strategies.

If you or your child experience any difficulties with swallowing and feel that you would benefit from seeing our Kids Feeding Team, email office@kidsfeedingteam.co.uk or call 0161 820 8262.

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