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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Dysphagia physical examination

Introduction

Overview

Overview

A speech language pathologist is most often the first person called upon to evaluate a patient with suspected dysphagia. During this informal examination, medical history is obtained, the mini-mental state examination is administered, and oral and facial sensorimotor function, speech, and swallowing are evaluated non-instrumentally.

Physical Examination

Physical Examination

Physical examination of patients with dysphagia is dependent on the underlying cause.[1] Please click the specified disease below to see the full physical exam.

Appearance of the Patient

  • Patients with dysphagia usually appear in discomfort.

Vital Signs

  • Normal

Skin

  • Skin examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

HEENT

  • HEENT examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Neck

  • Neck examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal, but may presents with masses or swelling of the neck depending on the underlying cause.

Lungs

  • Pulmonary examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Heart

  • Cardiovascular examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Abdomen

Abdominal examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Back

  • Back examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Genitourinary

  • Genitourinary examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Neuromuscular

  • Neuromuscular examination of patients with dysphagia is usually dependent on the underlying disease.
    • Stroke
    • Neuromuscular disorders

Extremities

  • Extremities examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.
References

References

  1. ↑ Cho, S. Y.; Choung, R. S.; Saito, Y. A.; Schleck, C. D.; Zinsmeister, A. R.; Locke, G. R.; Talley, N. J. (2015). “Prevalence and risk factors for dysphagia: a USA community study”. Neurogastroenterology & Motility. 27 (2): 212–219. doi:10.1111/nmo.12467. ISSN 1350-1925.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [2]