Discover how speech therapists can address often overlooked MS-related swallowing and communication disorders for timely intervention.

You can find the written version to read on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.com/67-speech-therapy

Swallowing and speech disorders usually play a subordinate role in the perception of patients. However, problems with swallowing occur in up to 40% and with speech in around 75% of all MS patients during the course of the disease. This episode is about how you can recognize that there is a problem and, above all, what you can do about it. After all, eating and drinking as well as socializing with other people are among the absolute basic needs. A speech therapist can help you to learn how to swallow or speak again. You can find out more in the article.

Table of contents

• When do swallowing and speech disorders occur?
• How do swallowing and speech disorders manifest themselves in multiple sclerosis?
• What triggers lead to swallowing and speech disorders?
• What tests are carried out to make the diagnosis?
• Effects of MS-related swallowing and speech disorders
• What can you do yourself to treat swallowing and speech disorders?
• How can speech therapy help you with MS-related swallowing and speech disorders?
• Is there medication for swallowing and speech disorders in multiple sclerosis?
• What other options are available?
• What is the best prevention against swallowing and speech disorders in MS?
• Food for thought
• Question for you

Food for thought

If you occasionally have slight problems with swallowing or speaking that you didn’t have before, then simply get it checked by a specialist, be it your neurologist or a speech therapist. It is almost always the case that early intervention leads to a better prognosis.

Question for you

Have you ever had problems with swallowing or speaking? And was there possibly a connection to multiple sclerosis?

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Maybe you are interested in the other articles about MS symptoms:

• Finding Joy Again. Navigating MS-Related Sexual Dysfunction
• Overcoming MS Sleep Challenges for Restful Nights and Brighter Days.
• Depression and MS. How to find your way back to emotional balance
• Living Fully with MS. Managing Bladder and Bowel Disorders
• MS Symptom Pain. How to regain your quality of life
• Spasticity in MS – far more than normal muscle cramps
• Movement restrictions in MS – how to maintain your strength, balance and mobility in the best possible way
• Clearing the Fog – Understanding Vision Problems in Multiple Sclerosis
• Cognitive disorders in MS – when the mind goes on strike

See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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