Dysphagia

Our Michigan medical malpractice lawyers handle cases involving the failure to timely diagnose and treat dysphagia. Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder. It is defined by some scientists and clinicians as the inability to move a liquid or food substance from the mouth to stomach, while others define dysphagia to include the sensory, perceptual, and cognitive awareness of the patient and his/her ability to maintain hydration and nutrition.

Symptoms of Dysphagia

Some symptoms of dysphagia include:

• Hesitation or inability to swallow
• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Constant feeling of lump in throat
• Regurgitation of food through the throat or nose
• Frequent heartburn
• Chest pain or discomfort when swallowing
• Necessity to "wash down" solid foods

Treatment for Dysphagia

Treatment for dysphagia is usually adapted to the particular case or type of the swallowing problem. Depending on the case, surgery or medication may be used, or a speech-language pathologist can help.

A speech-language pathologist helps you learn:

• Exercises that help strengthen or improve coordination of weak facial muscles
• New ways of eating to make swallowing easier
• Which foods and drinks to avoid
• New ways to prepare foods and drinks to make them easier to swallow

Prevention of Dysphagia

Prevention of dysphagia requires prevention of the conditions that cause dysphagia, such as stroke, head trauma, or head and neck cancer. Obedience to the individual treatment program will prevent complications from dysphagia.

Precautions that should be taken include:

• Eating and drinking only those foods and liquids of the recommended consistencies
• Sitting upright for oral intake
• Taking small amounts at a slow rate
• Ensuring that the mouth is clear after a swallow and at the end of a meal
• Using recommended strategies on every swallow
• Maintaining good oral hygiene
• Remaining upright for 30 minutes after eating or longer

Medical Malpractice from Dysphagia Management

A patient usually has one primary physician who is ultimately responsible for the medical management of dysphagia, although others may be involved for failing to perform at acceptable professional levels of diagnostic and treatment competency and proficiency. A clinician's action that "probably" was the cause of a negative dysphagia management outcome indicates that a medical malpractice may have taken place. If the clinician's actions "possibly" caused a negative dysphagia, proving a medical malpractice has taken place is difficult. Medical malpractice cases often involve many institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, private physicians, medical nursing consultants, and home health agencies.

Contact a Michigan Dysphagia Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you or a family member have been the victim of a medical malpractice from dysphagia, you should contact our office immediately to discuss your case. There are strict time limitations for filing medical malpractice cases in Michigan and if you wait too long, your case may be barred forever. Call us now at (800) 606-1717.

You should also request our FREE BOOK, "The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook," which explains the legal process in Michigan and what must be proven to win your case. We will send out the book immediately to you.