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What should the na do if a resident shows signs of dysphagia?

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Dysphagia refers to difficulty in swallowing. There are two types of dysphagia, therefore, also two respective treatments. For oropharyngeal dysphagia (difficulty in moving food from the mouth and into one’s throat), the resident can be taught exercises or techniques that can help in coordinating the swallowing muscles. For esophageal dysphagia (sensation of food getting stuck in one’s throat or chest), esophageal dilation may be done by using an endoscope with a special balloon in order to stretch the esophagus.

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