Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that can result from stroke, head and neck cancer, Parkinson’s, ALS, and other conditions. Patients may experience coughing and choking during meals, feeling like liquids “go down the wrong pipe,” and the sensation of food or pills sticking in their throat. Dysphagia can cause pneumonia and weight loss, and also have a severe impact on quality of life. So many important moments revolve around food and drink—birthdays, holidays, and simple family dinners. If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulty with your swallowing, don’t wait to seek evaluation and treatment to help you eat and drink more safely and comfortably.

Symptoms of Swallowing Disorders

Symptoms of a voice disorder, also known as dysphonia, may include:

  • Coughing or choking during meals
  • Sensation of food or pills sticking in the throat or chest
  • Feeling like food or liquids “go down the wrong pipe”
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Recurrent pneumonia

Specialized Dysphagia Services Available only at our Miller Plaza location

The Voice and Swallowing Center, located at Miller Plaza in Winston-Salem, NC is the only multidisciplinary dysphagia center in the region, consisting of two fellowship-trained laryngologists and two dysphagia-specialized speech-language pathologists who have the advanced training and skills necessary to diagnose and treat your swallowing condition. At this location, you will be evaluated by a laryngologist and speech pathologist, often on the same day for a comprehensive one-stop evaluation. You may undergo one or more of the following evaluations to diagnose your swallowing disorder:

Swallowing Disorders Treated at the Voice and Swallowing Disorders Center

Use the links below for more information on common swallowing disorders treated at our multidisciplinary center:

Your Swallowing Function Matters: Why seek care from our multidisciplinary team 

Being able to eat and drink is an essential part of our everyday lives that we take for granted. A swallowing disorder doesn’t just affect how you eat and drink, it also impacts how you interact with people around you. Whether it’s feeling anxious about choking whenever you sit down to eat with your family, or being embarrassed to eat a restaurant because you cough during meals, dysphagia can have a huge impact on quality of life. Our dysphagia team understands that eating and drinking is more than just a mechanical process - it’s a part of our social and cultural traditions. Throughout the evaluation process, our specialized dysphagia team will work with you to create an individualized plan of care to improve your swallowing function and quality of life.

Swallowing Treatments offered at the Voice and Swallowing Disorders Center

Use the links below for more information on available treatments and surgical interventions offered at our multidisciplinary center:

Care and Treatment

Dysphagia Treatment

Swallowing Therapy

Speech-Language Pathology