The ability to swallow and speak requires oral motor skills. This includes control of the lips, checks and jaw as well as the tongue, and hard and soft palate inside the mouth. Disruption of function in any one or all these oral functions can lead to aspiration of fluid or food, the inability to swallow safely, and the ability to speak. Dysphagia is difficult swallowing. Dysarthria is difficult speaking. These issues may appear together or separately after paralysis.
Dysphagia (difficulty with swallowing) can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, aspiration of food and fluid into the lungs leading to pneumonia and pushing of food up through the nose and sinus cavities. Symptoms of dysphagia include coughing, choking, drooling, feeling like something is constantly in the throat, inability to swallow. Your child may not be able to tell you they feel these symptoms but as a caregiver, you may observe them. Even slight changes should be brought to the attention of your healthcare provider.
Paralysis can affect swallowing throughout oral and swallowing function or just on one side.
Testing is performed using swallow studies where fluid is introduced to the child in a healthcare setting while using fluoroscopy (a very mild x-ray). Sometimes, a tube is passed to observe the inner workings of the mouth and throat.