This chapter will provide an overview of neuromuscular diseases for the dysphagia clinician. Multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Huntington's disease, and multisystem atrophy will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationships between swallowing and neuromuscular diseases.

This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in each of the neuromuscular disease processes. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment of these patients will be discussed, including respiratory muscle function, fatigue and endurance issues, and potential for cough. The role of periodic instrumental assessment will also be reviewed.

This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for management strategies for patients with neuromuscular disease. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for these patients will be highlighted, including compensatory strategies, positioning and seating, and fatigue management. The current evidence base for exercise in neuromuscular disease will also be reviewed.

This chapter will provide an overview of Parkinson’s disease for the dysphagia clinician. The pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease, the role of rigidity and other neurological changes, and the involvement of the GI system will be discussed in order to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and PD.

This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in Parkinson’s disease. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment will be discussed, including breathing/swallow coordination, potential for cough, and aspiration risk factor identification. The role of dopamine in regulation of feeding and swallowing will also be reviewed.

This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for treatment strategies for dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for patients with Parkinson’s disease will be highlighted, including respiratory training, sensory enhancements, compensatory strategies, and exercise.

This chapter will provide an overview of stroke for the dysphagia clinician. Stroke type and location, as well as stroke sequalae, will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and stroke.

This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in patients who have sustained a stroke.

This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for treatment strategies for dysphagia in patients with stroke. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for patients with stroke will be highlighted, including sensory enhancements and interventions, dietary modifications, and compensations. The role of exercise in improving oral, pharyngeal, and respiratory muscle functions will be discussed as well.

This chapter will provide an overview of head and neck cancers for the dysphagia clinician. The impacts of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemoradiation will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and the head and neck cancer and its treatments.

This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in patients with head and neck cancer. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia in cancer patients will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment of these patients will be discussed, including painful swallow, mucositis, disuse atrophy, and nutritional concerns.

This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for management strategies for patients with head and neck cancer. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for these patients will be highlighted, including oral care and comfort, compensatory strategies, and breathing/swallow retraining. The importance of exercise during and after chemoradiation treatments will also be reviewed.

This chapter will provide an overview of cervical spine disorders for the dysphagia clinician. Cervical spine surgeries, osteophytes, and cervical bracing will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and the spine.

This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in patients with cervical spine disorders. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment of these patients will be discussed, including the impact of edema, nerve damage, compression, and restrictions in movement and swallow function.

This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for management strategies for patients with cervical spine issues. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for these patients will be highlighted, including the impact of pain and inflammation management. Contraindications, including maneuvers that require neck flexion, will also be discussed.

This chapter will provide an overview of dementia for the dysphagia clinician. Dementia types and stages will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and dementia.

This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in patients with dementia of various types. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed and factors specific to assessment of patients with dementia will be discussed, including the impact of neurological changes, cognitive decline, and care-resistant behaviors on swallow function.

This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for treatment strategies for dysphagia in patients with dementia. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for patients with dementia will be highlighted, including dietary strategies and techniques to reduce care-resistant behaviors.

This chapter will provide an overview of end-of-life care for the dysphagia clinician. Palliative and hospice care models, cancer cachexia, and dehydration in dying patients will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of swallowing at end of life.

This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in patients at end of life. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment of these patients will be discussed, including caregiver burden and the role of non-oral feeding in actively dying patients.

This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for management strategies for patients at end of life. Management techniques that have been specifically targeted for these patients will be highlighted, including strategies for oral care and comfort, techniques to support nutrition, and alternatives to tube feeding for dying patients.

This chapter will provide an overview of COPD for the dysphagia clinician. Respiratory functions, breathing/swallow coordination, aspiration risk, and the associations between COPD and GERD will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and the respiratory disorders.

This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in COPD. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment will be discussed, including the potential impacts of respiratory rate, respiratory muscle function, breathing/swallow coordination, and dyspnea on swallow function.

This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for treatment strategies for dysphagia in COPD. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for patients with COPD will be highlighted, including management of respiratory demand and endurance issues, management of dyspnea, and diet strategies. The role of exercise in patients with COPD and dysphagia will also be discussed.