Clinical tips: swallowing difficulties

From crushing to patients who have had bariatric surgery, pharmacists need to keep up to date when dealing with swallowing issues, writes Karalyn Huxhagen  Difficulty in swallowing causes may include the following: Infection Neuromuscular Stroke Impaired consciousness of the patient Mechanical e.g. strictures, tumours/ulcers in the swallowing pathway Patient inability to perform swallowing task e.g.