Management of dysphagia in stroke patients

Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulties, is a common problem in patients affected by stroke and its management is an important aspect of stroke rehabilitation and reducing the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Adequate nutrition and oral hygiene are also important aspects of dysphagia management. Nurses are well informed about the needs of patients and there is a consensus within the profession that they should undergo training to allow them to assess patients' swallow before formal assessments by speech and language therapists. This can ensure patients have adequate fluid and diet intake.