Swallow Safely. How Swallowing Problems Threaten the Elderly and Others. A Caregiver's Guide Dysphagia: Recognition, Treatment, and Prevention (Second Edition)

Many people these days know about the dangers of falling in the elderly. Falls account for nearly 20,000 deaths annually in the United States. But did you know that swallowing problems are just as dangerous -- if not more so? They, too, take tens of thousands of lives every year through choking, pneumonia, dehydration, and malnutrition.

SWALLOW SAFELY seeks to erase this knowledge gap. It presents in clear, non-technical language (with illustrations) how swallowing works normally, how things can go wrong, what symptoms to watch out for, how to get help, how to prevent swallowing problems, and what treatments are available. It is written primarily for caregivers of older persons with swallowing problems (dysphagia) and others with medical and neurologic problems such as stroke, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and Alzheimer disease often associated with swallowing problems Appendices include a Letter For Your Doctor and Suggestions For Safe Swallowing.

The Second Edition has been updated through 2016 and includes an extensive, reader-friendly Index. Speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy students will find the book especially useful, as will nursing and physician assistant students.