Swallowing function training

  1.Pronunciation training: Since the gag reflex is not random when swallowing disorder, and the internal organs are difficult to approach, from the consideration of pronunciation and speech organs are all related to pharynx, speech can be used for rehabilitation training. If the patient opens his mouth to pronounce the “a” sound, and moves to both sides to pronounce the “yi” sound, and then pronounce the “wu” sound. Patients can also be asked to shrink their lips and then pronounce the “f” sound, like blowing a candle or whistling action. Pronunciation training is usually performed after morning care and after waking up from a nap, with each sound being pronounced 3 times for 5-10 times. Through the opening and closing of the mouth action to promote the movement of the lip muscles.  2.Tongue movement: Ask the patient to open the mouth, extend the tongue forward, then make left and right movements to the corner of the mouth, then lick the lower lip with the tip of the tongue and then turn to lick the upper lip, press the hard palate, make the above movements every 5 min, 3 times a day, respectively in the morning, midday and afternoon. If the patient cannot automatically carry out tongue movement, the nurse can use a tongue depressor or spoon to massage the tongue or ask the patient to use gauze to gently hold the tongue for up and down and left and right movements when the tongue is extended.  3, face, jaw and throat movement: ask the patient to make a smile or frown, open the mouth and then close it, then puff the cheeks, so that the cheeks are filled with gas and then gently exhale, so repeatedly, three times a day. You can also help the patient wash his hands and make finger-sucking movements to contract the cheek and orbicularis muscle movements. By actively or passively moving the patient’s jaw, the patient is instructed to make chewing movements and repeat the exercise 3 times a day. For laryngeal swallowing training, the nurse can place the thumb and index finger lightly on the appropriate position of the patient’s larynx and ask the patient to practice the swallowing action repeatedly.