Help for Patients with Swallowing Problems and Voice Issues
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal cancer, and neck and esophageal surgeries can cause difficulty swallowing. Sometimes reflux also changes a person’s voice. To diagnose swallowing problems and help patients better manage these symptoms, the AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa has a Voice and Swallowing Center.
While the ability to swallow may seem effortless, it is a very complex process. Roughly 50 pairs of muscles and many nerves work to move food from the mouth to the stomach. Swallowing disorders, also called dysphagia, can affect your ability to eat, drink or take medicine. Dysphagia can also put you at risk for serious health consequences.
Symptoms of a swallowing disorder can include:
A feeling that food is getting stuck in the throat
Pain or discomfort while eating or drinking
Coughing during eating or immediately afterward
Having a wet or gurgly voice
Work Closely with an Expert Speech-Language Pathologist
The Voice and Swallowing Center is led by a speech-language pathologist, a trained professional who helps patients regain function of their mouths and throats. In evaluating patients, Cory O'Brien, AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa’s speech-language pathologist observes how their muscles work when they swallow. She often performs special tests to see inside their throats and works closely with gastroenterologists to create care plans if dysphagia is caused by underlying issues with the digestive tract. Cory also helps patients relearn how to swallow and speak as well as possible.
Treatments provided at the Voice and Swallowing Center include:
Teaching patients how to perform specialized exercises that improve muscle movement
Helping patients discover eating and drinking positions and strategies that make swallowing easier
Finding out with patients which specific food and liquid textures are easier for them to swallow
Many times, working with a speech-language pathologist can fully restore patients’ abilities to eat and drink so they can enjoy food as much as they did before their injuries or conditions.
Are you in need of treatment for an esophageal condition and want to find out if minimally invasive surgery could help you? Call the AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa at Call813-615-7030 for an appointment.
Mickle Center for Reflux and Esophageal Disorders
7 items. To interact with these items, press Control-Option-Shift-Right Arrow
Esophageal Cancer
Typically esophageal cancer requires surgery in addition to radiation and chemotherapy. Learn more about the surgical treatments our specialists can provide.
The experienced surgeons at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa offer effective and permanent treatment for achalasia. Learn more about these treatment options.
AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa is a regional top provider of care for acid reflux: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux.
The gastroenterologists and surgeons at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa provide leading-edge treatment for Barrett’s esophagus. Learn more today.
Recover Faster With Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery
All the surgeons at the Digestive Health Institute (DHI) at AdventHealth Tampa have a large depth of experience in offering minimally invasive surgery.
5 items. To interact with these items, press Control-Option-Shift-Right Arrow. These items are in a slider. To advance slider forward, press Shift-Command-Right Arrow. To advance slider backward, press Shift-Command-Left Arrow.
Surgical Consultations For Digestive Cancer Without The Wait
Appointments Within Five Days for Patients with Cancer
At AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa, we know that after being diagnosed with cancer, patients want and often need to begin treatment quickly. So we make it a priority to offer appointments for cancer surgery consultations within five business days, and often earlier.
Patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer, or have just found out they have cancer again, qualify for this priority access. Our surgeons will make themselves available to see you right away, even for a second opinion. We want to help you start your treatment as soon as possible.
If you have been diagnosed with a cancer of the digestive system, don’t wait.
Call the Digestive Health Institute at 813-615-7030.
3 items. To interact with these items, press Control-Option-Shift-Right Arrow. These items are in a slider. To advance slider forward, press Shift-Command-Right Arrow. To advance slider backward, press Shift-Command-Left Arrow.
Our website uses cookies. Please review our privacy policy to find out more about the cookies we use. Browsing our website means you accept these terms.
