Dysphagia in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case Report

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative motor neuron disease, which has symptoms of bulbar origin as dysphagia. Dysphagia can be slow and barely noticeable beginning; however, the presence of speech-language therapy in the team that meets this patient, early diagnosis can generate. The immediate onset of therapy has the goal of maintaining standards of breathing and swallowing for longer.

Objective: To describe the importance of speech-language therapist in the team that assists the patient with ALS for early diagnosis of dysphagia.

Case Report: In an outpatient speech-language therapy, that works together to an outpatient neurology, received that referral of two patients, 81-year-old man and 68-year-old woman diagnosed with ALS, respectively, 6 and 1 years ago, yet no complaint dysphagia. However, in sensory oral motor and direct swallowing evaluation was possible to diagnose mild dysphagia in these patients. Initiated so speech-language therapy that after a month of service plus the miofunctional exercises at home was possible a better performance with protective compensatory swallowing maneuvers to be identified, in both cases accompanied.

Conclusion: The introduction of speech-language action in teams care of ALS provides early detection of changes in swallowing, breathing, and speaking, as well as promotes improved quality of life through the application of protective and technical maneuvers targeted to therapeutic sensory and motor integration.

Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, deglutition disorders, rehabilitation.