Swallowing Awareness Day 2025
Swallowing Awareness Day 2025, held on Wednesday 19 March, is an important national campaign led by Speech Pathology Australia aimed at educating the community about dysphagia.
What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is a condition that affects a person’s ability to safely swallow food and liquids. It can impact individuals of any age, from infants through to older adults, and may result from various conditions, including stroke, neurological disorders, cancers, dementia, and even natural aging processes.
Signs and symptoms of dysphagia include:
- Coughing or choking when eating or drinking
- Recurrent chest infections
- Difficulty initiating a swallow
- A sensation of food being stuck in the throat
- Unexplained weight loss or dehydration
Why is Swallowing Awareness Day important?
Swallowing Awareness Day provides an opportunity to highlight the significance of early recognition and management of dysphagia. Prompt diagnosis and intervention by a speech and language pathologist can significantly improve a person’s quality of life, preventing complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia.
How speech and language pathologists can help
Speech and language pathologists play a critical role in the assessment and management of dysphagia. They provide tailored interventions and strategies to help individuals swallow safely, maintain adequate nutrition, and enhance their quality of life. Treatment approaches can include dietary modifications, exercises to strengthen swallowing muscles, and techniques to improve swallowing safety.
Get involved in Swallowing Awareness Day 2025
Here’s how you can participate and raise awareness:
- Educate yourself and others: Learn more about dysphagia and share information within your community or online.
- Join events: Attend local workshops or webinars held by speech pathologists and healthcare providers.
- Support someone experiencing dysphagia: If you know someone with swallowing difficulties, encourage them to seek professional advice from a speech pathologist.
By spreading awareness about dysphagia and its impacts, we can help ensure that more individuals receive timely support and intervention.
Join us in recognising Swallowing Awareness Day 2025 and contribute to improving the lives of those affected by swallowing difficulties.
For more information, visit the Speech Pathology Australia website.
