Swallow: A Documentary - Dysphagia 

I'm blubbering like a baby right now. I'm a Speech Path student and this is what I want to do. This is what I need to do. I need to help people and I need to make a difference in people's quality of life. God give me the strength and ability to travel this path and use the life you gave me to help those around me.

I’m 29 years old and am extremely underweight at 90lbs. I am living off of nutritional shakes and water. No solid foods whatsoever. The fear of choking and vomiting are real and I can’t seem to conquer it. This just breaks my heart seeing people go through through this like me. It’s frustrating. I just want solid foods again. It just feels like a never ending pattern. No one understands unless they have gone through it or are helping others going through it. 💔

I was just diagnosed with dysphagia I started to eat puree foods but then I thought about it,,, puree foods ? Why do we have teeth? to chew So I don't puree my food anymore I just chew it real good with some gravy or some kinda sauce its actually tastier. And I love puddings and tapioca so my food really hasn't changed too much let's all look on the brighter side of things we can do this 👍keep your hope up . I know people have worse dysphagia so enjoy the things you can eat even if it's a lil . We all have to live and wake up everyday cherish each day with our loved ones. don't let it get you down people trust God to see you through each day and live 1 day at a time. Jesus said don't worry 1 day has enough worry of its own don't think about tomorrows problems live day by day and don't let it stop you from enjoying life eat out with friends just explain to them your condition trust me they understand and order what you can eat and enjoy their company it's not all about food but being with the ones you love and the beautiful day God has made. God bless you prayers are with you 🙏

This documentary tells an amazing story! You don’t realize how important swallowing is. People don’t realize how privileged they are to be able to swallow! It’s great how much support from all the different types of therapist’s people with dysphagia can partake in to improve their condition. It must be very frustrating for them not be able to swallow on their own. These people are extremely strong, brave and should keep up the hard work. I believe one day there will be a solution.

Ty so much for making this video I have been suffering for over 25 years now. Gone through dozens of surgeries all to end up failing. Now surviving off of tpn. And I have grown to hate the medical field they wronged me over and over. Yet they still dont get how hard life is when you cant eat and swallow.

This makes me cry so much. I've always had problems swallowing ever since I was 9 and now I'm 23 years old. I feel most of the emotions these people talk about and it makes me feel like I'm not alone even though this disease happens so often yet it is never really talked about. Thank you for whoever made this documentary

I'm a nurse but currently a speech path student and although I've worked in the neuro ward with patients that were post TIAs and strokes I was always just the one stabilizing but never the one doing therapies and actively helping improve their quality of life. I'm so excited to be a part of people's longer journey in their health.

Thank you NFOSD, Steve Rosenfield and Tyler Brown for bringing this story to life. We are on our way to improving the quality of life for all those suffering from swallowing disorders, thanks in large part to your artistic and humanitarian vision.

I’ve had dysphagia for 4 months and it really makes me want to end it all

I've had mild Dysphagia since I had a very nasty cough several years ago. I think it was due to a dislocation of the Hyoid bone, which I have to keep popping back into place everytime it happens. Dysphagia isn't something i'd wish on anybody. My heart goes out to those who are incapable of swallowing at all.

Thank you to whoever did this video. It is so important. My teen son had dysphagia caused by a dysfunction in the muscle by his pharynx. So many people in his life, family and friends, would dismiss it as a stress related or emotional problem, despite the fact that he lost a lot of weight. Luckily doctors did not dismiss it. He had surgery a few months ago which has helped a lot.

This documentary means a great deal to me. I started having swallowing troubles 2 years ago, and 8 weeks ago I lost the ability to take in solids, even purees. Some days are better than others, and sometimes just getting liquids in is a struggle. I only have one meal replacement that will go down, and it has very few calories b/c protein and fats choke me. I am struggling to stay off of feeding tubes. I have lost 15 pounds. My gastro said to do everything to avoid it b/c they come with great risks. I don't have control over how much I can eat though so it is very frustrating at times. But I find my happiness each day, and look for the good in every day :) I remain hopeful. I have 6 children that need me so I will do all I can to stay well. This documentary is helping me spread awareness. Thanks :)

Im suffering from thus due to anxiety and stress. You dont realise how stress can affect you in such a physical way until its too late. Relax, worry as little as you can and enjoy every bite of your food. I wish I had realised before :(

I'm 11 years old and I started the problem one week I guess. I'm crying right now. All I could to is pray to God!!!😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😷😷😷😷😷😷😵😵😵😵😵😵😿😿😿😿😿

I'm in tears. Having this sucks. I feel awful for the child.

I know this feeling since I was 14 due to really aweful acid reflux. I've lost weight to where I was skin and bones. I was to afraid to eat in public and all I can think about is being normal like anyone else. I have this on and off and now I force myself to eat even though my throat is raw. I have fears that I'll get choke or the food will go down the wrong "pipe". It's a horrible condition to have. All I have to say is to keep going and move forward.

Beautiful! This film tells the story of people grappling with this disability, all the while putting a real human face to their suffering. Thank you for honoring those people and for making a film that is so true and ultimately so hopeful!

Im a Speech Path student and this is one of our primary focus. It's sad that a disorder that is so common is so invisible.

Thank you so much for making this, I got my j-tube (it's name is Jerome) last year after years of fighting with doctors and 5 aspiration pneumonias. My dysphagia stems from a genetic disorder I have called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and a secondary condition called Dysautonomia, neither have treatments or cures. With a lot of work I've found ways to make life easier with Jerome and am so thankful that I'm getting some of the best nutrition possible. This video sums it up so well...

Thanks Dr. Belfasky and everyone else who was involved in the making of this film. As a medical speech pathologist, I concur with the underappreciation of this disability not just in the medical profession but in the community as well. May this short film be one of many to bring this symptom to light and in turn push for more funding to find better solutions.

Thank you to whomever created this documentary and for posting it. I am a graduate student studying speech language pathology. I am currently in my Dysphagia class. Learning the material is extremely dense but watching this documentary reminds me of my WHY to keep studying and seek real understanding about Dysphagia, and how to help others with it. It's puts so much into perspective. I may share this with my professor so for next years cohort - she can have them watch this documentary and truly understand the importance to have knowledge in this class.

😔😭😩I'm so sorry that these types of issues literally disable babies, kids, etc. It's heart wrenching to see how much they suffer.

I am a Speech Pathologist. This was so informational and I appreciate this documentary so much. Kudos to everyone involved and to the momma of Ryder, Ryder and his family.... you are doing a wonderful job. You are an inspiration to other families. It's not easy. All the hard work pays off... I PROMISE!!!

All nursing students should watch this! Very informative and moving- thanks for making this, and my positive thoughts go out to all the patients who are dealing with dysphagia.

I had no idea about this problem ....what a horrible situation. It definitely makes you think about our own lives and how we take things for granted. The documentary is very nicely done, the photography is excellent (as always) and it flows very well ....15 minutes go very fast. Trevor's song is beautiful ....and it works very well in context. I will pass it along and try to spread the word to make people aware of it....!! Congratulations on your job.

Thanks! I have it due to complications from a cervical spine surgery. Opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed. Thanks for getting this out there!

thank you for creating this video. I suffer from dysphagia from a brain injury from a virus for over 12 years.

This video is such a great resource - we learned so much - and will share! Thank you!

amazing. The topic, people and this film are amazing. Thank you for making it!

I recently been having problems eating but my doctors have no idea what it could be- not eating for over a month and was on a feeding line i searched this to seek answers and this has been a blessing maybe i can ask about this...thank you so much and for all those suffering my heart goes out to you and your family.

Thank you for sharing your stories ... Very personal stuff ... Makes me very thankful for my *normal* day. Will think twice before I complain about the small stuff!

Thinking of all the families struggling and working towards their loved one's potential!

im a speech pathology student and i'm watching this for a class and it's breaking my heart but it's also so motivating for me. i'm really excited to be in this field and help people in the future :) i want to work with kids too so this video is really moving, thank you for sharing

Such a great video video to raise awareness! As an SLP major, this was so touching.

I have Trouble Swallowing Food myself its a Horrible feeling - I feel sorry for the small child

i had no idea... it was like this...:( to all those that particapated in this.... thank you for opening up.

I’m here because I am a caregiver for someone who has level 3 dysphasia. She’s the first I’ve known. Thanks for this documentary I have a way better understanding.

Thanks very much for your dedication and effort to making this film a reality! I had not previously realized the intensity of dysphagia cases, and do suffer from a mild case of this myself. I'm 27 years old, and about 1 year ago I began experiencing a choking sensation upon swallowing. I was baffled as to what could be causing this. I eat a plant based diet and consider myself to be in good health. However, this condition has been interfering with my life quite a bit over the past year. I have had my throat checked by an ENT and he says this is related to GERD. I do have some heartburn-type symptoms, so I believe I can heal the issue. I am trying various different therapies on my own; adjusting my diet, removing processed food and increasing nutrient dense juices and fruits, increasing oxygenation in my body and stimulation of the vagus nerve using the Wim Hof method, introduction of cardiovascular stimulating exercise, not consuming food 3-4 hours before sleep, and working to reduce the amount of stress and anxiety in my life. I understand that not all cases of dysphagia are mild, and that those shown in this documentary are the severe side of the spectrum. For those suffering this condition in relation to GERD/heartburn/diet, I do believe there is remedy available, and that gives me hope. I pass this hope to you and wish you all the very best on your healing journeys!

This video made me tear up because I know I'm not the only one who suffers with this disorder. I'm 23 years old. I've had severe acid reflux for a couple of months it started the week after valentines day(2014) I started having swallowing issues. I've seen a GI specialist because many doctors from the E.R said it could be from having GERD a lot which is what I told them I've been having. I had an endoscopy done in March and my throat and stomach looked good and my doctor couldn't understand what caused dysphagia. He thought it was obesity which caused my acid reflux to cause the Dysphagia and at the time I wasn't that large in size. My throat was dilated for the Dysphagia during my endoscopy it helped for a month and I went back to a liquid diet. I was given medicine for my acid reflux and took it twice a day. I was just eating baby food and tried to drink lots of water. I lost so much weight and was always dehydrated. I was so depressed that this happened to me. I would blame myself and feel sorry for myself. I would stay home a lot and didn't want to be seen in public. I couldn't eat while driving in a vehicle I would get so nervous and this would happen too when I'm eating at a restaurant. I felt like I had to eat alone in order not to choke which was what I did. I wouldn't eat when I'm around people. I chew so slow, it would take an hour to eat something so small. I drank so much water while I ate and got full so quickly. A tip I've learned is chew slow take your time and then put water in your mouth and swallow that way your throats not dry it's moist. My sphincter also was hurting throughout this sickness. Usually it hurts once a month. But my family and boyfriend were my biggest encouragement and kept me going throughout my sickness. I progress each day and I can eat certain solid food now and I'm so thankful! I'm a lot more appreciative of swallowing than I was before when I didn't have this disorder. Just keep pushing yourself, pray if it helps, and try to be happy. Don't think negative about your sickness just know it will get better eventually. Do stuff that makes you happy don't let your sickness bring you down. It's a learning experience. I wish everyone to recover with good health and happiness. Remember "You are not your sickness"!

Incredible documentary.

Poor baby, my blessings go out to all.

I'm going on two years with this problem some days are good are some are horrible

My family has OPMD and one of the first symptoms of the adult onset disease is dysphagia. My dad cannot eat dry foods without a big glass of water to push the bites down. Part of the danger, is aspirating food into the lungs and then getting pneumonia, that's what we worry about the most.

I pray to God they push this to the front & push all resources, studies & research to rapidly improve progress, treatments & therapies.

Dysphasia is hard to deal with some days. The worst is when it affects your speech.Please be compassionate people. I'm not a threat.

@Bsmalls808 so sorry to hear that. I hope he's seeking the proper treatment and his spirits are lifted soon.

AWESOME VIDEO REMINDS EVERYONE TO STAY HUMBLE... MY FAV VIDEO ON RU-vid!!!!!!!!!!!

Dysphagia is caused by the upper esophogeal sphincter not functioning properly, whereas Achalasia is caused by the lower esphogeal sphincter not functioning properly (opening). Though opposite sphincters, they both cause difficulty with food/drink going down.

awesome video~!

LOVE IT

all the tears!!!

I'm 16 and am currently experiencing all these symptoms, most likely from anxiety and it really has ruined me as a person... I've went from chubby to losing 20 pounds in a week after I had the problem occur

i.m crying for the love of my life we cannot afford the therapy any more.he hates the feeding tube.he wants it out.he has aspiration symptoms.i am afraid he will die of aspiration pneumonia. please pray for us. . i am ashamed to ask for help. \

Im 30, and my ability to swallow food and drink dissapeared 3-4 weeks ago, im un-diagnosed yet, have a barium swallow test in two weeks, up until 3-4 weeks ago i was fine eating, having whatever i wanted then one day i found it hard to swallow, then i choked, now its hard to even drink. Im on liquids only and its ruined my life.

If you cannot manage hot or warm foods might find cold foods better. Something warm on neck can relax the muscles. Ice cold lolli can trigger a swallow.

I once had a dog that accidently suffered some sort of damage to his throat after going in for knee surgery. We suspect the intabation tube was too big; but anyway, after the surgery, he could not eat anything solid without vomiting this foamy stuff he would choke on if someone did not interveine and litteraly reach down and pull it from his throat. We had to grind up his food and mix it with water and had to be a certian texture and consistancy if he was to keep it down.

I've had dysphagia for about 5 years now. About a year ago I discovered a way for me to swallow food using an inversion table. After chewing my food I lean back on the inversion table to the point where I'm slightly in an upside down position and that allows the food to fall to the back of my throat making it possible for me to swallow. However this method only works for food and not liquids.

I know this video is from 9 years ago. My swallowing troubles began suddenly 2 years ago. I then was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis but despite treatment for it my swallowing has continued to worsen. I am now at liquids. A tuna can from Aldi requires 2 L of water and I always risk choking so I just have found it's not worth it. There is more to life than food though that's what you learn. Right now I am just hoping I never have to get a feeding tube. I've put on weight which is good but I won't have an easy time if I start to have issues with clear liquids. And I'm only 29 (just turned 29) and that scares me as I know not being able to drink water is the last step for me if I continue to get worse. Then I'll basically be on life support. I know some people with feeding tubes can still sometimes drink but for me I don't think any drink would go in at that point so it would have to be pretty bad for me to get one. The video really resonates with me especially socializing and how you focus on your swallowing so much. But we can't let it consume us. Work helps keep me occupied. It would be nice to have more extensive videos on this but I know it's so rare and it's quite sad so probably can't watch more than the time here.

Can you please help my mother because i can't afford taking care of her especially now that she's diagnosed with dysphagia 😢

I have this , it's like walking in death.

I am living in a nursing home at 51 years old. I had a stroke and unable to move my left side of my body. I have to be fed through a peg tube. I can't be fed by mouth. But the most disturbing and painful thing about this is I will be like that for the rest of my life, according to the speech therapist.

@sourmelk it was shot on Canon 7d"s

ryder is such a cool kid!

Sometimes I get trouble swallowing and I feel like rigging my throat muscles to an electrical relay station

I started having this problem after quitting marijuana right after I quit my anxiety went through the the roof and I thought that was the cause but it went away but now it's back and It feels like a little ball in my throat every time I swallow I really hope it goes away this is my 4th day literally makes you want to lay in bed all day and forget the world

I really wish someone could help me

My son has being going this over a year now since his car accident not being able to swallow any solids everything must be blender at 30 years old nut doctors cannot find what is wrong with him this is very depressing and frustrating for my son and myself

Mine crept up on me around 11. Now in my 50s. Think it was brought on after emergency stomach pumping at the age of about 7 or 8. Remember gagging badly as the nurses put the tubes down. I think this acted as some kind of mental trigger

The thing is Idk if I have this condition or not bc I’ve been to the ER, doctors, ENT, and Gaslertigious person. But none of them have diagnosed me with this , but swallowing has been difficult for me for like 3 months and my throat gets a lot of build up from salvia, even after I drink water.

My 10 year old has had trouble swallowing since January 9th. We do not know yet why she cannot swallow food. Our next step is seeing a GI specialist. Hoping for answers soon.

what was it shot on?

at first i thought this was a joke, i didnt know this disease existed. i feel ashamed of myself

i agree thus is a dissorder ive had it for years since i was in 5th grade]

I'm scared right now, I was drinking water like crazy because I came from work I do not know if I hurt my throat because I was chugging water quick or maybe I have this! it's been like 4 days and it takes me a little time to swallow food if I don't heal myself I will go to the doctor!

I have Had Swallowing issues at Around 28 Years old , BUT I Was Born with ( Hypotonia ) I Was on a G-Tube as a TINY Baby I still have the Mark of where the Tube was places I'm Having Swallowing issues Every 3 Year's I have to Have my Esophagus Widened Almost 3 Every Year's . It's been Done Twice , and THE Next time The Dr Said He wants me to to Have Another Swallow Study Done . I have ( Recurring Dysphagia ) Swallowing issues happen at Random time, I've been eating Things like Soups , EASY To Swallow foods , Spaghetti O's Mac & Cheese , I had a Swallowing Study when I was 12 Years old , no real issues then , not it's Been happening for a Few Years . My Muscles and Joints are Weaker because of my ( Hypotonia) Is just another Issue that I Was Born with, am Trying to live with .

I have it. Due to SEROQUEL a medicine for depression. I took it for 2 weeks. It is called tardive diskenysia (dysphagia ). I get botox treatment. I live in NJ.

I didn't even know this existed.

I have difficulty swallowing and the docs cannot figure out why just yet. I am miserable and depressed

traduced spanish please...

Mi niña tiene dos años ocno meses y tiene disfajia pero conmo todo esta en inglés no entendi nada deberian de considerar el español gracias

Raw egg yoke I found to be best for Dysphagia it's delicious with sugar mixed in like a cream.

My 2 1/2 yr old CAN swallow. That's the problem. She swallows everything without chewing and many times chokes and vomits. Drs say shel'll grow out of it but n meantime it's heartbreaking. The only thing she eats well is baby food or puréed food. She talks well & very smart. Y can't she just chew! :(

I am not sure whether or not I have dysphagia, but for around 10 years now I have beenexperiencing difficulties in swallowing. When I wake on a morning, the first thing I dois take a sip of water, sometimes it goes straight down ok, often though it takes 3 or 4gulps before it goes down. I eat soggy wheat cereal for breakfast, and I tend to eat onlysoft foods such as scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes and other soft vegetables.Lately though it has gotten worse, and I'm presently struggling to get anything down.For quite some time now, I have had an alcoholic drink before eating to ease the anxietythat I feel when facing eating a meal, and to some extent it helps. However, in the longterm this is only going to add to my problems. I already have a lump between my ribcage, around the size of a small egg, which does not hurt, but sometimes feels tender.I'm afraid to have the swallowing problem checked out because I once choked on atablet as a child, which was very scary. So the thought of anyone forcing a tube downmy gullet really frightens me. Incidently, I always crush pills since that choking incident,and I know it does aggravate the condition, but its the only way I can take my medication. Has anyone else had similar experiences like mine.

I've been having this problem for 2 months now, it sucks, it really does 😢 Edit: 7 months now... it hasn’t gone away and I’m losing a lot of weight so woohooo!!!111!! :’)

The only thing i can mange is ice cream and drink,and even then i still struggle

I used to have this problem but now it is gone I can eat food now 😀😀😀😎

DFTBA!!

Lowercase Noises.... .. .

Hi. If you have an interest in finding our more about your swallow issue, please visit us at nfosd dot com. Or, contact us at info@nfosd.com. Regards, The NFOSD team

I have diffeercult swallowing

Swedish Bitters are cool for swallowing difficulties. If the throat is hot or inflamed, so that food is only swallowed with difficulty, these drops are swallowed slowly, morning, noon and evening and they take away the heat and heal the throat.

DFTBA!

:D :D :D

I look normal I walk normal I talk normal but yet I am on the G tub .

try not swallowing for the whole video ....

I thought dysphagia was only in rabies?

DFTBA!