What is dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing?
Any subjective or objective patient complaint of trouble swallowing, coughing, choking or inability to safely handle food or secretions. FAQ’s on Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing with Sensory Testing (FEESST): What is FEESST? FEESST is an alternative test to the X-ray test of swallowing that uses a specifically designed endoscope in order to assess both the SENSORY and MOTOR components of the swallow. FEESST is a two part test. The first part of the test assesses sensation in the larynx in order to illicit an airway protective reflex. The second part of the test involves giving food to the patient (with green food coloring mixed in) and watching/ tracking where the food travels in the throat region. What medical devices does FEESST utilize? A specially designed endoscope that contains a small hollow opening or port. Through the port, pulses of air are administered from a device called the Air Pulse Sensory Stimulator.The other components include a VCR, a monitor, a camera,
