Not every cough is COVID

Barbara Braithwaite, Safe Swallowing Team • August 31, 2020

Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not diminishing the possibility that a cough may be a symptom of COVID. I’m not a doctor. I do however have 35 years of experience as a speech pathologist, assessing the swallowing function of many, many hundreds, if not thousands, of elderly residents in aged care facilities or being looked after at home.

 

Caring for our elderly is a big responsibility. Coughing during, immediately or some time after any oral intake, can and frequently does represent a swallowing issue, also known as Dysphagia. The cough is the body’s protective mechanism to stop whatever was consumed from heading into the airways. We definitely don’t want food or fluid in the airways because it can cause choking, infection even life-threatening pneumonia.

 

No one wants any of those outcomes.

 

Knowing what to look for to help identify a swallowing problem is essential in caring for our elderly population. Swallowing issues can be managed. Education is such an easy step to take.


Why not take it now, to reduce your worry or doubt. Take the Course

Enjoying Every Sip and Mouthful

By Barbara Braithwaite • December 12, 2023
As the festive season approaches, regardless of our background and culture, many of us take the opportunity to catch up with family and friends.

No ‘one size fits all’: is technology enough to address loneliness?

By Barbara Braithwaite • November 30, 2023
There are limitless benefits to the rapidly increasing use of technology across all ages. Research into high usage suggests social isolation can be an unwanted ‘side effect’.

Reducing Risk in Aged Care

By Barbara Braithwaite • November 23, 2023
I read an interesting article a short while ago by Nick Burnett MD Team Teach Australia & New Zealand about minimising restrictive practices and reducing risk for all in aged care, but of course this can be implemented more widely.
More Posts
Share by: