Tongue-Tied: Swallowing Tongue During A Stroke, Possible?

It is not possible to swallow your tongue, despite this being a common misconception. The tongue is a muscle that is firmly attached to the mouth by tissue called the lingual frenulum, which connects the base of the tongue to the bottom of the mouth and lower jaw. However, during a stroke, a person may experience swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, which can lead to poor nutrition, pneumonia, and even death if left untreated.

It is not possible to swallow your tongue

The myth that a person can swallow their tongue is a common misconception. It may stem from the fact that when a person has a seizure, or suddenly falls unconscious, their tongue can fall back into their mouth and block their airway, making it difficult to breathe. This is sometimes referred to as "swallowing the tongue". However, it is important to note that it is not possible to physically swallow the tongue.

If someone is unconscious or struggling while sleeping with sleep apnea, it is crucial to ensure that they are not lying on their back. This can help prevent the tongue from falling back and blocking the airway. If someone is having a seizure, it is also important to place them in the recovery position on their side to prevent the tongue from blocking their throat.

In the context of a stroke, swallowing problems are common, with up to three-quarters of stroke survivors experiencing some form of difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). This can lead to serious complications such as poor nutrition, pneumonia, and even death from aspiration pneumonia. However, it is important to note that these swallowing difficulties are not the same as swallowing the tongue, which is not possible.

A stroke can cause a swallowing disorder called dysphagia

It is not possible to swallow your tongue. The tongue is a muscle that is firmly attached to the mouth by a tissue called the lingual frenulum. This connection prevents people from swallowing their tongue. However, the term "swallowing the tongue" is sometimes used to refer to the tongue falling back towards the throat, blocking the airway. This can occur during a seizure, while unconscious, or when sleeping with sleep apnea.

While it is not possible to swallow your tongue, a stroke can cause a swallowing disorder called dysphagia. Dysphagia affects up to three-quarters of stroke survivors and can have significant impacts on their health and quality of life. It occurs when the stroke damages the parts of the brain that control swallowing. Dysphagia can lead to poor nutrition, pneumonia, and disability if not identified and managed properly.

Aspiration is a common problem for people with dysphagia. It happens when swallowed food or liquid enters the airway and lungs, which can cause coughing and choking. In some cases, aspiration may occur silently without any obvious signs. This can be dangerous as it can lead to pneumonia if left untreated.

There are several signs that may indicate a person is having difficulty swallowing:

• Coughing during or after eating or drinking
• Frequent throat clearing after eating or drinking
• A wet or gurgly voice during or after eating or drinking
• Feeling like something is stuck in the throat or chest after swallowing
• Needing extra time or effort to chew or swallow
• Food or liquid leaking from the mouth
• Difficulty breathing after meals

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice. A speech-language pathologist can evaluate your swallowing function and recommend appropriate treatments or modifications to your diet.

Tongue exercises can help improve swallowing function after a stroke

Swallowing problems are very common after a stroke, with up to three-quarters of stroke survivors experiencing some form of difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia. Tongue exercises can help improve swallowing function after a stroke and are often prescribed by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) as part of a treatment plan.

Swallowing is a complicated task that requires the brain to coordinate the movement of many different muscles. If a stroke damages the parts of the brain that control swallowing, it will affect an individual's ability to swallow. In addition, other effects of a stroke, such as impaired arm or hand movement, facial muscle paralysis, or balance issues, can also make swallowing difficult.

Dysphagia is a condition characterized by difficulty swallowing. It can lead to serious complications such as choking or aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when food or liquid enters the lungs. Dysphagia can also lead to poor nutrition and weight loss if individuals are unable to consume enough food and nutrients. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia are crucial.

Tongue exercises can help improve swallowing function by increasing tongue strength and mobility. The tongue plays a crucial role in chewing and swallowing food, so maximizing its range of motion through stretching and strengthening exercises can improve an individual's ability to swallow.

Examples of tongue exercises

• Stick out your tongue and move it to the left, holding for a few seconds, then return to the center. Repeat on the right side. Repeat this cycle 10 times.
• Push the tongue against the top of the mouth, where the front teeth connect to the palate. Hold for a few seconds, then release. Repeat 5 times.
• Touch the tip of your tongue to the top of your mouth, where the teeth meet the inside. Slide your tongue back about an inch, then push it upward, hold for a few seconds, and release. Repeat 5 times.
• Curl your tongue back towards the back of your mouth as far as possible, hold for a few seconds, and repeat 5 times.

When to seek help

If you or someone you know is experiencing swallowing difficulties after a stroke, it is important to seek help from a healthcare professional, such as a speech-language pathologist. They can assess the specific swallowing problems and prescribe appropriate tongue and swallowing exercises to improve function and reduce the risk of complications.

The recovery position can prevent the tongue from blocking the airway

It is not possible to swallow your tongue. The tongue is a muscle that is firmly attached to the mouth by tissue called the frenulum linguae. However, the tongue can fall back and block the throat, causing difficulty breathing. This can happen during a seizure, while unconscious, or when sleeping on one's back with sleep apnea. In these situations, it is important to move the person into the recovery position to prevent the tongue from blocking the airway.

The recovery position is a crucial step in first aid for seizures, unconsciousness, or sleep apnea. Here are the steps to put someone in the recovery position:

• Kneel next to the person.
• Extend the person's nearest arm out from their body, with the palm facing upward.
• Place the person's opposite arm so that their hand is on the cheek on the nearest side of their face.
• Keeping the nearest leg straight, lift the other knee and bend it.
• Use that bent knee as a lever to roll the person onto their side.
• Move the bent knee upward into a running position to stabilize them.
• Check that the tongue has fallen forward and that they are breathing normally.

The recovery position helps to ensure that the tongue does not block the throat, allowing the person to breathe more easily. It is important to act quickly and follow these steps if you are ever in a situation where someone is having a seizure, is unconscious, or is struggling to breathe due to sleep apnea.

Additionally, it is important to note that it is a common myth that you should put something in a person's mouth during a seizure to prevent them from swallowing their tongue. This is not true, and doing so can be dangerous and cause choking. Instead, focus on helping the person into the recovery position and follow other first aid guidelines for seizures or unconsciousness.

Aspiration is a common problem for people with dysphagia

It is not possible to swallow your tongue. However, a stroke can cause swallowing problems, known as dysphagia, in almost half of people who experience one. This is due to the brain damage impairing the complex coordination of muscles required for swallowing.

Dysphagia can also lead to poor nutrition and disability. If a person cannot swallow safely, they may not be allowed to eat until a speech-language pathologist has evaluated their swallowing ability. Adequate nutrition is essential, and if it is not safe for a person to swallow, a feeding tube may be required.

There are several precautions that can help people with dysphagia swallow more safely, including:

• Sitting up straight when eating or drinking
• Modifying the texture of food, such as softening, chopping or pureeing
• Taking small bites and sips
• Clearing all food from the mouth
• Avoiding distractions to focus on eating

Frequently asked questions