Orofacial Deficits

Question 1

Facial Muscle Paresis

Answer 1

• Drooling
• Decreased facial expressiveness
• Inability to blink to provide eye lubrication (ptosis of the eyelid)

Question 2

Treatment for Facial mm Paresis

Answer 2

• Eye protection

- Facial Ex’s

Question 3

Dysphagia

Answer 3

• Swallowing dysfunction
• Drooling
• Difficulty ingesting food
• Aspiration (can lead to atelectasis)
• Pocketing of food within the mouth

Question 4

Treatment for Dysphagia

Answer 4

• Eating and drinking protocols for safety
• Oral stimulation (OT, Speech)
• Ex’s to tongue and facial mm’s
• Cognitive awareness to swallow, chew
• Special Diet
• May require nasal cannula or gastrostomy tube, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy