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Table 3 Dysphagia classification, description of disorders and symptoms
| Type of dysphagia | Disorder | Symptom |
|---|---|---|
| Neurogenic dysphagia in the vegetative state | Typical of patients who present a permanent vegetative state | |
| Neurogenic dysphagia from cognitive/behavioural deficit | Patients whose cognitive/behavioural deficits have a decisive effect on their ability to feed by mouth | |
| Neurogenic dysphagia for fluids | Patients are able to eat by mouth with a free diet | These patients present dysphagia for fluids and it is essential to introduce thickened liquids, with Aquagel, through parenteral or enteral therapy (NG-tube or PEG). |
| Mixed neurogenic dysphagia | Patients are not able to safely take more than one consistency | Patients who are fed with a semisolid diet and take thickened liquids, with Aquagel or through parenteral or enteral therapy (NG-tube or PEG) fall into this category. |
| Neurogenic dysphagia for solids | Patients are fed with a semisolid diet and fluids are administered by mouth | The subject cannot eat foods with a solid consistency due to inability to chew, difficulty in forming the bolus or inhalation. Dysphagia must be determined by a neurological and not a mechanical deficit. |
