Swallowing News and Research

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New study links gestational age to malnutrition in cerebral palsy

Malnutrition is a common concern in children with cerebral palsy (CP), a condition that can affect movement, feeding, swallowing, and independence.

28 Aug 2026

Cellular glue protein found to help clear away dead cells

A protein which sticks cells and tissues together has been found to have a surprising second job: helping cells which are packed into a continuous sealed layer, also known as epithelial cells, engulf nearby dead cells.

27 Aug 2026

New review examines why tetanus remains a global health problem

Tetanus is often considered a disease of the past, remembered mainly through childhood vaccinations and warnings about rusty nails.

20 Aug 2026

Two microscopic parasites cause widespread diarrheal illness across America

You've seen the alarming headlines about parasites causing "explosive diarrhea" across the U.S. Two microscopic parasites – cyclospora cayetanensis and cryptosporidium – can both cause prolonged gastrointestinal illness, including watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and dehydration.

24 Jul 2026

Simple changes to surgical tools may reduce swallowing complications after neck surgery

Rice University mechanical engineers and Baylor College of Medicine neurosurgeons have identified simple changes to surgical tools that could reduce strain on the esophagus and potentially lower the risk of swallowing difficulties after neck surgery.

21 Jul 2026

Drinking more water with meals may lead people to eat more

In two randomized crossover studies involving 86 adults, greater water consumption and more frequent switching between bites and sips were associated with higher food and energy intake during beef chili and chicken tikka masala meals. The exploratory secondary analysis cannot establish causality, but it challenges the assumption that drinking water during a meal necessarily curbs eating.

20 Jul 2026

Study reveals why rare neurological disease damages specific brain regions

Many neurological diseases damage specific parts of the brain, even though the harmful protein involved is present throughout the brain.

20 Jul 2026

Study links chronic xanthan gum consumption to colon inflammation

Xanthan gum is found almost everywhere. This food additive has thickening, stabilizing, and gelling properties and is one of the most widely used by the food industry to adjust the consistency of ice cream, yogurt, cakes, sauces, and gluten-free pasta.

13 Jul 2026

Advancing Motor Neuron Disease Diagnosis with Non-Invasive Ultrasound and AI

Research led by Professor Hodson-Tole combines ultrasound and AI to improve motor neuron disease diagnosis, reducing reliance on invasive procedures.

6 Jul 2026

New international certification program launched to improve stroke rehabilitation

A UTHealth Houston neurologist was among a group of two dozen healthcare professionals from across the globe who developed an international certification program designed to improve rehabilitation care among stroke survivors.

3 Jul 2026

Nerve stimulation methods provide safe relief for oropharyngeal dysphagia

Dysphagia, a severe comorbidity of many neurological diseases, often lacks targeted therapies. This critical review assessed the clinical effectiveness and safety of electrical stimulation of cranial nerves for treating dysphagia, including implantable (direct nerve stimulation), minimally invasive (pharyngeal electrical stimulation, PES), and non‑invasive (transcutaneous) approaches.

30 Jun 2026

Electroacupuncture at Lianquan point restores post-stroke swallowing function

Swallowing is a complex act requiring precise coordination of the mouth, throat, and voice box. After a stroke, damage to the brain's motor cortex can disrupt swallowing-related neural commands, leaving patients unable to clear food or liquid from their throat safely.

23 Jun 2026

Simple probiotic may treat acid reflux and prevent cancer

Patients with acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid pushes up into the esophagus, know the symptoms all too well: heartburn, belching, chest pain and trouble swallowing.

3 Jun 2026

Specialized care helps child thrive despite chronic swallowing disorder

Today, 11-year-old Logan Fitzpatrick of Malverne, New York, spends his time playing baseball, practicing tae kwon do, painting, and cheering on the Mets and the Islanders.

22 May 2026

Pregnancy not linked to increased myasthenia gravis flare-up risk

For female participants with myasthenia gravis, pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of serious flare-ups of the disease, or new or worsening symptoms, according to a study published May 13, 2026, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

13 May 2026

Study challenges structural explanation for gut symptoms in hEDS patients

A study, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, has found that persistent and distressing upper gut symptoms experienced by people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), are not due to structural problems with the gullet (esophagus), as previously assumed.

13 May 2026

Antibodies targeting GPNMB may slow Parkinson's disease progression

Monoclonal antibodies can block a key immune‑related protein that drives the spread of brain cell damage in Parkinson's disease (PD).

12 May 2026

Pneumonia occurs more often after breathing tube removal than during ventilation

A Hiroshima University study of more than 31,000 patients found that pneumonia occurred more often after breathing tubes were removed than during ventilation, with most cases developing within a 1–2 week window after surgery.

8 May 2026

Children face lasting challenges after caustic esophageal injury surgery

Caustic ingestion remains a serious pediatric health problem, especially in domestic settings where corrosive substances may be improperly stored.

7 May 2026

Dangerous water bead ingestions increase among young children

A new study reveals that ingestions of water beads by young children have surged in recent years. Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Central Ohio Poison Center analyzed calls to U.S. poison centers and found an alarming 6,532% increase in the rate of reported water bead ingestions among children younger than 6 years from 2019 to 2023, followed by a 24% decrease from 2023 to 2024.

30 Apr 2026