| Patient's complaint | Physiological impairment |
| Choking on fluids | Poor tongue control for oral manipulation Impaired laryngeal closure Delayed onset of pharyngeal swallow |
| Protracted meal times | Weak chewing Diminished endurance |
| Nasal regurgitation of fluids | Incompetent velopharyngeal mechanism |
| Difficulty getting swallow started | Reduced oral and hypopharyngeal sensation |
| Dry mouth | Reduced or impaired saliva production |
| Solids caught in throat | Weak tongue-driving force Impaired laryngeal excursion fails to open upper esophageal segment |
| Regurgitation or emesis after swallowing | Poor esophageal motility or esophageal obstruction |
| Sour taste in mouth after eating | Gastroesophageal reflux |
| Pain on swallowing | Esophagitis, mucositis, esophageal obstruction |
| Excessive drooling | Reduced frequency or efficiency of swallowing |
| Food sticking in thoracic or chest region | Poor esophageal motility or obstruction |
