A changed voice or trouble swallowing after a crash needs a check
A speech language pathologist and an ear, nose and throat specialist on eating and talking safely
A breathing tube can leave you with a sore throat or a voice that sounds different. Swallowing problems can also show up after an injury to the head, neck or nerves. A speech language pathologist checks how safely food and drinks pass through your throat. When needed, an ear, nose and throat specialist examines the voice box and looks for damage to its structure. Describe these symptoms to your team instead of assuming they’ll go away. [1, 2, 3]
Pay attention to each sip and bite
Tell your care team if you cough, choke or keep clearing your throat during or after meals. Also mention a voice that sounds wet or gurgly at those times. Report food that feels stuck, pain when you swallow or meals that take much longer than they used to. These can be signs of a swallowing problem. If food or liquid goes into your airway, it can cause serious trouble, including pneumonia. [1, 2]
If you were given a special food texture or thickened liquids, keep to that plan until your team changes it. Don’t try to wash stuck food down with water. If symptoms continue or come back, ask for a swallowing evaluation. Your team may do an exam at your bedside or a test that shows how your swallow works. [1, 2]
Track voice changes on their own
A rough, weak or breathy voice may come from irritation after a breathing tube was placed. It may also come from an injury to the voice box or the nerves that control it. Write down when the change started and whether it’s getting better. Hoarseness that lasts, especially past four weeks, should be checked. Get an urgent exam for trouble breathing or noisy breathing. [3]
Eat more safely while you wait for advice
Sit up straight, go slowly and use only the eating techniques a clinician has taught you. If you keep coughing or choking, stop eating and ask for guidance. Call emergency services if food is stuck in the airway and you can’t breathe. If swallowing is so hard that you can’t drink enough fluids, get medical advice promptly. [1, 2]
- Do I need a swallowing evaluation or an exam of my voice box?
- Which foods and drinks are safe for me right now?
- What symptom means I should stop eating and call?
Describe one meal in detail
Sources and further reading
This overview draws on speech language pathology and ear, nose and throat care for general education. Choking with trouble breathing is an emergency. Follow any food or liquid instructions you were given.
Keep learning
Safe Driving Resource Center
Guides, self-checks and articles for drivers, parents of new drivers, and families recovering after a crash.
