Dysphagia is the medical term for problems associated with swallowing. A person who has dysphagia may notice symptoms such as difficulty getting solids or liquids down, problems swallowing medications, or frequent coughing and choking while eating or drinking. Sometimes, especially in the beginning, a person with dysphagia may be unaware of any symptoms. Without attention, dysphagia can adversely affect quality of life and lead to reduced eating pleasure, and in the extreme, malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia.

We are professionals and lay people who care about increasing awareness of dysphagia and its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. We include a broad scope of interests: individuals who have the condition, doctors, speech-language pathologists and other health professionals, caregivers, families, policy makers, and funders. We have one thing in common—a motivation to improve the quality of life for individuals who have dysphagia. The Network's website is a repository for resources and educational materials about dysphagia.