Eat Safely Again: How Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) Diagnoses Dysphagia
Eating and drinking are essential parts of daily life—but for some people, even swallowing can become difficult. What is usually a simple and automatic action may turn into a stressful experience during meals. This medical condition is known as dysphagia.
When you swallow, your body coordinates a complex sequence of movements to ensure food and liquid move from your mouth into your stomach while staying far away from your lungs. Swallowing difficulties occur when this coordination fails. It isn't just a minor annoyance or a sign of getting older; it is a serious health concern. If food or liquid accidentally enters your airway—a process called aspiration—it can lead to dangerous lung infections like pneumonia. Over time, untreated issues can also cause dehydration and malnutrition because the body isn't getting the fuel it needs.
Precision Diagnosis at St. Luke’s Medical Center
At St. Luke's Medical Center Quezon City and St. Luke's Medical Center Global City, we believe that understanding the why behind your symptoms is the first step toward recovery. As one of the Philippines' leading hospitals, we provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating swallowing disorders (dysphagia), using advanced, patient-friendly diagnostic tools such as the Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) to accurately identify the cause of your swallowing difficulty.
Common Signs to Watch For
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Feeling like food is "stuck" in your throat or chest.
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Coughing or choking while eating or drinking.
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Having a "gurgly" or wet-sounding voice after swallowing.
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Needing to cut food into very tiny pieces or avoiding certain foods entirely.
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Experiencing pain when trying to swallow.
What is a FEES procedure?
The Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is a diagnostic procedure used to assess the physiological function of swallowing. It is a minimally invasive and highly efficient method that allows clinicians to observe the internal mechanics of the throat in real time. During the procedure:
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A specialist uses a very thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end.
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The tube is gently passed through your nose so the doctor can see your throat from above.
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You will be asked to eat or drink small amounts of food and liquids in various consistencies (usually dyed with a little food coloring so they are easier to see).
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The camera records exactly where the food goes and if it stays in the right path.
Swallowing disorders affect more than just physical health—they can also impact a person's confidence, social well-being, and overall quality of life. As one of the Philippines' premier hospitals, St. Luke's Medical Center brings together a roster of ENT experts dedicated to diagnosing and treating swallowing disorders with compassionate, personalized, and evidence-based care.
The St. Luke’s dysphagia treatment program brings together St. Luke’s ENT specialists, neurologists, and therapists to provide a holistic view of your condition. By utilizing the latest technology, we move beyond guesswork, offering a precise visual map of your swallowing function. This allows us to design a highly personalized St. Luke’s speech and swallowing therapy plan.
If you are looking for a FEES test in Quezon City or Taguig, schedule a consultation with one of our ENT specialists through the Product Information Hub. Call any of the following numbers to book your comprehensive swallowing evaluation today: 0947-9930471 / 0998-5822276 / 0939-9161805 / 0928-5200239 to book your comprehensive swallowing evaluation today.
