University experts aiming to improve the management and treatment of dysphagia are holding an event at the Colchester Campus on 9 June for people affected by the common medical complaint.

Dysphagia is a term for difficulty with swallowing. It is usually caused by other health issues such as conditions affecting the nervous system, cancer, or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and can also occur in children as a result of a development or learning disability. It can lead to serious side effects such as malnutrition and dehydration as well as significantly reduce a person’s quality of life.

Researchers in Essex’s School of Health and Human Sciences are aiming to improve patient care by creating practical, accessible and clinically relevant resources for a variety of people managing dysphagia in a variety of environments.
To help the researchers understand how to best develop a guide to best practice, they are looking for sufferers, health and social care workers, medical professionals, managers and educators to take part in focus groups on 9 June.

Those wishing to attend can come along at 12pm, 2pm or 4pm to hear a short presentation explaining the output of the project to date and take part in small group discussions. The event takes place in the Constable Building at the University’s Colchester Campus. Attendance is free but those interested should book their place online at: http://dysphagiaevent.eventbrite.com.
The project is being funded by the Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fund.

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For further information about the dysphagia project or event, please contact Izzie Easton in the School of Health and Human Sciences, telephone: 01206 872106 or e-mail: eeaston@essex.ac.uk.