TY - JOUR T1 - Rehabilitation medicine: 2. Diagnosis of dysphagia and its nutritional management for stroke patients JF - Canadian Medical Association Journal JO - CMAJ SP - 1041 LP - 1044 VL - 169 IS - 10 AU - Hillel M. Finestone AU - Linda S. Greene-Finestone Y1 - 2003/11/11 UR - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/169/10/1041.abstract N2 - FOLLOWING STROKE, PATIENTS MAY HAVE REDUCED DIETARY intake, swallowing impairments (dysphagia) and other neurological deficits that could affect their nutritional and hydration status and lead to aspiration pneumonia. Impaired nutritional status is associated with reduced functional improvement, increased complication rates and prolonged hospital stays. This article is aimed at primary care physicians and others caring for stroke patients. We discuss the need for assessing the nutritional status of stroke patients and provide strategies for the management of dysphagia and patients' food and fluid intakes. In addition, we review clinical and radiological options for the diagnosis of dysphagia as well as oral and enteral feeding alternatives. ER -