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Difficulty with eating, drinking and swallowing is called dysphagia.
Dysphagia after a stroke is very common. More than half of people who have had a stroke will have difficulty eating, drinking or swallowing in the first few days or weeks.
A stroke can affect the strength, speed or coordination of the muscle movements involved in swallowing.
Everyone admitted to hospital with a suspected stroke should have a swallowing test to check for any swallowing difficulties before being offered any food or drink. If you have any difficulty during this test, you will be referred to a speech and language therapist (SLT) for a full assessment. You will not usually be allowed to eat or drink until you have had this test.
Often swallowing problems do get better and most people are able to swallow safely again within the first few weeks after their stroke.