EP 54: More than snoring: the connection between obstructive sleep apnea and dysphagia with Ankita Bhutada
dysphagia mattersShow Notes
When we think of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), we usually think of snoring, disrupted sleep, and daytime fatigue. But there is a critical link between OSA and dysphagia. In this episode, we sit down with Prof. Ankita Bhutada from Northwestern University to explore how upper airway collapse and chronic respiratory disruption can profoundly impact swallowing function.
We cover:
Understanding OSA: What is obstructive sleep apnea, its primary risk factors, and why it is a major public health concern.
The link to dysphagia: Understanding the sensorimotor mechanisms and neuromuscular changes that connect sleep-disordered breathing to swallowing dysfunction.
Clinical Presentation: How dysphagia typically manifests in individuals with OSA
Diagnostics: Why clinicians should consider routinely screening people with OSA for dysphagia and how to adapt existing assessment tools for this population.
High-Risk Groups: Identifying which specific patient profiles within the OSA population face the highest risk for airway compromise.
Management & Treatment: A look at current and emerging treatment approaches for dysphagia in people with OSA.
Literature that we discuss:
Bhutada et al. (2022). Predictors of Patient-Reported Dysphagia and Reflux Symptoms in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Bhutada et al. (2020). Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and swallowing function—A systematic review.
Bhutada et al. (2025). Effects of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training on Oropharyngeal Swallow Physiology in Persons with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A Preliminary Study.
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