Life After a Laryngectomy: A Six-Part Series
For patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers, surgery is a common treatment approach. One type of surgery that these patients may undergo is called a laryngectomy. In this blog series, we will go over the procedure and see what life might be like for patients after a laryngectomy.
What is a Laryngectomy?
A partial or total laryngectomy is the removal of some or all of the larynx, or voice box. The larynx has several functions. It allows air to enter and leave the lungs, prevents objects and fluids from entering the lungs, and creates speech.
Let’s continue exploring this series.
Part 4: Side Effects
Join us as we continue our “Life After a Laryngectomy” blog series. We will go over some common side effects of a laryngectomy, including the diminished abilities to smell and taste.
Previously in This Series
Decreased Sense of Smell
Because the air you breathe won’t be going through your nose, you will have a decreased sense of smell. This can affect your appetite and your sense of taste. However, olfactory rehabilitation can teach you how to increase nasal airflow and help you recover your sense of smell. Techniques include the nasal airflow-inducing maneuver (NAIM) and polite yawning. Be sure to talk to your health care team to learn more about olfactory rehabilitation.
Eating After a Laryngectomy
Issues with swallowing are common after a laryngectomy. This can make it hard to eat, leading to weakness and weight loss due to poor nutrition. If you experience these issues, be sure to let your doctor know. You may need to adjust your diet after your procedure, or take nutritional supplements if you are having trouble eating.
A team of doctors and nutritionists can help you manage your individual nutritional needs. They can also teach you swallowing exercises to help you get back to eating normally.
It is important to know that decreased sense of taste is also common after a laryngectomy. This is because much of your sense of taste is tied to your sense of smell, which is diminished after the procedure.
