The Dysphagia Intervention for the Esophageal Zone (DIEZ) is based upon the inverse relationship between intraluminal esophageal pressures and the respiratory cycle. DIEZ is a respiratory-based therapeutic technique for improving esophageal clearance thus helping to eliminate the sensation of food sticking, regurgitation of undigested food, and non-pathologic globus sensation.

This course will fully describe how to determine who is appropriate for this therapy, how to evaluate these patients, provide instructions in how to teach the DIEZ technique to adults and children, and offer tips for making the technique habitual. Supplemental material such as patient and physician handouts are also included.

Basic esophageal and respiratory anatomy and physiology are reviewed. The manner in which the two systems functionally interact for bolus transport will be fully explained. VFSS and case studies are shown that demonstrate the effects of the respiratory cycle on esophageal transport and the successful application of the DIEZ technique. 

The evidence presented in this course makes the case for using high lung volumes and prolonged exhalation when swallowing to address esophageal stasis and globus. This knowledge can also help to expand communication with gastroenterologists and physicians. Content is appropriate for both pediatric and adult clients.