Swallowing is a very complex human acts done in everyday life. It is an action that involves the nerves and muscles within the esophagus and pharynx. Usually, the functional center is in the brain and the nerves that are connected to the esophagus and pharynx to the swallowing center. Problems to swallow are common to elderly and may cause weight loss, dehydration, airway obstruction and pneumonia. These disorders may also affect the esophageal phases of swallowing.
Impaired swallowing or also known as dysphagia occurs because of different functional and structural conditions, such as stroke, cancers and other neurological diseases. A careful and thorough physical exams are vital to diagnose and treat the swallowing disorders. The examinations usually include the mouth, neck and larynx. Neurological examination should be performed as well. There are supplemental studies that are required.
Dysphagia can also cause morbidity and mortality. It may be a cause from any complicated disorder, such as Alzheimer disease, stroke and cancer. Furthermore, aspiration pneumonia is also a common reason of death for patients being diagnosed and hospitalized. Problems in swallowing can be classified based on the phase that affects the impaired oral and pharyngeal phases.
Any disorder that affects the propulsive phase may be a result from the impaired control of the tongue, although it can be due to dental problems. Eating a solid food may be hard for the patient to chew and swallow because of the problem. Even drinking can be hard and once it spills into the unprepared pharynx, it will result to aspiration.
The next one is the pharyngeal phase. Certain malfunctions of the pharyngeal phase can affect the esophagus and have the chance to get impaired. Thus, the food is also retained in the pharynx after you swallow. On the other hand, aspiration is the passage of food through your vocal folds. A person who aspirates is at greater risks for possible occurrence of aspiration pneumonia.
When dysphagia is persistent and the cause is not apparent, the head and neck surgeon will be discussing the history of your problem and examine your mouth and throat. Once you experience difficulties to swallow either liquid or solid food, it is vital to seek treatment to avoid dehydration and malnutrition.
Actually, there are many disorders that can be treated with medications. Muscle relaxants, drugs that slow stomach acid production and antacids are some of the available medicines today. Treatments are tailored to a certain cause of the disorder.
These can be often treated by changing living and eating habits, such as eating proper foods and consider healthy diet, eliminate alcohol, caffeine and tobacco, lessen stress and weight, avoid food within three hours before bedtime and elevate the head of the bed at night. But if these do not help, antacids between meals and before going to sleep may give you a relief.
There are also some problems that are treated by direct medications or therapy. There are patients who have a hard time feeding themselves. But, when you seek help from your occupational therapist, you will be given certain techniques and ways to feed yourself.
Impaired swallowing or also known as dysphagia occurs because of different functional and structural conditions, such as stroke, cancers and other neurological diseases. A careful and thorough physical exams are vital to diagnose and treat the swallowing disorders. The examinations usually include the mouth, neck and larynx. Neurological examination should be performed as well. There are supplemental studies that are required.
Dysphagia can also cause morbidity and mortality. It may be a cause from any complicated disorder, such as Alzheimer disease, stroke and cancer. Furthermore, aspiration pneumonia is also a common reason of death for patients being diagnosed and hospitalized. Problems in swallowing can be classified based on the phase that affects the impaired oral and pharyngeal phases.
Any disorder that affects the propulsive phase may be a result from the impaired control of the tongue, although it can be due to dental problems. Eating a solid food may be hard for the patient to chew and swallow because of the problem. Even drinking can be hard and once it spills into the unprepared pharynx, it will result to aspiration.
The next one is the pharyngeal phase. Certain malfunctions of the pharyngeal phase can affect the esophagus and have the chance to get impaired. Thus, the food is also retained in the pharynx after you swallow. On the other hand, aspiration is the passage of food through your vocal folds. A person who aspirates is at greater risks for possible occurrence of aspiration pneumonia.
When dysphagia is persistent and the cause is not apparent, the head and neck surgeon will be discussing the history of your problem and examine your mouth and throat. Once you experience difficulties to swallow either liquid or solid food, it is vital to seek treatment to avoid dehydration and malnutrition.
Actually, there are many disorders that can be treated with medications. Muscle relaxants, drugs that slow stomach acid production and antacids are some of the available medicines today. Treatments are tailored to a certain cause of the disorder.
These can be often treated by changing living and eating habits, such as eating proper foods and consider healthy diet, eliminate alcohol, caffeine and tobacco, lessen stress and weight, avoid food within three hours before bedtime and elevate the head of the bed at night. But if these do not help, antacids between meals and before going to sleep may give you a relief.
There are also some problems that are treated by direct medications or therapy. There are patients who have a hard time feeding themselves. But, when you seek help from your occupational therapist, you will be given certain techniques and ways to feed yourself.
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