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Swallowing is a complex act that is important in everyday routine of every human being. It is actually an action involving the muscles and nerves within the pharynx and esophagus where a functional center in the nerves and brain are connected to the pharynx and esophagus to the main swallowing center. Basically, these problems are common to elderly and can cause dehydration, weight loss, pneumonia and airway obstruction. Most of these disorders affect the esophageal phases.
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.
First is the oral phase. Disorders that affects the oral preparatory and propulsive phases can be a result from impaired control of the tongue, although dental issues may also be the reason. When eating solid food, a patient may have difficulties of chewing and initiating swallows. When drinking, patients may also find it very hard to swallow the liquid. As a result, liquid spills into the unprepared pharynx and results in 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.
Once the dysphagia is constant and a certain cause is invisible, then you have to seek help from a surgeon who will check your condition and to discuss your situation. Your mouth and throat will be examined. If you also experience some difficulties to swallow both liquid and solid food, it is crucial to be treated immediately to avoid malnutrition or dehydration.
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.
Most of them can be treated by changing your lifestyle and your eating habits. You have to consider health diet and to stop using tobacco, caffeine as well as alcohol, avoid eating three hours before bedtime and lessen the level of stress. If not effective, you may take antacids before bedtime or between meals to give you certain relief.
There are many problems associated with those problems that are treated by therapies. There are individuals who are having a difficult time to feed themselves. Hence, an occupational therapist can help the patient to learn new techniques in feeding. Nutritional experts can also help you to determine the right amount of food and liquid to take and supplements if needed.
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.
First is the oral phase. Disorders that affects the oral preparatory and propulsive phases can be a result from impaired control of the tongue, although dental issues may also be the reason. When eating solid food, a patient may have difficulties of chewing and initiating swallows. When drinking, patients may also find it very hard to swallow the liquid. As a result, liquid spills into the unprepared pharynx and results in 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.
Once the dysphagia is constant and a certain cause is invisible, then you have to seek help from a surgeon who will check your condition and to discuss your situation. Your mouth and throat will be examined. If you also experience some difficulties to swallow both liquid and solid food, it is crucial to be treated immediately to avoid malnutrition or dehydration.
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.
Most of them can be treated by changing your lifestyle and your eating habits. You have to consider health diet and to stop using tobacco, caffeine as well as alcohol, avoid eating three hours before bedtime and lessen the level of stress. If not effective, you may take antacids before bedtime or between meals to give you certain relief.
There are many problems associated with those problems that are treated by therapies. There are individuals who are having a difficult time to feed themselves. Hence, an occupational therapist can help the patient to learn new techniques in feeding. Nutritional experts can also help you to determine the right amount of food and liquid to take and supplements if needed.
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