Swallowing is important in everyday lives of most people. This is an action that involves muscle and nerves in the pharynx and esophagus. However, once the nerves failed its function, it also seems, you will also experience a certain disorder in swallowing. Most of these disorders commonly occurs in elderly and can cause weight loss, airway obstruction, dehydration and even pneumonia. Most of the disorders can affect the 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 may also cause morbidity or mortality. It is a result from any disorder, such as cancers, stroke and even Alzhiemer disease. Aspiration pneumonia is usually the main cause of death among patients being hospitalized. Most of the disorders of swallowing are categorized depending to the phases that can affect the impairment of 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 problems can be treated by a constant change of eating and living habits. It is better to consider healthy diet, reduce or eliminate caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. It is better to avoid eating 3 hours before going to bed and elevate your bed head at might. If these are not efficient and effective, you may take antacids after meal or before bedtime to give you 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 may also cause morbidity or mortality. It is a result from any disorder, such as cancers, stroke and even Alzhiemer disease. Aspiration pneumonia is usually the main cause of death among patients being hospitalized. Most of the disorders of swallowing are categorized depending to the phases that can affect the impairment of 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 problems can be treated by a constant change of eating and living habits. It is better to consider healthy diet, reduce or eliminate caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. It is better to avoid eating 3 hours before going to bed and elevate your bed head at might. If these are not efficient and effective, you may take antacids after meal or before bedtime to give you 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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