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 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.
Typically, there are different types of disorders that can be quickly treated with specific medications. You can use antacids and even muscle relaxants. Those are widely available today and can be taken according to the advise of your surgeon. Treatments are usually tailored to a cause of 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.
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.
Typically, there are different types of disorders that can be quickly treated with specific medications. You can use antacids and even muscle relaxants. Those are widely available today and can be taken according to the advise of your surgeon. Treatments are usually tailored to a cause of 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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