Thursday, May 29, 2014

Swallow Study For Dysphagia Yields Important Information

By Nora Jennings


The person who has difficulty swallowing may have the condition, dysphagia. There are tests to confirm whether an individual has it or not. Researchers conducted a swallow study for dysphagia that was able to yield useful information that will ultimately be of value to many sufferers.

The majority of sufferers are older adults, those who have a brain or nervous system disorder and infants. When swallowing is difficult once or twice, that does not confirm that an individual has the disorder. It must occur regularly to qualify as this debilitating condition.

The tests to confirm dysphagia and its cause are varied. One x-ray test involves the patient drinking a contrast material to highlight food as it passes through the esophagus. A physician observes the progress and the barium allows any blockage to be highlighted.

In the dynamic study foods of various consistencies are coated with barium. The doctor can see the foods as they are pass through the esophagus. This is especially useful for revealing how the muscles move as you chew and swallow.

When food or drink goes down the airway instead of the esophagus, it is a dangerous situation. It sometimes causes death. If someone drinks to excess and passes out, he or she may vomit and the airway may be obstructed if he or she is unconscious.

An endoscopy is a test that threads an instrument with a light on the end down the throat. A physician can observe the inner walls of the esophagus. One other invasive test passes a laryngoscope, a fiber optic tube, through the nose rather than the mouth.

A manometry is a test that uses a small tube and threads it into the esophagus. Next, it is connected to a diagnostic device that measures muscular contractions as you swallow. All these are valuable diagnostic tests.

If the test results indicate the patient suffers from this disorder, treatment will be arranged with the professional who can best serve him or her. A speech language therapist will work with an oropharyngeal case. The nerves that trigger the swallow reflex will be stimulated to reactivate them. There may be a new way to chew and swallow that will be helpful.

Dilation of the sphincter muscle in the esophagus is the usual treatment for esophageal dysphagia. In the case of a tumor, surgical excision is indicated as the proper way to treat the patient. There is a condition called GERD that is improved by taking prescription medication.

A person who has suffered an esophageal spasm, but, is diagnosed as having a normal esophagus, may be given medication to relax the esophagus. This reduces discomfort. If the spasm or spasms reoccur, more testing may be done.

An elderly person who is dysphagic may be unable to get the proper nutrition. A liquid diet may be prescribed. In a case where the patient is in a comatose state, a feeding tube may be the only solution.

Those stricken with dysphagia and pulmonary compromise concurrently were the subjects of a research study. Existing databases from previous research were used to gather numbers on those who had first suffered a cardiovascular accident, also called a stroke. Ascertaining the number of patients who suffered this comorbidity was the goal of this research study.




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