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.
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 other condition is the pharyngeal phase. Malfunctions in the pharyngeal phase may be transmitted to the esophagus and become impaired. So, the food in the pharynx will be retained after you swallow. Basically, the aspiration is a certain passage of the food or liquid that goes through the vocal folds. A patient may aspirates and at risk of serious pneumonia. Most effects can be variable as well and may influence the aspiration effects.
When this problem occurs and the cause is not visible, you have to seek medical help from your surgeon. He or she will then discuss with you the main cause and history of the problem. If you experience some difficulties, it is crucial to seek treatment to avoid malnutrition and dehydration.
Typically, there are some disorders that can be treated with proper medications. Drugs can slow down the acid production, muscle relaxants and antacids are the many medicines available today. Most of the treatments are also fitted to a specific cause of the problem.
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 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.
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 other condition is the pharyngeal phase. Malfunctions in the pharyngeal phase may be transmitted to the esophagus and become impaired. So, the food in the pharynx will be retained after you swallow. Basically, the aspiration is a certain passage of the food or liquid that goes through the vocal folds. A patient may aspirates and at risk of serious pneumonia. Most effects can be variable as well and may influence the aspiration effects.
When this problem occurs and the cause is not visible, you have to seek medical help from your surgeon. He or she will then discuss with you the main cause and history of the problem. If you experience some difficulties, it is crucial to seek treatment to avoid malnutrition and dehydration.
Typically, there are some disorders that can be treated with proper medications. Drugs can slow down the acid production, muscle relaxants and antacids are the many medicines available today. Most of the treatments are also fitted to a specific cause of the problem.
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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