The word dysphagia is attributed to a disorder that causes complication in swallowing of both liquid and solid food. The term originates from the Greek terms dys and phagein. Dys means bad or strenuous while phagein means to eat. The disorder can be caused by a variety of medical conditions that lead to fatigue and problems of the structures that coordinate muscles in the throat and the mouth. This is what Dysphagia evaluation is all about.
The affected throat and mouth muscles are usually in charge of directing food and liquids to travel down the esophagus. In this condition, instead of the food travelling down the esophagus, it usually ends up in the trachea. The entrance of food into the trachea (windpipe) instead of the esophagus is very dangerous. It may lead to aspiration and pneumonia if left untreated.
The prevalence of this condition is at 13.5 percent. This is according to research conducted in the United States . The prevalence is on the basis of a few factors including, population studied, equipment used, and infectious health disorders. For example, the prevalence is placed between 29 to 64 percent among patients with stroke. Variation of prevalence occurs in people with neurologic disorders.
On a world wide scale, it is difficult to provide the statistics of the prevalence of this condition. This is due to the difference in geographical location which causes the base rate of many diseases that may lead to dysphagia to vary. This condition can affect all ages, but researchers say that prevalence is likely to rise up with increase with age.
Various unique medical disorders may cause the occurrence of dysphagia. Among the common causes are stroke, brain injury, spine, head or neck trauma, radiation treatment of cancer and others. All ailments that alter the working of the muscles can lead to this disorder. Examples of such ailments include narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and many more.
There are many symptoms that accompany and characterize this condition. The condition usually seems to get more severe at certain times than others. It may also progress over time. Some common symptoms include fever, chills, wet gurgling voice after meals, throat clearing, changes in breathing, unintentional weight loss, heartburn, excessive secretions, and pain while swallowing. Food may also travel back out through the nose after being swallowed.
Dysphagia can be cured and is manageable as well. Coping routine may require one to alter their lifestyle. For example, it may necessitate one to change their diet. One can also engage in exercises aimed at strengthening muscles in the throat. Another master plan may involve tilting the head to the side as one swallows food.
Injection of the Botox, which aids muscle relaxation and allows ease swallowing of foods, is a method of treating the condition. Also, surgical procedure may be conducted to correct the condition. A doctor may also find it necessary to prescribe reflux medications which are readily available.
The affected throat and mouth muscles are usually in charge of directing food and liquids to travel down the esophagus. In this condition, instead of the food travelling down the esophagus, it usually ends up in the trachea. The entrance of food into the trachea (windpipe) instead of the esophagus is very dangerous. It may lead to aspiration and pneumonia if left untreated.
The prevalence of this condition is at 13.5 percent. This is according to research conducted in the United States . The prevalence is on the basis of a few factors including, population studied, equipment used, and infectious health disorders. For example, the prevalence is placed between 29 to 64 percent among patients with stroke. Variation of prevalence occurs in people with neurologic disorders.
On a world wide scale, it is difficult to provide the statistics of the prevalence of this condition. This is due to the difference in geographical location which causes the base rate of many diseases that may lead to dysphagia to vary. This condition can affect all ages, but researchers say that prevalence is likely to rise up with increase with age.
Various unique medical disorders may cause the occurrence of dysphagia. Among the common causes are stroke, brain injury, spine, head or neck trauma, radiation treatment of cancer and others. All ailments that alter the working of the muscles can lead to this disorder. Examples of such ailments include narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and many more.
There are many symptoms that accompany and characterize this condition. The condition usually seems to get more severe at certain times than others. It may also progress over time. Some common symptoms include fever, chills, wet gurgling voice after meals, throat clearing, changes in breathing, unintentional weight loss, heartburn, excessive secretions, and pain while swallowing. Food may also travel back out through the nose after being swallowed.
Dysphagia can be cured and is manageable as well. Coping routine may require one to alter their lifestyle. For example, it may necessitate one to change their diet. One can also engage in exercises aimed at strengthening muscles in the throat. Another master plan may involve tilting the head to the side as one swallows food.
Injection of the Botox, which aids muscle relaxation and allows ease swallowing of foods, is a method of treating the condition. Also, surgical procedure may be conducted to correct the condition. A doctor may also find it necessary to prescribe reflux medications which are readily available.
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