Swallowing is a very complex human acts done in everyday life. It is an action that involves the nerves and muscles within the esophagus and pharynx. Usually, the functional center is in the brain and the nerves that are connected to the esophagus and pharynx to the swallowing center. Problems to swallow are common to elderly and may cause weight loss, dehydration, airway obstruction and pneumonia. These disorders may also affect the esophageal phases of swallowing.
Dysphagia usually occurs due to various structural or functional conditions including cancers or stroke and other neurological diseases. Thus, a thorough and careful physical conditions must be conducted to anyone with this swallowing disorders to be diagnosed and treated. The examinations include the larynx, neck and mouth. Mostly, the neurological exam may be performed as well as supplemental studies.
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.
The first phase is usually the oral phase. Problems that can affect the propulsive and oral phases may be results from impaired controls of the tongue, though it can be also be due to dental problems. When eating solid or liquid food, a patient may experience difficulties in chewing. The liquid or solid spills may go through the unprepared pharynx and may result to aspiration.
The other one is called as pharyngeal phase. With particular malfunctions of pharyngeal phase, food may be transported to the esophagus and can be impaired. As a result, food is preserved in the pharynx after a swallow. Aspiration on the other hand is a certain passage of liquid or food through the vocal folds. An individual who aspirates is at risk for any occurrence of serious aspiration pneumonia. The effects are also highly variable and several factors, may influence the effects of aspiration.
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.
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 many problems associated with those problems that are treated by therapies. There are individuals who are having a difficult time to feed themselves. Hence, an occupational therapist can help the patient to learn new techniques in feeding. Nutritional experts can also help you to determine the right amount of food and liquid to take and supplements if needed.
Dysphagia usually occurs due to various structural or functional conditions including cancers or stroke and other neurological diseases. Thus, a thorough and careful physical conditions must be conducted to anyone with this swallowing disorders to be diagnosed and treated. The examinations include the larynx, neck and mouth. Mostly, the neurological exam may be performed as well as supplemental studies.
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.
The first phase is usually the oral phase. Problems that can affect the propulsive and oral phases may be results from impaired controls of the tongue, though it can be also be due to dental problems. When eating solid or liquid food, a patient may experience difficulties in chewing. The liquid or solid spills may go through the unprepared pharynx and may result to aspiration.
The other one is called as pharyngeal phase. With particular malfunctions of pharyngeal phase, food may be transported to the esophagus and can be impaired. As a result, food is preserved in the pharynx after a swallow. Aspiration on the other hand is a certain passage of liquid or food through the vocal folds. An individual who aspirates is at risk for any occurrence of serious aspiration pneumonia. The effects are also highly variable and several factors, may influence the effects of aspiration.
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.
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 many problems associated with those problems that are treated by therapies. There are individuals who are having a difficult time to feed themselves. Hence, an occupational therapist can help the patient to learn new techniques in feeding. Nutritional experts can also help you to determine the right amount of food and liquid to take and supplements if needed.
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