Systematic screening of at-risk patients is justified for the early management of dysphagia. What are evidence-based methods of dysphagia management?ĭespite the significant health risks linked todysphagia, the conditionstill remains under-recognized and under-diagnosed.Evidence suggests that only 25% of individuals who have dysphagia are diagnosed with the disorder. A care plan which adapts the way that food and drink is consumed is an important step in management of the condition. It can be a special challenge for individuals with dysphagia to have the right intake of nutrients. People with dysphagia often avoid social activities. If symptoms continue to persist, they can eventually lead to serious health complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss and respiratory infections (namely, pneumonia). Thus, few receive a proper diagnosis and the right medical treatment. Many individuals do not seek care or mention, all of their symptoms to a healthcare professional. Swallowing difficulty can lead to a reduction in food and drink consumption. In older people, difficulty swallowing solids or liquids may occur due to changes in neural and muscular function that develop with ageing as well as a lack of teeth, poorly fitting dentures, inadequate saliva production or sores on the tongue or gums.ĭysphagia often makes eating and drinking painful, stressful, and less enjoyable. As dysphagia can cause other health problems, early diagnosis and the right treatment are the best recommendations for good quality of life.ĭysphagia is often caused by disease or damage to the nervous system, spasms of the muscles in the esophagus or other conditions that physically block the esophagus, or cause it to narrow.ĭysphagia can occur with illness such as stroke, head and neck cancer, a tracheostomy (surgically created hole in the windpipe), Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Almost 14% of the population over the age 50 have clinical signs of dysphagia. Swallowing difficulty can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. The swallowing process consists of three distinct phases, each controlled differently.ĭysphagia can originate from a disorder in any one or more of these swallowing phases. Swallowing is a complex process involving various muscles, glands and nerves. A person suffering from dysphagia may either have problems forming a bolus (the mass of food to be swallowed) in the mouth or have difficulty moving the bolus from the mouth to the stomach. Dysphagia is a medical condition which describes the difficulty in swallowing solids or liquids.
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