A medical condition that makes it hard for a person to swallow both liquid and solid food is referred to using the term dysphagia. This term is derived from two Greek words, that is, dys and phagein. Dys translates to bad or difficult while phagein translates to eat in English. The condition can be caused by various medical conditions that cause weakness and structural problems in the coordination between throat and mouth muscles. Here are facts regarding Dysphagia evaluation.
The throat and mouth muscles that are affected are usually responsible for directing liquids and food down the esophagus. Instead of the food passing through the esophagus, it winds up in the respiratory tract when one has the disorder. The entrance into the epiglottis by food is quite dangerous. If not treated, this condition may end up causing pneumonia and/or aspiration.
A study conducted in the United States established the prevalence of dysphagia to be at 13.5 percent. The prevalence is based on a few factors, which include the equipment used, population studied, and concomitant health disorders. For instance, the prevalence of the condition is placed at between 29 and 64 percent among stroke patients. The prevalence also varies a lot among people with neurologic disorders.
It is hard to provide statistics on the prevalence of this condition on a global scale. This is because the base rate of many diseases that may lead to dysphagia usually vary from one geographical condition to another. In general, all ages of people can be affected by this condition. However, according to research, prevalence seems to increase with increase in 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.
This condition is characterized and showed by many signs and symptoms. At certain times, the condition may get worse as compared to others. It may be also progressive at times. The usual signs include, chills, wet gurgling voice after meals, throat clearing, change in breathing, unintentional loss of weight, heartburn, excessive secretions, painful swallowing and fever.
Dysphagia can be treated and managed at the same time. Management routines involve making certain changes to the lifestyle that one leads. For instance, one may be required to change the kind of foods they eat. Another management strategy is to engage in exercises that target swallowing muscles. Compensatory strategies such as turning the head to one side when swallowing may also help.
Remedy may entail Botox injection to help relax muscles and allow food to be swallowed painlessly. Also, there is a surgical procedure that can be carried out to rectify the disorder. One can also have reflux medications prescribed to them by a doctor if it becomes necessary.
The throat and mouth muscles that are affected are usually responsible for directing liquids and food down the esophagus. Instead of the food passing through the esophagus, it winds up in the respiratory tract when one has the disorder. The entrance into the epiglottis by food is quite dangerous. If not treated, this condition may end up causing pneumonia and/or aspiration.
A study conducted in the United States established the prevalence of dysphagia to be at 13.5 percent. The prevalence is based on a few factors, which include the equipment used, population studied, and concomitant health disorders. For instance, the prevalence of the condition is placed at between 29 and 64 percent among stroke patients. The prevalence also varies a lot among people with neurologic disorders.
It is hard to provide statistics on the prevalence of this condition on a global scale. This is because the base rate of many diseases that may lead to dysphagia usually vary from one geographical condition to another. In general, all ages of people can be affected by this condition. However, according to research, prevalence seems to increase with increase in 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.
This condition is characterized and showed by many signs and symptoms. At certain times, the condition may get worse as compared to others. It may be also progressive at times. The usual signs include, chills, wet gurgling voice after meals, throat clearing, change in breathing, unintentional loss of weight, heartburn, excessive secretions, painful swallowing and fever.
Dysphagia can be treated and managed at the same time. Management routines involve making certain changes to the lifestyle that one leads. For instance, one may be required to change the kind of foods they eat. Another management strategy is to engage in exercises that target swallowing muscles. Compensatory strategies such as turning the head to one side when swallowing may also help.
Remedy may entail Botox injection to help relax muscles and allow food to be swallowed painlessly. Also, there is a surgical procedure that can be carried out to rectify the disorder. One can also have reflux medications prescribed to them by a doctor if it becomes necessary.
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