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.
Foods and liquids usually travel down the esophagus after being directed by the mouth and throat muscles. Dysphagia condition causes the food to end up in the windpipe instead of travelling down the esophagus. Entry of liquids and foods into the windpipe instead of the esophagus is a dangerous situation, and if untreated it may cause pneumonia 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 difficult to give statistics on the predominance of this disorder on a worldwide scale. This is due to the rising rate of umpteen illnesses that cause dysphagia, which differ from one geographical area to the other. Generally, this disorder can have effect on people of all ages. All the same, with regard to research, predominance seems to rise with the age of the person.
Several different medical conditions may lead to the development of dysphagia. Some common causes include trauma to the spine, neck or head, brain injury, radiation treatment for cancer, and stroke among others. All conditions that usually have effect on how muscles function may cause this condition. Examples of such diseases include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, narrowing of the esophagus, diverticula, and Parkinson disease among many others.
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.
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.
Foods and liquids usually travel down the esophagus after being directed by the mouth and throat muscles. Dysphagia condition causes the food to end up in the windpipe instead of travelling down the esophagus. Entry of liquids and foods into the windpipe instead of the esophagus is a dangerous situation, and if untreated it may cause pneumonia 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 difficult to give statistics on the predominance of this disorder on a worldwide scale. This is due to the rising rate of umpteen illnesses that cause dysphagia, which differ from one geographical area to the other. Generally, this disorder can have effect on people of all ages. All the same, with regard to research, predominance seems to rise with the age of the person.
Several different medical conditions may lead to the development of dysphagia. Some common causes include trauma to the spine, neck or head, brain injury, radiation treatment for cancer, and stroke among others. All conditions that usually have effect on how muscles function may cause this condition. Examples of such diseases include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, narrowing of the esophagus, diverticula, and Parkinson disease among many others.
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.
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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