Tuesday, 16 December 2014

How To Treat Swallowing Disorders

By Misty Tyler


Swallowing is a complex act that is important in everyday routine of every human being. It is actually an action involving the muscles and nerves within the pharynx and esophagus where a functional center in the nerves and brain are connected to the pharynx and esophagus to the main swallowing center. Basically, these problems are common to elderly and can cause dehydration, weight loss, pneumonia and airway obstruction. Most of these disorders affect the esophageal phases.

Usually, impairments to swallow is also called as dysphagia. It usually occurs because of several structural and functional conditions, such as cancers, stroke and other neurological diseases. Therefore, physical examinations are important in diagnosing and treating your swallowing disorders. Examinations can be done by a surgeon and check the condition of your larynx, neck and mouth. There are also neurological exams conducted and supplemental studies as well.

Dysphagia can also cause morbidity and mortality. It may be a cause from any complicated disorder, such as Alzheimer disease, stroke and cancer. Furthermore, aspiration pneumonia is also a common reason of death for patients being diagnosed and hospitalized. Problems in swallowing can be classified based on the phase that affects the impaired oral and pharyngeal phases.

Any disorder that affects the propulsive phase may be a result from the impaired control of the tongue, although it can be due to dental problems. Eating a solid food may be hard for the patient to chew and swallow because of the problem. Even drinking can be hard and once it spills into the unprepared pharynx, it will 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.

When this problem occurs and the cause is not visible, you have to seek medical help from your surgeon. He or she will then discuss with you the main cause and history of the problem. If you experience some difficulties, it is crucial to seek treatment to avoid malnutrition and dehydration.

Typically, there are some disorders that can be treated with proper medications. Drugs can slow down the acid production, muscle relaxants and antacids are the many medicines available today. Most of the treatments are also fitted to a specific cause of the problem.

Most of them can be treated by changing your lifestyle and your eating habits. You have to consider health diet and to stop using tobacco, caffeine as well as alcohol, avoid eating three hours before bedtime and lessen the level of stress. If not effective, you may take antacids before bedtime or between meals to give you certain relief.

There are also some problems that are treated by direct medications or therapy. There are patients who have a hard time feeding themselves. But, when you seek help from your occupational therapist, you will be given certain techniques and ways to feed yourself.




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