Importance Of Swallow Study For Dysphagia

By Michelle Wright


Dysphagia is kind of swallowing disorder. People suffering from this ailment find it difficult during swallowing process. Difficulties are caused by various problems. Patients suffering from this condition experience problems which are related to cause of challenge. Some tend to cough uncontrollably during and after swallowing. Doctors advise patients to undertake Swallow Study for Dysphagia before treatment process commences. This is essential in order to enhance effective treatment.

After eating or even drinking, patients suffering from dysphagia produce sound, which sounds abnormally. Victims of this ailment, tend to apply extra force when swallowing. This makes them feel uncomfortable when chewing and swallowing food. Other common symptoms of this ailment are; weight loss, food leaking from mouth and also recurring pneumonia.

Since ailing people feel uncomfortable when eating, they dislike it. This makes them become weak. Owing to this their bodies become prone to other infections since their immune system becomes compromised. Body weakness is also enhanced by dehydration, which an individual may experience. Most victims of ailment tend to suffer from lung infections and also pneumonia. This group of people does neither feel comfortable nor do they eat in social functions because they fear being embarrassed.

Acceptable procedure requires medics to perform tests to identify type of dysphagia one is suffering from before treatment begins. This is essential because medics tend to determine main cause of problem. In case, the challenge is originating from oesophagus, mouth or throat, doctors are able to use correct treatment technique. With correct information, patient can be referred to correct specialist, hence efficient treatment. Proper treatment is important because it reduces chances of complications such as pneumonia from occurring.

Tests help doctors know the period a given person has been suffering from ailment. This information will not only help health practitioners come up with most efficient techniques to handle ailment successfully, but also it creates enough time for preparation purposes. Tests are essential in enabling medics investigate progress of patient. From results obtained on carrying out a given test, doctors are able to know types of food causing problems to patient.

Depending on information obtained after the tests, you may either be referred to ENT specialist or to a specialist concerned with speech. If challenge arises from brain, your doctors will advise you to seek help from a neurologist. Gastroenterologist may be your best service provider, if problem is found to originate from stomach, intestines or gullet. If challenge is as result of old age, geriatrician will be useful to you.

Different methods are used by different specialists when finding the origin of an ailment. Speech therapists tend to use water swallow tests to come up with correct cause of ailment. Specialists observe as ailing person swallows water in order to come up with an appropriate idea on cause of effect. During videofluoroscopy technique, X-ray machine records video when a substance is being swallowed by victim.

Nasoendoscopy is an examination procedure in which upper airways and the nose are examined. Endoscope is a kind of tube used during examination process. Manometry is a kind of examination procedure, that enables medics determine whether your oesophagus is working correctly or not. Other examinations which may be conducted include; 24-hour pH study and diagnostic gastroscopy.




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