Dysphagia is a condition that is commonly seen in patients getting care from doctors in their offices, those living in nursing homes and patients in hospitals. It is also known as the swallowing disorder. It is common in patients who are suffering from Parkinsons disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease and stroke. This disorder may also be seen in patients who have had a cerebrovascular accident or are experiencing the side effects of some medications. Stroke patients have a higher risk of experiencing aspiration due to dysphagia.
Dysphagia can affect people of any age and can have serious consequences for the elderly. Swallowing disorders can cause aspiration pneumonia and death. If you regularly face difficulties swallowing, or if regurgitation, vomiting or weight loss accompanies your dysphagia, you need to see a doctor. If you are unable to breathe well due to an obstruction, seek for emergency assistance immediately. A dysphagia evaluation enables doctors and speech-language pathologists to determine what is causing the swallowing problem.
To determine the cause of swallowing disorders, physicians use various tests. The barium X ray is one example of these tests. You will be asked to drink a barium solution that coats the esophagus making it more noticeable on X-rays. Your doctor will notice changes in the shape of your esophagus. The professional can also examine muscular activity. You may also be asked to swallow solid food or a pill that has a barium coating to evaluate the muscles in your throat as you swallow to see whether any blockages that cannot be identified by the barium solution exist.
The other test performed by physicians is the dynamic swallowing study. When performing this test, the physician will ask you to swallow foods that are coated with barium and whose consistencies differ. The test works by providing an image of the foods as they travel through the mouth and proceed to the throat. These images may show problems in the way your throat muscles and mouth coordinate when swallowing. This will also help determine whether the food is entering your breathing tube.
A doctor can also examine your esophagus visually. This is known as an endoscopy. The doctor will pass a flexible, thin, lighted instrument (endoscope) to examine your esophagus. Your physician can also take a biopsy of your esophagus to check for inflammation, narrowing, eosinophilic esophagitis or a tumor.
The other test that physicians perform is the esophageal muscle test (manometry). They insert a minute tube into the throat and connect the tube to a pressure recorder. This test enables doctors to measure the contraction of muscles of the esophagus as a patient swallows.
The physician can also perform imaging scans. An example of these scans is a CT scan, which is a combination of several X ray views and computer processing to create cross sectional photos of your soft tissues and bones. The other type of imaging is the MRI scan, which creates detailed images of organs and tissues using a magnetic field and radio waves.
Once doctors or speech-language pathologists evaluate patients, they discuss the results with the patients and family members when necessary. These professionals then recommend efficient and safe eating, and drinking tips. They also recommend the most suitable treatment based on the cause and type of swallowing disorder a patient has.
Dysphagia can affect people of any age and can have serious consequences for the elderly. Swallowing disorders can cause aspiration pneumonia and death. If you regularly face difficulties swallowing, or if regurgitation, vomiting or weight loss accompanies your dysphagia, you need to see a doctor. If you are unable to breathe well due to an obstruction, seek for emergency assistance immediately. A dysphagia evaluation enables doctors and speech-language pathologists to determine what is causing the swallowing problem.
To determine the cause of swallowing disorders, physicians use various tests. The barium X ray is one example of these tests. You will be asked to drink a barium solution that coats the esophagus making it more noticeable on X-rays. Your doctor will notice changes in the shape of your esophagus. The professional can also examine muscular activity. You may also be asked to swallow solid food or a pill that has a barium coating to evaluate the muscles in your throat as you swallow to see whether any blockages that cannot be identified by the barium solution exist.
The other test performed by physicians is the dynamic swallowing study. When performing this test, the physician will ask you to swallow foods that are coated with barium and whose consistencies differ. The test works by providing an image of the foods as they travel through the mouth and proceed to the throat. These images may show problems in the way your throat muscles and mouth coordinate when swallowing. This will also help determine whether the food is entering your breathing tube.
A doctor can also examine your esophagus visually. This is known as an endoscopy. The doctor will pass a flexible, thin, lighted instrument (endoscope) to examine your esophagus. Your physician can also take a biopsy of your esophagus to check for inflammation, narrowing, eosinophilic esophagitis or a tumor.
The other test that physicians perform is the esophageal muscle test (manometry). They insert a minute tube into the throat and connect the tube to a pressure recorder. This test enables doctors to measure the contraction of muscles of the esophagus as a patient swallows.
The physician can also perform imaging scans. An example of these scans is a CT scan, which is a combination of several X ray views and computer processing to create cross sectional photos of your soft tissues and bones. The other type of imaging is the MRI scan, which creates detailed images of organs and tissues using a magnetic field and radio waves.
Once doctors or speech-language pathologists evaluate patients, they discuss the results with the patients and family members when necessary. These professionals then recommend efficient and safe eating, and drinking tips. They also recommend the most suitable treatment based on the cause and type of swallowing disorder a patient has.
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