Dysphagia Summary

Research has highlighted that stroke is one of the primary causes of dysphagia in the elderly population (Christmas 2002). Physiological implications such as aspiration are some of the difficulties that stroke-induced dysphagia can cause. Thickening-liquids, a form of intervention involving modification of the bolus, is frequently mentioned in the literature for reduction of the risk of aspiration in dysphagic post-stroke patients. Despite being a popular compensatory method of intervention, research has shed light on some of the potential disadvantages of thickeners usage such as increased dehydration (which is likely due to decreased fluid intake) and the impact on the patient’s quality of life. This leads health professionals

Dysphagia is a disorder that is characterized by difficulty swallowing, causing aspiration which, in result, causes many other life threatening sicknesses. Nearly 15 million adults in the United States are affected by dysphagia. Dysphagia and aspiration may cause complications such as malnutrition, pneumonia, dehydration, pulmonary fibrosis, and even death (Blumenfeld, Hahn, Lepage, Leonard, & Belafsky, 2006). Another common illness related to swallowing disorders is presbyphagia. Presbyphagia is when the function of swallowing changes as one ages (Pede, Mantovani, Felice, & Masiero, 2015). This disorder affects both the oropharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing; oropharyngeal and esophageal are terms that can be operationalized

For class requirements for her master’s degree in speech language pathology, Jennifer Allison, from Southern Illinois University, researched the advantages and disadvantages of using FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) versus videofluroscopy (such as VFSS, or Modified Barium Swallow (MBS)). There has been a lack of research to determine the gold-standard for assessing dysphagia especially for the pediatric population. VFSS and FEES can be compared based on each procedure’s ability to enable feedback during intervention, assess sensory threshold, evaluate and diagnose GER, provide patient comfort, and assess a wide range of appropriate candidates.

Advancing age does not cause dysphagia, but it may contribute, particularly in combination with certain neurological conditions, such as dementia, stroke and Parkinson’s disease (Humbert & Robbins, 2008; Sura, Madhavan, Carnaby, & Crary,

The fluoroscopy and the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy are different, but remarkable diagnostic methods used for the people suffering from dysphagia. Dysphagia is a medical term that means difficulty swallowing due to abnormal contractions of the esophageal muscles. It is important to find a quick evaluation that will lead to a better diagnosis and recovery with lesser complications. This research paper will discuss the appropriate diagnostic method by comparing between the fluoroscopic unit, and the UGI endoscopy. Data will be collected from King Abdul Aziz University hospital, the sample will be a large diverse patients with dysphagia as the main complaint.

The women were institutionalized in an acute medical center and experienced complications of malnutrition and dysphagia (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, & Mehler, 2012). To begin the study, the women were subjected to a bedside swallow evaluation and video fluoroscopic studies (VFSS) (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, & Mehler, 2012). Two of the patients showed signs of mild to moderate dysphagia and one demonstrated severe dysphagia (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, & Mehler, 2012). Two of the three also showed aspiration and the third showed penetration (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, & Mehler, 2012). Upon reviewing the findings, a SLP team was brought in to perform therapy via NMES, along with swallowing therapy (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, & Mehler, 2012). Swallowing therapy tasks included compensatory strategies and strengthening exercises (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, & Mehler, 2012). The NMES device of choice in the study was the Vitals Stim Therapy Unit (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, & Mehler, 2012). The patients were tested orally using the following consistencies: puree, thin, nectar- thick, honey- thick, mechanical- soft and regular textures. Their results were measured by using the Penetration- Aspiration Scale that scores the passage and ejection of material into the airway and vocal folds. The scale provides a score ranging from one to

Dysphagia affects each person a little differently. Some of the common symptoms of dysphagia include:

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a type of therapy used as a form of treatment for swallowing disorders (dysphagia). This method involves placing electrodes on one or several external sites on the anterior neck to which an electrical current is applied to peripheral tissue targets (Clark, Lazarus, Arvedson, Schooling, & Frymark, 2009, p 362). “it is hypothesized that such stimulation aims to improve function by strengthening the swallowing musculature or by stimulating the sensory pathways relevant to swallowing or both. To facilitate strengthening, muscle contractions elicited via NMES generally recruit larger and more motor units than voluntary contractions, causing metabolic responses within the muscle tissue that ultimately

Finding the best treatment for children with swallowing disorders is a problem many Speech-Language Pathologists are challenged with. Knowing the etiology is of the utmost importance when determining the appropriate treatment for the disorder. This articles emphasizes the significance of finding the etiology of the disorder. To find the etiology, a battery of test

O'Gara (1990) researched dietary adjustments and nutritional therapy during treatment of oral-pharyngeal dysphagia. In this case study, Mr. T, an 80-year-old man with a history of a stroke and two episodes of pneumonia. Evaluation of Mr. T’s nutritional status from daily food records showed that he could eat only about 1200 kcal, and ate very slowly. His estimated nutritional needs were 2100 kcal and 75-90g protein per day. Mr. T was 15% below ideal body weight for his height. Mr. T was referred to a SLP where he received a modified barium swallow study (MBS). The MBS showed that the Mr. T presented with severe dysphagia with delayed triggering of the pharyngeal swallow, reduced pharyngeal peristalsis and aspiration of liquids during the study.

On physical examination, She was alert and well oriented. She was ambulant and walked on her own. Her

Nursing concerns that a nurse may be to evaluate how their patients swallow in order to ensure the adequate intake of food and fluids. Nurses should also make sure that their patients are properly placed to reduce the risk of aspiration and to follow the patients’ specific diets like having thickener to fluids. Ensure that patients have proper oral hygiene to prevent the development of pneumonia. If the patient needs adaptive equipment like straws or specially designed cups (Mauk, 2018). An individual that has severe dysphagia may require enteral feedings in order to get adequate nutrition. It is the nurse’s responsibility that patients are properly positioned to receive feedings along with meticulous oral hygiene (Mauk, 2018).

Kulbersh, B. D., Rosenthal, E. L., McGrew, B. M., Duncan, R. D., McColloch, N. L., Carroll, W. R., & Magnuson, J. S. (2006). Pretreatment, preoperative swallowing exercises may improve dysphagia quality of life. The Laryngoscope, 116(6), 883-886.

PEG tube placement has become one of the common aspects in caring for patients with long term oropharyngeal dysphagia. Ten percent of nursing home residents and 1.7% of Medicare patients over the age of 85 years undergo gastrostomy tube

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, is a digestive disease where the stomach acids or bile irritates the esophagus ‘food pipe’ lining. When you swallow the lower sphincter- a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus - relaxes and allows food or liquid to flow down, if there is abnormal relaxation or weakness of the sphincter could allow back flow up to your esophagus. Stomach contents back flow, which causes belching, heartburn, nausea and regurgitation in some cases. It is very common in the United States, more than 3 million cases per year.