Oropharyngeal dysphagia in older adults: A review

Abstract Oropharyngeal dysphagia is an underestimated symptom in geriatric population. Neurological and neuromuscular diseases, but also structural causes and iatrogenesis are its main and more frequent causes. This symptom should not be neglected, as it may significantly impair the swallowing proce...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:European geriatric medicine 2011, Vol.2 (6), p.356-362
Main Authors: Forster, A, Samaras, N, Gold, G, Samaras, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Elderly
Internal Medicine
Oropharyngeal dysphagia
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Oropharyngeal dysphagia is an underestimated symptom in geriatric population. Neurological and neuromuscular diseases, but also structural causes and iatrogenesis are its main and more frequent causes. This symptom should not be neglected, as it may significantly impair the swallowing process and therefore cause malnutrition, dehydration and even worse lead to aspiration pneumonia. Clinical presentation is often insidious and dysphagia's symptoms are seldom mentioned by elder patients. Bedside screening methods could help select the patients needing through instrumental testing, in order to confirm oropharyngeal dysphagia. Subsequently, a multidisciplinary comprehensive assessment could lead to personalized therapeutic interventions, according to the patient's particularities and wishes.
ISSN:1878-7649
1878-7657
DOI:10.1016/j.eurger.2011.08.007