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.
Anyone can suffer from dysphagia, but this condition has severe consequences for the seniors. Swallowing disorders can also result in aspiration pneumonia and death. It is advisable to consult with a doctor if you often experience difficulties when swallowing or if regurgitation, weight loss or vomiting accompanies your swallowing disorder. You should call for emergency help immediately, if an obstruction prevents you from breathing properly. By performing a dysphagia evaluation, speech-language physicians and doctors can determine the cause of the issue.
Doctors use various tests to determine the cause of swallowing problems. One of these tests is the barium X ray. The physician will ask you to drink a barium solution, which will coat your esophagus so that it will be more visible on X-rays. Your physician will be able to see changes in the shape of the esophagus and can evaluate muscular activity. Your physician can also ask you to swallow a pill or solid food that is coated with barium to examine the muscles in the throat while you are swallowing it to check for blockages that the barium solution cannot identify.
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.
Doctors also perform an endoscopy. This procedure involves examining the esophagus using a thin, lighted and flexible device known as an endoscope. Physicians may also take biopsies of the esophagus to determine if a tumor, eosinophilic esophagitis, narrowing or inflammation is present.
Another test that doctors use to evaluate swallowing disorders is the esophageal muscle test or manometry. During this test, your doctor will insert a small tube into the esophagus and connect it to a pressure recorder. This will enable the physician to evaluate the contractions of your muscles as you swallow.
Your doctor can also perform imaging scans to determine the cause of your dysphagia. These scans may include a CT scan, which combines computer processing and several X ray views to create cross sectional images of the bones and soft tissues. The doctor may also perform an MRI scan, which uses radio waves and a magnetic field to create detailed images of tissues and organs.
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.
Anyone can suffer from dysphagia, but this condition has severe consequences for the seniors. Swallowing disorders can also result in aspiration pneumonia and death. It is advisable to consult with a doctor if you often experience difficulties when swallowing or if regurgitation, weight loss or vomiting accompanies your swallowing disorder. You should call for emergency help immediately, if an obstruction prevents you from breathing properly. By performing a dysphagia evaluation, speech-language physicians and doctors can determine the cause of the issue.
Doctors use various tests to determine the cause of swallowing problems. One of these tests is the barium X ray. The physician will ask you to drink a barium solution, which will coat your esophagus so that it will be more visible on X-rays. Your physician will be able to see changes in the shape of the esophagus and can evaluate muscular activity. Your physician can also ask you to swallow a pill or solid food that is coated with barium to examine the muscles in the throat while you are swallowing it to check for blockages that the barium solution cannot identify.
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.
Doctors also perform an endoscopy. This procedure involves examining the esophagus using a thin, lighted and flexible device known as an endoscope. Physicians may also take biopsies of the esophagus to determine if a tumor, eosinophilic esophagitis, narrowing or inflammation is present.
Another test that doctors use to evaluate swallowing disorders is the esophageal muscle test or manometry. During this test, your doctor will insert a small tube into the esophagus and connect it to a pressure recorder. This will enable the physician to evaluate the contractions of your muscles as you swallow.
Your doctor can also perform imaging scans to determine the cause of your dysphagia. These scans may include a CT scan, which combines computer processing and several X ray views to create cross sectional images of the bones and soft tissues. The doctor may also perform an MRI scan, which uses radio waves and a magnetic field to create detailed images of tissues and organs.
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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