Dysphagia also known as swallowing disorders usually affect patients who are admitted in hospital, those residing in nursing homes and those receiving care in the offices of doctors. Swallowing disorders usually occur because of medical problems like cerebrovascular accidents, Parkinsons disease, stroke, side effects of medicines and gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you have ever suffered from a stroke, your chances of suffering from aspiration resulting from dysphagia are high.
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.
Physicians perform various tests to determine the cause of the problem. One of these tests is the barium X ray. During the test, doctors ask patients to consume a barium solution that coats the esophagus, making it easier to see it in X-ray images. The physician can see any changes in the way the esophagus is shaped and view how the muscles are working. The doctors may also ask patients to swallow solid food or a pill with a barium coating to evaluate the throat muscles during swallowing. This enables doctors to look out for blockages that may not be identified by using the barium solution.
The other test that doctors perform is the dynamic swallowing study. During this test, you will swallow foods coated with barium and have different consistencies. The test will provide an image of these foods while they are traveling through the mouth and down the throat. The images may show issues in the way your mouth and throat muscles coordinate as you swallow and determine if the food is getting into 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.
Doctors also perform manometry, also referred to as the esophageal muscle exam. During this exam, physicians insert a tiny tube into the esophagus. They then connect this tube to a pressure recorder to measure the contractions of the muscles of the esophagus when swallowing.
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 your speech-language pathologist or physician is through with the test, he or she will discuss the outcome with you and your family if need be. He or she will then recommend safe and efficient drinking and eating. The professional will also inform you about the most suitable treatment depending on the type or cause of your swallowing disorder.
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.
Physicians perform various tests to determine the cause of the problem. One of these tests is the barium X ray. During the test, doctors ask patients to consume a barium solution that coats the esophagus, making it easier to see it in X-ray images. The physician can see any changes in the way the esophagus is shaped and view how the muscles are working. The doctors may also ask patients to swallow solid food or a pill with a barium coating to evaluate the throat muscles during swallowing. This enables doctors to look out for blockages that may not be identified by using the barium solution.
The other test that doctors perform is the dynamic swallowing study. During this test, you will swallow foods coated with barium and have different consistencies. The test will provide an image of these foods while they are traveling through the mouth and down the throat. The images may show issues in the way your mouth and throat muscles coordinate as you swallow and determine if the food is getting into 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.
Doctors also perform manometry, also referred to as the esophageal muscle exam. During this exam, physicians insert a tiny tube into the esophagus. They then connect this tube to a pressure recorder to measure the contractions of the muscles of the esophagus when swallowing.
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 your speech-language pathologist or physician is through with the test, he or she will discuss the outcome with you and your family if need be. He or she will then recommend safe and efficient drinking and eating. The professional will also inform you about the most suitable treatment depending on the type or cause of your swallowing disorder.
About the Author:
If you want further information on dysphagia evaluation and treatment, then you are welcome to visit our website. Read the well-researched articles that appear at http://www.swallowstudy.com/dysphagia-evaluation-guides-dysphagia-treatment-part-1.