Dysphagia

Most of us take eating and drinking for granted –after all, both are natural, physiological functions that are essential to the maintenance of life. By eating and drinking on a daily basis we not only nourish the body, but are also giving ourselves a real sensory pleasure which is an important element in our social lives.

A key aspect of enjoying the things we eat and drink is the ability to swallow easily. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Dysphagia, a condition which is described as difficulty or discomfort when swallowing, commonly occurs among older patients

Dysphagia can have a severe effect on your patient's health, nutritional status and quality of life. It can affect people in varying degrees: some may experience a mild discomfort, while others might have a complete inability to swallow. These problems can arise anywhere from the mouth to the stomach, and may be due to impaired function of the tongue, palate, pharynx, upper oesophageal sphincter or oesophagus, as they are all involved in the swallowing mechanism.