“Dysphagia” is the medical term for swallowing difficulties. This condition is often not detected or diagnosed until it begins to cause other problems for the affected person.
What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is defined as difficulty swallowing. It involves a variety of problems related to consuming both solid food and liquids. While dysphagia is typically more common in the elderly, it has multiple causes that can affect people of all ages. It can occur in varying degrees, from mild difficulties with swallowing certain foods or liquids, to the complete inability to swallow.
People with dysphagia might experience trouble with swallowing, eating, drinking, chewing, sucking, controlling saliva in the mouth, swallowing medication, or protecting the airway.
Dysphagia can make eating and drinking uncomfortable or unsafe and may also lead to serious health issues. Because people with this condition may not seek or receive a diagnosis or treatment immediately, dysphagia can result in eating and drinking less, placing them at higher risk of malnutrition and dehydration. Dysphagia may also lead to respiratory infections. And because dysphagia can make eating in social situations uncomfortable, it can lead to isolation and have an impact on emotional wellbeing. Therefore, it’s important that swallowing problems are diagnosed and managed appropriately.
Can dysphagia be treated or cured?
Dysphagia can vary in terms of severity, underlying cause, and duration of the condition. It may be chronic, progressive, stable or temporary depending on what is causing the swallowing difficulty. In some cases, dysphagia can be managed through changes in diet, changes in posture while swallowing, or other non-invasive methods. Dysphagia can also sometimes be rehabilitated through specific exercises targeting the head and neck muscles under supervision from a healthcare professional. In some individuals, dysphagia may be severe enough to warrant a discussion with healthcare professionals about the potential need for a feeding tube.
Your healthcare professional is the most reliable source of information for your dysphagia management plan.
How common is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is generally estimated to affect around 8% of the total population. This number can vary depending on the setting. For instance, in hospital settings, dysphagia can occur in up to 71% of patients. In long-term care homes, it may range from 55 to 68% of residents. The rate of dysphagia is higher among older adults, and it is estimated that among older adults living in the community, the dysphagia rate is between 11 and 16%.