Sunday, June 1, 2014

Useful Information Gathered In A Swallow Study For Dysphagia

By Nora Jennings


When ingesting food becomes extremely difficult the condition dysphagia may be the reason. Medical testing is done to confirm whether it is the cause or not. When researchers conducted a swallow study for dysphagia, the results provided information of value for those suffering from the disorder.

The disorder strikes elderly adults and people who have some type of brain or nervous system dysfunction. When someone has one or two esophageal spasms it does not necessarily indicate she or he has this disorder. If it happens frequently, testing can be done to confirm the malady.

The tests to confirm dysphagia and its cause are varied. One x-ray test involves the patient drinking a contrast material to highlight food as it passes through the esophagus. A physician observes the progress and the barium allows any blockage to be highlighted.

In the dynamic study foods of various consistencies are coated with barium. The doctor can see the foods as they are pass through the esophagus. This is especially useful for revealing how the muscles move as you chew and swallow.

When food or drink goes down the airway instead of the esophagus, it is a dangerous situation. It sometimes causes death. If someone drinks to excess and passes out, he or she may vomit and the airway may be obstructed if he or she is unconscious.

An endoscopy is a test that threads an instrument with a light on the end down the throat. A physician can observe the inner walls of the esophagus. One other invasive test passes a laryngoscope, a fiber optic tube, through the nose rather than the mouth.

A manometry test also threads a narrow tube down the throat. It is attached to a diagnostic device. That device can measure the strength of contractions that are normally strong enough to take food from the mouth to the stomach. These diagnostic tests provide valuable insight.

When the disorder is confirmed, the optimal treatment can be arranged based on the type. For example, an oropharyngeal case is treated by a speech language pathologist. Nerves that activate the swallowing reflex are restimulated. The position of the food placed in the mouth may improve function as well.

Dilation of the sphincter muscle in the esophagus is the usual treatment for esophageal dysphagia. In the case of a tumor, surgical excision is indicated as the proper way to treat the patient. There is a condition called GERD that is improved by taking prescription medication.

A person who has suffered an esophageal spasm, but, is diagnosed as having a normal esophagus, may be given medication to relax the esophagus. This reduces discomfort. If the spasm or spasms reoccur, more testing may be done.

An elderly person who is dysphagic may be unable to get the proper nutrition. A liquid diet may be prescribed. In a case where the patient is in a comatose state, a feeding tube may be the only solution.

Those stricken with dysphagia and pulmonary compromise concurrently were the subjects of a research study. Existing databases from previous research were used to gather numbers on those who had first suffered a cardiovascular accident, also called a stroke. Ascertaining the number of patients who suffered this comorbidity was the goal of this research study.




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