Swallowing difficulties, called dysphagia, can occur for many reasons and at various ages. As people age, the swallowing mechanisms grow weaker, making the elderly more prone to development. Dysphagia can become a danger for seniors and can have a profound effect on their lives. Learning about the challenges and solutions will help seniors and their loved ones navigate the obstacles and ensure safety.
What Is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia is a medical term for a swallowing disorder. It is essential to learn about swallowing disorders if you think you have one. There are two kinds of dysphagia. Oropharyngeal dysphagia causes problems with moving food from the mouth to the esophagus. Esophageal dysphagia prevents the normal movement of food from the esophagus to the stomach.
The elderly are more likely to develop dysphagia. Common causes of this swallowing condition include:
- Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurological conditions
- Structural changes in the throat caused by tumors or scarring
- Muscle weakness due to aging or muscular diseases
- Certain medications that impact saliva production or muscle tone
What are the Symptoms of Dysphagia?
Depending on the type and severity of swallowing disorders, seniors may experience various symptoms. If they have more than one of these symptoms, they should seek medical care immediately.
- Frequent coughing while eating
- Feelings of food being stuck in the throat
- Chronic hoarseness
- Feeling food coming back up
- Problems with chewing
- Choking while eating
- Unexplained weight loss
These conditions can become severe, especially in seniors. Someone who cannot swallow effectively can block air passage, leading to choking. If left untreated, dysphagia can cause aspiration pneumonia, a serious condition that causes foods or fluids to leak into the lung tissue, causing infection.
Seniors suffering from dysphagia may develop malnutrition and dehydration. They can also experience social isolation because of the fear and embarrassment of their condition. These conditions can cause a reduced quality of life, leading to stress, anxiety, and confusion because of the challenges of eating and drinking.
What Are the Treatment Options?
Seniors are especially vulnerable to facing challenges with dysphagia. Treating this condition in seniors requires multiple approaches and often a medical team of providers.
One treatment option is speech therapy. A speech therapist can often identify the signs of dysphagia and help seniors manage them. Special exercises can help strengthen the muscles responsible for swallowing. Seniors are taught to position themselves while eating to avoid swallowing difficulties and choking.
Diet changes are also effective in helping seniors with swallowing disorders. Pureed foods should be considered for easier eating and swallowing, and thickened water and liquids should be used to prevent aspiration. It also helps if seniors eat smaller meals throughout the day and chew each bite carefully.
Support and Care for Seniors with Dysphagia
Seniors with dysphagia need careful monitoring when eating and drinking. They need consistent care and emotional support to help them with the challenges dysphagia brings. Caregivers should assist with meal preparation to ensure the food is the right consistency. Mealtimes should be relaxed and social to help seniors overcome social anxiety.
Dysphagia can be a challenging condition to master, but with proper care, seniors can continue to enjoy eating and drinking without fear. Many seniors with this condition need specialized care to keep them safe and healthy. In addition to daily care and support, thickeners can transform the eating and drinking process and protect against aspiration.