Swallow Study For Dysphagia Yields Important Information

By Nora Jennings


There are people who suffer from a condition that makes swallowing difficult. Testing is done to confirm the presence of dysphagia. When medical researchers conducted a swallow study for dysphagia, it yielded valuable information that will help future sufferers of this disorder.

Most people with this condition are older adults, those with a disorder of the brain or nervous system and infants. It is not classified as such if you have difficulty once or twice. It is only when it happens with some frequency that it qualifies as a disorder.

There are tests routinely used to identify dysphagia and what caused it. An x-ray using barium as a contrast material shows the physician the shape and muscular activity occurring in your esophagus. As the food passes through, any blockage will be highlighted.

In another, the dynamic test, the patient swallows food of various consistencies that are first coated with barium. The doctor observes as they move through the esophagus. The goal is to see how well these muscles function.

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.

The endoscopy uses an endoscope, which is a lighted instrument, and threads it down the throat. This allows the physician to see the inside walls of your esophagus. Another invasive test passes a fiber optic tube called the laryngoscope in through the nose.

The manometry test is used to measure muscular contractions inside the esophagus. It connects to a device that measures those contractions to determine how strong they are. The tests all provide valuable information.

After the results of these tests reveal and identify the disorder, specific treatment can be ordered for the specific type of disorder that is diagnosed. An oropharyngeal case is referred to a speech therapist. Exercises such as restimulating nerves that function as a trigger for the swallow reflex are used. Placing food in your mouth in a new way may be helpful.

Esophageal dysphagia is treated by dilating the sphincter muscle of the esophagus that is constricted and causing the difficulty. If there is a tumor or pharyngeal diverticula identified, surgery may be required. If the causative factor is a condition called GERD, medication may be needed.

If someone has one or two spasms that cause temporary swallowing difficulties, it may not be dysphagia. The tests will indicate a normal esophagus. Medication can be prescribed to reduce discomfort. If it occurs again, the individual can be retested.

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.

One research study was conducted to gauge the incidence of dysphagia and how it relates to pulmonary compromise in those who have suffered a cardiovascular accident, also called a stroke. This was done using existing databases. The risk factor of dysphagia patients developing pneumonia was investigated. The frequency of this comorbidity was the factor being studied.




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