Swallowing disorders in old age

Česká verzia

Authors: Šatanková Jana ^1,2; Kuchařová Markéta ¹; Rousová Anna ¹; Dubská Alžběta ¹; Dědková Jana ³; Chrobok Viktor ^1,2
Authors place of work: Klinika otorinolaryngologie a chirurgie hlavy a krku, Fakultní nemocnice Hradec Králové ¹; Univerzita Karlova, Lékařská fakulta v Hradci Králové ²; Radiologická klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Hradec Králové ³
Published in the journal: Geriatrie a Gerontologie 2024, 13, č. 3: 126-131
Category: Review Article

Summary

Dysphagia, or swallowing disorder, is a common problem in the aging population, with its incidence increasing with age. The physiological loss of motor and sensory functions leads to presbyphagia, which is a false dysphagia in healthy individuals. True dysphagia occurs with complications caused by acute illness.

The incidence of dysphagia is high, with 6-7% of people in the USA reported to suffer from this disorder. In the elderly over 65, aspiration bronchopneumonia, often caused by dysphagia, is the fourth most common cause of death. After a stroke, dysphagia occurs in 37-38% of patients and in neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia in up to 93% of patients.

Dysphagia in old age affects all phases of swallowing: oral preparatory, oral transport, pharyngeal and oesophageal. Diagnosis requires the collaboration of specialists and includes methods such as FEES and VFSS. Therapy focuses on maintaining safe eating and includes speech therapy intervention, exercises and manoeuvres to improve muscle strength and coordination. Compensatory techniques and rehabilitation procedures are key to preventing complications.

Presbyphagia is often neglected, so interdisciplinary collaboration and education of family members is important to ensure adequate care.

Keywords:

dysphagia, presbyphagia, penetration, aspiration, malnutrition, FEES, VFSS

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