Causes and Treatments of Dysphagia in Old Age

Seniors often face various health issues due to different changes taking place in the body. Dysphagia is one such health condition in which a person has troubles wallowing and will often feel like there is part of a meal stuck in their throat or chest. There can be several reasons for dysphagia and treatment is recommended depending on the nature, intensity, and type.

Some Major Causes of Dysphagia
There are various probable causes of dysphagia,and a few are listed below.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - The nerves in the spinal cordand the brain progressively lose functioning and can cause dysphagia.

Cleft lip and palate - Sometimes, incomplete fusing of different bones in the head causes abnormal developments of the face, which results in gaps (clefts) in the palate as well as the lip to nose area.

Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism syndromes - These are progressive and degenerative neurological disorders which impair a patient's motor skills.

Achalasia – Achalasia prevents the lower esophageal muscles from relaxing enough to allow complete meals into the stomach.

Apart from these disorders, other causes of dysphagia include a stroke, diffuse spasms, Esophageal ring, Eosinophilic esophagitis, Multiple sclerosis, and Myasthenia gravis.

Treatment for dysphagia
The treatment needed for dysphagia depends upon its severity and nature. A speech and language therapist can suggest swallowing therapy to help a patient learn the new ways of swallowing properly. Sometimes, easy to swallow foods with a balanced diet are also suggested by doctors. In the case of esophageal dysphagia, surgical intervention, such as Dilation in which esophagus needs to be widened and Botulinum toxin to paralyze the stiff muscle (for reducing constriction), are required.   

If you are looking for the best Health Care Agencies in NJ, get in touch with Associated Home Quality Health Care now! They are a highly Preferred Home Health Care in NJ due to their affordable and flexible senior care services. Their trained and compassionate caregivers understand the variety of needs seniors have and work accordingly to create a customized care plan for them. To learn more, please visit www.associatedhomehealthcareservices.com.
Location: 1340 NJ-36 #17, Hazlet, NJ 07730, USA

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