Parkinson s disease in older adults increases the risk of difficulty swallowing.
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Parkinson s disease may cause either excessive increase in saliva or decrease in saliva. Hence, it becomes difficult to swallow the food easily. Some people with Parkinson s can also have the problem of silent aspiration wherein the food instead of passing through the food pipe, mistakenly slips into the wind pipe thereby leading to choking and coughing. In Parkinson s the facial and jaw muscles become weak and therefore the patient cannot control the swallowing and chewing movements of the jaws. The also the swallowing action requires the lips to be closed which is not easy in Parkinson s disease.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition wherein the acid in the stomach regurgitates back towards the throat thereby causing ulcers in esophagus. The scars and ulcers in the esophagus cause the esophagus to narrow down leaving little space for the food to move down easily.
Which method is used for diagnosing difficulty swallowing?
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Barium X-ray or barium swallow test involves swallowing barium pill or barium solution. It coats the inner wall of the esophagus which shows the esophagus on being subjected to the X-rays. This allows the throat muscles to show the blockages and scars. This test method is also known as cineradiography and is mainly done with the help of speech pathologist.
Surgery for difficulty swallowing include
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Difficulty swallowing can be treated with the help of surgery in which a metal or plastic tube is placed in the esophagus. This small tube allows the food substances to be easily swallowed by opening up the blocked path. In serious conditions like that in esophageal cancer, the stent placed will be permanent but in other conditions it can be removed in later stages.
Exercise to treat difficulty swallowing.
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Exercises to co-ordinate the esophageal muscles and help them get re-stimulated and so that swallowing reflex is triggered. The doctor may also help you learn techniques that can help you swallow food.
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