CDS 555 Overview

What is swallowing?

A sequence of neurologically controlled movements involving the muscles of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and stomach

What is dysphagia?

Difficulty swallowing due to damage to or removal of muscles and/or structures involved in swallowing

What is aphagia?

The inability to swallow

What is aspiration?

Food, liquid, pill or secretions pass into airway below level of true vocal folds

What can aspiration cause?

pneumonia and/or respiratory complications

How does unplanned weight loss relate to dysphagia?

Unplanned weight loss may be result of
swallowing disorder, especially in elderly

Is dysphagia a primary diagnosis?

No, it is a symptom.

What are some complications of dysphagia?

Dehydration, weight loss, pneumonia, and aspiration

What is aspiration pneumonia?

Pulmonary infection from acute or chronic
aspiration of fluid, food, or oral secretions from
mouth OR from stomach (reflux) into the
airway/lungs

How is aspiration pneumonia treated?

Antibiotics; however, if the cause of aspiration is not eliminated, infections may be recurrent

Where is aspiration pneumonia detected?

Right lower lobe

How can dysphagia impact quality of life?

General health, psychological well-being, financial well-being, and voice

What are some causes of dysphagia?

CVA/stroke, head injury/TBI, head and neck cancer and/or treatment (i.e. radiation, surgery, chemotherapy), and more

What are advanced directives?

Legal documents that express a person's wishes for future medical care if they are unable to communicate their own decisions due to illness or injury

What is a health care proxy?

A legal document that designates a trusted person to make medical decisions on a patien’s behalf if they become unable to make them themselves