SLHS 1150 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Airway Obstruction, Neurodegeneration, Weight Loss
13 Nov 2018
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Document Summary
Swallowing is a life-sustaining complex sensorimotor behavior that transports food, liquid, and saliva from the oral cavity to the stomach. Aspiration pneumonia - lung infection which occurs when food, saliva, liquids, or vomit enter the lungs. Failure to thrive - insufficient weight gain. Any disruption of the neurological or peripheral control of movements involving the muscles of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, or respiratory system can result in dysphagia. Can occur throughout the lifespan, from newborns to the elderly. There is great diversity in the diseases, disorders, and injuries which can cause dysphagia. There can be a pervasive and severe swallowing disturbance or just minor changes which result in more mild changes to swallowing physiology. Regardless of the severity of swallowing deficits, the impact of dysphagia on a patient and their family cannot be ignored. Impact on quality of life is often ignored.
