Swallowing and ageing

Authors

  • Isabel Silva-Carvalho Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Instituto Superior de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3268-6102
  • Adriana Martins Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0791-4596
  • J. Rodrigues Sousa Instituto Superior de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0667-3061
  • Susana Vaz-Freitas Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Laboratório de Inteligência Artificial e Apoio à Decisão (LIAAD) - INESC TEC, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0667-7632
  • Luís Meireles Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7698-8663

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.2027

Keywords:

oropharyngeal dysphagia, aging, presbyphagia

Abstract

Swallowing disorders, including dysphagia, are highly prevalent in the elderly and are associated with significantly negative outcomes, including malnutrition, dehydration, pneumonia, reduced quality of life, and caregiver burden. Although oropharyngeal dysphagia is responsible for such complications, it is often not detected and treated. The elderly and caregivers often are unaware of their dysfunction.

Understanding the physiology of normal swallowing and swallowing disorders in the elderly is essential, as well as distinguishing between functional changes in swallowing in the elderly and dysphagia.

In addition to numerous screening tools and clinical evaluation protocols, videofluoroscopy and videoendoscopy of swallowing are considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of oropharyngeal dysphagia.

The primary goal of dysphagia intervention is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with respiratory infections and poor nutritional status, promoting safe and adequate nutrition and hydration with minimal complications.

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Published

2023-08-28

How to Cite

Silva-Carvalho, I., Martins, A., Sousa, J. R., Vaz-Freitas, S., & Meireles, L. (2023). Swallowing and ageing. Portuguese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 61(2), 225–232. https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.2027

Issue

Section

Review