Basics of Dysphagia
Caregiver in Ada MI
Patrick had only been family caregiver for his father for a short time when he started to notice that Daniel seemed to be having difficulty when he was eating. Rather than being able to eat his meal 
comfortably and engage in conversation with Patrick throughout the meal like he always used to, Daniel was struggling in between bites and staying very quiet. He seemed to not be eating as much as he used to and was starting to lose weight. When he mentioned it to his father, Daniel tried to eat faster, but ended up choking briefly. This was a frightening experience for both of them and that was when Patrick decided that it was time that they visit the doctor and find out what was really going on. After evaluating what both Patrick and Daniel said about the issue and performing an examination, the doctor diagnosed Daniel as having dysphagia. He offered a few management recommendations that Patrick integrated into his care routine. Soon after, Daniel was experiencing fewer problems and seemed far healthier.
Dysphagia is not truly an illness or a disorder, but a specific issue that could be an indication of a serious problem. People with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing, whether it is swallowing nothing, food, or liquid, and in some cases swallowing actually becomes impossible. While this condition can and does happen in people of all age groups, it is most common in elderly adults, particularly those who are dealing with cognitive issues such as Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. As a caregiver it is important that you are aware of how your parent eats and drinks so that you can protect him from possible danger associated with dysphagia, and work to resolve issues so that he can get the nutrition that he needs comfortably and safely.
Signs and symptoms of dysphagia include:
- Pain while swallowing
- Feeling unable to swallow or trying to swallow and not having anything happen
- Frequent heartburn
- Gagging sensation when swallowing
- Coughing or “hacking” when swallowing
- Uncontrollable drooling
- Having food come back up after swallowing or partial swallowing
- Feeling like food is getting stuck in the throat or in the chest
- Losing weight without other explanation
- The need to eat smaller bites or not eat certain foods because they are too difficult to swallow
When minor, dysphagia can be just inconvenient and mildly uncomfortable. If it escalates, however, your parent could be at risk of choking. The food that he is unable to swallow might become an obstruction in his throat, preventing him from breathing properly, and the same issues that keep him from being able to swallow properly might keep him from being able to bring the food back up in a controlled manner as well.
Risk factors for dysphagia include aging, history of stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, nervous system disorders, and excessive wear on the esophagus. It is very important that if your parent has showed any signs of difficulty swallowing, you watch him carefully when he is eating so that you are prepared to help him or call for medical attention should an emergency arise.
If you or someone you know needs help with caregiver services in Ada, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dysphagia/basics/definition/con-20033444
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