What causes dysphagia in geriatric patients?

Prospero

Aritra

@prospero The prevalence of dysphagia increases with age, making dysphagia is a major health-care problem in elderly patients. Normal aging alters some aspects of the swallowing function; problems include increased oral and pharyngeal transit times, poor bolus control and coordination, increased magnitude and duration of pharyngeal pressures, and increased incidence of pharyngeal residue after swallowing.

Other factors, such as the following, can cause a predisposition to dysphagia or can aggravate the condition:

Poor dentition

Atrophy of the tongue and alveolar ridge

Diminished taste and smell sensitivity

Decreased muscle tone

Increased ligamentous laxity

Limited laryngeal elevation