Swallowing Disorders
Thursday, November 19th, 2009What happens when you swallow?
Swallowing is an act usually unconscious, although it requires precision and rapidity in its development.
Swallowing occurs in 3 phases:
- oral stage,
- pharyngeal phase,
- esophageal phase.
Oral Phase:
Properly: Formation of food bolus by chewing. The tongue and palate push the bolus towards the back of the mouth.
Pharyngeal phase:
Properly: swallowing reflex, lowering the epiglottis, pharynx closure, the passage of bolus into esophagus.
Incorrectly: Reflex swallowing delayed or absent, risk of aspiration, airway closure is not assured.
Esophageal phase:
Properly: Phase entirely reflex, it is a final phase of swallowing.
Incorrectly: The food particles that have not been evacuated during swallowing can be inhaled during inspiration.
Swallowing disorder = wrong
Responsible for complications:
- broncho-pulmonary complications,
- Undernutrition progressive
- asphyxiation in cases of obstruction.