Dysfagia is common problem in the elderly. It is an
alarm symptom that requires rapid evaluations to identify the exact cause and
initiate appropriate treatment. This problem is becoming more common as the
elderly population increases. In general, patients describe food getting stuck,
sticking and not moving forward. Atrophy of the swallowing muscles and changes
in mental with aging constitute the basis for dysphagia in the elderly. In
addition to the discomfort caused by dysphagia in the elderly, its complications
are also important. In the elderly who develop malnutrition due to dysphagia,
morbidity and mortality due to decreased immune response, decreased wound
healing, decreased desire to recover from the disease, weakened respiratory
power and muscle strength, etc. also increase. History and physical examination
prevent unnecessary examinations and ensure appropriate examinations in elderly
patients with dysphagia. The most common cause of oropharyngeal dysphagia is
neurological diseases. If an elderly patient has esophageal dysphagia, barium
esophagram is the first appropriate test, but should be evaluated with further
examinations such as endoscopy or manometry for a definitive diagnosis.
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