Causes, Signs & Symptoms of Feeding/Swallowing Disorders

Question 1

What are the etiological categories in adults?

Answer 1

• mechanical
• surgical
• neurogenic/neurological
• iatrogenic/pharmacologic/psychiatriac
• respiratory complications
• esophageal disorders

Question 2

What are mechanical causes?

Answer 2

• Cervical Osteophytes

- Head & Neck Cancers

Question 3

What are neurogenic causes?

Answer 3

• CVA/Stroke
• TBI
• CP
• Dementia
• Parkinson’s Disease
• PSP
• Hungtington’s Disease
• Wilson’s Disease
• Torticollis
• ALS
• MS
• neoplasms
• Polio
• Guilan Barre
• Myopathy
• Myasthenia Gravis

Question 4

What are Iatrogenic causes?

Answer 4

-radiation effects from cancer treatments

Question 5

What are Pharmacologic/Psychiatric causes?

Answer 5

-any drug that depresses consciousness can affect swallowing safety

Question 6

What are respiratory complications?

Answer 6

• dyspnea
• trachypnea
• COPD
• tracheotomy

Question 7

What are esophageal disorders?

Answer 7

• diffuse esophageal spasms
• achlasia
• zenkers diverticulum
• GER
• GERD
• Regurgitation
• Vomiting
• LPR

Question 8

What are some considerations to consider with aging?

Answer 8

In general there are sensory, motor, and structural changes with aging and these changes can result in a swallow which is slower, weaker and reduced range of motion.