dysphagia
Swallowing disorder affecting safety and efficiency of food and liquid consumption.
Full Definition
Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that affects the safety, efficiency, or adequacy of swallowing function across any of the four phases: oral preparatory, oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal. Common in neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and dementia, dysphagia can lead to aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and reduced quality of life. Speech-language pathologists conduct comprehensive swallowing evaluations including clinical assessments and instrumental studies like videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Treatment involves dietary modifications, swallowing strategies, exercises, and sometimes alternative feeding methods.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from odynophagia (painful swallowing). Specify phase affected when known.
In Context
- "The patient's dysphagia required a pureed diet with thickened liquids for safety." — Nutrition care plan documentation
- "Dysphagia assessment revealed pharyngeal phase impairments with aspiration risk." — Speech-language pathology evaluation