Tip of the Iceberg: Geriatric Dysphagia

Abstract

Presbyphagia; is the physiological, structural and sensory changes that occur in the structures related to swallowing with age. Elderly patients adapt to all these changes by making various alteration in their eating habits to maintain normal swallowing function; however, an intervening stressor, comorbid disease or sarcopenic changes can make an asymptomatic swallowing disorder "symptomatic". This situation may be overlooked by the patient himself or the caregivers and may be accepted as a natural consequence of aging. Dysphagia in elderly can lead to serious complications such as malnutrition, dehydration and aspiration pneumonia. Recognizing the situation and not accept it as a natural consequence of old age plays a key role in this problem.