title: Dysphagia in the elderly.
abstract: Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common problem in the elderly. Based on the initial clinical history and physical examination, the dysphagia is assessed as either primarily oropharyngeal or esophageal in origin. Most oropharyngeal dysphagia is of neurologic origin, and management is coordinated with a clinical swallow specialist in conjunction with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician if warning signs imply malignancy. Several structural and functional esophageal disorders can cause dysphagia. If a patient has likely esophageal dysphagia, a video barium esophagram is a good initial test, and referral to a gastroenterologist is generally warranted leading to appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Center for Esophageal Disease, NYU School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, SKR 9N, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: Morris
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Traube
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003287:Contrast Media; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019468:Disease Management; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000379:methods*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate
keywords: Dysphagia; Esophageal; Motility; Oropharyngeal; Swallowing