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Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery pp 539–551Cite as

Geriatric Dysphagia

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Abstract

Dysphagia, literally difficult or disordered eating, can refer to numerous difficulties with swallowing. The normal swallow consists of introduction of food into the oral cavity and its subsequent passage through the pharynx and esophagus into the stomach. Disorders of swallowing may be found along any point during this passage. A recent survey found that approximately one-third of independent, noninstitutionalized, elderly Americans reported a problem with swallowing [1]. In the year 2000, there were 35 million Americans over the age of 65 which represented 12.4% of the total population. By the year 2050, this population group is projected to number over 86 million and comprise over 20% of the total population [2]. With the “graying” of the American population, the prevalence of dysphagia is expected to increase.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University Hospital, Emory Voice Center, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Michael M. Johns

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  1. Neil N. Chheda
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  2. Gregory N. Postma
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  3. Michael M. Johns
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, 06520, Connecticut, USA

    Ronnie Ann Rosenthal

  2. Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Clarkson Ave. 450, Brooklyn, 11203, New York, USA

    Michael E. Zenilman

  3. , Chairman, Department of Surgery, Sinai Hospital, 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, 21215, Maryland, USA

    Mark R. Katlic

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Chheda, N.N., Postma, G.N., Johns, M.M. (2011). Geriatric Dysphagia. In: Rosenthal, R., Zenilman, M., Katlic, M. (eds) Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6999-6_44

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