Aging Can Be Tough to Swallow

A study presented at the annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society focused on the changes that occur in people's ability to swallow as they age, in the hope that it will help rehabilitation specialists design exercises to prevent swallowing disorders in at-risk older adults, reports Medical Xpress . Included in the study were 31 adults, ages 62 to 91, with no swallowing problems, and 33 healthy young adults, ages 18 to 28. Both groups underwent an x-ray video test that visualized their swallowing mechanics, showing how long the windpipe was closed off during a swallow, how long it took to close the airway, and how food was prevented from getting into the lungs. The swallow was found to start later in older adults, placing this group at a higher risk of food entering their lungs and increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia. About 50 percent of persons diagnosed with dysphagia were determined to die within one year of diagnosis, and treatments include rehabilitative therapy such as swallowing exercises that feature strength training.