How Does Dysphagia Get Diagnosed?
Dysphagia can be a little bit frightening when your senior first develops it. She may have increased difficulty eating or drinking and that can lead to other health problems.
Elderly Care in Chadds Ford PA: Dysphagia
Dysphagia Defined
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. This can happen with both food and beverages. Your elderly family member may have a family history of dysphagia or she may deal with it because of an illness or injury. Dysphagia can cause your senior to gag or to cough when she’s eating or drinking, which may make her avoid both activities. The most dangerous part of dysphagia is that your elderly family member can get food stuck in her throat or she may aspirate food or drink.
Talk to Her Doctor
If your elderly family member seems to be having trouble swallowing, you should definitely talk to her doctor. This is especially important if your senior has been losing weight or has starting drooling, having frequent heartburn, or her voice has started to become hoarse. If you suspect that there’s something caught in your elderly family member’s throat, you should definitely contact medical professionals for help.
There May Be an Official Test or Series of Tests
There are a few different types of tests your senior might undergo to diagnose dysphagia. One is an X-ray with contrast. It involves your senior swallowing barium while she’s having a series of X-rays taken. Another type of test might be an endoscopy of her esophagus. A camera passes down your senior’s throat so the doctor can look at what happens. Other tests may be more appropriate for your senior’s situation.
Your Senior’s Doctor Recommends a Plan
Once your senior’s doctor knows what she’s up against, it’s time to formulate a plan. Medications may help your elderly family member with dysphagia if GERD is a contributing factor. In severe cases, surgery or a feeding tube might be recommended. Many people with dysphagia eat a special liquid diet that is slightly thickened. This can often be preferable to some other treatments because it’s not invasive and is unlikely to have side effects.
Senior care providers can be incredibly helpful while you and your senior are adjusting to this diagnosis. If you’re not able to be there with your senior during meals and snacks, it can be a huge weight off your shoulders to know that there’s someone there with her. It’s also a relief for your senior to have someone helping her with meals who understands her condition and her needs.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elderly Care in Chadds Ford, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care.
Call today: (484) 206-4544
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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