Abstract
Dysphagia is a common symptom in many neurologic disorders. Patients with oropharyngeal
dysphagia present with difficulties when they start to swallow, often with coughing
and choking; whereas patients with esophageal dysphagia describe the feeling that
swallowed food stops in the chest. Chronic neurologic diseases such stroke, Parkinson's
disease, or dementia often have dysphagia as a symptom, particularly oropharyngeal
dysphagia, and the term “neurogenic dysphagia” is often used. A disruption of the
sophisticated, integrated sensorimotor swallowing system is usually the main reason
behind dysphagia. Dysphagia can be associated with aspiration leading to aspiration
pneumonia, and chronic dysphagia can lead to weight loss and malnutrition. Patients
with dysphagia, when accurately and promptly diagnosed through medical history, physical
examination, and diagnostic tests, often can be treated and experience improved quality
of life. The pathophysiological mechanisms behind dysphagia, its diagnosis, and potential
treatments are discussed in this manuscript.
Keywords
swallowing - dysphagia - neurological diseases
