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Swallow respiratory patterns and aging: presbyphagia or dysphagia?
Paula Leslie1, Michael J Drinnan, Gary A Ford
1School of Surgical and Reproductive Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom. paula.leslie@ncl.ac.uk
Summary
Healthy aging involves subtle changes in swallow respiration coordination, not necessarily impairment. These age-related respiratory patterns may be protective, influencing safe eating and drinking in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Physiology
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
Background:
- Increasing referrals for dysphagia in older adults raise questions about age-related changes versus impairment.
- Swallowing and respiration coordination is crucial for preventing aspiration and may decline with age.
- Understanding nonpathological aging of swallow function is vital for safe eating and drinking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of healthy aging on resting and swallow respiratory patterns.
- To differentiate between age-related changes and pathological dysphagia.
- To understand factors influencing safe eating and drinking in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Fifty healthy volunteers (aged 20-78) had their swallow respiration patterns recorded.
- Variations in bolus volume (5 and 20 ml) and consistency (water, yogurt) were analyzed.
- Swallow apnea and respiratory patterns were measured using computer recording.
Main Results:
- Measurable swallows decreased with age for water boluses.
- Swallow apnea duration significantly increased with age for both water and yogurt.
- Breathing out post-swallow, multiple swallowing, and resting respiration patterns were largely independent of age.
Conclusions:
- Subtle changes in swallow respiration coordination occur with healthy aging.
- These age-related changes may be compensatory protective mechanisms, not signs of impairment.
- Misinterpreting healthy aging as dysphagia impacts patient care and resource allocation.