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Manofluorographic analysis of swallowing in the elderly
E Dejaeger1, W Pelemans, G Bibau
1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium.
Dysphagia
|January 1, 1994
Abstract:
This study examined the effect of aging on the mechanisms of swallowing by comparing 16 elderly subjects (80 years +/- 5) with 20 healthy volunteers. Manofluorography was used to obtain quantitative and qualitative data of the pharyngeal swallow. Aging is associated with a significant decrease in the level of negative pressure resulting from the opening of the upper esophageal sphincter and with a substantial number of incomplete relaxations of the sphincter. In addition, several qualitative changes were noted.