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Gag reflex and dysphagia
1Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06504, USA.
Head & Neck
|March 1, 1996
Summary
The absence of a gag reflex does not predict dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Many individuals without a gag reflex can still eat safely, indicating the reflex
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- The gag reflex is a protective mechanism against pharyngeal aspiration.
- It is routinely assessed in bedside dysphagia evaluations, despite a lack of supporting data.
- Its clinical relevance in dysphagia assessment is questionable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the absence of a gag reflex predicts dysphagia.
- To determine the clinical utility of the gag reflex test in dysphagia evaluations.
Main Methods:
- Assessed gag reflex in 14 adult subjects with absent gag reflex referred for dysphagia evaluation.
- Evaluated gag reflex in 69 normal adult volunteers.
- Observed velar movement in subjects with absent gag reflex.
Main Results:
- 86% of subjects without a gag reflex could consume a puree diet.
- 86% demonstrated normal velar movement, distinguishing it from swallowing function.
- The gag reflex was absent in 13% of non-dysphagic individuals.
Conclusions:
- Absence of the gag reflex is not a reliable predictor of dysphagia.
- Routinely assessing the gag reflex in dysphagia evaluations may lack clinical relevance.