II paziente disfagico: manual per familiari e caregiver (The Dysphagic Patient: Handbook for Family and Caregivers).

摘要

The term dysphagia indicates a swallowing difficulty of individuals with either neurologic or muscle disorders and commonly occurring in 30-45% of patients suffering from stroke, as well as in those affected by Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease and multiple sclerosis. Dysphagia is particularly common among the elderly, both as a consequence of the weakening of jaw muscles and loss of teeth, and sometimes as side effect of administered drugs. In neurological rehabilitation, dysphagia is an often occurring condition that, in addition to inducing malnutrition, may be responsible of both silent aspiration, with a high risk of aspiration pneumonia, and sudden death by suffocation. This handbook would be considered as a tool to provide family and caregivers with useful information for the best possible care of dysphagic patients.