What causes it and who is most affected?

What causes it and who is most affected?

What causes it?

Dysphagia is usually caused by another health condition and can happen at any age.1 This type of difficulty usually occurs due to an underlying condition including stroke, head injury, learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and head and neck cancer.

As swallowing is a complex process, there are many reasons why dysphagia can develop. Some can include:2

Damage to the nervous system

  • Problems in the brain and spinal cord can interfere with the nerves controlling swallowing.

  • Conditions can include Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, Dementia, Motor neurone disease and Brain tumours.

Obstruction

  • Obstruction in the throat can make swallowing difficult.

  • Can be caused by Mouth or throat cancer, Damage to the gullet from an allergic reaction to food, Acid reflux (heartburn), Radiotherapy treatment or Infections like tuberculosis or thrush.

Congenital or Developmental Conditions

  • Congenital means something you are born with.

  • Developmental conditions affect how you develop.

  • Conditions that may cause dysphagia include Learning disability, Cerebral palsy (affects movement and co-ordination) and Cleft lip and palate.

Muscular Conditions

  • Any condition that affects muscles that push food down the gullet can cause dysphagia.

  • Scleroderma (the body’s own defence system attacks muscles in the throat) is rare.

  • Achalasia (where muscles in the gullet fail to function properly) is also rare.

Other causes

  • The muscles used for swallowing become weaker with age.

  • Some lung conditions can make it difficult to breathe properly and affect the ability to swallow.

  • Many drugs prescribed to treat depression, high blood pressure and anxiety, as well as some antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants and pain medications may make swallowing difficult3

Who is most affected?

Older People

An estimated 50-75% of care home residents have some difficulty swallowing4

Stroke Survivors

Dysphagia affects over 50% of survivors immediately after a stroke4

Dementia in care homes

68% of those with dementia in care homes show signs of dysphagia4

Motor Neurone Disease

As the disease progresses, dysphagia occurs in more than 80% of people living with it4

Cancer

Dysphagia occurs in over 50% of patients with head and neck cancer4

COPD

Around 27% of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will experience dysphagia4

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References

  1. Your Complete Guide to Dysphagia.
    Available at: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/media/916219/complete-guide-to-dysphagia.pdf
    Accessed: Dec 2024.
  2. NHS inform. Dysphagia (swallowing problems).
    Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/dysphagia-swallowing-problems#causes-of-dysphagia
    Accessed: Dec 2024.
  3. Mayo Clinic. Dry Mouth.
    Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/symptoms-causes/syc-20356048
    Accessed: Dec 2024.
  4. Holdoway A, Smith A. Malnutrition Pathway. Dysphagia.
    Available at: https://www.malnutritionpathway.co.uk/dysphagia.pdf
    Accessed: Dec 2024.