In a definition essay, you explain the meaning of a certain term by giving a detailed description of it, and support your definition with clear examples or facts. Such explanations are needed if a term is special, abstract, disputed or does not have a common meaning.
Dysphagia may be caused by traumatic injuries to the head, neck, or chest and result from accidents or iatrogenic causes. In the latter category, both planned and inadvertent injuries to cranial nerves are common. Many accident victims have involvement of multiple sites.
Swallowing Problems in the Elderly. Swallowing Problems in the Elderly Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images. Swallowing problems, or dysphagia, are caused by a number of problems and are quite prevalent in the elderly. Swallowing problems in the elderly can result from gastrointestinal reflux disease, problems in the stomach with digestion and esophageal cancer. Neurological diseases that plague the elderly such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's also can cause swallowing problems.