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 has many possible causes and happens most frequently in older adults. Any condition that weakens or damages the muscles and nerves used for swallowing may cause dysphagia. For example, people with diseases of the nervous system, such as cerebral palsy or Parkinsonâs disease, often have problems swallowing.
Within 3 days of stroke, 42â67% of patients present with oropharyngeal dysphagiaâmaking stroke the leading cause of dysphagia. Among these patients, 50% aspirate and one-third develop pneumonia that requires treatment [4]. The severity of the dysphagia tends to be associated with the severity of the stroke. Dysphagia screening in stroke patients is critical in order to prevent adverse outcomes related to aspiration and inadequate hydration/nutrition [5]. Up to 50% of Parkinson patients show some symptoms consistent with oropharyngeal dysphagia, and up to 95% are found to have abnormalities on video esophagography [6,7].