Why we should pay more attention to a lesser-known swallowing disorder affecting the elderly
Study shows 30 per cent of Hong Kong’s population are unaware of dysphagia, a condition which affects 600,000 people
It takes the human body six nerves and 26 muscles to complete the process of swallowing, and while most people take this reflex for granted, it can be a Herculean task for some of the elderly inflicted with dysphagia, a lesser-known medical condition.
Such patients have an inability to swallow, resulting in choking. The disorder affects older people because of age-related changes in the body, according to speech therapist Joshua Mak, who assesses and treats dysphagia patients.
“The problem is mostly seen in the older age group due to the typical health conditions that develop,” Mak says. “[The act of swallowing] involves the epiglottis covering the trachea, so food goes into the oesophagus,” he adds, referring to parts in the throat.
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“As people age, problems with this reflex may appear which cause the tragedy.”
According to a recent survey conducted by the Mighty Oaks Foundation, an NGO that promotes a healthy and safe living environment for the city’s elderly, 30 per cent of the population are unaware of the seriousness of the condition while about 600,000 Hongkongers have the disorder.
“When people of old age choke, others always regard it as they are eating too fast, causing the food to go down the wrong airway. But this is wrong.
“Most of the time, it’s actually because part of their eating muscles have deteriorated and they’re unable to chew and swallow the food the way they used to,” Mak says.
The misconception is so prevalent that people are overlooking the problem, he warns.
