ANALYSIS
From the case study above, the patient is suffering from Dysphagia, which has the following diagnosis; barium x-ray, which is suitable for showing how the esophagus is and how the muscular activity in the digestive tract has been affected. This diagnosis is made possible using a barium solution, which the patient drink before the x-ray is done. The diagnosis is effective in the long run. The second diagnosis is the use of endoscopy. Carrying out a visual examination of the esophagus is crucial as it makes it easier for doctors to see the problem. Moreover, doctors can also do some biopsies to understand the level of inflammation or a tumor’s existence. Thus, this is one of the safest and surest ways of diagnosing dysphagia. Another notable diagnosis is the use of FEEs (fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. The technique is used to examine how easy or hard it is for a patient to swallow any food. This can be done using a small camera that has a light, commonly referred to as an endoscope. The disease is classified as per the level of manifestation. For further classification clinically, there would be three levels whereby the first explains the severity of the problem, as indicated in the chart below.
Dysphagia is a disease that causes a person to have difficulties swallowing either solid foods or solid foods. The most common cause of the disease includes dementia, GORD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), and esophageal cancer.
- The disease’s pathophysiology is that dysphagia is caused by the disturbance of the esophageal physiology that may include fibrosis, developmental conditions, and neurological deficits. Also, people who have suffered from stroke tend to suffer from dysphagia. Thus, dysphagia also causes morbidity and has a high mortality rate when left untreated.
- There are some risk factors associated with dysphagia: dementia, alcohol consumption, pregnancy, obesity, caffeinated drinks, and smoking. These risk factors are associated with the level of interference that one has or addicted to, as this may cause or elevate the disease to unmanageable levels.
- Patients with dysphagia should change most of their lifestyle, which could prove vital in the treatment phase. Moreover, some of the lifestyle changes for obese are to reduce large quantities of food intake. Also, to exercise frequently as this would reduce their chances of contracting the disease. For alcoholic persons, they should reduce their alcohol intake and practice sobriety as this would increase their chances of being well. Also, the patient should check on why he feels the difficulty as this may be as a result of drinking too much caffeine, and thereby, he should stop on the same.
5.
Public health plays a critical role in the reduction and prevention of dysphagia in various ways. One of the approaches that can be used to reduce dysphagia includes public education on the effects of the disease. Public education and mass sensitization can help reduce dysphagia’s effects as the public will be aware of what is going on and learn how to prevent dysphagia. Likewise, the introduction of data collection in various public health facilities will help stabilize dysphagia’s effects. With the input of data, it can be easier to prevent aspiration and stroke in patients diagnosed with Dysphagia. Similarly, the introduction of personal services to a person with dysphagia will also help prevent and reduce dysphagia in the long run. Therefore, through the introduction of policies that will highlight the plights of persons suffering from dysphagia. The policy will focus on administering help, preventive measures, and support centers for persons suffering from dysphagia.