The geriatric pharynx and esophagus

Abstract

Dysphagia is common in the elderly. This is mainly due to neurodegenerative abnormalities in the central nervous system. The elderly may be able to compensate, to a certain degree, for deterioration of function but the reserve capacity is much less than in younger. Understanding of the normal ageing process as well as disease processes common in the elderly is important for diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia in the elderly.