当科における摂食・嚥下リハビリテーション

Abstract

Dysphagia is one of the disorders of nutrient intake associated with oral function. We have diagnosed and treated patients with dysphagia caused by various diseases. The number of patients referred by other departments in our hospital from January 2002 to January 2005 was 20, including 16 men and 4 women, with an average age of 66.9 years. Of these, 15 patients were evaluated by swallowing a jelly under endoscopic observation. The treatment included direct and/or indirect rehabilitation to improve the swallowing function or to prevent accidental swallowing, according to the dysphagia grade. Thirteen patients became able to take food orally after treatment. We concluded it is necessary to establish a system of team approach involving a speech therapist to evaluate and treat patients with dysphagia.