Schluckstörungen bei geriatrischen Patienten mit dementieller Entwicklung

Dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia are the 2 most serious medical conditions seen in late-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Pseudobulbar dysphagia is associated with weight loss, which is not always prevented by optimizing the management of the dysphagia. Failure of basic homeostatic mechanisms appears to play an important role in the nutritional status of these patients. Aspiration pneumonia is the most common cause of death in end-stage AD. The primary problems that predispose to aspiration pneumonia include a reduced level of consciousness, dysphagia, loss of the gag reflex, periodontal disease, and th…