[Dysphagia] Anxiety and swallowing (M. Tervo)

[acellucc at bidmc.harvard.edu (acellucc@bidmc.harvard.edu)]

I have a question as to what you meant by when you stated the bolus is in the esophagus when the swallow is triggered. Did you mean the pharynx, because in order to get it in the esophagus one would have to trigger the swallow to open the PES. 
In any event, do you know the medication she's been taking, you may be able to do a medline search on it. Also, are there any other motor issues, patterns that have been occurring with her recently that might fill in the picture of a potential cumulative medication effect on her swallowing ability as well as other aspects of her functioning. 
 
alex cellucci


   Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 16:40:09 -0700 (PDT) 
From: "M. Tervo" <tervomm@yahoo.com> 
Subject: [Dysphagia] Anxiety and swallowing 
To: dysphagia@b9.com 
Message-ID: <20050411234009.74747.qmail@web32214.mail.mud.yahoo.com> 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii 

Does anyone know of any research regarding swallowing disorders related to anxiety and/or anti-anxiety medications?  I currently have a patient with a dx of anxiety who has been taking anti-depression medication for approx 5 years, she has no other medical history. She has recently been complaining of swallowing problems (i.e., food sticking in throat, and the feeling of not being able to swallow). The MBS indicated a delayed swallow trigger (bolus is in esophagus when swallow is triggered) and reduced tongue base retraction....everything else appeared functional.  The physician questioned whether her anxiety could trigger these types of swallowing difficulties....and I haven't been able to locate any research regarding this topic.  Your help is greatly appreciated.  Thank you.


Melanie M. Tervo, M.A., CCC-SLP