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Xerostomia, or a decrease in saliva flow, can be a side effect of many drugs, which, in turn, can lead to the development of taste disturbances such as dysgeusia. [39] Patients can lessen the effects of xerostomia with breath mints, sugarless gum, or lozenges; or physicians can increase saliva flow with artificial saliva or oral pilocarpine. [39]
An endoscopy can examine the esophagus, stomach and part of the small intestines, and CT scans may be used to check for tumors or structural abnormalities in the head, neck or chest.
Pulmonary aspiration is the entry of solid or liquid material such as pharyngeal secretions, food, drink, or stomach contents from the oropharynx or gastrointestinal tract, into the trachea and lungs. [1] When pulmonary aspiration occurs during eating and drinking, the aspirated material is often colloquially referred to as "going down the ...
Swallowing is an important part of eating and drinking. If the process fails and the material (such as food, drink, or medicine) goes through the trachea, then choking or pulmonary aspiration can occur. In the human body the automatic temporary closing of the epiglottis is controlled by the swallowing reflex.
Saliva, a liquid secreted by the salivary glands, contains salivary amylase, an enzyme which starts the digestion of starch in the food. [1] The saliva also contains mucus, which lubricates the food; the electrolyte hydrogencarbonate (HCO − 3), which provides the ideal conditions of pH for amylase to work; and other electrolytes (Na +, K ...
Saliva acts as a buffer and helps to prevent demineralization of teeth. [10] Oral candidiasis – A loss of the antimicrobial actions of saliva may also lead to opportunistic infection with Candida species. [9] Ascending (suppurative) sialadenitis – an infection of the major salivary glands (usually the parotid gland) that may be recurrent. [3]
It can be extremely painful in some patients. Food and liquid, including saliva, are retained in the esophagus and may be inhaled into the lungs . Untreated, mid-stage achalasia can fully obstruct the passage of almost any food or liquid – the greater surface area of the swallowed object often being more difficult to pass the LES/LOS (lower ...
In human anatomy, the mouth is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food and produces saliva. [2] The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium lining the inside of the mouth. In addition to its primary role as the beginning of the digestive system, the mouth also plays a significant role in communication.