Absttract
The act of swallowing is a complex process, which involves structures related to the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and esophagus, subject to a neural control that allows the conduction of the oral content to the stomach. Thus a neurological lesion, such as an encephalic vascular accident (EVA), implicating any of these structures, may cause a swallowing disorder, known as dysphagia. The term EVA refers to a neurological insuficiency caused by alterations in the encephalic circulation. They may be divided in ischemic and hemorrhagic. Old age is one of most risk factors. Dysphagia may cause malnutrition and dehydration in an individual, as well as implications to pulmonary conditions. The purpose of this work is to present a bibliographic review focusing on important points and questions concerning the performance of the (phono)audiologist on the oropharynx dysphagia that comes after the encephalic vascular accident in the elderly.
deglutition, cerebrovascular disorders; deglutition disorders; age effect; risk factors