With increasing availability of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), patients with dysphagia are nowadays often investigated with these modalities in order to localize a possible site of injury causing dysphagia. However, these radiological modalities often reveal some abnormalities especially in elderly patients, and the correlation of these findings with clinical sympto

Together with staff from home care from four municipalities we investigated how e-health services can improve the work environment. In a series of four workshops we coached the participants in (1) describing their work process and pinpointing the problematic situations in the process, (2) formulating their wishes for an ideal work process, (3) conceptualizing how e-health solutions can be used to

Modern approach to benign oesophageal disease comprises endoscopic, laparoscopic and open surgical procedures. The indication for a surgical procedure is in some patients obvious, but in some patients less clear. It is important for patients and for healthcare professionals to have equal goals and expectations of a surgical procedure. The aim of this chapter is to convey to the reader a surgeon’s

When selecting an instrumental procedure to assess oral and pharyngeal swallowing dysfunction videoradiography is the only technique where the entire swallowing sequence could be analyzed. Accordingly this is an excellent tool for the dysphagia therapist in the management of dysphagic patients.

To a higher degree, older adults will live to old age in their own homes with the assistance of home care services. One effect of this is an increased number of people working in the home environment. This paper presents the results from a research project that studied the physical environment in Swedish home care. Innovations to support the home care situation were developed, with the aim of cont

Systemic disease may result in dysphagia through numerous mechanisms. For example, salivary gland impairment may result in xerostomia, which as well as resulting in painful mucosal blisters and ulcers may impair oral function. Acute or chronic inflammatory processes may result in strictures in the esophagus and/or pharynx. Furthermore, altered biomechanics of oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal muscu

The oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus constitute three anatomically and functionally integrated areas that are involved in swallowing. They are made up of muscular tubes surrounded by cartilages and bones. Swallowing is controlled by the brain stem in the central nervous system where the swallowing center is located.

Normal pharyngeal swallow is coordinated in a precise and exact manner. It is controlled from a swallowing center in the brain stem. Normal swallowing is adjusted to bolus volume temperature and viscosity. Abnormal pharyngeal swallow may lead to misdirected swallowing that challenges the airways. Inefficient transportation into the esophagus, stomach, and bowel may lead to dehydration and malnutri

Dysphagia is common in the elderly. This is mainly due to neurodegenerative abnormalities in the central nervous system. The elderly may be able to compensate, to a certain degree, for deterioration of function but the reserve capacity is much less than in younger. Understanding of the normal ageing process as well as disease processes common in the elderly is important for diagnosis and treatment

The physiological process of swallowing is not only a simple transfer of liquids or food boluses from the oral cavity to stomach, but also a complex succession of voluntary and involuntary phases that involve complex deformations and require the entire functionality of the oropharyngeal apparatus. When this functionality is affected, people experience dysphagia, which is described as a combination

This paper discusses potential complications for Forensic Investigations due to the spread of Solid State Disc (SSD) technologies and influence of socio-technical factors. The discussion is drawing upon a study based on interviews with an experienced Forensic Investigator from Hampshire Constabularies Hi-Tech Crime Unit (HTCU), located in the United Kingdom. The goal of this study was to identify

A highly sensitive flow-injection capacitive immunosensor was developed for detection of the mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN). Different strategies for immobilization of an anti-ZEN antibody on the surface of a gold electrode, i.e. polytyramine or self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) and lipoic acid (LA), were used and their performances were compared. The LA- and 3-MPA-

Every aspect of modern life is dominated by decision-making and the availability of data. We constantly access, process and evaluate data as we navigate complex and uncertain problem spaces. Communication and Information Technologies (ICTs) have developed to a point where it is possible for very large data sets, measured in Exabyte, to be stored across many servers and gathered by many different p

City logistics initiatives are often conceived as enablers to address the challenges related to the supply and disposal of goods in city centres. Several such city logistics initiatives have been tested to address these challenges. A majority of these initiatives have used urban consolidation centres to bundle deliveries within cities, and several of the initiatives include environmental zones, ac

Coordination of breathing and swallowing is essential for normal bolus transportation through the pharynx and for protection of the airways. During passage of the bolus through the pharynx, respiration is interrupted. Normal swallowing occurs during the expiratory phase of breathing. Incoordination of the feeding respiratory pattern may lead to penetration of the bolus into the airways. This may c