Phenomenological approach to the side effects of medicines in swallowing in the elderly population

Abstract

Background and Objective: A review of clinical histories is carried out in a population of 39 older women who are institutionalized in a geriatric and nursing home hospital in Colombia, recording the basic diagnosis and the medications they are given, in order to identify how the side effects of these medications interfere with one or more of the swallowing stages and what risk factors they may trigger for food intake.

Materials and methods: In this study we used a descriptive exploratory method and a hermeneutic interpretation framework, based on swallowing screening, in the study population.

Results: Given the basic pathology or pathologies presented by this population, they have pre-registration of various medications, which generate side effects that affect food intake, among which are: Xerostomia, alteration of intraoral sensitivity, motor alteration of the structures involved in swallowing, among others, affecting the dynamics of swallowing and safe food intake.

Analysis: We identify the drugs that are being given to each patient, making a characterization and identification of side effects and how they can interfere in any of the phases of the swallowing, as well as risk factors arising from the alterations in any of the phases of the swallowing. The above is related to the fact that the main objective of the diet is to nourish and hydrate and any alteration in this process affects the quality of life of the elderly, even putting their lives at risk.