Swallowing impairment

The particle size is the most important factor that contributes to the clearance of particles. For particles deposited in the anterior parts of the nose, wiping and blowing are important mechanisms whereas particles on the other areas of the nose are removed with mucus. The cilia move the mucus toward the glottis where the mucus and the particles are swallowed. In the tracheobronchial area, the mucus covering the tracheobronchial tree is moved upward by the cilia beating under the mucus. This mucociliary escalator transports deposited particles and particle-filled macrophages to the pharynx, where they are also swallowed. Mucociliary clearance is rapid in healthy adults and is complete within one to two days for particles in the lower airways. Infection and inflammation due to irritation or allergic reaction can markedly impair this form of clearance. 

When a topical gel, such as lidocaine viscous, is used for oral anestiiesia for die control of pain, the nurse instructs die patient not to eat food for 1 hour after use because local anestiiesia of die mouth or throat may impair swallowing and increase die possibility of aspiration. 

Signs and Symptoms Impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular ataxic gait, paralysis, convulsions, and death. Most deaths occur within 2-3 days. 

Holson RR, Adams J, Ferguson SA, Scalzo FM (2000) Retinoic acid exposure on gestational days 11 to 13 impairs swallowing in rat offspring. Neurotoxicol Teratol 22 541-545... 

LSD is an ergot alkaloid. After synthesis, blotter paper or sugar cubes are sprinkled with the liquid and allowed to dry. When LSD is swallowed, psychoactive effects typically appear after 30 minutes and last 6-12 hours. During this time, subjects have impaired ability to make rational judgments and understand common dangers, which puts them at risk for accidents and personal injury. 

There is often mild blepharoclonus (fluttering of the closed eyelids) and occasionally blepharospasm (involuntary closure of the eyelids). The patient may drool, perhaps because of the impairment of swallowing. There is typically no alteration in the tendon reflexes, and the plantar responses are flexor. Repetitive tapping (about twice per second) over the bridge of the nose produces a sustained blink response (Myerson s sign) the response is not sustained in normal subjects. Cognitive decline sometimes occurs but is usually mild. 

We do not know if exposure to chromium will result in birth defects or other developmental effects in people. Birth defects have been observed in animals exposed to chromium(VI). Death, skeletal deformities, and impaired development of the reproductive system have been observed in the newborn babies of animals that swallowed chromium(VI). Additional animal studies are needed to determine whether exposure to chromium(III) will result in birth defects. 

When sulphur dioxide dissolves, the disulphide chemical bonds which result destroy the vitamin B or thiamine in foods by breaking up the protein molecules. Sulphurous acid, produced when sulphur dioxide is dissolved, may cause gastric irritation. Healthy people have no problem metabolising sulphur dioxide the kidneys and liver both produce enzymes which oxidise sulphites, but those with impaired kidney and liver may need to avoid sulphites. Foods containing sulphites may precipitate an asthmatic attack in asthma sufferers, who are very sensitive to the irritant effects of sulphur dioxide gas which may be liberated from the foods containing it and inhaled as the food is swallowed. It is one of the additives which the Hyperactive Children s Support Group recommends is eliminated from the diets of the children it represents. ... 

A 34-year-old man with AIDS took risperidone 4 mg/ day for a Tourette-like tic disorder. Ritonavir and indinavir were added, and 1 week later he developed significantly impaired swallowing, speaking, and breathing, and worsening of his existing tremors. 

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