[Deglutition disorders--simple to diagnose and difficult to treat?].

The swallowing sequence can be disturbed by different structural and neurological disorders especially in its oral and pharyngeal phases. Beside the suffering from the loss of a basic physical function dysphagia causes life-threatening complications as malnutrition, pneumonia or the blockage of the airways. In general radiographic and endoscopic evaluations provide sufficient information about the specific pathology of a case of dysphagia so that an individual treatment plan with surgery, behavioral therapy and prosthetic aids can be formulated. The aim of treatment is to regain a save and as complete as possible an oral nutrition. Dysphagia is often not detected when patients have impaired cognitive abilities or communication disorders.