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2006•British Journal of Clinical PharmacologyOpen access

Effects of menthol on the triggering of the swallowing reflex in elderly patients with dysphagia

Takae Ebihara, Satoru Ebihara, Aya Watando, Tatsuma Okazaki, Masanori Asada, Takashi Ohrui, Mutsuo Yamaya, Hiroyuki Arai

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Abstract

AIMS: To investigate the effect of menthol on swallowing reflex sensitivity in elderly patients with dysphagia. METHODS AND RESULTS: The swallowing reflex sensitivity of institutionalized elderly patients was evaluated as a latent time of swallowing reflex (LTSR), induced by the injection of 1 ml solution into the pharynx. LTSR was significantly shortened in a concentration-dependent manner, from 13.8 s [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.1, 16.5] by distilled water to 9.4 s (95% CI 7.1. 11.8) by 10(-2)m menthol. CONCLUSION: Using menthol with elderly patients with dysphagia may improve the sensitivity of their swallowing reflex, resulting in prevention of aspiration pneumonia.

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What this paper is about

AIMS: To investigate the effect of menthol on swallowing reflex sensitivity in elderly patients with dysphagia. METHODS AND RESULTS: The swallowing reflex sensitivity of institutionalized elderly patients was evaluated as a latent time of swallowing reflex (LTSR), induced by the injection of 1 ml solution into the pharynx. LTSR was significantly shortened in a concentration-dependent manner, from 13.8 s [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.1, 16.5] by distilled water to 9.4 s (95% CI 7.1. 11.8) by 10(-2)m menthol. CONCLUSION: Using menthol with elderly patients with dysphagia may improve the sensitivity of their swallowing reflex, resulting in prevention of aspiration pneumonia.

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Available abstract

AIMS: To investigate the effect of menthol on swallowing reflex sensitivity in elderly patients with dysphagia. METHODS AND RESULTS: The swallowing reflex sensitivity of institutionalized elderly patients was evaluated as a latent time of swallowing reflex (LTSR), induced by the injection of 1 ml solution into the pharynx. LTSR was significantly shortened in a concentration-dependent manner, from 13.8 s [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.1, 16.5] by distilled water to 9.4 s (95% CI 7.1. 11.8) by 10(-2)m menthol. CONCLUSION: Using menthol with elderly patients with dysphagia may improve the sensitivity of their swallowing reflex, resulting in prevention of aspiration pneumonia.

Key concepts: Swallowing, Dysphagia, Pharyngeal reflex, Medicine, Reflex, Anesthesia, Cough reflex, Menthol

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