Trouble Swallowing After 60 Your Body Is Sending You a Serious Signal
Dr. Nathan Wells
4,242 views
Do you clear your throat after every meal? Feel like food gets stuck halfway down? Most people over 60 dismiss this as aging — but difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can signal serious, treatable conditions including esophageal narrowing, neurological disease, and silent aspiration that leads directly to pneumonia.
In this video, Dr. Nathan Wells, board-certified internal medicine physician with 20+ years in senior health, explains exactly what causes swallowing difficulty after 60, why the warning signs are so easy to miss, and what needs to happen before it gets worse.
What you'll learn:
The two types of dysphagia — and why the distinction determines your diagnosis
How silent aspiration causes repeated pneumonia with no cough or warning
The neurological cause no one connects to swallowing (this surprises most patients)
7 warning signs — including one hiding in your daily routine right now
What the medical workup looks like and which specialist to ask for
Practical steps to take before your next appointment
⚠️ This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or personal diagnosis. Always consult your own physician regarding any health concerns.
Sources & References:
Bhattacharyya N. The prevalence of dysphagia among adults in the United States. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;151(5):765–769.
Sura L, et al. Dysphagia in the elderly: management and nutritional considerations. Clin Interv Aging. 2012;7:287–298.
Kalf JG, et al. Prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2012;18(4):311–315.
American College of Gastroenterology. Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pneumonia mortality in older adults. National Center for Health Statistics.
National Institute on Aging / NIH. Swallowing problems in older adults. National Institutes of Health.
Riquelme LF. Swallowing screening and assessment for older adults. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. 2004.
5 Comments
Just been to GP who immediately did an ecg, ordered iron blood tests as well as tropohin( cant spell it but i know its to see if there's been a heart attack) She also ordered plain xray...and an endoscope. Is she on the ball or what❤
Trouble Swallowing After 60 Your Body Is Sending You a Serious Signal
Dr. Nathan Wells
4,242 views
Do you clear your throat after every meal? Feel like food gets stuck halfway down? Most people over 60 dismiss this as aging — but difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can signal serious, treatable conditions including esophageal narrowing, neurological disease, and silent aspiration that leads directly to pneumonia.
In this video, Dr. Nathan Wells, board-certified internal medicine physician with 20+ years in senior health, explains exactly what causes swallowing difficulty after 60, why the warning signs are so easy to miss, and what needs to happen before it gets worse.
What you'll learn:
The two types of dysphagia — and why the distinction determines your diagnosis
How silent aspiration causes repeated pneumonia with no cough or warning
The neurological cause no one connects to swallowing (this surprises most patients)
7 warning signs — including one hiding in your daily routine right now
What the medical workup looks like and which specialist to ask for
Practical steps to take before your next appointment
⚠️ This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or personal diagnosis. Always consult your own physician regarding any health concerns.
Sources & References:
Bhattacharyya N. The prevalence of dysphagia among adults in the United States. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;151(5):765–769.
Sura L, et al. Dysphagia in the elderly: management and nutritional considerations. Clin Interv Aging. 2012;7:287–298.
Kalf JG, et al. Prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2012;18(4):311–315.
American College of Gastroenterology. Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pneumonia mortality in older adults. National Center for Health Statistics.
National Institute on Aging / NIH. Swallowing problems in older adults. National Institutes of Health.
Riquelme LF. Swallowing screening and assessment for older adults. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. 2004.