Pill Dysphagia Causes and Contributing Factors

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, used in Alzheimer's disease, can worsen swallowing difficulties by increasing saliva production, according to the American Geriatrics Society 1
Anticholinergic medications can exacerbate dysphagia through multiple mechanisms, as reported by the American College of Clinical Pharmacology 2

Underlying Medical Conditions

Progressive neurologic diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, and ALS, can cause dysphagia in 30-80% of patients with myositis, according to the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism 3
Prior stroke, even remote cerebrovascular events, can manifest with delayed dysphagia, as noted by the American Heart Association 2
Multiple sclerosis can cause dysphagia in more than one-third of patients, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 3
Peptic esophagitis from GERD affects 8-19% of adults with endoscopic findings, as reported by the American Gastroenterological Association 4
Eosinophilic esophagitis occurs in up to 17% of certain populations, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 4
Anastomotic strictures, in patients with repaired esophageal atresia, occur in 8% of adults, as noted by the Society for Pediatric Radiology 4
Esophageal motility disorders, including achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasm, can contribute to dysphagia, as reported by the American College of Gastroenterology 2

Age-related sarcopenia affects swallowing muscles, leading to presbyphagia, as noted by the American Geriatrics Society 2
16% of independently living persons aged 70-79 years and 33% of those aged 80+ years experience dysphagia, according to the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics 3