Understanding Airway Protection
Why swallowing and coughing matter for your health
People swallow hundreds of times each day during meals, while drinking, or even when they aren’t aware of it. Coughing is just as important, acting as the body’s natural defense to keep the airway clear. Together, swallowing and coughing form what we call airway protection, a set of coordinated behaviors that help move food and liquid safely into the stomach and keep the lungs healthy.
When either of these aren’t working as well as they should, people may experience swallowing problems (dysphagia) and/or difficulties coughing (dystussia). These conditions are common and affect people at any age. They often occur in people with neurologic conditions, after injury, or as part of changes that happen with aging.
What are swallowing disorders?
Swallowing may seem simple, but it is a complex process involving more than 25 pairs of muscles and six cranial nerves. Even small changes can affect how safely and efficiently a person swallows.
Dysphagia (pronounced dis-FAY-juh) refers to any difficulty moving food, liquid, or medication from the mouth to the stomach. Swallowing problems can arise for many reasons, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, head and neck cancer, brain injury, or structural changes in the throat. Older adults are particularly affected because aging can reduce muscle strength, sensation, and coordination. These issues often go undetected, as many people do not realize that they have a swallowing problem until they receive an evaluation.
Dysphagia affects more than 1 in 10 people worldwide. If it is not treated, it can lead to serious health problems, including poor nutrition, dehydration, unintended weight loss, aspiration (when food or liquid enters the lungs), and pneumonia.
What are cough disorders?
Coughing is another key part of airway protection. A strong, well-timed cough helps clear the airway when food or liquid goes the wrong way. Some people have trouble sensing material in the airway, coughing with enough force, or coordinating breathing with coughing. These problems often co-occur with swallowing disorders in the presence of neurologic disease, illness, or aging. When coughing is weak or absent, the risk of pneumonia increases because the body isn’t able to clear unwanted material from the lungs.
Want more information?
Email us at aprlab@bu.edu or call us at (617) 353-7440
