[Swallowing disorders in elderly patients: a multidisciplinary approach].

Presbyphagia represents the physiological aging of swallowing function. It predisposes to difficulty in swallowing, namely dysphagia, which is of high incidence in the elderly population. The consequences of dysphagia are multiple and always a tragedy for the patient; they consist of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, social isolation, and death. The diagnosis is difficult and is based on the medical history and clinical examination, associated with diagnostic tests. Its management is multidisciplinary, leaving only little room for medications or surgery.