25-45% patients in acute care settings, up to 60% in institutionalized elderly.
High prevalence due to increased prevalence with age of neurological conditions - parkinson's and dementia, ageing also known to associate with physiological and structural changes in process of swallowing
Medical conditions like: Stroke, major dental problems, conditions that reduce saliva, mouth sores, parkinson's/neurologic conditions, muscular dystrophies (progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass - mutation interfere w/ the production of protein needed to form healthy muscle), blockage in esophagus
Transitional foods: food that starts with one texture an change into another when moisture is applied