Listening to your body signals is at times the simplest way to nip a deadly disease in the bud. There are many 1-minute tests that have become popular of late from 'clubbing' to determine your lung cancer test, to the 'grip test' that could give you a peek into your expected life span. A swallow test is the latest on the block to help you find out your chances of getting certain types of deadly cancer. Let's know more about it.
Scientists in a study published in the journal Dysphagia in 2024, recommend this simple swallow test which could help uncover some of the deadly health conditions you may be suffering from, be it cancer, lung disease, dementia or stroke.
According to the team of Israeli medics, if a person is not able to swallow a certain number of times within 30 seconds, they may have a hidden deadly condition.
Not being able to swallow comfortably may be caused by certain medications or a sign of acid reflux, but it may very well be indicative of certain types of deadly cancers, apart from serious lung disease, dementia or a stroke.
How to perform the 1-minute swallow test
This simple test can be performed at home and it's usually used to diagnose dysphagia, a problem associated with difficulty in swallowing foods or liquids.
Known as the repetitive saliva swallow test, one needs to swallow as many times as possible in 30 seconds without the help of any food or drinks.
The Israeli medics in the 2024 study mentioned the number of swallows people of different age groups should be able to achieve. Here's the list:
20-39 age group: 8.5 times
40s: 8 times
50s: 7 times
60s: 6.7 times
70s: 6 times
80s: 4.3 times
What happens when you can't swallow as per your age group?
This is the sign that you need to meet your health expert to known the cause of dysphagia.
The researchers said the study was important as it displayed a much higher range of what should be considered healthy in comparison to previous studies. Earlier, the baseline was set as three for all adults.
"This finding reinforces the necessity for a more comprehensive exploration of the validity of the established cutoff values within the oldest old age group," wrote the researchers.
As the person grows older, changes may occur in their throat muscles which could impact the number of swallows. The researchers also noted that men achieved more swallows than women.
Hidden causes behind dysphagia or not able to swallow properly
Dysphagia can be a symptom of certain cancers, specifically those affecting the head and neck and upper digestive tract, including cancers of the esophagus, throat, mouth, larynx, thyroid, salivary glands, and also some cancers in the stomach or pancreas.
According to the NHS, dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can cause various symptoms, including coughing or choking while eating or drinking, bringing food back up (sometimes through the nose), and a sensation of food being stuck in the throat or chest. People with dysphagia may also notice a gurgly, wet-sounding voice when eating or drinking, along with excessive drooling and difficulty chewing food. Over time, this condition can lead to more serious issues such as weight loss, dehydration, and repeated chest infections. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to speak with your GP.
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Scientists in a study published in the journal Dysphagia in 2024, recommend this simple swallow test which could help uncover some of the deadly health conditions you may be suffering from, be it cancer, lung disease, dementia or stroke.
According to the team of Israeli medics, if a person is not able to swallow a certain number of times within 30 seconds, they may have a hidden deadly condition.
Not being able to swallow comfortably may be caused by certain medications or a sign of acid reflux, but it may very well be indicative of certain types of deadly cancers, apart from serious lung disease, dementia or a stroke.
How to perform the 1-minute swallow test
This simple test can be performed at home and it's usually used to diagnose dysphagia, a problem associated with difficulty in swallowing foods or liquids.
Known as the repetitive saliva swallow test, one needs to swallow as many times as possible in 30 seconds without the help of any food or drinks.
The Israeli medics in the 2024 study mentioned the number of swallows people of different age groups should be able to achieve. Here's the list:
20-39 age group: 8.5 times
40s: 8 times
50s: 7 times
60s: 6.7 times
70s: 6 times
80s: 4.3 times
What happens when you can't swallow as per your age group?
This is the sign that you need to meet your health expert to known the cause of dysphagia.
The researchers said the study was important as it displayed a much higher range of what should be considered healthy in comparison to previous studies. Earlier, the baseline was set as three for all adults.
"This finding reinforces the necessity for a more comprehensive exploration of the validity of the established cutoff values within the oldest old age group," wrote the researchers.
As the person grows older, changes may occur in their throat muscles which could impact the number of swallows. The researchers also noted that men achieved more swallows than women.
Hidden causes behind dysphagia or not able to swallow properly
Dysphagia can be a symptom of certain cancers, specifically those affecting the head and neck and upper digestive tract, including cancers of the esophagus, throat, mouth, larynx, thyroid, salivary glands, and also some cancers in the stomach or pancreas.
According to the NHS, dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can cause various symptoms, including coughing or choking while eating or drinking, bringing food back up (sometimes through the nose), and a sensation of food being stuck in the throat or chest. People with dysphagia may also notice a gurgly, wet-sounding voice when eating or drinking, along with excessive drooling and difficulty chewing food. Over time, this condition can lead to more serious issues such as weight loss, dehydration, and repeated chest infections. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to speak with your GP.
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