Swallowing and Health: The Role of the Repetitive Saliva Swallow Test

Swallowing is an action often taken for granted, yet recent studies suggest it may provide valuable insights into one’s health. Specifically, the frequency of swallowing can indicate potential early warning signs for serious conditions, including dementia, cancer, and stroke.

The Repetitive Saliva Swallow Test (RSST)

A study featured in the journal Dysphagia introduced the Repetitive Saliva Swallow Test (RSST), designed to evaluate an individual’s swallowing capacity within 30 seconds without the involvement of food or liquids. The primary goal was to establish average swallowing benchmarks across varying age demographics.

Age and Swallowing Capacity

The RSST involved 280 adult participants, both male and female, aged 20 to 90 years. The researchers found that the average RSST score across all participants was 7.01, with men exhibiting higher scores (7.6) compared to women (6.47). Notably, as age increased, the ability to swallow decreased:

• 20s to 30s: approximately 8.5 swallows
• 40s: around 8 swallows
• 50s: about 7 swallows
• 60s: approximately 6.7 swallows
• 70s: around 6 swallows
• 80s: approximately 4.3 swallows

Scores below three swallows in the same timeframe are classified as abnormal or pathological.

Factors Influencing Swallowing Rates

Additional insights from the study revealed that several factors impact swallowing rates, including:

• Age
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Number of existing health conditions
• Medication use
• Saliva production

Interestingly, participants with higher BMI, more underlying health conditions, and those on multiple medications tended to exhibit lower RSST scores. Conversely, those who reported increased saliva production tended to score better on the test.

Dysphagia and Its Implications

Dysphagia, which refers to difficulties in swallowing, can emerge from various health issues. It may sometimes be linked to less severe conditions like heartburn or acid reflux, where stomach acid irritates the esophagus lining, leading to discomfort while swallowing. However, persistent or worsening dysphagia could indicate more serious health problems.

Conditions like throat, mouth, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers are frequently associated with dysphagia. Additionally, neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease, can disrupt the neural pathways and muscle coordination necessary for effective swallowing, hindering proper functions of the swallowing process.

Conclusion

Understanding the implications of swallowing patterns through tests like the RSST offers an innovative approach to health monitoring. As further research unfolds, medical professionals may better identify individuals at risk for severe health issues based on their swallowing capacity.