10 Apraxia Symptoms
Symptom #9: Difficulty Chewing and Swallowing
Chewing or mastication refers to the crushing and grounding of food using the teeth. It is the first step of digestion, allowing the food to start breaking down with the help of enzymes in the mouth. During the chewing process, the food is placed between the teeth for grinding, where the muscles involved move the jaws to repeatedly occlude and open.
Swallowing or deglutition refers to the process where the human or animal allows the passing of the substance from the mouth into the esophagus and stomach. It is an important process of eating and drinking. When the process fails, choking, pulmonary aspiration, or vomiting can occur. In patients with apraxia, there can be difficulty with swallowing and chewing.
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