Swallowing
Swallowing
My issue mostly is swallowing anything like bread, crackers etc. the issue is hard for me and I’m having trouble with this because it’s all new and different.
My physician hasn’t discussed this with me. I’m felling lost. She said I’m in early stages. Will this get worse?
Here are Some things I consider about swallowing before my meals.
1) make sure I have no congestion. Clear my nasal passage. This is extremely necessary as that is how I will breathe if I get choked on something.
2) make sure my posture is correct and that I am sitting up straight.
3) take small bites and chew them thoroughly and slowly.
4) make sure I swallow them completely before taking another bite.
5) wash it down with a sip of water as necessary.
6) If small bits of food debris or liquid are caught going in the air channel to my lungs, I stop eating immediately and clear that out. Continue coughing until it is clear before resuming my meal.
Dysphasia is nothing to fool with or take casually. It can be fatally dangerous in the blink of an eye.
Do everything under a doctors supervision.
You need to look into this. My husband also had swallowing problems and left it too late and is now being fed through tubes direct to the stomach. Not sure if he will be able to ever eat solids. Also look into speech therapy for Dysphagia, apparently there are exercises for this.
For swallowing problems, remember to tuck your chin down close to your chest before you swallow solids, liquids, or saliva. By doing so, your tongue protects the epiglottis, the little flap that keeps things from entering your windpipe, which doesn't seem to work too well with Parkinson's.
Love, Jeri
I went to a swallow doctor and they taught me to tuck my chin to my chest and swallow. I do this especially with my pills, get the pills to the back of my mouth take some water tuck my chin and swallow, no more choking
I am right where you are myself. I have been choking on my food and saliva for the last couple of years. I've been going to an ENT Dr. over these years, but he hasn't found an issue. I heard a speech therapist can help. My Neurologist has prescribed for me to see a speech therapist. I start in a couple of weeks. I am lucky to have found a therapist who works a lot with Parkinson's patients. I will let you know what happens. Good luck. It can be quite scary at times.
