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What can help when your father is coughing and having trouble clearing his throat?

Your father's symptoms sound like they could be related to swallowing difficulties, which are common with Parkinson's. When swallowing becomes difficult, people can experience choking, coughing, and trouble clearing their throat. This Show Full Answer

What can help when your father is coughing and having trouble clearing his throat?

Your father's symptoms sound like they could be related to swallowing difficulties, which are common with Parkinson's. When swallowing becomes difficult, people can experience choking, coughing, and trouble clearing their throat. This happens because Parkinson's affects the coordination of muscles involved in swallowing.

The first important step is to talk to his neurologist about these symptoms. They can refer him to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in swallowing problems. The SLP can evaluate what's causing the difficulty and recommend specific treatments.

Here are some things that might help right away:

- Have him take small sips of drinks and small bites of food
- Make sure he sits up as straight as possible when eating and drinking
- Reduce distractions during mealtimes so he can focus on swallowing
- Encourage him to swallow saliva regularly to help control throat clearing
- Time meals when his Parkinson's medication is working best

His doctor may also recommend a swallowing test to pinpoint exactly where the problem is occurring. This can help target the right treatment approach.

Working with a speech-language pathologist on exercises to strengthen swallowing muscles can make a real difference. Some people see significant improvement with specialized therapy.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

How To Manage Difficulty Swallowing in Parkinson’s