How does Parkinson's affect swallowing?
Parkinson's affects swallowing by disrupting the coordination of complex muscle movements in the mouth and neck. This happens because of the loss of dopamine neurons in different parts of the brain that control these functions.
The swallowing difficulties can range from mild to Show Full Answer
How does Parkinson's affect swallowing?
Parkinson's affects swallowing by disrupting the coordination of complex muscle movements in the mouth and neck. This happens because of the loss of dopamine neurons in different parts of the brain that control these functions.
The swallowing difficulties can range from mild to severe. Some people experience:
* Taking longer to finish meals
* Drooling or trouble keeping food and drinks in the mouth
* Choking or sputtering during meals
* A sore throat after eating
* Difficulty swallowing medications
Many people with Parkinson's develop dysphagia at some point, and it can occur even in the early stages of the disease. The video swallow test (also called a barium swallow test) is an important diagnostic tool. It uses X-ray imaging to show how your husband's swallowing muscles are functioning as he eats and drinks. This helps identify exactly where the dysfunction is occurring in the swallowing process.
After the test, the speech-language pathologist can recommend targeted treatments to address his specific swallowing problems. Some members have found these tests very helpful for understanding their swallowing difficulties and getting appropriate treatment. It's important to address swallowing problems because they can lead to unintended weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration. There's also a risk of aspiration pneumonia if food, liquid, or saliva gets into the lungs.
The good news is that swallowing difficulties can be managed through various approaches, including adjusting Parkinson's medications, working with a speech-language pathologist, and making changes to eating habits.
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
April 2
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