It sounds like you might be asking about tongue movement difficulties with Parkinson's — that's a great question!
Parkinson's can affect the muscles involved in speech and swallowing, which includes the tongue. This happens because Parkinson's impacts the nervous system, which controls both voluntary and involuntary muscle Show Full Answer
It sounds like you might be asking about tongue movement difficulties with Parkinson's — that's a great question!
Parkinson's can affect the muscles involved in speech and swallowing, which includes the tongue. This happens because Parkinson's impacts the nervous system, which controls both voluntary and involuntary muscle movements throughout the body.
Some tongue and mouth-related challenges people with Parkinson's may experience include:
- Slurred or softer speech due to reduced muscle control
- Difficulty swallowing (called dysphagia)
- Slower tongue movements, making it harder to form words clearly
- Drooling, because managing saliva becomes more difficult
A speech-language therapist (also called a speech therapist) can be really helpful here. They specialize in working with people on both speech and swallowing challenges related to Parkinson's.
It's worth bringing this up with a neurologist or movement disorder specialist, as they can refer to the right support. Early intervention tends to make a big difference!
September 6