When Parkinson’s Disease Affects Swallowing
About Parkinson’s
Parkinson's disease ranks as the world's second most prevalent neurodegenerative condition, with a higher impact on men than women. The typical age for diagnosis is around 60 years, but the rates are higher as you age. While less frequent, some may develop early-onset Parkinson's, experiencing symptoms before reaching 50 years of age. Rates of Parkinson’s tend to be higher in the “Rust Belt” of our country, which includes Southeastern Texas.
There is a range of 'motor' and 'non-motor' symptoms that individuals may experience before seeking medical attention. Here are some common issues reported by those with Parkinson's leading up to their diagnosis:
Arm stiffness, especially noticeable while walking
Bad falls, and inability to prevent them
Changes in handwriting, becoming very small and unclear
Difficulty typing on your phone or computer
Episodes of depression or anxiety
Decreased sense of smell
Sleep disturbances
Hand tremors
Weakening of the voice
Swallowing and Parkinson’s Disease
A less recognized symptom of Parkinson’s disease is the challenge of swallowing. Similarly to how the disease impacts muscles in the hands, arms, and legs, it can also affect muscles in the face, mouth, and throat. Difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, can occur at any stage of Parkinson’s. Initially dysphagia may go unnoticed, but tends to worsen over time. Early testing for dysphagia is crucial. Here are signs that indicate the need for testing:
Taking longer to finish meals than before
Unexplained weight loss
Trouble swallowing pills
Choking while eating or drinking
Sensation of food getting stuck in the throat after swallowing
Wet or gurgly voice after swallowing
Regular chest infections like pneumonia
Involuntary drooling
How Do You Manage Dysphagia in Parkinson’s?
Your neurologist, geriatrician, or primary care provider can direct you to a speech pathologist for an assessment of your swallowing abilities. The evaluation starts with an interview to gather information about your swallowing patterns and symptoms. Clinical examinations are conducted to assess the nerves and muscles in your face, mouth, and throat. You will be asked to consume various foods to observe your swallowing. Afterwards, a modified barium swallowing study, which is like a video x-ray of your swallowing process, will likely be recommended.
Following the test results, your speech pathologist will collaborate with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to target any identified issues. The goal of swallowing therapy is to ensure safe, efficient and enjoyable meal times with your preferred foods. Treatment options may include techniques to coordinate the timing of your breathing with swallowing, strengthening your cough to support clearance of food or drink if it enters your airway, adjusting food textures for easier swallowing, and exercises to support muscle function of the tongue and throat.
What Can I Do Now about My Swallowing Problems?
While you start the process of scheduling an appointment with a provider about your swallowing difficulty, here are a few suggestions of what you can do at home right now:
Ensure that you keep up with good oral hygiene, whether that’s brushing your natural teeth or cleaning your dentures. Your oral health actually helps protect you from chest infections like pneumonia.
Pay attention to what gives you difficulty when eating or drinking and write it down to discuss it with your doctor and your speech pathologist.
If you need a speech pathologist to help you with your Parkinson’s related swallowing problems, Bright Speech has specialty programs to help you. Get in touch with us today.
