Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...

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Aspiration issue

pdcaregiver
pdcaregiver
My mom with 7 years of PD is going through aspiration issues. I really would welcome any comments on that and what you would suggest dealing with this problem?
She doesn't have a pneumonia yet, but how can we prevent it?
Is anyone in this list has or had this issue?

Thank you!
Maya
terrapinstation945
terrapinstation945
Hi. have her dr give you an incentive spirometer to use as often as possible. its a handheld plastic device that you blow through to keep your lungs clear post surgically or after a bad bronchitis attack. i employed the use of a speech therapist to draw up a meal plan based on how my swallowing works. i had a swallow study performed to identify the particular weaknesses and a meal plan designed around that. the speech therapist also designed an exercise plan that will strengthen my swallowing weaknesses. best of luck


Brer T
hope4acurenow
hope4acurenow
Your mother would benefit by having a swallowing assessment done. Aspiration can be scary and painful/uncomfortable. You should contact her doctor and as for an assessment. They may need to alter the texture of her food. Chopped, pureed and perhaps thickened fluids. Other suggestion is monitor how quickly she is eating and perhaps remind her to go slowly. Give her one food item at a time. Call her doctor and he can set some kind of assessment for her.

She could possibly get aspiration pneumonia so you need to address this issue quickly.

Take Care,


Christina
pdcaregiver
pdcaregiver
Dear Bret and Christina,

Thank you for your advice! Sorry for my late reply. It's been a crazy days lately having mom struggling so much. We got sucking machine using it now, it does help. Also her swallowing test came back pretty normal, the therapist suggested a meal consistency and so on. Her disphagia happens only when she is "off".
I'll be in touch and keep you posted and will ask more questions.
Thank you again for your kind responses.
It surely makes me feel better when I know there are people out there who can understand what PD can bring.

Best,
Maya
hisknobs
hisknobs
MAYA you should look in to LSVT voice training. Loud voice training will help with swallowing and streangthing. Alex
pdcaregiver
pdcaregiver
Thank you Alex!

I think it is a good idea to revisit the LSVT training. We did it seven years ago, it's been a while. I'll call the doctor for referral tomorrow.

Thank you again!
I appreciate everyone for advice! You all are awesome!
I so much wish everyone to be healthy!

Maya