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Dysphalgia, Parkinsons, Sleep Apnea

Sent to Health Experts July 01, 2006 7:59 p.m.

My father is 86 years old, out of hospital with pneuomonia by aspiration. Neurologist said he was in the "early, early, early" stages of Parkinsons. He does have sleep apnea. He also is aspirating 3% of puree and ground food; a higher precentage of other foods. He has dysphalgia. He had his thyroid removed 20 years ago. The only way you can tell he has Parkinson's is because he doesn't blink normally and he puts his hands by his side (his gait) and he is very tired. He has been on Parkinsons medicine for 4 weeks is back to being dad. What is causing is dysphalgia? He has lost 30 lbs and is dwindling. He is very tired of puree foods. He is doing exercises to help improve his swallowing but refuses to be put on a feeding tube. He is now 99% pneuomina free. His uvlea does not close tightly when he swallows, thus aspiration. He is a very young 86 year old man. What can we do to fix his swalowing problem? Is it Parkinson's that causing it? Also, is there a group support out there who is pureeing foods for their loved ones and has receipes to share?

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 46

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $15

Answer
July 01, 2006 8:30 p.m. (30 minutes and 53 seconds later)

REPLIED

Most patients with Parkinson's do have problems with swallowing (dysphagia). The exercises will hopefully help some. There are also other tricks such as stimulating the swallow reflex by giving very cold foods first rather than just the room temp foods.
This website will explain the swallowing:

http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/articles/senior_living/dysphagia_10/

These websites explain some about the disease:
http://www.stalevo.com/info/simplystated/learn_about_parkinsons_disease.jsp

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm

This site will give you the opportunity to find a support group in your area:

http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=89684

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Answer
July 01, 2006 9:18 p.m. (48 minutes and 46 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

Sorry, I just realized I gave you the link for the UK instead of the US. Here's the right one for support groups!

http://www.parkinson.org/site/apps/custom/pf/search.asp?c=9dJFJLPwB&b=108103

Here is a website with pureed recipes:

http://www.ebinfo.homestead.com/RecipeMain.html

http://www.beckydorner.com/pdf/Dysphagia-II.pdf

Edited by judi1 on July 1 2006 at 9:41pm

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Thanks so much for allowing me to help! Please click the "ACCEPT" button if you found this useful.
Placing *FEEDBACK* really helps with RATINGS and EARNINGS!

Judy -- Nurse (RN) -- 100% Positive Feedback on 821 Health Accepts
RN in ICU for 34 years

Reply to Judy
Sent July 01, 2006 11:03 p.m. (1 hour and 45 minutes later)

Judy sent me a second response of whish I accepted and was very pleased with.

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Answer
July 01, 2006 11:21 p.m. (17 minutes and 43 seconds later)

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Judy -- Nurse (RN) -- 100% Positive Feedback on 821 Health Accepts
RN in ICU for 34 years

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