Difficulty in swallowing, specifically referred to as dysphagia, linked to multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system. One of the common symptoms in people with MS is dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing food or beverages.
Dysphagia can occur due to damage to the protective coating around nerves, impairing nerve control of the muscles responsible for chewing and swallowing. It can affect any part of the swallowing process in the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus.
People with minor swallowing issues due to MS can consider cutting food into smaller pieces, taking smaller mouthfuls, chewing well before swallowing, slowing down while eating meals, sitting upright in a straight-backed chair during meals, avoiding foods that may cause worsening symptoms, concentrating on swallowing, taking sips of a drink between mouthfuls of food to keep the food and the throat moistened, looking straight ahead when eating with the chin slightly tucked, learning how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on oneself and teaching family members how to do it as well, and refraining from talking with food in the mouth.
For a more personalised approach, a person living with MS who experiences difficulty swallowing should consult their doctor as soon as possible to undergo tests. Early detection and treatment can help. A speech-language pathologist typically tests for and diagnoses dysphagia.
Common courses of treatment include developing strategies for safer eating and swallowing, making dietary changes, and practicing exercises or stimulation to encourage swallowing. Swallowing therapy, often involving personalized treatment plans developed by a multidisciplinary team, focuses on strengthening swallowing muscles, teaching safe swallowing techniques, and adjusting diet consistency to reduce aspiration risk.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that the prevalence of dysphagia in people living with MS is about 45%. Dysphagia has several possible causes in MS, including lesions in the corticobulbar tract, paresis of cranial nerves, cognitive dysfunctions, disorders of the cerebellum and brain stem.
Dysphagia can lead to serious complications such as dehydration, airway obstruction, aspiration pneumonia, and malnutrition. Dysphagia can lead to more serious problems such as choking or aspiration (food, saliva, or stomach acid getting into a person's lungs).
The MSAA recommends that people who are experiencing difficulty swallowing change the consistency and size of some of the solid foods they consume, such as cooking food longer so it is softer, taking smaller bites, and avoiding foods that are dry or difficult to chew.
Newer pharmacologic treatments for MS itself (like sublingual cladribine) do not directly address dysphagia symptoms but may contribute by controlling overall disease progression. In severe or resistant cases, more advanced interventions can be considered, though the search results did not explicitly detail these for MS-related dysphagia.
Despite the challenges, good clinical treatment for MS-related dysphagia is lacking, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. However, the mainstay treatment for MS-related dysphagia remains conservative, multidisciplinary swallowing therapy combined with dietary management tailored to the individual’s swallowing function.
- In the realm of science, MS, or Multiple Sclerosis, is a chronic inflammatory disease that impacts the central nervous system.
- One of the symptoms seen in people with MS is dysphagia, a condition characterized by difficulty swallowing food or beverages.
- Dysphagia arises due to damage to the protective layer around nerves, hindering control of muscles responsible for chewing and swallowing.
- This problem can affect any part of the swallowing process, whether in the mouth, pharynx, or esophagus.
- For those with minor swallowing issues due to MS, measures such as cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing thoroughly before swallowing can provide relief.
- Slowing down during meals, sitting upright, and avoiding difficult-to-chew foods may also help manage symptoms.
- In more severe cases, learning the Heimlich maneuver and practicing swallowing exercises can aid in swallowing.
- It's crucial for individuals experiencing dysphagia to consult their doctor for proper testing and treatment.
- A speech-language pathologist often diagnoses and develops strategies for safer eating and swallowing, making dietary adjustments, and conducting swallowing therapy.
- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society reports that around 45% of people living with MS have dysphagia.
- Dysphagia can have various causes in MS, such as lesions in the corticobulbar tract, paresis of cranial nerves, cognitive dysfunctions, disorders of the cerebellum, and brain stem.
- Neglecting dysphagia can lead to serious complications like dehydration, airway obstruction, aspiration pneumonia, and malnutrition.
- More severe problems stemming from dysphagia include choking or aspiration (food, saliva, or stomach acid entering the lungs).
- To manage food consumption, the MSAA recommends changing the consistency and size of certain solid foods, such as cooking food longer to make it softer or taking smaller bites.
- Newer medications for MS like sublingual cladribine do not directly address dysphagia symptoms but may contribute by managing overall disease progression.
- In resistant cases, advanced interventions may be necessary, although specific details for treating MS-related dysphagia are limited in search results.
- Clinical treatment for MS-related dysphagia is often lacking, but the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation emphasizes conservative, multidisciplinary swallowing therapy combined with personalized diet management as the mainstay approach.
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