Guest guest Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 I never had this but my Aunt had a similar problem and had to have her esophagus stretched. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://breastcancerpatientssoulmatesforlife.bravehost.com/ Anxiety Depression and Breast Cancerhttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AnxietyDepressionandBreastCancerAngel Feather Loomerwww.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.comThe Cancer Clubwww.cancerclub.com -----Original Message-----From: koala5@...Sent: Sun, 6 Dec 2009 17:38:17 -0500To: koala5@...Subject: swallowing For the past few months, I have been having a lot of trouble swallowing. Sometimes it is while I am eating but now it is a daily problem when I swallow saliva. Sometimes it causes really bad coughing fits. Is this MS or something else I need to see a doctor about? Reilly koala5rogers http//canadaMS Get Free 5GB Email – Check out spam free email with many cool features! Visit http://www.inbox.com/email to find out more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 It may be MS, . Your doctor should know and you will probably be scheduled for a swallowing test. I have a good friend with PPMS who has a swallowing problem. I have had problems years ago when I was under a lot of stress at work. For me it wasn't when I was eating or drinking instead I just couldn't swallow. My neuro told be always carry water with me (and I still do). If I feel like I can't swallow I take a drink of water. What that does is tricks your body into triggering a swallow. My neuro told me to do that.I'm sorry you are going through this.hugs to you SharonHere is some info from http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/swallowing-problems/index.aspxDysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing, can occur among people with MS. While more frequent in advanced disease, it can occur at any stage. The person may cough after drinking liquids, or choke while eating certain foods, particularly those with crumbly textures. When this kind of coughing or choking occurs, the food or liquids are inhaled into the trachea (windpipe) instead of going down the esophagus (gullet) and into the stomach. Once in the lungs, the inhaled food or liquids can cause pneumonia or abscesses. Because the food or drink is not reaching the stomach, a person may also be at risk for malnutrition or dehydration.  A person can also inhale small amounts of food or liquids without being aware of it. This is called Halicize. Diagnosing and Treating Dysphagia Dysphagia is initially diagnosed by a careful history and neurologic examination of the tongue and swallowing muscles. A special imaging procedure called a modified barium swallow (videofluoroscopy) is used to evaluate a person’s ability to chew and swallow solids and liquids. In this test, the person drinks a small quantity of barium, which makes the structures of the mouth, throat, and esophagus visible on x-ray. The movement of these structures is recorded on videotape by a videofluoroscope as the person eats or drinks foods of varying consistencies—thin liquid, thick liquid, and solid. The precise location and manner of a swallowing defect can then be identified, and treatment prescribed. A speech/language pathologist is the professional who diagnoses and treats dysphagia. Treatment typically consists of strategies for safer eating and swallowing, dietary changes, exercises, or stimulation designed to improve swallowing. In very severe cases that do not respond to these measures, feeding tubes may be inserted directly into the stomach to provide the necessary fluids and nutrition. Many people who have difficulty swallowing also have speech disorders. Speech/language pathologists also evaluate, diagnose, and treat these problems. Your local Multiple Sclerosis Society chapter can provide referrals to qualified speech/language pathologists. To: Reilly Sent: Sun, December 6, 2009 3:38:17 PMSubject: swallowing For the past few months, I have been having a lot of trouble swallowing. Sometimes it is while I am eating but now it is a daily problem when I swallow saliva. Sometimes it causes really bad coughing fits. Is this MS or something else I need to see a doctor about? Reilly koala5@... http//canadaMS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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