How Dysphagia Management Helps With Motor Neuron Disease

Motor Neuron Disease is a group of diseases that cause the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to die. They cause a steady decline in the patient’s mobility and ultimately affects their ability to chew, speak and swallow. Hence, being diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease can be extremely challenging for both the patient and their loved ones. 

Managing these symptoms is an essential part of the best Motor Neuron Disease treatment to give the patient as much functionality as possible. Read on to know more about dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and how to manage it better.

Understanding Motor Neuron Disease

Motor Neuron Disease is a group of neurodegenerative disorders that selectively affect motor neurons — the cells which control all the voluntary muscles of the body. The voluntary muscles are responsible for performing movements under one’s will and thus it affects one’s ability to perform voluntary movements. 

The best Motor Neuron Disease treatment usually consists of Stem Cell Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy to help the patient lead as mobile and independent a lifestyle as possible.

What is dysphagia?

Swallowing food or liquid is a complex activity that requires multiple muscles in the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal areas to work together. In the middle to late stages of Motor Neuron Disease, the neck and throat muscles may get paralyzed, making it difficult for the patient to swallow food. This is known as dysphagia and it can manifest as

• Choking or coughing while swallowing

• Leaking food or liquid out of the mouth

• Bringing food back up after swallowing (regurgitation)

• Fatigue while chewing food

• Taking an excessively long time to swallow

• Recurrent heartburn

• Inability to control saliva secretion in the mouth

• Sudden weight loss

Testing for dysphagia

Dysphagia requires careful treatment to ensure that the patient continues to get enough nutrition and hydration and that food does not go down the windpipe by mistake. If the patient starts finding it difficult to swallow, it is essential to get checked up as soon as possible to determine the degree to which paralysis has occurred. 

Treatment for dysphagia

Dysphagia is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of Motor Neuron Disease and requires immediate treatment. Based on the test results, the  doctor may recommend the following:

• Therapy: The patient’s speech and language therapist can assist by utilizing varied exercises to help coordinate the swallowing muscles. They can also recommend new techniques to chew food and various positions for the head while chewing. 

• Tailored diet: The doctor can recommend a diet consisting of foods that are easy to swallow, as well as a meal plan involving smaller meals so that the patient has less swallowing to do at one go. Pureed foods and thickened liquids are often easier to swallow for patients. The doctor will also recommend cutting out alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. 

• Liquid diet: For patients unable to chew or swallow safely, the doctor may recommend a liquid diet to prevent dehydration and help the patient maintain a healthy body weight.

• Feeding tube: If the dysphagia is severe and the patient is at risk of complications like pneumonia, a feeding tube can be installed to bypass the swallowing muscles that are no longer working.

• Esophageal dilation: In some cases, the doctor may insert a small balloon into the esophagus and then inflate it to widen the passage. This makes it easier for food and liquid to pass through. 

Helping a patient manage the symptoms of Motor Neuron Disease is a key part of giving them the best possible quality of life. By taking steps early on to manage dysphagia, the patient can continue to get the right nutrition without difficulty. This will give them the strength to function more effectively and stay fit.