Thursday, March 21, 2024

Parkinson’s Phlegm At Night

Excessive Saliva And Drooling In Parkinsons

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Saliva is needed for the first stages of digestion, including chewing and swallowing. This watery substance contains enzymes that start to digest our food.

Many people with Parkinsons experience poor saliva control, which may result in excessive saliva and drooling, or alternatively, in a dry mouth and other eating problems.

Apda In Your Community

APDAParkinsons Disease SymptomsCould this be due to Parkinsons Disease? Uncommon non-motor symptoms of Parkinsons Disease

It is common for a person with Parkinsons disease to attribute every new symptom that develops to PD. That is largely because the list of non-motor symptoms commonly associated with PD is so varied, it can seem that almost anything is a symptom of PD! But if you take a closer look, there are some symptoms that are very commonly associated with PD, others that are virtually never associated with PD, and some in between.

Lets divide up non-motor symptoms into the following categories:

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Catarrh Mucus Excess Saliva

Hi my hubby recovering from major Bowel surgery Ben in icu for 2weeks was recovering well but now got this problem with not being able to cough to clear his throat as his muscles are too weak you can hear the crackling and gurgling coming from his throat but cant seem to shift it he is on medication to break up any mucous and he has had dr listen to chest and lungs are clear any one else on medication for this or any help please

I see that this conversation is 2 yrs old, but wonder if anyone has anything to add. I get an attack of catarrh almost every evening and sometimes during the night and first thing in the morning. The feeling of breathlessness briefly gave me panic attacks but Ive learned to control them with breathing exercises. Getting rid of the catarrh is more difficult, Benylyn and hot tea and steam are the only remedies that work. When they dont , it often means a sleepless night sitting upright in bed and only being able to breathe through my mouth.

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How Long Will The Phlegm Last

The duration of the phlegm in your system depends on the cause.

  • For bacterial infections, even without antibiotics, it can be self-limiting and will go away in 10 to 14 days.
  • Viral infections can last a little longer, so sometimes up to three weeks depending on the season.
  • Inflammatory conditions like asthma and COPD typically dont necessarily get better unless the disease is treated more aggressively.

Remember, your body is doing its job when phlegm is being produced. It shows that its addressing some sort of assault, be it an infection or an allergy or an irritant thats in your lungs or your sinuses thats how your body fights those assaults.

Dr. Jonathan Parsons is the associate director of clinical services and director of the asthma center in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

How Can I Support Someone With Parkinson’s At The Advanced Or Palliative Stage

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In the advanced stages of Parkinsons, your patients care needs may be more complex and require careful planning along with the patient, their family and other health and social care professionals involved.

Palliative care should be holistic, considering the whole person to support the personal, social, psychological and spiritual needs of your patient and their family. It should give your patient some control and choice over areas such as treatment options and where they will be cared for, as well as providing advice and support to all the people involved in their care.

Palliative care in Parkinsons may be supported by a number of professionals, including a Parkinsons nurse specialist, local hospice or specialist palliative care team, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist or dietitian. Many people with Parkinson’s also find complementary therapies beneficial.

It is important that you find out whether the person has a care plan in place regarding their preferences for how the issues surrounding advanced Parkinsons should be managed. This could include legal documentation such as a Lasting Power of Attorney and an advance care plan. Advance care plans include information on what the persons wishes and preferences are for their care in the future. They may include decisions on any treatments the person doesnt want to have in the future this is called an Advance Directive, Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment or Living Will.

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Rbd Occurs When Your Body Doesn’t Experience Normal Muscle Paralysis At Night

During normal REM sleep, the muscles in your body are temporarily paralyzed while your brain maintains similar activity to when it’s awake. However, people with RBD don’t experience normal muscle paralysis, allowing the person to physically act out their dreams, Sleep Foundation explains. RBD affects between 0.5 to 1 percent of adults, and is more common in people over the age of 50 and in men. More men are also diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Is Throat Mucus The Same As Phlegm

Mucus and phlegm are similar substances. As a result, often the terms are used interchangeably.

But, if you want to be accurate with your terminology, there are subtle differences between the two.

  • If the liquid is thinner and comes from your nose and sinuses, its mucus.
  • The thicker, stickier substance found in your throat as its expelled from your lungs is phlegm.2

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The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment

The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment is the first speech treatment for PD proven to significantly improve speech after one month of treatment.

  • Exercises taught in the LSVT method are easy to learn and typically have an immediate impact on communication.
  • Improvements have been shown to last up to two years following treatment.
  • LSVT methods have also been used with some success in treating speech and voice problems in individuals with atypical PD syndromes such as multiple-system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy .

LSVT® Guidelines

  • Must be administered four days a week for four consecutive weeks.
  • On therapy days, perform LSVT exercises one other time during the day. On non-therapy days, perform LSVT exercises two times a day.
  • Once you complete the four-week LSVT therapy, perform LSVT exercises daily to maintain your improved voice.
  • Schedule six-month LSVT re-evaluations with your specialist to monitor your voice.
  • If available in your area, participate in a speech group whose focus is on thinking loud.
  • A Digital Sound Level Meter can help you monitor voice volume. Place the meter at arm distance to perform the measurement. Normal conversational volume ranges between 68-74dB.

Parkinsons Disease And The Gut

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In Part 1 of this 3-part blog I cover questions or concerns that many of my patients with Parkinsons disease have that center around the gut.

  • Constipation/delayed gastric emptying
  • Dietary recommendations for PD in general
  • Protein interactions with levodopa
  • Dietary interactions with MAO-B inhibitors
  • Connection of PD and the gut
  • Antibiotic impact on gut bacteria
  • The outlook for prevention or prevention progression for PD
  • 1. Gastrointestinal symptoms of Parkinsons disease

    Up to 70% of patients with PD have gastrointestinal symptoms, often beginning years prior to the onset of motor symptoms, along the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract. I will describe the issues that can arise from top to bottom, so to speak.

    Symptoms of the mouth and throat include the slowing down and reduction of the swallow response, resulting in drooling or repeated swallows being required in early stages of PD. As the disease progresses, swallowing difficulty may worsen, resulting in aspiration , which can be silent or associated with coughing, choking, or pneumonia. Dysphagia and aspiration should be evaluated by a swallow study, performed by a speech therapist. Treatment recommendations include chewing more slowly, clearing ones throat before taking another bite, eating while sitting up with the chin tucked, and changing the texture of the solids and liquids to be easier and safer to swallow.

    For more on management of constipation, please see Part 2 of this blog.

    • Green leafy vegetables

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    How Can Parkinson’s Affect Someone At The Advanced Or Palliative Stage

    Parkinsons progresses in stages: diagnosis, maintenance, advanced and palliative. Professionals should have talk to people with Parkinsons about advance care planning in the earlier stages of the disease. This can allow them to express their wishes and preferences for their care in the later stages of the disease and make plans for the future.

    Although the condition progresses differently and at a different speed for each person, the advanced stage can potentially cover a long period of time.

    Problems that affect someone with advanced Parkinsons may include:

    • medicines being less effective at managing symptoms than before
    • having to take lots of medicines to manage symptoms and side effects
    • more off periods when the effects of medication are reduced, and people experience movement fluctuations and involuntary movements
    • increased mobility problems and falls
    • swallowing difficulties
    • less control of their Parkinsons symptoms, which become less predictable
    • pain.

    Some of the more advanced symptoms can lead to increased disability and poor health, which can make someone more vulnerable to infection, such as pneumonia. People with Parkinsons most often die because of an infection or another condition, usually caused by Parkinsons.

    More Research Is Needed

    Based on a review of medical literature, there is no clear thought on the underlying mechanisms that cause shortness of breath in Parkinsons disease.

    There are no records of how common it is or the effect of medicationspecifically levodopaon respiration. Limited clinical research is available relating to this often-ignored non-motor symptom.

    Additional clinical studies may provide improved understanding and potential treatments.3

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    Can Drooling Be Caused By A Sore Throat

    Yes, drooling could be an issue as a result of a sore throat. The issue happens because when sore throats are extremely painful, people might avoid swallowing to avoid pain.

    The excessive drooling could potentially lead to further complications like dehydration or a new infection. A numbing spray like Chloraseptic is extremely effective at numbing the throat to allow for comfortable swallowing.

    Correlation Between Pneumological Drugs And Pd

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    In this scenario, the effects of drugs commonly used by the pneumologist should also be considered. For instance, some studies recently reviewed by Hopfneret al. postulated the possible correlation between -adrenoreceptors and PD . Anticholinergic drugs are frequently used for obstructive pulmonary disorders and systemic anticholinergics may play a part in PD . Acetylcholine has a key role in modulating dopaminergic activity in the basal ganglia, and its inhibition may increase central dopaminergic tone . Anticholinergic bronchodilators might have central effects, as reported by some authors . An effect on motor disturbances in PD may be reasonable, even if to our knowledge this has not been investigated in the current literature. However, it should be considered that anticholinergics may be associated with cognitive impairment and delirium , and these adverse effects may be even more common in the advanced stage of PD, when dementia is a very common feature.

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    Eat Plenty Of Protein But Not With Levodopa Medications

    If youre taking a levodopa medication, your doctor may tell you to avoid protein when taking your meds. Both animal and plant protein can interfere with the absorption of levodopa medications.

    But you should still eat plenty of protein. Just be strategic with the timing. Dont take levodopa medications with meals, Dr. Gostkowski says. Its best to take it on an empty stomach either 30 minutes before your meal or an hour after eating.

    If you get nauseous from the medication, eat a small amount of starchy food with it, such as crackers. Make sure whatever you eat with your medicine doesnt have protein. Its a misunderstanding that people with Parkinsons should avoid protein, Dr. Gostkowski says. You definitely need protein in your diet. Just dont eat it when youre taking your levodopa medication.

    How Is Parkinson’s Managed

    There is currently no cure for Parkinsons but there are medications and therapies that can help to manage Parkinsons symptoms.

    Medicines that increase the level of dopamine in the brain are the main treatment used to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Medicines are tailored to each individuals needs.

    Symptoms will get worse when someones Parkinsons medicines are wearing off and improve again after Parkinsons medicines are taken. If people with Parkinsons dont get their medication at the right time, it leads to their motor symptoms becoming uncontrolled. It can take some time to get their symptoms under control again. If you work in a hospital or care home, it is important to be aware that medicine timings will vary from person to person and may be different to ward medicine rounds.

    As well as medicines, surgical options are available for some people with Parkinson’s, depending on their symptoms.

    Treatments can help to manage the symptoms, but may become less effective in the later stages of the condition.

    Parkinsons UK has more information on how Parkinsons affects people and how it can be managed.

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    Bump Up Your Fiber Intake

    A high-fiber diet is a proven way to avoid constipation, a common problem for people with PD.

    Parkinsons can slow down the intestines and cause constipation, Dr. Gostkowski says. Fiber helps keep things moving. There are plenty of high-fiber foods out there, so choose your favorites. Women should aim for 25 grams of fiber per day, and men should get 38 grams.

    When To Seek Hospice Care

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    When you or your loved one have a life expectancy of six months or less, you become eligible for hospice care a type of comfort care provided at the end of life for someone living with end-stage Parkinsons disease. Hospice provides extra support so your loved one can live as comfortably as possible.

    If you have experienced a significant decline in your ability to move, speak, or participate in activities of daily living without caregiver assistance, its time to speak with a hospice professional.

    Read more: What is hospice care?

    Some of the things that determine whether your loved one with end-stage Parkinsons is eligible for hospice include: difficulty breathing, bed bound, unintelligible speech, inability to eat or drink sufficiently, and/or complications including pneumonia or sepsis.

    If you live in South Jersey, our nurse care coordinator can answer your questions and decide if your loved one is ready for hospice care. Call us 24/7 at 229-8183.

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    Eating Swallowing And Saliva Management

    Some people with Parkinsons may find they have difficulties with eating, swallowing and saliva control at some stage of their journey with Parkinsons.

    Parkinsons can cause the muscles in the jaw and face to become stiff which affects the control of chewing and swallowing.

    Another symptom of Parkinsons can be producing excessive saliva. The stiffer facial muscles can change the nature of saliva, which may become thicker and stickier.

    Managing Eating And Swallowing

    It is important to continue eating normally as long as it is safe to do so. This will help to keep your muscles working, and maintaining a healthy diet is vital to good health . Only when eating and swallowing become significantly uncomfortable or difficult should you adapt your diet, for example by eating pureed foods.

    Swallowing difficulties are individual and solutions vary from person to person, but the following tips on diet, drinking and eating techniques may help.

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    How Are Speech Problems Treated

    There are many options to help improve your speech. A speech-language pathologist can help you pick the right approaches for you. Speech-language pathologists are trained health care professionals who specialize in evaluating and treating people with speech, swallowing, voice, and language problems.

    Ask your doctor for a referral to a speech-language pathologist. It is also important to contact your health insurance company to find out what therapy and procedures are eligible for reimbursement and to find a list of SLPs covered by your plan. Finally, visit a SLP who has experience treating people with PD.

    Memory Or Thinking Problems

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    Having issues with thinking and processing things could mean your disease is progressing. Parkinsons is more than a movement disorder. The disease has a cognitive part as well, which means it can cause changes in the way your brain works.

    During the final stage of the disease, some people may develop dementia or have hallucinations. However, hallucinations can also be a side effect of certain medications.

    If you or your loved ones notice that youre getting unusually forgetful or easily confused, it might be a sign of advanced-stage Parkinsons.

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    How To Get Rid Of Phlegm

    So, youre probably wondering how to get rid of throat mucus? First of all, you dont necessarily have to do anything.

    In most cases, phlegm is normal and helps with the healthy function of your respiratory system. Nevertheless, many people find dealing with a surplus of throat mucus unpleasant.

    Fortunately, if you want to thin it or remove it from your body, there are a number of things you can do.

    Charcoal Or Gray Phlegm

    We tend to see charcoal or sooty looking phlegm in people who work in coal mines and factories or are really heavy smokers.

    If you work in a factory where theres a ton of smoke and dont wear a mask, youre inhaling all that in and its causing an inflammatory reaction in your airways that produces phlegm. The irritants are mixed in with the phlegm and when you cough, it comes out.

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    Eating Swallowing And Saliva Control

    Some people with Parkinsons may find they have problems with eating, swallowing and controlling their saliva.

    This information looks at the issues you may face, explains why they happen and what help is available.

    Eating is a social activity and problems that affect chewing and swallowing can have a big impact on how much you enjoy meal times. For example, some people with Parkinsons have told us that they feel self-conscious or embarrassed while eating because of their symptoms.

    Its important to look out for symptoms related to difficulties with eating and swallowing. These can develop slowly over time and you may not notice them, so family, friends or carers should know what to look out for too.

    If youre not able to swallow properly, you may experience:

    • drooling
    • inability to clear food from the mouth
    • food sticking in the throat
    • a gurgly voice
    • coughing when eating or drinking
    • choking on food, liquid or saliva
    • problems swallowing medication
    • discomfort in the chest or throat

    These things can lead to a number of long-term problems, including:

    Talk to your GP as soon as you can if you have problems with eating or swallowing they may refer you to specialists who can help.

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