Some people with Parkinson’s may find that they have problems with eating, drinking and swallowing, including things going down the wrong way. This information was compiled by Speech and Language Therapists working with people with Parkinson’s.

Why can swallowing be a problem?

• Reduced efficiency of jaw and facial muscles – this affects the control of chewing, lip closure and swallowing.
• Problems with tongue muscles. The tongue is vital for normal swallowing. We use it to move food around and push it to the back of the mouth to trigger the swallowing reflexes. This can become slower and more difficult in Parkinson’s and it may be more difficult to trigger a swallow.
• Slowing of the muscles that move food from the mouth to the stomach – this can make you feel full up and may reduce your appetite.
• Dry mouth can affect the comfort and pleasure of eating and drinking. Saliva helps to break down food as we chew it and helps us to taste our food. People with Parkinson’s can find that their saliva becomes thicker.

What should I look out for?

It’s important to look out for symptoms and remember these can develop slowly over time. You may not notice them yourself, so family, friends or carers should know what to look out for too. You may experience:

• Drooling
• Difficulty clearing food from the mouth
• Food sticking in the throat
• A gurgly voice
• Coughing when eating or drinking
• Choking on food, liquid or saliva
• Pain when swallowing
• Frequent unexplained chest infections
• Weight loss

What can I try that may help?

• Sit upright in a chair that supports your body when eating or drinking
• Take your time
• Ensure all your food is cut up well, into small pieces
• Try to take small mouthfuls. This will give you more control over your chewing and swallowing and will reduce the possibility of food slipping to the back of your throat before you’ve chewed properly.
• Avoid taking another mouthful until you’re sure you’ve cleared your mouth and throat.
• Reduce distractions, such as avoiding watching TV while eating
• Avoid tilting your head back when drinking. If required, refill your cup or glass when it is half empty to stop this.
• Try drinking regular sips of fluid when eating if you feel food is sticking or catching
• Take extra swallows if you feel you need to make sure all the food or drink has gone.
• If you have difficulty taking tablets, consider taking them in a spoonful of yoghurt or jelly, as these slippery foods may make them easier to swallow.

If problems persist or change then talk to your GP or Parkinson’s team as you may need to see a speech and language specialist who are experts at managing swallowing problems.