9. Trouble Swallowing: The Subtle Chokehold
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Swallowing, a seemingly mundane act, can become a significant challenge for some PPMS patients. Difficulty in swallowing, or dysphagia, might start as a minor inconvenience but can escalate, leading to weight loss, choking, or even aspiration pneumonia.
The act of swallowing is a complex orchestration of various muscles and reflexes. MS can disrupt the neural pathways governing this process, leading to inefficient coordination between the muscles involved.
Beyond the immediate discomfort, difficulty swallowing can have cascading effects. Nutrition can be compromised, leading to weight loss and associated health challenges. The risk of choking or aspirating food into the lungs can result in severe complications. (9)
