Symptom 7: Difficulty Swallowing
Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, is a symptom that can cause significant worry for individuals with tumefactive MS. It may start as a feeling of a lump in the throat when swallowing, progress to discomfort while eating, and in severe cases, lead to choking or aspiration.
Dysphagia occurs when nerve damage from MS affects the nerves controlling the muscles of the throat and esophagus. When these nerves are damaged, it can cause a disconnect between the brain’s swallowing commands and the throat muscles’ response, leading to difficulties in swallowing.
Early signs of dysphagia include coughing or choking when eating or drinking, a sensation of food getting stuck in the throat, or having a ‘wet’ or ‘gurgly’ voice after eating. As these signs can potentially lead to serious complications like aspiration pneumonia, early recognition and intervention are crucial.
Managing dysphagia effectively often requires a team approach involving healthcare professionals, caregivers, and the patient. Open communication about difficulties, adherence to recommended exercises and strategies, and regular check-ins with the healthcare team can all contribute to improving swallowing and reducing the risks associated with dysphagia. (7)
