[Dysphagia] Hypersalivation

[pressmah at sjhmc.org (pressmah@sjhmc.org)]

In individuals with motor disabilities who drool the problem is not
hypersalivation but inadequate swallowing of secretions.  I suspect that
that is the case with this woman. She may be having difficulty triggering a
swallow for small boluses of saliva or may have decreased awareness.  I
would suggest a trial of therapy to teach her to dry swallow on a regular
schedule.  Hilda Pressman

-----Original Message-----
From: Gottsche0@aol.com [mailto:Gottsche0@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 5:54 AM
To: dysphagia@b9.com
Subject: [Dysphagia] Hypersalivation


     
 
    I   Anyone's input regarding this case  would be greatly appreciated.
I evaluated a 73  year old woman on Friday who came  to me after being to  
endless     physician's.  Her diagnosis  is  Non-hodgkins Lymphoma and her 
problem is   hypersalivation. In the course of  our 1 1/2 hour eval the
woman went 
thru an entire  box of kleenex. She  chokes  occasionally on her saliva and 
has frequent    penetration.  She  has had a swallow study in the past  that

was normal.  She has  absolutely no difficulty with  foods or liquids. She
does 
not drool but  rather  says  that when she swallows there is still saliva in

her mouth,   "she can't  swallow it all."  She has had  stroboscopy,
endoscopy, 
and  is "normal."  I     contacted her physician and suggested  perhaps 
trying a  transdermal Scopalomine  patch,   but this was all I could think
of. She  
is  ambulatory, and completely cognitively intact, drives  etc.  She
doesn't 
go out in public due to her   embarrassment at constantly having to  spit
out 
the saliva. The  saliva is thin and clear, not ropey. She had  chemo-therapy

two  years ago, no radiation. Please advise, as I'm in a   quandry. How
about 
an unobtrusive oral suction machine?  Any such thing? Thanks  Linda

- 


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I  am a new member of this list and have a difficult case which