[DYSPHAGIA] Isolated Chewing Difficulty

[GuptaJ@sesahs.nsw.gov.au (Jai Gupta)]

Does she have history of epilepsy ...I would send her of good neuro review
esp. ECG. Sometime it can be anxiety also.
Jai Gupta M.Sc (S.H.) C.P.S.P.,M.S.P.A.
Manager, Speech Pathology Department
The Sutherland Hospital Caringbah
Taren Point 2229 NSW. Australia
Tel 602-95407111 Fax 602-9540 7717
Email: guptaJ@sesahs.nsw.gov.au

> ----------
> From: 	SuzMorris@aol.com[SMTP:SuzMorris@aol.com]
> Sent: 	27 November, 2001 9:24 AM
> To: 	dysphagia@medonline.com; icampbell-taylor@excite.com
> Subject: 	[DYSPHAGIA] Isolated Chewing Difficulty
> 
> 
> A close friend of mine recently shared an unusual feeding pattern that 
> she has experienced.  She is a 50 year old adult who has no other issues 
> and is a very skilled and coordinated massage therapist.   She describes 
> herself as always having had some difficulties getting oral-motor 
> planning together for chewing.  She has been a very slow eater and 
> describes herself as having to think about how she moves the food in her 
> mouth rather than experiencing a smooth automatic flow to her chewing, 
> bolus collection and swallowing.
> 
> Until recently this has not created any difficulties for her other than 
> "always being the last one at the table to finish a meal".    During the 
> past month, however, the problem has gradually increased. . .to the point 
> where eating food that requires chewing is more trouble than it is worth 
> and she really can't get enough calories from the food she chews before 
> she is exhausted.   She has shifted to a blenderized diet which she can 
> handle very easily.  She is a very easy-going person who is not upset by 
> the current situation, but hopes that things will get better over time.
> 
> This sounds more like an apraxic/motor planning issue rather than a 
> muscle strength and coordination issue.   All other aspects of oral-motor 
> function and speech are just fine.  
> 
> Is it possible to have a very circumscribed motor planning problem for 
> chewing without any other neurological symptoms?
> 
> If so, what causes this and why could she be experiencing a deterioration 
> in this function now?
> 
> What can she do to help things get better?  What general direction would 
> you take? 
> 
> My work is entirely in pediatrics and typically when we see apraxia-like 
> symptoms in learning to chew there are sensory integration issues with 
> the kids. . .which is definitely not the case here.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Suzanne Morris
> New Visions
> http://www.new-vis.com
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