Difficulty swallowing with multiple sclerosis
Individuals with MS can experience weakness in muscles that are involved with breathing and coughing. A weak respiratory system can impair an individual’s ability to clear food or drink and protect their airway.
Symptoms
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the following changes, it may be time to talk to your physician about getting a referral to see a speech-language pathologist.
- Change in vocal quality after eating or drinking, with a wet or gurgly voice
- Complaint of difficulty swallowing
- Complaint of food sticking in throat
- Coughing, choking, or clearing of the throat before, during, or after swallowing
- Difficulty controlling food, liquids, or saliva in the mouth
- Drooling
- Excessive chewing
- Food getting stuck in the cheeks of your mouths
- Nasal regurgitation
- Needing several shallow coughs in order to clear food or drink
- Weight loss