----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Anderson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "Parkinson's Information Exchange Network"
<[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2002 5:29 AM
Subject: Bruce's Uvala


>
> I just want to say THANK YOU to all those who answered my calls for help
> on what to do about what has turned out to b called my Uvala. THANKS  to
> nancy, Ivan, Sylvia, sunwiseassbum, Dr. Bob, K-F,  Rita, Kathryne, and
> Deborah, and anyone else I may have just missed -  thanks much again!.
I'm
> going to first see my MDS and then find a ENT [just what we all need -
ANOTHER
> doctor, right?]  I'll keep yo'all informed.
>
> BBA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ivan M Suzman" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 3:16 PM
> Subject: Re: a strange one
>
>
> > Dear Bruce,
> >
> >   The structure you are describing is probably the uvula.
> > The uvula extends backwards from the hard part of the palate,
> > and hangs over the throat .  It is part of the soft palate.
> >
> >   When you are speaking or singing, the uvula changes position.
> > One of its critical functions is the  automatic closing off
> > of the back of the nasal cavity during swallowing.
> > It does this by raising up, so that air flow,  and liquid or
> > solid food movement is directed only
> > through the mouth, and is not regurgitated up
> > though the nose and nostrils.
> >
> >    When you are inhaling, while asleep, the uvula drops down
> > and forwards if you breathe in through your
> > nose, allowing air to reach your trachea
> > to inflate your lungs.
> >
> >
> >  If the uvula is hanging down, as you described it,
> > actually making contact with the part of you throat
> > that is at the opening of the pharynx, or throat,
> > your  nasal passageway  and your oral passageway
> > are both affected.  Your voice when awake could
> > certainly be affected, if the back of the nose is not closed. During
> > sleep, this can be a normal position.  But it could
> > change the quality of your voice and block the movement of food
> > or liquids,  even when you are awake.
> >
> >   IF the uvula has been damaged , and hangs down
> > but does not raise up, this could suggest either
> > damage to a cranial nerve, that controls its movement,
> > or  some degree of injury to the tissues at the top
> > and  the back of the throat., or immediately in front of
> > the uvula, where it is anchored to the palatine bone
> > and hard palate.
> >
> >    In any case, both in singing and in speaking,
> > as well as in breathing, the uvula plays an important
> > role.
> >
> >    If your voice seems to be only somewhat intelligible,
> >  I would think you almost certainly would need to ascertain whether
> > either
> >  the soft palate, as well as nearby structures other than
> > the uvula itself, have suffered any damage,.
> >
> > I don't know what makes it "soft" or "mushy", and I
> > would strongly suggest that you get in touch with
> > an ear, nose and throat specialist. Go and see a general
> > practice physician or visiting nurse, at least, as soon as
> > it is possible, for a thorough examination.
> >
> >
> >
> >   The epiglottis is lower down in your throat,
> > and provides a soft tissue cover over the trachea,
> > so that food is not swallowed into the windpipe.
> >
> >    Good luck, Bruce.  Please make an appointment
> > and let us know what has happened.
> >
> >     I was trained in anatomy, so I am happy to
> > share further with you, on PIEN , or off line.
> >
> >    Sincerely yours,
> >
> >     Ivan Suzman
> >
> >      52/39/36
> >
> >
> > l
> >
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 15 Jan 2002 04:42:11 -0500 Bruce Anderson
> > <[log in to unmask]> writes:
> > >     I am sure most of you know what the name of that little piece of
> > > flesh
> > > is called that dangles down from the top of your throat way back
> > > there.  I
> > > can't think of its name, but there is something wrong with mine.  It
> > > feels
> > > like it, along with a piece of skin, has detached itself from the
> > > top of the
> > > roof of my mouth.   I can feel it rubbing the top of my tongue. I
> > > can just
> > > about, but not quite, touch it with the tip of my tongue, but the
> > > bit of
> > > flesh which has come down with it  feels very mushy.  Looking at it
> > > with
> > > mirror and a flashlight it has definitely fallen about halfway down
> > > from
> > > where it used to be.
> > >
> > > I have no idea what this thing's function is.  I have not spoken an
> > > intelligible word in well over a year. [I use a voice synthesizer, a
> > > handheld computer and a TTY phone to communicate with.  I've also
> > > had some
> > > swallowing problems but they're are improved from a year ago.
> > >
> > > I don't have PD - I have [probably] one of the PD+'s but my doctor
> > > hasn't
> > > decided which one yet - probably PSP.
> > >
> > > Sorry this is so long - I always seem to write a book.  Can anyone
> > > give me a
> > > clue on what this new development is?  It just showed up yesterday.
> > >
> > > THANKS,
> > > BBAi
> > >
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