I'll try that, thanks

Quoting [log in to unmask]:

> Have you tried using weighted silverware?  I find this to be very useful.
> 
> Rita
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [log in to unmask]
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Wed, Nov 18, 2009 2:00 pm
> Subject: Re: Swallowing Problems
> 
> 
> What about the problem of messy eating due to tremors ?
>  miss my mouth even though the target's pretty big.
> Quoting rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]>:
> > Physician Focus: There's help for swallowing problems
>  
>  By Danielle Morgan-Stevenson
>  GateHouse News Service
>  Posted Nov 17, 2009 @ 01:12 PM
>  
>  The term "swallowing problem" covers many symptoms. More accurately known
> as
>  
>  "dysphagia," speech language pathologists (aka speech therapists) are 
>  involved in the assessment and treatment of swallowing problems, often in 
>  collaboration with other medical specialists.
>  But how can one tell if someone has dysphagia?
>  
>  A speech therapist will evaluate the problem in terms of three stages 
>  involved in eating and drinking. These are 1) the oral preparatory stage 
>  when the food or drink is being prepared in the mouth for swallowing, 2)
> the
>  
>  oral stage, when the food or drink moves back in the mouth to be swallowed,
> 
>  and 3) the pharyngeal stage, the sequence of actions that move the food or 
>  drink from the back of the mouth to the esophagus.
>  There is a fourth stage, the esophageal stage, which takes the food or
> drink
>  
>  to the stomach. Problems occurring in this stage require medical 
>  intervention with a specialist such as a gastroenterologist or other
> doctor.
>  
>  With an appropriate exam and testing, an ST can decide if your symptom(s)
> in
>  
>  one or more of the first three stages are abnormal, based upon knowledge of
> 
>  normal function and timing. The ST's primary concerns are two-fold: to 
>  change or manage the symptoms to ensure your safety and adequate hydration 
>  and nutrition.
>  
>  Dysphagia can occur at any age with many possible causes. Typically this
> can
>  
>  be due to physical changes or diseases in the nervous system, or in an 
>  underdeveloped nervous system in the case of a baby or young child. It may 
>  also occur in the anatomy of the head and neck, following reconstructive 
>  surgery for cancer. It may be temporary, although intervention remains 
>  necessary, or it may be long term.
>  
>  Therapy is entirely customized as there is not a one-size-fits-all 
>  treatment. Therapy is based upon accurate diagnosis of your symptoms with 
>  the most appropriate management for that combination of symptoms.
>  
>  Often this treatment employs altering food (or liquid) consistency 
>  appropriately, using exercises for the mouth and throat, and small postural
> 
>  changes during meal times to alter the anatomy and function during 
>  swallowing. The therapist must take into account the person's lifestyle and
> 
>  preferences as eating are an important part or our emotional and social 
>  selves.
>  
>  The signs given below could indicate a dysphagia assessment might be 
>  helpful. A single symptom may exist or there could be a few symptoms. 
>  Consider these if you know someone who might have a swallowing problem:
>  
>  - Most obviously, the person may describe a sensation during eating or 
>  swallowing. They might say things like, "I can't get it back, it takes ages
> 
>  to chew, the food gets stuck, I need to clear my throat." It is worth
> noting
>  
>  there is not always a sensation even when there is a problem.
>  
>  This is particularly true in people with neurological problems, such as a 
>  stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis.
>  
>  - Sometimes coughing or choking during meals or snacks (food or drink). 
>  Again, this is not always present.
>  - Speech changes or maybe slight slurring.
>  - Voice changes. They may sound hoarse or gravelly, or weak and quiet, or 
>  "wet" or nasal.
>  - Does it take a long time for them to eat a meal (45 minutes or more for 
>  just eating/drinking time)?
>  - Congestion as the day progresses, especially in the evening.
>  - Losing weight, although they are not on a diet.
>  - Avoiding some foods or drinks because they anticipate a problem.
>  - Recent medical or surgical event.
>  - Difficulty with swallowing saliva. May drool at times.
>  - Swallowing a few times to get something down.
>  - New difficulty swallowing pills.
>  II you notice one or more of these symptoms, a swallowing evaluation with a
> 
>  speech therapist could be helpful. Remember, most swallowing problems can
> be
>  
>  helped.
>  
>  Danielle Morgan-Stevenson is a speech pathologist with the Spaulding 
>  Outpatient Clinic in Framingham, Mass. Her specialty is dysphagia and 
>  disorders of cognition and communication with neurologically impaired 
>  people, as well as speech and language disorders in preschool children.
>  Rayilyn Brown
>  Director AZNPF
>  Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
>  [log in to unmask] 
>  
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