Rita - please explain "weighted silverware."

Thanks,
George L.  Bousliman

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 4:20 AM
Subject: Re: Swallowing Problems


> 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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