Hi Marcia,
Your message that your dad looked like a concentration camp victim
reminded me so much of what happened to my dad, I just had to reply.
Did his swallowing trouble come on very suddenly? If he was eating
even pretty well 2 weeks ago, please have his internist check for any other
possible problems. Even a minor infection can cause the PD to suddenly get
very bad, and the PD will also get better if the underlying illness or
problem is treated.
Specific things I've seen cause my day sudden difficulty in eating are:
sinus infection and/or sore throat
bladder infection
intestinal impaction (causes gagging & nausea, can easily be
mistaken for trouble swallowing.)
urine retention
I hate to mention this, but if your parents live alone, you might
consider it. My mother became unable to prepare suitable food. The stress of
caring for a sick husband could cause anybody to have problems with daily
activities. If you have any doubts, check the refrigerator for spoiled or
molded food, and the cabinets to see if anything is actually being used from
them, or are all the cans old and dusty. It could be neither of them are
eating well, but because your mother is more mobile, she has more access to
snacks. That was the case for my parents once.
Vicki Peyton
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