Chewing and swallowing
Chewing and swallowing difficulties are complications of Parkinson’s disease. They are usually observed in the late stages of the disease. These can lead to alterations in the autonomic nervous system or the muscles in the throat, known as the pharyngeal muscles. These changes raise the chances of food getting stuck in the throat and choking, which can be lead to death. If the person accidentally breathes food particles into the lungs, pneumonia can occur. You may also produce excess saliva, or you may lose the ability to swallow saliva easily. This can cause drooling, which may seem embarrassing.
Some drugs can treat these symptoms. Also, a speech-language therapist can sometimes help a person retrain their throat muscles so that they can swallow more effectively.
Speaking
As Parkinson’s disease affects the muscles, a person’s speech can get softer and harder to understand. Over time, alterations in thinking ability can also make it more difficult for them to communicate. Social and other activities can become challenging. A study from 2017 shows that speech therapy is done to help people communicate effectively. This is done to improve a person’s quality of life.