As my husband’s LBD progresses he is choking several times a day ..often at his dinner meal and through the night on phlegm build up..
not completely chewing his food before taking another bite.. in a rush even when reminded..
swallowing with his mouth open and inhaling his food … always a gurgling sound in his throat but not always bring up the phlegm when encouraged to..
l’m looking for any ideas or suggestions on foods to eat or how to prepare..also for the phlegm…is there any way to clear it up..or treat the problem? Thanks for being here for me … I check this site daily and have been comforted by the words of wisdom and kindness of others dealing with some of the same issues I am.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/dysphagia-how-to-help-a-loved-one-eat-and-drink-safely-187010.htm
He probably needs a swallow assessment by a speech language pathologist to determine what level of swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) he has and what is the best approach (modifying the texture of his food and drink possibly).
But the phlegm may be a separate issue. There is a device called a Yankauer for suctioning and also meds that will dry up secretions. But talk to his doc tomorrow.
Both of these issues can cause aspiration pneumonia which can be fatal.
My husband had vascular dementia, when he developed aspiration pneumonia, which about killed him. I was told by his Dr.'s that because he had dementia, that his brain was no longer telling his throat to close when eating or drinking, thus allowing his food and drink to go into his lungs.
That sounds like perhaps what is going on with your husband as well. You can have a swallowing evaluation done, if it makes you feel better, but I would just start him on the pureed foods and thickened drinks and see if that doesn't help.
Also his Dr. can prescribe some drops that you put under his tongue to help with the phlegm, along with patches that you can put behind his ear(s) to help with that. Sorry I don't recall the names of either, I just know that the patches are the same ones that are used for nausea.
Make sure too that he is sitting upright when eating. You certainly don't want him developing aspiration pneumonia. I wish you and your husband the best.
"Both made a point of chewing slowly. She was the first to choke. It was the omelette. He eyes watered. She began to cough. Felix guided her water glass to her mouth. She took a drink and managed to get the omelette down.
"'As you get older the lordosis of your spine tips your head forward, so when you look straight ahead it's like looking at the ceiling for anyone else. Try to swallow while looking up: you'll choke once in a while. The problem is common in the elderly. Listen.' I realized that I could hear someone in the dining room choking on his food every minute or so.
"Felix turned to Bella. 'You have to eat looking down, sweetie,' he said.
"A couple of bites later, though, he himself was choking. It was the salmon. He began coughing. He turned red. Finally, he was able to cough up the bite. It took a minute for him to catch his breath.
"'Didn't follow my own advice,' he said."
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For what it's worth...