Understanding Parkinson's
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Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative condition which impacts each person differently. Although there is no cure, treatment and information are available.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative condition which impacts each person differently. Although there is no cure, treatment and information are available.
Whether it’s making a donation, fundraising, volunteering, or attending a webinar there is so much you can do.
Founded in 1983 we are the only national charitable trust specifically for people living with Parkinson’s in Aotearoa.
Swallowing
Fact Sheets
Published:
March 28, 2023
Last Updated:
March 28, 2023
Many conditions can affect the way you swallow.
As you age, decreased saliva production and lessening of the ability to taste food can occur, and the effects of some medications may influence your mouth dryness and swallowing. Dental changes may make chewing harder and make it less easy to feel where food is sitting in the mouth.
People with Parkinson’s, however, are particularly prone to swallowing difficulties.
The medical term used to describe a swallowing difficulty is ‘dysphagia,’ a swallowing disorder characterised by difficulty in oral preparation for the act of swallowing or in moving food or drink from the mouth to the stomach. Although dysphagia may occur in the early stages of Parkinson’s, it mainly occurs in the later stages of the condition.
Download the resource for more information about swallowing.
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