Tablets to get a better tan?
the problem? My main difficulty is with fluids, although I can swallow food.
ASWALLOWING involves a complex set of actions that are controlled by the brain and if the part of the brain that co-ordinates the muscles is affected by a stroke, it can make swallowing difficult.
It is thought at least 65 per cent of people who have had a stroke of some sort experience some degree of difficulty in swallowing. Some can’t swallow solid food, while others have problems with liquids. Treatment from a speech therapist can often be very helpful (even if you feel your speech has not been affected) and can help you learn to co-ordinate the muscles of your mouth and throat.
Apart from the difficulty in drinking a cup of tea or coffee there is also a danger that lack of co-ordination in swallowing can lead to fluid accidently going into the lungs rather than the stomach and this can cause pneumonia.
There are techniques you can learn to help stop this happening, such as turning your head to one side. See your GP who should be able to refer you to a special stroke clinic, where a speech therapist will be able to help you.
If you have a health question for Dr Rosemary please write to her in confidence at The Northern & Shell Building, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN or email health@express.co.uk
Dr Rosemary’s reply will appear in this column. She regrets that she cannot enter into personal correspondence and that due to the volume of letters she cannot reply to everyone. Find out more at drrosemaryleonard.co.uk.