Problems Swallowing and Eating
A lower motor neuron in the brain stem influences the movement of the tongue, causing SMA patients to experience dysphagia, or difficulty with swallowing or feeding. There is a decrease in the effectiveness and mobility of the tongue. SMA affects the muscle force of the sub-mental group of tongue muscles, causing swallowing difficulties. Due to muscular weakness, the patient with spinal muscular atrophy may have difficulty bringing sustenance to his or her mouth. Swallowing difficulties are also prevalent among patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Nearly 36 percent of individuals with some form of spinal muscular atrophy suffer from swallowing and food disorders.
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