Reduced ability to blink and swallow
Parkinson’s disease causes the muscles of the mouth and eyes to become weaker. It also makes it difficult for a person to blink and swallow. Parkinson’s causes the muscles that help you chew food to become weaker. As a result, food can get stuck in your throat. It is vital that you seek immediate medical attention if you have difficulty swallowing. A speech pathologist will also teach you how to swallow liquids and food more easily.
The rigidity of eye muscles can cause a person to be unable to blink in the late stages of Parkinson’s. This can lead to choking and pneumonia. Some people with Parkinson’s begin producing too little or excessive saliva. It can be uncomfortable to swallow food if there is too little saliva. Excess saliva can also cause drooling.
