I had a stroke two years ago and STILL can't swallow – help!
OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice.
Today,
2
Dr Zoe Williams helps Sun readers with their health concerns
Credit: Olivia West
2
This week a reader still does not have the ability to swallow following a stroke two years ago
Q) FOLLOWING a stroke two years ago at the age of 69, I have total dysphagia and have been peg tube fed since.
Everything else is back to normal except the ability to swallow but despite doing all the exercises, given by the Speech and Language Therapy team, nothing has worked.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy is private and expensive. Is there any other treatment available?
A) Dysphagia is the inability to swallow, which is why you have been fed via a tube into the stomach.
READ MORE FROM DR ZOE
I'm sorry to hear that you haven't seen improvement despite support from SALT.
NMES aims to retrain the nerves and muscles, and SALT exercises increase effectiveness. But it lacks sufficient robust evidence at the moment to be rolled out.
However, it can be used as part of clinical trials or audits. A newer NHS-supported treatment, pharyngeal electrical stimulation, targets the throat's pharynx region. It aims to 'rewire' nerve pathways.
Clinical trials (eg, the PHADER study) show it improves swallowing safety and reduces aspiration risk in stroke patients. The NHS is also currently investigating transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) aimed to reactivate swallowing centres in the brain.
Most read in Health
Other therapies include Botox if muscle stiffness is an issue and surgery to dilate the oesophagus. Do request a multidisciplinary reassessment (neurologist and SALT) to explore your options.
And do ask about NHS trials.
Send your questions for Dr Zoe to: health@thesun.co.uk
The 8 subtle signs of lingering 'holiday heart syndrome' - and when you risk blood clots and stroke
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dublin Live
an hour ago
- Dublin Live
Pharmacist shares six medications you should pack before going on holiday
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Packing for a holiday abroad can be a bit of a headache. It's easy to remember the basics like clothes and toiletries, but what about those unexpected situations? Planning for every possible scenario isn't always simple, and sometimes you might find yourself needing something that's not readily at hand. According to one pharmacist, there are certain medicines you should think about packing from home to avoid any unnecessary stress while on holiday. Irish Pharmacist Ashley O Dubhain, also known as Ash the Pharmacist on social media platforms, revealed that he often gets asked "in the summer months" which medicines people should pack. While he reassures holidaymakers not to "freak out", as chemists will be available at their destination, he does suggest six items to consider based on his "own experience" and knowledge of what's available overseas. If you're heading to a destination with a hotter and more humid climate than you're used to, Ashley suggests packing some electrolytes, regardless of the brand. Electrolytes are vital for maintaining fluid balance and ensuring muscles and nerves function properly. As we lose electrolytes through sweat, it's important to replenish the sodium lost, especially if you're sweating heavily. Furthermore, he recommends bringing along an antihistamine such as Zirtek, Telfast, Clarityn or any other brand that suits your body. Ashley emphasised the virtues of a widely advocated remedy: "This will be good for insect bites but also if you take a reaction to food or the sun, for example. It can help with that heat rash." Ashley also underscored for those jet-setters not quite up to snuff with exotic nosh, to keep Imodium handy, an indispensable over-the-counter fix to rapidly quell the runs and "stop" any untoward results. For treating insect bites, Ashley's go-to is often prescribing Fucibet, but you can get hydrocortisone cream over-the-counter, such as Cortopin. However, Ashley cautions: "Ask your pharmacist if you're allowed to take it, as not everyone is. If steroid creams aren't suitable for you, you can get some Anthisan cream." You can also consider taking some probiotics, and start taking them for a few weeks before you go away, especially if it's somewhere where you "know the food and the water could make you sick". Probiotics are thought to help restore the natural balance and bacteria in your gut, according to the NHS. Lastly, he recommends bringing some painkillers such as paracetamol, Panadol, Nurofen or ibuprofen. It's important to speak to your doctor or a pharmacist if you're unsure before taking any medication, as what's suitable for others might not be for you.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I had a stroke two years ago and STILL can't swallow – help!
OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice. Today, 2 Dr Zoe Williams helps Sun readers with their health concerns Credit: Olivia West 2 This week a reader still does not have the ability to swallow following a stroke two years ago Q) FOLLOWING a stroke two years ago at the age of 69, I have total dysphagia and have been peg tube fed since. Everything else is back to normal except the ability to swallow but despite doing all the exercises, given by the Speech and Language Therapy team, nothing has worked. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy is private and expensive. Is there any other treatment available? A) Dysphagia is the inability to swallow, which is why you have been fed via a tube into the stomach. READ MORE FROM DR ZOE I'm sorry to hear that you haven't seen improvement despite support from SALT. NMES aims to retrain the nerves and muscles, and SALT exercises increase effectiveness. But it lacks sufficient robust evidence at the moment to be rolled out. However, it can be used as part of clinical trials or audits. A newer NHS-supported treatment, pharyngeal electrical stimulation, targets the throat's pharynx region. It aims to 'rewire' nerve pathways. Clinical trials (eg, the PHADER study) show it improves swallowing safety and reduces aspiration risk in stroke patients. The NHS is also currently investigating transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) aimed to reactivate swallowing centres in the brain. Most read in Health Other therapies include Botox if muscle stiffness is an issue and surgery to dilate the oesophagus. Do request a multidisciplinary reassessment (neurologist and SALT) to explore your options. And do ask about NHS trials. Send your questions for Dr Zoe to: health@ The 8 subtle signs of lingering 'holiday heart syndrome' - and when you risk blood clots and stroke
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Deadly brain-eating parasite is found in ‘contaminated' salad bags sold in UK supermarkets – 7 symptoms to watch out for
HEALTH warnings have been issued over salad bags due to potentially deadly contamination fears. The popular ready-to-eat product sold across UK supermarkets has been associated with a rise in food poisoning cases. Advertisement 1 UK shoppers could be at risk of a brain-eating parasite found in some ready-to-eat salad bags (stock image) Credit: EPA Research carried out by the journal This came after over 4% of the leaves in salad samples, tested between October 2021 and September 2022, were found to be contaminated with toxoplasma gondii oocysts. "The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe disease in humans," the research said. "People can acquire the parasite by eating raw or undercooked infected meat or unwashed fruits or vegetables contaminated with the parasite. Advertisement "We wanted to investigate T. gondii in commercial ready-to eat (RTE) salads in European countries to estimate the importance of these food products as sources of T. gondii." The bacteria, which can be passed on through contact with cat faeces, has been known to contaminate food and water. This makes salad that is washed or watered with dirty water a prime place for bacteria to grow. According to research cited by Advertisement Most read in Health The They added that once acquired, these parasites remain in human tissues for life. 'Contaminated' children's cough syrup recalled nationwide over ingredient inside that could kill – parents must act now Health risks This can cause a problem later in life for people who have a weakened immune system, often a result cancer treatments or immunosuppressant drugs. The Advertisement "[Always] wash fruit and vegetables with water before you eat them to make sure that they are clean," the experts advised. "You should wash them under a running tap, or in a bowl of fresh water, making sure to rub their skin under the water." While toxoplasmosis is not usually serious and normally gets better on its own, the NHS highlighted that it can cause serious problems in certain situations. Symptoms of toxoplasmosis According to the NHS, toxoplasmosis does not usually cause symptoms and often goes undetected. However, it can also result in flu-like symptoms such as: High temperature Headache Sore throat Aching body Swollen glands Feeling tired Feeling sick or being sick More serious symptoms can include: Confusion Blurred vision Slurred speech Unsteady walking This includes if you get it while you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system . Advertisement If you have a weakened immune system toxoplasmosis may cause problems with your eyes, brain, heart, or lungs. And if you experience more severe symptoms such as confusion, blurred vision, or slurred speech, you should also seek medical help. Positive samples across Europe Samples of the leaves were collected in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Spain as well as the UK. Majority of the positive samples were collected in winter and packaged in the UK, France, Portugal, Spain, and Denmark. Advertisement Scientists have urged for better control measures to help protect prevent infection. "This is particularly relevant since ready-to-eat salads are intended to be consumed raw without any further treatment by the consumer," they pointed out. "Future work should investigate presence of [the parasite] in different steps of the ready-to-eat production to minimise infection risk for humans." Rise in food poisoning cases The warning follows alerts relating to a significant rise in serious food poisoning cases. Advertisement Health watchdogs reported a spike in Campylobacter and Salmonella infections across England compared to previous years. The latest from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show ed that Campylobacter infections increased by 17% between 2023 and 2014 - from 60,055 to 70,352. According to UKHSA, this represents the highest number of cases recorded in the past decade. Read more on the Irish Sun Meanwhile, Salmonella infections also reached a decade high, according to data. Advertisement They rose by with a 17% as well, from 8,872 cases in 2023 to 10,388 cases in 2024.
