Symptoms Of Progressive Bulbar Palsy

Difficulty Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing is one of the first symptoms to emerge at the onset of progressive bulbar palsy. The jaw, lips, and tongue typically assist in the reflex of moving fluids and food to the stomach when swallowing. However, because progressive bulbar palsy damages the nerves that regulate the swallowing reflex, the muscles in the mouth and throat become atrophied, making it difficult for an individual to swallow and control the saliva that accumulates in their mouth. Some of the first signs an individual is having problems swallowing are coughing when eating food or drinking liquids; having to swallow more than normal to move liquids, food, or saliva from the mouth; and food, saliva, or liquid expelling from the mouth. Individuals with swallowing issues may be referred to a speech therapist for assistance with managing the limitation, as well as a dietitian who can help patients change their diet to meet the needs of their body.

Continue reading to learn about the next sign of progressive bulbar palsy.

Emotional Lability

Emotional lability is defined as the experience of uncontrollable laughter or crying as well as involuntary and sometimes inappropriate expression of emotion. Some individuals with progressive bulbar palsy develop difficulty in controlling their emotional responses. It is not entirely understood exactly why this occurs in some patients with the disease, but not others, but research indicates this may be due to the atrophy experienced in the lower brain nerves and muscles. Minor emotional lability may not require treatment, but for more severe cases, or for those cases in which outbursts are causing a fair amount of stress to the patient, physicians may opt to recommend treatments often given to individuals with depression to manage symptoms and provide relief.

Keep reading for more symptoms of progressive bulbar palsy.