Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Dysphagia, Labored Breathing And Alzheimer's Disease
Question: My mom is 79. She is in a nursing home and a chest x-ray has revealed her lungs are no longer expanding properly. She has Alzheimer's and dysphagia. She has been certified for hospice, but I will not enroll her. Her new symptom is choughing up white mucus and her breathing is laboured. What is causing the white mucus?
Brief Answer:
This mucus is due to her lungs probably filled with fluid and or food.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM. What you describe I see alot in patients with similar presentation. She is having dysphagia which leads to aspiration or food and water going into her lungs, this eventually get severe that she will feel like coughing all the time. This mucus can also be seen as froth at times.
During discussions with hospice I am not sure what discussions you have had about re-hospitalizations, if at all. I know that there are those patients and family who opt not to return due to aspiration and those that do return for hospitalization. In any event, you will need to have thickened fluids and a puree diet/nector consistency, this can be purchased over the counter and has many brands (Thick and Easy) that will eliminate overt chocking and aspiration. I hope this helps. Good luck and sorry to learn about your ailing mother.
This mucus is due to her lungs probably filled with fluid and or food.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM. What you describe I see alot in patients with similar presentation. She is having dysphagia which leads to aspiration or food and water going into her lungs, this eventually get severe that she will feel like coughing all the time. This mucus can also be seen as froth at times.
During discussions with hospice I am not sure what discussions you have had about re-hospitalizations, if at all. I know that there are those patients and family who opt not to return due to aspiration and those that do return for hospitalization. In any event, you will need to have thickened fluids and a puree diet/nector consistency, this can be purchased over the counter and has many brands (Thick and Easy) that will eliminate overt chocking and aspiration. I hope this helps. Good luck and sorry to learn about your ailing mother.
Note: Get a consultation booked to know more about aging related medical issues. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
