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What Causes Thick Secretions In Throat Of A Person With Acquired Brain Injury?

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Posted on Sat, 2 May 2015
Question: Hi, my husband sustained an acquired brain injury 17 years ago and has developed post traumatic Parkinson's Disease with pronounced dysphagia. I have been caring for him at home and I have recently noticed that the secretions in his throat have become thicker and more difficult to dislodge. I have spoken to a speech pathologist who recommended a steam inhaler but this has not been successful. I have just manually scraped the secretions away with a tissue but am wondering if there is some suction device that can be used. The speech was not keen on this idea but these secretions are very tenacious.
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Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
A simple and practical solution: Why don't you try it?

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXX,

I'm Dr. Neel Kudchadkar and I will help you out with this problem.
Thanks for your faith in healthcaremagic.


1. You have the option of using a medication called NAC. It's as simple as that. NAC is a drug/chemical that mimics another naturally produced chemical in the body. This 'breaks' the secretions.

2. I am of the firm opinion that NAC, though the theoretically correct textbook method; for dealing with this problem, will be of no practical use; rather it may make your work more difficult.

3. It's sort of like if I have an idea to double your income and you like it; and then I give you 2 more ideas, it may multiply your income, 6 times but it will increase your work threefold more. I am trying to communicate with you through simple examples. Once you grasp the big picture, the problem is 99% solved.

4. You can get a suction device, because it is warranted here. As a doctor, I have assisted in operations and suction devices were used intensively and exhaustively ALL THE TIME.

5. I bet your dentist uses suction devices for a simple scaling, (tooth cleaning, plaque, tartar)

6. Today the Americans have invented a simple computer device that can be invisibly worn (it looks great too) on the lips. When your husband attempts to speak, His brain fires electric currents to both his throat (voice box) and his lips. Parkinsons makes these weak, so he cannot move his voice box. But the Americans have come up with this device that picks up minute electrical signals from the lips and a computer speaks in an astoundingly human sounding voice. Thus the XXXXXXX electrical engineers have given speech to millions. It's affordable and has been shown round the world, It is called "Silent Sound Speech Synthesis" or SSSS. Please do not confuse this with Silent Sound Spread Spectrum also called as SSSS or SQUAD, which is a US Marines electronic warfare weapon system.

Tell your speech therapist I said this. Tell him that Uncle XXXXXXX has made traditional speech therapy (which is expensive and time consuming) outdated.

7. It's your human right (and his also, to be dignified), to get a suction device.
After all you have to face the music. EVERYBODY USES SUCTION DEVICES.

8. Imagine how it would feel like for both of you to communicate again.

9. Silent Sound Technology may take some time for you to lay your hands on, perhaps a couple of days. I guess you're smart enough to find one.

Take good care of yourself.

Kindly notify me if your have any doubts, because I'm sure you'll get confused by the fine distinction between Silent Sound Speech Synthesis Technology called SSSS and Silent Sound Spread Spectrum also called SSSS (which is a weapon US marines use for radically different reasons.)

I am personally interested in this case from both a human interest and a scientific angle.

Regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 532 Questions

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What Causes Thick Secretions In Throat Of A Person With Acquired Brain Injury?

Brief Answer: A simple and practical solution: Why don't you try it? Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXX, I'm Dr. Neel Kudchadkar and I will help you out with this problem. Thanks for your faith in healthcaremagic. 1. You have the option of using a medication called NAC. It's as simple as that. NAC is a drug/chemical that mimics another naturally produced chemical in the body. This 'breaks' the secretions. 2. I am of the firm opinion that NAC, though the theoretically correct textbook method; for dealing with this problem, will be of no practical use; rather it may make your work more difficult. 3. It's sort of like if I have an idea to double your income and you like it; and then I give you 2 more ideas, it may multiply your income, 6 times but it will increase your work threefold more. I am trying to communicate with you through simple examples. Once you grasp the big picture, the problem is 99% solved. 4. You can get a suction device, because it is warranted here. As a doctor, I have assisted in operations and suction devices were used intensively and exhaustively ALL THE TIME. 5. I bet your dentist uses suction devices for a simple scaling, (tooth cleaning, plaque, tartar) 6. Today the Americans have invented a simple computer device that can be invisibly worn (it looks great too) on the lips. When your husband attempts to speak, His brain fires electric currents to both his throat (voice box) and his lips. Parkinsons makes these weak, so he cannot move his voice box. But the Americans have come up with this device that picks up minute electrical signals from the lips and a computer speaks in an astoundingly human sounding voice. Thus the XXXXXXX electrical engineers have given speech to millions. It's affordable and has been shown round the world, It is called "Silent Sound Speech Synthesis" or SSSS. Please do not confuse this with Silent Sound Spread Spectrum also called as SSSS or SQUAD, which is a US Marines electronic warfare weapon system. Tell your speech therapist I said this. Tell him that Uncle XXXXXXX has made traditional speech therapy (which is expensive and time consuming) outdated. 7. It's your human right (and his also, to be dignified), to get a suction device. After all you have to face the music. EVERYBODY USES SUCTION DEVICES. 8. Imagine how it would feel like for both of you to communicate again. 9. Silent Sound Technology may take some time for you to lay your hands on, perhaps a couple of days. I guess you're smart enough to find one. Take good care of yourself. Kindly notify me if your have any doubts, because I'm sure you'll get confused by the fine distinction between Silent Sound Speech Synthesis Technology called SSSS and Silent Sound Spread Spectrum also called SSSS (which is a weapon US marines use for radically different reasons.) I am personally interested in this case from both a human interest and a scientific angle. Regards, Dr. Neel Kudchadkar.