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Suggest Treatment For Difficulty In Swallowing
Question: Hi,
I experiences trouble with swallowing, that i cant transport peanutbutter or chocolatepasta easely to my throat. Also noticed a differnece between my left en right neck musles / tendons when i suck my thumb really hard. The right side shows a what seems like a tendon and the left doesnt show it all.
I have fasciculatins al over my body, but mostly in my calfs. Had an emg last month in my arms and legs and this become back clean. Im afraid of bulbar now because of the swallow issue. Does a clean emg of my limbs clear out ALS? And is an asymmetry of the throat tendons common?
Kind regards,
XXXX
I experiences trouble with swallowing, that i cant transport peanutbutter or chocolatepasta easely to my throat. Also noticed a differnece between my left en right neck musles / tendons when i suck my thumb really hard. The right side shows a what seems like a tendon and the left doesnt show it all.
I have fasciculatins al over my body, but mostly in my calfs. Had an emg last month in my arms and legs and this become back clean. Im afraid of bulbar now because of the swallow issue. Does a clean emg of my limbs clear out ALS? And is an asymmetry of the throat tendons common?
Kind regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Possibly yes,see following...
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I read your message and understood your concern.
An EMG examination may clear about ALS. Usually, the diagnosis is done only by medical history and neurological examination. But EMG is needed for periodic health control.
You may have a left neck atrophy of muscles ( what you see as a tendon is the sternocleidomastoideus muscle).
Other types of ALS may have the swallowing component but in the bulbar type, it is more severe.
You need to do regular EMG to check the nerve supply of the muscles and take a scheduled and complete treatment. Physical therapy must be planned by a specialist for you. Also, symptomatic drugs like painkillers, anticonvulsive medications, and antispastic ones will be prescribed by your doctor for you.
Other specific tests may be needed to determine other conditions too.
Hope this was helpful for you. Let me know if you have other queries.
Dr.Albana
Possibly yes,see following...
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I read your message and understood your concern.
An EMG examination may clear about ALS. Usually, the diagnosis is done only by medical history and neurological examination. But EMG is needed for periodic health control.
You may have a left neck atrophy of muscles ( what you see as a tendon is the sternocleidomastoideus muscle).
Other types of ALS may have the swallowing component but in the bulbar type, it is more severe.
You need to do regular EMG to check the nerve supply of the muscles and take a scheduled and complete treatment. Physical therapy must be planned by a specialist for you. Also, symptomatic drugs like painkillers, anticonvulsive medications, and antispastic ones will be prescribed by your doctor for you.
Other specific tests may be needed to determine other conditions too.
Hope this was helpful for you. Let me know if you have other queries.
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Albana,
Thank you for the answer.
I think its not sternocleidomastoideus but the Sternohyoid muscle. I found a picture to check which muscle I see that pops out at one side when i suck my thumb realy hard.
http://www.XXXXXXXXXX.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Neck-Muscles.png
So it is possible that one muscle is more dominant then the other and i should not be afraid of ALS because my clinical exam and EMG was clean?
Thank you for the answer.
I think its not sternocleidomastoideus but the Sternohyoid muscle. I found a picture to check which muscle I see that pops out at one side when i suck my thumb realy hard.
http://www.XXXXXXXXXX.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Neck-Muscles.png
So it is possible that one muscle is more dominant then the other and i should not be afraid of ALS because my clinical exam and EMG was clean?
Brief Answer:
No fear for ALS if clinical exam&EMG were clean
Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX
Sorry for the late reply due to my XXXXXXX clinical overload.
Thank you for providing additional information and photo of your neck area.
I noted the difference but could be due to normal variations in muscle anatomy. In other words one muscle could be more predominant than the other especially after sucking.
If EMG study and clinical exam were clean, no fear for ALS. However, regular follow up with your physician are recommended.
All the best.
Dr.Albana
No fear for ALS if clinical exam&EMG were clean
Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX
Sorry for the late reply due to my XXXXXXX clinical overload.
Thank you for providing additional information and photo of your neck area.
I noted the difference but could be due to normal variations in muscle anatomy. In other words one muscle could be more predominant than the other especially after sucking.
If EMG study and clinical exam were clean, no fear for ALS. However, regular follow up with your physician are recommended.
All the best.
Dr.Albana
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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