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Suggest Treatments To Remove Mucous From Throat
My father in law is 88 and has mucus in his throat that is impeding his ability to swallow. He has refused peg tube. Is there some type of medical instrument that can be used to remove the mucus? There is a fear of aspiration which would cause him to choke. e-mail address is YYYY@YYYY .
Thu, 8 May 2014
Hi,
An old person not able to swallow & denying to use PEG tube becomes a point of concern for family members.I do understand it.
The swallowing difficulty in such conditions can be due to-
- Old age changes in pharynx in form of dryness, weakness of muscles/ neurological weakness involved in swallowing,thick mucus in throat.
* the treatment consists of clearing throat by-
- Mucolytic cough syrups,Mucus catheter pump ( Manually operated),Electric suction pump as per gastroenterologist's advice,
- physiotherapy to improve muscle power , offering food of semisolid/liquid form'changing position while eating.
*IV drips of glucose/other nutrients,till he co operates for the PEG tube.
Thanks
An old person not able to swallow & denying to use PEG tube becomes a point of concern for family members.I do understand it.
The swallowing difficulty in such conditions can be due to-
- Old age changes in pharynx in form of dryness, weakness of muscles/ neurological weakness involved in swallowing,thick mucus in throat.
* the treatment consists of clearing throat by-
- Mucolytic cough syrups,Mucus catheter pump ( Manually operated),Electric suction pump as per gastroenterologist's advice,
- physiotherapy to improve muscle power , offering food of semisolid/liquid form'changing position while eating.
*IV drips of glucose/other nutrients,till he co operates for the PEG tube.
Thanks
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