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Can A Dysfunctional Epiglottis Be Made Functional?
Hi, may I answer your health queries right now ? Please type your query here...My 83 year-old sister, severly arthritic, had breast cancer and mursa and now can only be fed with tubes because her epiglottis has not functioned for half a year and has been told it will never work again. Is there a possible cure?
Wed, 23 Dec 2015
HI,
In answer to the question about what treatment should be prescribed for an 'immobile epiglottis', we must first determine the cause. If it is an anatomical change, the best treatment may be to find the head and neck position that allows fullest passage of the bolus during swallowing. If the cause is neurologic, then strengthening exercises may be the answer. If the patient has a neurologic problem such as ALS, however, exercises are contraindicated and postural changes are the best strategy.
In answer to the question about what treatment should be prescribed for an 'immobile epiglottis', we must first determine the cause. If it is an anatomical change, the best treatment may be to find the head and neck position that allows fullest passage of the bolus during swallowing. If the cause is neurologic, then strengthening exercises may be the answer. If the patient has a neurologic problem such as ALS, however, exercises are contraindicated and postural changes are the best strategy.
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