If you have Parkinson's disease, consult a speech therapist in time

More than eighty percent of people with Parkinson's disease have problems swallowing or voice. As the disease progresses, these problems become more severe. With the risk of pneumonia, as well as loneliness. However, the majority of patients do not receive treatment for this problem, points out Michel van Houren, an otolaryngologist at the Mazikenhuis Pantin Hospital in Boxmeer. Van Horen, who earned his doctorate on the subject at the end of last year, calls for a one-time speech therapy consultation as soon as possible after diagnosis.

Michel van Houren sees a few patients with Parkinson's disease in his consulting room. This seems like good news, but it's not, he thinks. This means that patients with swallowing and voice problems do not seek help from him. He realizes that this is understandable, because a patient who has just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease has more on his mind than swallowing or voice problems. Disturbed cognition or motor skills are often at the forefront.

However, Van Horen would like to see more patients treated for this problem. Preferably at an early stage. “Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease. This means that swallowing or voice problems become progressively more serious. The patient constantly chokes, with the risk of developing pneumonia. This is a condition that kills many Parkinson's patients. Voice problems lead to social isolation, because patients become increasingly withdrawn.” From social life due to embarrassment or inability.

“When we examine patients, that is