A member asked:

Grandma has als.her tongue is swollen these days and due to problem of swallowing she can't eat. how can we feed her?are there a ways to help swallow?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Contact her doctor: Your grandmother may be at a stage in her ALS that she needs a feeding tube. These flexible tubes are used as an alternate route for nourishment and hydration and to administer medications when she has difficulty swallowing. The family and medical team need to have a discussion regarding the risks and benefits for example; PEG tube placement. Remember it does not prevent the progression of ALS.

Answered 2/11/2015

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Sorry to hear this: You are likely encountering some of the eventual complications of this terrible disease. You will be best advised to consider a feeding tube, such as a PEG tube, as risk of lung aspiration will increase with time. Unfortunately, the swallowing issues will not reverse.

Answered 3/7/2015

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