Aspiration Pneumonia in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease affects muscle functions. The disease can have an effect on the muscles of the throat, which can lead to aspiration pneumonia.

Identification

• In Parkinson's disease, cells that produce the neurotransmitter (a chemical that carries messages between brain cells) dopamine stop working or die. According to Medline Plus, dopamine is used to control muscle movement. The loss of dopamine leads to the loss of control of muscle movement.

Hypersialorrhea

• One factor that contributes to aspiration pneumonia in Parkinson's is hypersialorrhea, which is the production of too much saliva. This manifests in symptoms like drooling, according to Medline Plus and Merck Manuals.

Features

• In later stages of the disease, the muscles of the throat become rigid or move overtly slowly, according to Merck Manuals. This can lead to inhaling and choking on saliva.

Effects

• Aspiration pneumonia occurs as a result of inhaling saliva. Merck Manuals reports that this is potentially fatal.

Related Symptoms

• Because of the loss of similar muscle movements, chewing and swallowing also become impaired, according to the Mayo Clinic.