I just figured it was due to the heat we have been having. It appears to go away pretty quickly. She was in the hospital last Tuesday for her jaw and they checked her heart and I told them that this was happening but they said her heart was ok. The problem is that she says it and then when its gone she does not remember it happening. She got up this afternoon and was very wobbly and came out to the dining room and the electricity had been turned off for 30 minutes and it was stifling and then the a/c came on and she said it again and then she forgot about it again. I am so overwhelmed that everyday its something different and she is not faking it at all. But she hates that I would call life alert so I am not sure she is pretending she is ok. Anyone else have this problem? I hope this made sense, oh and she has been up only for 2.5 hours and said that she was going to fall asleep again. The doctor prescribed her a low dose of xanax and my sister wants me to give her some and I not going to do that, especially since she wants to go back to sleep! Thanks
To combat this condition, I started deep breathing exercises. Getting it right and getting used to it was difficult at first. Start gently and increase slowly. Guided breathing was best because I would tire easily or take a break and forget. I now practice Square Breathing and have not had attacks for 3 or 4 weeks.
Does she "like" any meat? depending on any other health problems she could have liver, all kinds of fish, yougurt, cottage cheese, mac and cheese and any kind of bean dishes to satisfy her need for protein and plenty of milk. if she won't drink plain milk will she drink chocolate milk or hot chocolate made with milk.
Short of fillet mignon she will reject and type of solid meat,roast, chops scliced turkey you name it it will cause problems. You can shred it in say a majic bullet and mix it with mashed potatoes. Every thing needs to be moist and not require a lot of chewing. make sure she has some fluid at hand, anything liquid will do but avoid ice cold soda because it will go up the back of her nose. ckicken thighs rather than breast are easier to chew as they are more moist. strangely ground beef and rice are not so easy because little bits get stuck in the throat. also avoid anything spicy because the tiniest spec of spice in the back of the throat is agony.
have you learned the heimlick manouver? You do need to because choking is terrifying and it might be on something a simple as vitamin pill. If she has trouble with pills give them in some soft food at a mealtime. for example with her breakfast yogurt. Most things can also be crushed and mixed with a little jam or apple sauce and washed down well.
Dysphagia or swallowing difficulties comes on slowly and often goes un noticed for a long time till the person either stats cough at meals or refusing certain foods. there are several causes, narrowing of the oesophagus, weakening of neck muscles with age or nerve damage and even allergies. Most of the treatment consists of providing foods that the patient can manage and likes and if necessary thickening liquids (yuck) in the most severe cases usually due to cancer a stomach tube has to be inserted into the belly.
How do I know so much? I have had it undiagnosed for very many years. before my diagnosis I was already managing it with things that worked for me so the clever Drs have not been able to tell me anything new. Any kind of stress or major illness makes it virtually impossible to eat. it just feels like swallowing rocks and for some reason even water burns like acid. Ginger ale and chocolate milk are my go to drinks. I also love tea being English but not made with luke warm water.
Worth thinking about Twen some of the strategies just might work. I don't have dementia (yet) but your mom can't reason so don't explain anything to her just change the diet and see what happens. That good red meat may be off her menu for good. skin on fruit such as apples is also difficult so peel them too. Bananas are very easy. You will be able to think up a lot of things yourself based on your Mom's preferences.