How To Treat Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Assistance From A Dietitian

Assistance from a dietitian is often most effective when combined with speech and occupational therapies. Those with PSP are at risk for nutritional deficiencies because eating can be difficult due to swallowing issues and troubles using eating utensils, both of which a dietitian can help with. They help patients to develop a diet plan to address their specific needs.

For example, if the patient is deficient in certain nutrients, the dietitian will recommend dietary changes that ensure sufficient amounts of these nutrients. They can also aid patients in food preparation techniques that make swallowing easier, so they reduce their risk of choking without having to eliminate certain foods from their diet. This type of professional may recommend things, such as juicing produce or dicing certain foods, so they are easier to chew and swallow fully. They can also offer advice about eating utensils that might be easier to work with.

Language And Speech Therapy

Difficulties with swallowing and speech are not uncommon among patients with this disorder. Thankfully, language and speech therapy can be tailored to the patient's unique needs. Therapists might provide language intervention activities to aid the patient in being able to use grammar and vocabulary correctly, which can help them to build their language skills and find ways to work around their specific speech difficulties.

Articulation therapy is common among PSP patients because it helps them to relearn how to make specific sounds. This involves moving the tongue in certain ways, so it might also aid with swallowing. Swallowing and oral-motor therapy is also commonly provided by this type of therapist. It often involves various oral exercises, such as lip, jaw, and tongue exercises, and facial massage. The end goal is to make swallowing easier and to reduce the risk of choking.