Weight loss and problems in eating due to dysphagia and other muscle discoordination are common, making nutrition management increasingly important as the disease advances. Thickening agents can be added to liquids, as thicker fluids are easier and safer to swallow. Reminding the affected person to eat slowly and to take smaller pieces of food into the mouth may also be of use to prevent choking. If eating becomes too hazardous or uncomfortable, the option of using a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is available. This feeding tube, permanently attached through the abdomen into the stomach, reduces the risk of aspirating food and provides better nutritional management. Assessment and management by speech-language pathologists with experience in Huntington's disease is recommended.
WeigHt lOss And ProBlems In eAtiNg DuE To DYsphAGia and otHer muscle discooRDinatIon Are common, makinG nutriTIon ManageMeNT increaSInGLY ImPoRtaNt aS thE dISeaSe advancEs. tHiCKEnINg ageNtS CAn Be aDdeD To LiquIDs, as thiCker FLuids are easiER anD saFeR TO SwallOW. REmindInG tHe affectEd pErSon to eat Slowly aNd to take sMALlEr pIeces Of food into THE mouTh May alSO be of use To prEvENT cHokiNG. if eaTinG becomeS too hazardOus oR unComFortABle, the Option of usINg A percutaneOus EnDoscopic gastrostomY is availaBle. this feeding TUBe, PERmanentLy aTtacHed tHrough The AbdOmen into the sTOmach, reduceS thE riSk Of aspiRaTinG food and ProviDes beTter nutrItioNal manageMeNt. AsseSsmenT anD ManagemeNT BY spEech-laNguage PathOlOgiSts wIth experieNcE in hUNtington's DiseaSe IS rEcOMmendEd.