gagging and then throwing up

acadiapark

I don't know if this has an connection with Alzheimer's - for the third time in a number of months my DW (moderate stage) has thrown up as if gagging on food. She did this again this morning after taking her medicine with a small glass of water followed by small dish of yogurt.

Immediately after that she gagged and emptied her stomach. Anyone experience anything like this or is it unrelated? I am asking because it is not the first time.

abc123

Hi Acadia, I'm sorry no one had previously replied to your post. I don't have experience with this issue as of yet but I think this is serious. Have you told her doctor about this? I'm sure others will come along and help you.  I read a post last night about a PWD needing a swallowing test. I'm sorry she is having this problem. Good luck!

abc123

TK67 posted Gagging (part 2)

Please read the thread. It might help you.

RobOT

Hi acadiapark, sorry you're having to deal with this.  It sounds like a swallowing problem, which is very common with dementia.  Swallowing is a finely timed progression of actions from the mouth to the esophagus.  When dementia damages the part of the brain that controls swallowing, the whole process gets out of synch and swallowing is damaged.  While gagging and throwing up are distressing, there are other problems, including aspiration (breathing food down into the lungs) that can be dangerous.  Aspiration might be triggering the gagging, or aspiration could be happening without any warning signs. This could lead to pneumonia.  You should alert you wife's doctor about these incidents, and find out what's going on.  It could be something else, like gastric reflux or diverticula in the throat, but any of these things need treatment.  Good luck with this, hope you find a solution.

MN Chickadee

Yes, consult her doctor. If there is a physical problem separate from Alzheimers it needs to be looked at. Swallowing issues are par for the course with Alz but there are sometimes things that can help. A swallow test with a speech therapist can look for issues and they can give advice based on that test regarding diet. Some pills can be crushed and sprinkled into pudding etc to make swallowing them easier, but consult a pharmacist because some absolutely cannot.