Treatment of Huntington's Disease with Swallowing Disorder (Dysphagia) Causing Repeated Choking

Clinical Scenario

This protocol addresses patients with Huntington's disease who develop a swallowing disorder severe enough to cause repeated choking episodes — a complication that can arise even in early disease and worsen substantially over time.

Swallowing Disorder in Huntington's Disease

Dysphagia can present at early stages of Huntington's disease and becomes a major clinical problem in later stages. Repeated choking episodes raise the risk of secondary bronchopulmonary infections and, in severe cases, cardiac arrest, making proactive management essential.

Management Approach (overview — partial)

When swallowing impairment is severe enough to affect nutrition and quality of life, a specialised nutritional support intervention may be considered on a case-by-case basis, in close discussion with the patient and caregivers. The full decision framework and criteria are in the complete protocol.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00710

Swallowing disorders can occur in patients at the early stages of the disease and become a major problem in later stages by inducing repeated choking and leading to secondary bronchopulmonary infections or even cardiac arrest.

For severe swallowing disorders impacting nutrition and quality of life of the patient, the use of a gastrostomy device Percutanous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) may be considered and should be discussed on a case-by-case basis with the patient and the caregivers.

View source ↗