Re: questions about ovula

[Guest guest]

Dear Sherry,

I read your post about Mason's difficulty with swallowing. I don't

know what area of the country you live in, but in most areas a speech

pathologist evaluates feeding an d swallowing disorders. If you are

concerned about aspiration, I would definately see a speech

pathologist, ASAP. Chronic aspiration can increase mucus production

and can lead to pneumonia. A careful feeding evaluation looking for

subltle signs of distress (like nasal flaring and drops in oxygen

satutration, etc)and clinical symptoms of dysphagia would answer some

of your questions or might lead to a further swallowing study

(Modified Barium Swallow or Videofluoroscopic swallowing study). In

terms of the uvula, the uvula is at the base of the soft palate. In

normal swallow, the soft palate elevates to close off the pharyngeal

(throat) entrance to the nasal cavity so that there isn't any nasal

regurgitation. The issue of a small uvula would only be a concern if

it is a symptom of an incompetant velo-pharyngeal port (too short of

a soft palate to meet the posterior pharyngeal wall). Many adults

function with a uvula, they have it removed for chronic snoring.

Hope this helps. You can look at the American speech & hearing

association website (www.asha.org) for more information on swallowing

disorders (dyaphagia) and will probably be able to find a speech

pathologist specializing in dysphagia in your area.

Staci & Adam (STARband 10-01)

Phila., PA

> Masons Drs. are so laid back about his problems that I am going

crazy. I was

> told at an early appt that his uvula was small, Very small. At

that time the

> DR did not seem concerned. At the same time he was testing him for

cystic

> fibrosis because of constant mucus, that test came back negative. I

believe

> he is aspirating his food, and this is causing his breathing and

coughing

> problems? I am confused about the exact purpose of the uvula but I

know it

> has something to do with keeping food from getting in the lungs?

Any help

> would be appreciated.

> Sherry Mom To Mason