“The drooling has been with me for several years now,” says UK-based David Bateson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s back in 2015. “Sometimes it’s easy for me to deal with, and sometimes it’s not – it comes and goes, like the weather.”
Also referred to as sialorrhea, drooling is a common symptom experienced by many people with Parkinson’s. Joining David to discuss the symptom on an episode of the Parkinson’s Life podcast, sponsored by Merz Therapeutics GmbH, is Italian neurologist Dr Francesca Morgante.
“Sialorrhea consists of the excessive presence of saliva in the mouth that can lead to drooling,” she explains. “It can be socially embarrassing and also lead to speech and swallowing difficulties.”
While it may frequently affect people at different stages of the condition, Francesca – a neurologist based at St George’s, University of London – says that sialorrhea is “quite under-reported and also under-investigated by neurologists and other health professionals”.
Joining forces to discuss sialorrhea
Francesca has been treating David for several years. “Interestingly, when I met David for the first time,” she recalls, “he did not report the drooling to me…and I did not ask either. So, that tells us a lot about how the symptom is under-estimated and under-reported.”
Despite this, sialorrhea can impact those who experience it. “It was one of the things that directly led me to retire from work early,” reflects David. “It can undermine your self-confidence very quickly and sometimes your ability to go and earn a living.”
Keen to raise awareness of the impact that drooling can have on people with the condition, David and Francesca joined forces to tackle key questions about Parkinson’s and sialorrhea – and to share their perspectives on maintaining quality of life with the symptom.
David Bateson images credit: Anna Bateson
Parkinson’s Europe is sharing this article for information purposes only; it does not represent Parkinson’s Europe’s views and is not an endorsement by Parkinson’s Europe of any particular treatments, therapies or products.
