What Is Bulbar Palsy And What Are The Symptoms?

Posted on Wed, 11 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 11 Dec 2013 Answered on

Tue, 31 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has parkinson's disease and is currently in the hospital in ICU with a ventilator. The doctor mentioned bulbar palsy may be why he can't swallow or breath on his own. Can you give me a definition and description of bulbar palsy? Thank you very much, XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Follows Detailed Answer: Dear Madam, Thank you for posting your query on XXXXXXX Well looking into your problem I would like to tell you that bulbar palsy occurs due to impairment of function of the cranial nerves IX, X, XI and XII, , these are the lower cranial nerves and actively involved with functions of body like swallowing etc and there palsy results in difficulty in swallowing , chewing , nasal regurgitation , slurring of speech etc. So sometimes it is necessary to do a tracheostomy for maintainence of breathing. Take care. Dr.Shruti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar