I live at an apt building for 62 and over. There’s and older man, about 90, who throws up at the table when we’re having lunch. Should I tell his son who wants me to let him know what’s going on with his dad?
Esophageal junction problems can cause this. I have seen Reglan help, This needs to be evaluated by gastroenterologist. There can be other causes. Swallowing studies alone do not always pick it up.
You should speak with the admins who are operating this over 62 facility if there are any (I am assuming there are as you mention you are seeing this gentleman eat).
If not, and you can contact the son, do so. Let him know that this gentleman may have a "swallow deficit" and that this can be dangerous in that he may get food into his lung and airway instead of into his stomach. This can cause what is called "aspiration pneumonia". Tell son that an OLD, retired RN (that's me) told you that he should see his doctor and a swallow evaluation should be done by OT (Occupational Therapist) to make sure he is safe eating right now.
Do this only if you see this as a frequent problem. And especially if there is coughing involved when he is eating.
My Aunt is 104. She has been doing the same thing now for 3 years. Hers is from a less common issue, which is a "pocket" that has formed in a weakened area of her esophagus. Saliva gets trapped in it over the course of the day and when she eats lunch a dinner sometimes (but not always) she gags and has to "throw up" to clear it. There is a surgical treatment for this but she refuses.
I'm only telling you this because if his vomiting isn't from the other common causes, this is a rare possibility and it took me quite a while to help her GP diagnose it. My Aunt maintains her weight and tolerates this problem. It never happens at breakfast.
Hey there! I’m sorry to tell you that my nan had the surgery for the exact same thing that your grandma is going through and it unfortunately did not seem to work as they wanted it to. She has her good days and her mostly bad days. The doctors just simply dunno what to do at this point as another surgery is too much for her at her age. It’s an awful thing and my nan is only 76. Just wanted to register and share my short story because you’re the only other person I’ve seen online with an anecdotal story exactly akin to my grandmothers.
Tell his son. This could be due to many problems a serious one would be aspiration. Let him know if you are noticing this about liquids as well as solid foods. (I am curious if there is staff there to monitor the diners. There should be someone there trained in the Heimlich Maneuver)
If not, and you can contact the son, do so. Let him know that this gentleman may have a "swallow deficit" and that this can be dangerous in that he may get food into his lung and airway instead of into his stomach. This can cause what is called "aspiration pneumonia".
Tell son that an OLD, retired RN (that's me) told you that he should see his doctor and a swallow evaluation should be done by OT (Occupational Therapist) to make sure he is safe eating right now.
Do this only if you see this as a frequent problem. And especially if there is coughing involved when he is eating.
Best to you. Good of you to be a caring friend.
My Aunt is 104. She has been doing the same thing now for 3 years. Hers is from a less common issue, which is a "pocket" that has formed in a weakened area of her esophagus. Saliva gets trapped in it over the course of the day and when she eats lunch a dinner sometimes (but not always) she gags and has to "throw up" to clear it. There is a surgical treatment for this but she refuses.
I'm only telling you this because if his vomiting isn't from the other common causes, this is a rare possibility and it took me quite a while to help her GP diagnose it. My Aunt maintains her weight and tolerates this problem. It never happens at breakfast.
104 is AMAZING by the way! God bless her :)
This could be due to many problems a serious one would be aspiration. Let him know if you are noticing this about liquids as well as solid foods.
(I am curious if there is staff there to monitor the diners. There should be someone there trained in the Heimlich Maneuver)