Medical experts warn that difficulty swallowing, excessive saliva production, or drooling could be an early sign of motor neurone disease (MND), a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain and nerves, the Daily Mail reports.
Over time, MND leads to the loss of movement, the ability to eat, and, eventually, the ability to breathe.
While drooling is more commonly associated with the later stages of MND, it can occur due to reduced ability to swallow rather than increased saliva production. Some patients experience either excessive watery saliva or thick, mucous-like saliva.
The early symptoms of MND typically include muscle weakness, twitches, difficulty gripping objects, and slurred speech. Swallowing difficulties can also be an early indicator. A 2021 study involving over 900 Scottish patients with MND found that 31% experienced issues with saliva, such as drooling or thickened secretions.
Experts also noted that drooling is more commonly seen in individuals with bulbar-onset MND, a less common form of the disease that primarily affects facial muscles. However, the majority of MND cases—around 90%—are classified as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which affects the brain and spinal cord.
MND is a relatively rare condition, with approximately 5,000 adults in the UK currently diagnosed. The risk of developing the disease is estimated at one in 300 over a lifetime. It primarily affects people in their 60s and 70s, but adults of all ages can be affected.
Life expectancy following diagnosis varies, but for around half of those with the condition, it is between two and five years from the onset of symptoms. Some patients experience a rapid decline within months, while others may live for several years.
Doctors advise seeking medical attention if symptoms such as difficulty gripping objects, persistent muscle twitches or cramps, leg weakness, or slurred speech develop. Although there is currently no cure for MND, treatments are available to help manage symptoms, including medications that can reduce excessive saliva production. As the disease progresses, individuals may require mobility aids, ventilatory support, and communication devices.
Rugby League legend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019, with his first symptom being slurred speech. Initially dismissed as a minor issue, further tests revealed the devastating diagnosis. He passed away last year after living with the condition for several years.
