Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Pneumonia

One of the top causes of death for individuals affected by progressive supranuclear palsy is pneumonia caused by the aspiration of food particles or fluid. A progressive supranuclear palsy patient is likely to experience problems with their ability to swallow food and fluids properly. This impairment puts them at a greater risk of experiencing aspiration and subsequent colonization of bacteria in their lungs. When bacteria colonize in an affected individual's lungs, they have developed pneumonia. Symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy-precipitated pneumonia include a high fever, pain in the chest, fatigue, blue tint to the skin, wheezing, shortness of breath, and a productive cough. The majority of individuals affected by progressive supranuclear palsy are already frail and vulnerable to illness. This predisposition to illness means recurrent bouts of pneumonia from aspiration can be deadly in an affected individual.

Keep reading to uncover more complications of progressive supranuclear palsy now.