About this topic
Shy-Drager syndrome is an illness that affects the central and autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is a part of the brain system that controls the heart, belly, lungs, and bladder. This syndrome comes on slowly. Some people with this illness suffer from mild signs like loss of sweating or hard stools. Others may have more severe signs like trouble walking or breathing. The signs most often get worse with time. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Make sure to take all the drugs ordered by your doctor.
- When getting up from bed, first lay on your side for a few minutes. Next, sit on the edge of the bed for a few more minutes. Finally, stand up.
- You may need aids for communicating, like a blackboard or pen and paper. Your doctor may suggest some other helpful aids.
- You may have problems doing simple actions like eating or writing. Ask your doctor for special knives and forks that may help with eating. A large pen may make writing easier.
- Sit in a chair that can support your back. This may also help with balance problems when you sit.
- Avoid falls at home. Get rid of loose rugs and clutter.
- Clear the hallway going to the bathroom. You may have problems with bladder control. This will keep you from bumping things or slipping when in a rush to get to the bathroom.
- Take a test to make sure it is still safe for you to drive, or ask your doctor.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will have you go to a physical or occupational therapist to help get the strength back in your arms, back, and legs. They will also teach you how to keep your back flexible and how to improve your balance. Do not skip these sessions.
- Your doctor may have you go to a speech therapist or a language expert to help you cope with problems with speaking.
- Your doctor may have you go to a doctor who works with problems of the brain, nerves, and muscles. This is a neurologist.
- Your doctor may have you go to a dietician who can make a diet plan for you. This can help if you have problems chewing and swallowing.
- Your doctor may have you go to a mental health specialist if you feel depressed and anxious about your illness.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Improve muscle coordination and movements
- Control dizziness
- Keep your blood pressure normal
- Relieve hard stools
Will physical activity be limited?
- Avoid activities where you need to stand or walk for long periods of time.
- Do light exercises like stretching every morning. This will build muscle strength and tone and will help with stiffness.
- You may have to rest until you can balance yourself. Ask your doctor to teach you how to walk with a walker or crutches if you have problems with balance and walking.
What changes to diet are needed?
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
- A high-fiber diet can help prevent hard stools.
- A soft diet, like soups and pureed vegetables, is needed if you have swallowing problems.
- Stay away from foods that can make you choke like:
- Peanuts
- Grapes
- Uncut meats
- Raisins
- Candies
- Raw vegetables
- Popcorn
What problems could happen?
- Low mood
- Breathing problems
- Choking
- Long-lasting speaking problems
- Long-lasting walking problems
- Paralysis or not being able to move parts of your body
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Breathing problems
- Dizziness or passing out
- Numbness and tingling on the hands, legs, and feet
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night
- Severe low mood
- Increased forgetfulness
- Trouble passing urine
- Trouble swallowing
- Loss of balance
- Change in eyesight
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Join a support group. Learn how others with your same health condition have coped.
- Spillproof cups and easy-grip big spoons and forks can help make mealtime simpler and less messy.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how I will take extra care when walking and to avoid falling.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing, swallowing, or passing urine.
Where can I learn more?
SDS/MSA Support Group ‚
http://www.msaawareness.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Pamphlet-What-is-Shy-Drager.pdf ‚
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/msa_orthostatic_hypotension/msa_orthostatic_hypotension.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚