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By Mayo Clinic staffComplications of progressive supranuclear palsy result primarily from hindered muscle movements. These complications may include:
- Frequent falling, which can lead to head injuries, fractures and other injuries
- Difficulty focusing your eyes, which also can lead to injuries
- Problems reading, or with other tasks requiring hand-eye coordination
- The need for a wheelchair
- Dependence on others for care
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty looking at bright lights
- Problems swallowing
Swallowing difficulties can lead to choking or inhaling food or liquid into your airway (aspiration). Aspiration can develop into pneumonia — the most common cause of death in people with progressive supranuclear palsy.
- NINDS progressive supranuclear palsy information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/psp/psp_htm?css=print. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Progressive supranuclear palsy fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/psp/detail_psp.htm?css=print. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
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- PSP: Some answers. Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. http://www.psp.org/doc_library/1217970611/Some%20Answers.pdf. Accessed Jan.18, 2009.
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- Josephs, KA. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 21, 2009.