Complications

Complications of progressive supranuclear palsy result primarily from slow and difficult muscle movements. These complications may include:

• Falling, which could lead to head injuries, fractures and other injuries
• Difficulty focusing your eyes, which also can lead to injuries
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty looking at bright lights
• Problems swallowing, which can lead to choking or inhaling food or liquid into your airway (aspiration)
• Pneumonia, which can be caused by aspiration and is the most common cause of death in people with progressive supranuclear palsy
• Impulsive behaviors — for example, standing up without waiting for assistance — which can lead to falls

To avoid the hazards of choking, your doctor may recommend a feeding tube. To avoid injuries due to falling, a walker or a wheelchair may be used.