Dysphagia is a condition that makes it difficult to pass liquid or food down the throat. Some people can choke, cough, or gag when they try to swallow, whereas others may feel like food has become stuck in their throat. If you suffer from dysphagia, you will need to follow the right diet to function at your best. Certain approaches can help you enjoy your food and drink, regardless of your condition. With that in mind, here are some tips for people who have difficulty swallowing.
Take Your Medicine
If you used to take oral medicine with water, you will now need to swallow tablets with a thickened beverage. Alternatively, you will need to crush up and mix your pills with a thicker food such as applesauce. Tablets typically don’t taste great, so you may want to use vanilla or chocolate pudding to mask the bad flavor. Alternatively, you can use a food and beverage thickener from Simply Thick LLC.
Avoid Straws
Depending on your condition, your speech pathologist may advise against using straws. While you may see a straw as a useful aid if you have difficulty drinking, unfortunately, they’re more likely to increase flow rate of liquid in your mouth. Should you use a straw, this will make it harder for weakened muscles to process the liquid, which can result in aspiration or choking.
Stay Hydrated
Like with anyone, drinking plenty of water is essential for staying hydrated. However, if you have been diagnosed with dysphagia, your water must be thickened. Unlike a non-thickened beverage, a thickened liquid will take longer to drink, so you will need to be patient. Thickening agents can come in powder form or as a gel that can be mixed in with your drink.
Skip Ice Cream
You will have a hard time finding someone who doesn’t love a scoop of ice cream. Unfortunately, if you have dysphagia, this sweet treat is best avoided. This is because ice cream can melt in your mouth and turn into a thin liquid. When you swallow it, it could result in aspiration. While it may be difficult to say goodbye to ice cream, when it comes to keeping you safe and healthy, it’s wise to look at other desserts that are thicker and easier to swallow.
Get Enough Nutrition
For many people living with dysphagia, eating enough calories and getting your intake of minerals and vitamins can be challenging. If you’re struggling to stay on track, there are methods you can use to incorporate nutritious foods into your diet. These include adding avocado, Greek yogurt, and soft cheeses to your dishes. These foods will not only boost your calorie intake, but they will help you maintain your weight too. You can also eat easily pureed foods such as beans and winter squash.
While living with dysphagia comes with its challenges, there are measures and actions you can take which can improve your quality of life and keep you safe and healthy.
