Whether you are experiencing signs and symptoms of dysphagia temporarily as a result of
trauma or an accident, or now dysphagia is part and parcel of your daily life for the future,
you have clicked on the right article. Here is how to deal with a diagnosis of dysphagia.
What Exactly is Dysphagia & What Causes It?
Dysphagia is the medical term for anyone who has difficulty chewing, swallowing, and
generally, the whole process of eating and/or drinking.
Usually, dysphagia occurs either in small children and toddlers or else in older adults and is
often accompanied by pain while swallowing and the automatic regurgitation of food.
The causes of dysphagia, as with any other medical condition across the board, are many
and can often consist of several different triggers. The following causes are perhaps the
most common:
Uncoordinated contraction of the throat muscles
Dry Mouth
Some forms of cancer
Cleft Lip
Parkinson’s Disease
Speech Therapy
In older adults and young children who are experiencing swallowing problems, speech
therapy is often a helpful process to at least try and ease the issue.
Particularly appropriate for those who have suffered stroke or a heart attack, a qualified
speech therapist will teach you exercises and techniques to try both before eating and during
to ease the journey of food from your mouth to your stomach.
Use Thickener
Perhaps the most popular and reportedly effective treatment for dysphagia and problems
associated with liquid diets, is to use a reputable brand of thickener.
If this sounds like something that may help you learn more about the different forms of
thickener and read reviews and blog posts from people who are in a similar situation and for
whom, thickening agents have helped.
When it comes to telling your nearest and dearest about your diagnosis, you should never
feel shy or embarrassed about discussing the topic and make everyone aware that you are
currently experiencing issues with eating.
Hopefully, this will make your loved ones and work colleagues stop pressuring you to eat on
lunch breaks, order a dessert when out for a family meal, and generally let you approach
your mealtimes at your own pace and in your own time.
Changes to Your Daily Diet
Sticking with the types of food and drink you consume in an average day, it is highly likely
that your doctor will recommend making key changes to your current diet.
Essentially, this will likely consist of making the swap to softer and lighter foods, such as
scrambled eggs, noodles, and steamed vegetables, which are easier to swallow and digest
for anyone, especially those with dysphagia. For some, they will not be able to eat at all, and
will be on a liquid diet, which is where the thickener comes in.
Furthermore, it is usually easier for people who have issues chewing and swallowing their
food to stop attempting to eat large plates full of different foods and instead switch to eating
smaller amounts and more frequently.