Living with dysphagia can be frightening and frustrating. Caring for a loved one who suffers from the condition can be almost as stressful. Eating and drinking are natural parts of everyday life. When such seemingly ordinary activities come with serious dangers, seeing to a loved one’s health and safety becomes a challenge.
Fortunately, there are many ways to deal with the condition and its effects. From changing a patient’s eating positions and modifying their diet to using products like SimplyThick, it’s possible to forge through dysphagia. With knowledge of the condition, patience, and the right strategies, you can help your loved one stay safe, comfortable, and well nourished.
Understanding Dysphagia
First of all, it’s important to understand dysphagia. It’s a symptom that can stem from a variety of medical conditions, including neurological disorders, stroke, and head and neck injuries. It causes a person to be unable to control foods and drinks in their mouth the way they once could. Foods and drinks may move too slowly from the mouth to the esophagus, flow too quickly, go down the wrong way, or not clear the throat the way they should.
Keep Mealtimes Calm and Focused
One important step to take when caring for a loved one with swallowing difficulties is keeping mealtimes calm and focused. Remove distractions, like television or pets, so your loved one can concentrate on their meals. Be sure your loved one stays in an upright position while eating. That naturally helps food move along the esophagus the way it should. Having them eat slowly and chew their foods carefully will help as well.
Keep them in an upright position for at least half an hour after each meal to ensure all their food and drink clears their throat. Along the way, be sure to stay calm and patient. Mealtime may take longer than it did before dysphagia took hold, but it’ll also be safer and less stressful.
The Role of Food Texture
Texture is a crucial consideration when it comes to the foods you serve your loved one. Avoid dry, crumbly, or tough foods because they’re easier to get choked on. Soft, moist foods, on the other hand, are easier to swallow. Foods that can be mashed with a fork or pureed in a blender are generally safe options. That’s also the case with smooth foods, such as puddings and yogurts. Smoothies can be a fantastic option as well.
Making Liquids Thicker
For many dysphagia sufferers, thin liquids pose the greatest challenges and dangers. Water, tea, juice, and other beverages move quickly and can easily slip into the airway. That, in turn, can cause coughing, inflammation, and infections. To make drinking safer for your loved one, consider using thickening agents. They make liquids easier control without changing their flavor. You can try different consistencies to find one that works best for your loved one.
Keeping Your Loved One Safe and Healthy
Caring for a loved one who suffers from dysphagia can be challenging, but certain measures can make it a bit less uncertain. Learn all you can about the condition. Keep the points mentioned here in mind as well. At the same time, be sure to work with your loved one’s doctor and other healthcare professionals, such as speech-language pathologists, for additional help. Above all else, stay patient and positive, and don’t forget to take care of yourself so you can continue to provide the best possible care for your loved one.
