Dysphagia is a term used by medical professionals to describe a range of swallowing disorders. This condition is common, particularly in seniors. Experts believe up to 40% of individuals living in skilled nursing communities have swallowing difficulties.
Many things can lead to a dysphagia diagnosis. Head and neck cancers, dementia, and strokes are three common causes. Doctors determine that a patient has this condition after conducting a swallow study or diagnostic testing. Once this diagnosis has been made, a treatment plan can be developed, which often includes help from SimplyThick.
The Dysphagia Diet
When developing this treatment plan, doctors consider the underlying cause of this disorder. Patients often benefit from medications and prescribed exercises. However, one of the most common treatments involves modifying the diet. Patients usually need their foods and liquids to be thickened so they are safe to consume. These texture modifications make it easier for them to swallow the foods and liquids while reducing the risk of aspiration. If the food or liquids end up in the airways, a person may develop pneumonia or a lung infection.
To ensure consistency when preparing foods, patients are often told to follow the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative. This diet has eight levels covering drinks and foods. The higher the number, the thicker the food or beverage. The treatment plan indicates which level of foods and drinks the individual can safely have.
Thickening Foods and Drinks
Patients may thicken their foods and beverages at home using a thickening product, such as that offered by SimplyThick. This thickener is mixed into the food or drink to change its consistency and ensure it is the right thickness according to the level prescribed by the medical team. These thickeners come in both starch-based and gum-based forms.
People often find it easier to mix starch-based thickeners, but these thickeners can alter the consistency of the mixture. This problem is most prevalent when the product is refrigerated after the thickener has been used. Gum-based thickeners provide a consistent thickness to food or beverages.
Testing Foods and Beverages
The medical team will show patients how to test the foods and beverages once they have been thickened. The fork drip test is commonly used for foods and drinks that fall in the three to five level range. For foods and beverages in the 4- to 7-level range, the fork pressure test is used. A gravity flow test may also be conducted with the help of a 10 mL syringe. The medical team will instruct the patient on how to perform these tests to ensure their food and beverages are at the correct consistency for their needs.
Transitional Foods
Patients must be aware of which foods and beverages fall into the transitional foods category. Ice cream is an example of a food that fits into this category because it changes consistency once a person puts it into their mouth. Any food or beverage that changes consistency when the temperature or moisture level changes is considered a transitional food, and many people rely on these foods when they’re learning how to retrain their chewing skills. However, they must be consumed carefully, and the individual should be monitored when trying them to ensure they can swallow safely.
Food thickeners are often part of a broader treatment plan. Many patients are given swallowing techniques and exercises to use at home, enabling them to eat safely and effectively. The medical team may recommend additional measures to help the person enjoy meals again. Patients and their caregivers should learn as much as possible about their disorder and how they can eat safely without worry of aspiration, choking, and coughing. Once they know how to manage this condition, they will be able to eat meals with loved ones without fear.
