Tips To Cope With and Help People With Swallowing Difficulties

Many people are affected by swallowing problems. These often occur during the later years. However, an individual with other conditions may also experience this. The medical term for this problem is dysphagia, and there are several types of the conditions where swallowing issues happen, such as in the throat or esophagus.  

Living with this issue can be challenging. However, there are some things you can do to cope with them. Plus, with the assistance of a friend, relative, or carer, everyday things can feel more manageable. 

See also  TIPS FOR BUYING A BABY STROLLER

Some of the areas that help this condition include:

Maintaining good oral health

Problems that occur with the mouth and throat can lead to poor oral health over time. Assistance with brushing and rinsing will ensure teeth are in good health. This also helps to keep your teeth from wearing down or causing further problems with chewing. 

Modifying diet 

In many cases, people with these types of conditions will need a modified diet to get the best nutritional balance. As swallowing is challenging, a few changes can make the process easier to handle. For example:

Thicken liquids 

Liquids, by nature, are free-flowing. However, this can cause issues due to the consistency. Thickening liquids slow the process and allow an individual to cope better. You can buy products to thicken liquids, such as SimplyThick gel. 

Eating smaller and more regularly meals 

The eating process can be longer. So to avoid frustration, eat in smaller and more frequent sittings. This breaks meals down and ensures you get all the benefits from your food throughout the day. 

See also  The different types of plastic surgeries

Drink from a spoon 

Drinking from a cup can be difficult if you struggle to swallow because of the faster flow of liquid. Instead, use a spoon to scoop the liquid into the mouth. This ensures smaller and easy-to-manage amounts are taken. 

Choose soft texture foods

Hard food is more challenging to swallow. So, opt for soft texture options instead. These are easier to chew and swallow. Plus, they can be cut into chunks more easily. 

See also  How to Choose a HIPAA Compliant Vendor: Factors to Consider

Try swallowing therapy 

Alongside lifestyle changes, other treatments such as swallowing therapy can help. Experts in this area provide techniques that help your specific problem. This may include exercises that teach you to swallow or how to make the process more manageable. 

Adapt mealtime settings

It’s surprising how distractions can make mealtimes more difficult for people with difficulty swallowing. To help with this, it’s a great idea to adjust the dining set to avoid these disturbances. It’s also helpful to sit up properly when eating, so a great way to achieve this is making mealtime a place to sit on a chair or at the table instead of slouching on a sofa or bed. Another key element is to ensure the individual is alert and ready for food before mealtime. 

Swallowing difficulties are a challenging condition for sufferers. However, with some minor changes and additional assistance during mealtimes, it can make the process more straightforward and comfortable. 

Latest

Tips and Programs for Truckers in Accounting

Things may become complicated when it comes to the business side of trucking, especially for small trucking companies and owner-operators. The trucking...

Best Manufacturer of Digital Fabric Printer

A digital fabric printer is a great way to make custom-designed textiles. You can design and print your own patterns and designs on your...

What Are the Benefits of Same Day Courier Services?

This article includes the benefits of choosing the same day delivery service to deliver your important business documents and important packages in no time.

Debunking the Most Common Business Accounting Myths That Exist Today

There has been a lot of gossip and hearsay in the financial industry lately. Let's debunk the most common business accounting myths that exist...