Essential Strategies for Managing Dysphagia in Daily Life

Based on recent reports, an estimated 590 million people across the globe are living with dysphagia. This condition can stem from several causes, including weakened or damaged muscles in the throat, damage to the nerves involved in chewing and swallowing, and blockages in the esophagus to name a few. All of these issues can make swallowing difficult and even dangerous. While dysphagia increases the risks of choking on solid foods and aspirating liquids, it can also lead to other problems, like dehydration and malnutrition. 

Dysphagia can greatly alter the ways people eat and drink. It even changes how they feel about the foods and beverages they once loved. This condition can lead people to avoid social situations in which food may be involved as well. In doing so, it may increase their risks of loneliness, isolation, and depression along with other issues. Though dysphagia can change your life, the following strategies can help you manage it. 

Thicken Liquids

One way to manage dysphagia is to use thickening agents like SimplyThick for thin liquids. You can add these substances to drinks, soups, broths, and sauces to make them easier to control in your mouth and throat. That, in turn, will reduce your risks of aspiration pneumonia and many other potential dangers. It’ll also make you more apt to take in fluids, which will go a long way toward preventing dehydration. 

Eat Soft Foods

Eating soft foods can help you manage dysphagia as well. Countless informational resources point out that fruits and vegetables provide more nutrients when they’re raw than when they’re cooked. Unfortunately, raw fruits and vegetables aren’t the best choices for people with swallowing difficulties. If you’re living with dysphagia, it’s better to cook them until they’re tender and then dice or mash them. Certain cooking methods, like steaming and pressure cooking, can preserve nutrients while also leaving foods tender. 

Blend or Puree Meats

Meats can be particularly tricky for people with dysphagia. In some cases, cutting them into small pieces isn’t enough to make them manageable. On the other hand, pureeing them to a pulp isn’t necessarily the most appealing option. Still, blending and pureeing cooked meats is often the safest way to prepare them for dysphagia sufferers. Marinating meats before cooking is a great way to add flavor. Adding sauces or gravies and fresh herbs to the mix before processing them can make them tastier and more enjoyable too. 

Take Your Time With Meals

Another helpful way to manage dysphagia is to take your time when eating. Slow down, and take it one bite at a time. Consider taking sips of thickened drinks between bites as well to make foods a bit easier to swallow and help you stay hydrated. Eating in a calm, low-stress environment is recommended as well. Being surrounded by noise and chaos tends to cause tension and make people eat faster. On the other hand, a more peaceful environment will help you relax and eat more slowly.

Minimizing the Effects of Dysphagia

Dysphagia alters the way people approach food. Many people who suffer from this condition avoid eating and drinking as much as possible. Though dysphagia comes with certain dangers, avoiding foods and beverages because of it can be even more risky. It’s possible to manage the condition and minimize its potential dangers, and the tips mentioned here can help.