5 Tips to Help You Cope with Dysphagia

When people have difficulties swallowing food and drink normally, it is called dysphagia. This medical condition should be closely monitored in order to prevent it from causing more serious issues, like malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia. Dysphagia is normally triggered by another illness. The cause will determine the best way to treat and manage the condition. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with dysphagia, following the advice given to you by your doctor is essential, but there are some things you can do to make your life easier. Here are 5 tips to help you cope with dysphagia.

Stick to Safe Foods

Eating the right amount of highly nutritious food is important if someone is suffering from dysphagia. However, certain foods will be safer than others. Usually, these are foods and drinks with a soft consistency, like soups, milkshakes, purees, and mousses. If you’re worried that the food is too watery, then you should add Simply Thick easy mix gel thickener to improve the texture.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

One of the biggest threats to dysphagia patients is dehydration. If your condition makes it difficult to drink enough water, then you should use an instant food thickener made from natural ingredients to improve its consistency. Drinking water on its own can sometimes help patients swallow food or deal with a coughing incident but, in some cases, it can make the situations worse, so always drink with caution.

Be a Mindful Eater

If you have dysphagia, you need to change your way of thinking when it comes to food. You should aim to eat four times a day. Planning and preparing meals in advance will make this easier for you. During meal times, you should eat small mouthfuls of food and aim to eat slowly. This can be a tough routine to stick to if you have a busy schedule, but you can use your meal times to read and unwind.

Maintain Energy Levels

Maintaining your energy levels throughout the day and before social events is important if you are suffering from dysphagia. You should assess your energy levels and consume foods that align with them. This includes changing food textures to suit how much energy you have at the time. You should also make sure you eat enough nutrients before socializing and bring your own foods while traveling.

Don’t Talk When Eating

This is a simple tip that should become a lifelong habit and is linked to being a mindful eater. Putting thought into each bite, chewing times, moisture levels, and when to start swallowing is important for dysphagia patients. If you talk while you eat, it could distract this thought process and put you at risk of choking. Avoiding conversations while you eat will also allow you to savor the meal and the flavors.

Living with dysphagia can be tough at times, but with the right knowledge and advice, you will be able to enjoy your meals and beverages and maintain a good standard of health for the rest of your life.