Dysphagia is associated with a variety of medical conditions, and without the proper management tools and team, could very easily contribute to a poor quality of life and even death; namely, dehydration, aspiration and malnutrition.

Prevention
If you can prevent these conditions, do it. Prevention is the best form of treatment. At the first sign of swallowing difficulty, seek medical advice from your primary care doctor. He or she will be able to determine if you need additional testing, typically performed by a speech language pathologist – one who specializes in swallowing disorders. If you are diagnosed with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, a treatment team, which typically includes physicians, speech language pathologists, registered dietitians and nurses, will discuss the best form of treatment.

Treatment
If any of the conditions listed above exist, meet with the management team to discuss treatment options. Be sure to consider that dysphagia has both physical and psychological complications and both need to be addressed.

Caring for the dysphagia patient can be especially challenging. Your speech-language pathologist may have recommended exercises to strengthen the swallowing muscles or to improve the movement. It is important to complete these exercises as directed for maximum improvement. If a recommendation was made to use a strategy to improve swallow function, then it is important to follow this with every swallow. If you have trouble recalling your therapist’s recommendations, be sure to ask for written recommendations to follow at home.

When it comes to food or liquid modifications, your therapist may recommend a specific consistency such as pureed foods or nectar consistency liquids for example. Only your SLP can determine the appropriate consistency for you. For information on how to thicken liquids, you can visit www.thickit.com and click the link for Usage Charts. You can also find links to purchase Thick-It brand beverage thickener and Thick-It canned purees on www. Thickit.com. If you prefer pre-thickened beverages which are available in honey or nectar consistency and ready to use, check out www.aquacareh2o.com.

My name is Chris Wallat, and I am a speech-language pathologist at Precision foods, Inc., the maker of Thick-It Dysphagia products. My role is to help increase the awareness and improve understanding of patients and caregivers alike on the importance of choosing nutritional products that can improve overall safety and outcomes for those suffering with dysphagia.

Signs and symptoms of  dysphagia include pocketing of food in the cheeks, drooling or taking an hour to eat a meal.    You may also suspect dysphagia if you have a feeling of something stuck in your throat after swallowing or if you cough when you eat or drink.

Risks associated with dysphagia include malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and even social isolation just to name a few.  If you suspect that you or a loved one may have dysphagia, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible.

If your physician suspects that you have dysphagia, you will likely be referred to a speech-language pathologist who will complete a thorough evaluation of your swallow.  A speech-language pathologist (or SLP) will talk to you about your symptoms, will examine the muscles and movement in your mouth and throat, and may ask you to swallow some liquid or food to observe your swallowing.   From this evaluation, your SLP can determine if you need further evaluation through an x-ray known as a modified barium swallow or through an endoscopic assessment. Your SLP can also determine if you need a referral to a gastroenterologist, or if your swallowing can be managed easily without further evaluation.  To contact a speech-language pathologist, visit ASHA’s Find a Professional at http://asha.org/public/speech/default.htm

My name is Chris Wallat, and I am a speech-language pathologist at Precision foods, Inc., the maker of Thick-It Dysphagia products. My role is to help increase the awareness and improve understanding of patients and caregivers alike on the importance of choosing nutritional products that can improve overall safety and outcomes for those suffering with dysphagia.

As a Registered Dietitian at Precision Foods, I work to preserve nutritional integrity of the Thick-It® brand and strive to make cutting-edge improvements that may better meet the needs of Thick-It® consumers. I’m thrilled to be working with Thick-It®, a brand that is currently expanding options for individuals with swallowing difficulties, and happy to be a part of something that means so much to so many.

For additional support and information, please visit our Facebook page, where we share information about dysphagia, and encourage those who either have or help care for someone with dysphagia to share their personal stories.

It’s finally that time again and Easter is right around the corner.  There’s no need to stress about what to feed your loved ones this year, especially when having a swallowing disorder like dysphagia can complicate things and make planning your Easter brunch menu difficult.  Many have tried pureeing some of their Easter brunch menu items like ham, deviled eggs, biscuits, poppy seed muffins and more, but achieving a safe consistency for people with swallowing disorders can be quite complicated.  This year, you can enjoy a stress-free holiday with the help of Thick-It® Purees, while your loved ones enjoy some of their favorite Easter foods.

Dysphagia Easter Brunch Meal Ideas from Thick-It®

Thick-It® Puree Entrees:
•Seasoned Chicken Puree
•Omelet with Sausage & Cheese Puree
•Maple Cinnamon French Toast

Thick-It® Puree Side Dishes:
•Green Bean Puree
•Carrot & Pea Puree
•Sweet Corn Puree

Thick-It® Puree Desserts:
•Carmel Flavored Apple Pie Puree
•Mixed Fruit and Berry Puree
Plan your Easter Brunch Menu with Food Purees from Thick-It

This Holiday, Say “Thank You” with Tasty & Safe Pureed Food Alternatives
Developed for people with swallowing disorders like dysphagia or those recovering from stroke or bariatric surgery, Thick-It® purees come in more than 13 flavors and ready-to-eat convenience and consistency.  Besides being delicious, Thick-It® pureed foods and thickeners offer optimal nutrition for a dysphagia diet. For more Easter meal ideas for people with dysphagia or other swallowing problems, visit www.thickit.com.

Find Out Where You Can Buy Thick-It

Jennifer Randazzo is a Registered Dietitian and Healthcare Associate at Precision Foods. Jennifer has been working with Thick-It® since May 2010, and is the newest member of the Healthcare Team.