If you have a loved one who’s living with swallowing problems, you’re not alone. An estimated 8 percent of the global population is dealing with dysphagia, which makes for a collective total of more than 590 million people. This issue can cause an array of problems from increasing people’s risks of choking or inhaling foods and beverages into their lungs to making sufferers less willing to eat and interfering with their nutritional intake. Those are only a few of the potential issues that stem from dysphagia.
Many people who are taking care of loved ones who suffer from dysphagia don’t quite know how to help. You’ll find an array of advice, online and through other resources, for dealing with many of disabilities and problems that come with aging. Still, information about effectively dealing with swallowing difficulties is often in short supply. The following practical tips for supporting someone with swallowing problems can help make it simpler.
Use Food Thickeners
One simple and effective way to help loved ones with dysphagia is to use a food thickener. These substances can make thin liquids, like water, juices, soups, tea, coffee, sauces, and gravies, less runny. Many of these products are designed to avoid affecting the taste of those liquids. They simply render them less fluid to make them more manageable and reduce the risks of choking or aspirating them. Different types of thickeners are available to meet a range of dietary needs. At the same time, various thickeners are made to alter the consistencies of foods to varying degrees for further customization.
Sit Upright at Mealtime
Another way to reduce the risks that come with dysphagia and make mealtime less stressful is to make sure your loved one eats sitting upright. Lying down or reclining while eating can exacerbate swallowing difficulties and greatly reduce their risks. In contrast, sitting upright can make swallowing easier and less dangerous. That, in turn, can make your loved one more likely to enjoy mealtime rather than fearing or avoiding it.
Eliminate Distractions
Eliminating distractions during meals can also aid in dealing with dysphagia. That includes turning off the television and radio and minimizing irrelevant conversation as much as possible. Of course, you may need to coach your loved one on chewing and swallowing depending on the circumstances at hand. When a loved one’s swallowing difficulties are due to cognitive decline more so than muscle or nerve damage and other common causes, reduced distractions and patient coaching can be particularly essential.
Don’t Make Food a Social Event
Finally, it’s important to avoid building social events around food. Your loved one needs socialization, but he or she may be embarrassed to eat in front of other people. When you go out with your loved one, host family gatherings, and hold other events, try to be sure they don’t revolve around food. That’ll make your loved one feel more comfortable and reduce awkward situations without taking away social interaction.
Helping Your Loved One Deal With Swallowing Difficulties
Millions of people across the globe are living with dysphagia. This condition can pose several dangers. It also detracts from people’s enjoyment of food and may lead them to avoid social situations. Supporting a loved one who suffers from dysphagia isn’t always a straightforward process, but certain measures can make it simpler. Keep the points mentioned here in mind to help reduce the potential dangers and enable your loved one to enjoy mealtime more.
