Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can have devastating health implications, including malnutrition, dehydration and aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration occurs when food or fluids pass through the vocal folds and enter the airways into lungs. If you have dysphagia, eating a soft diet will help you maintain adequate nutrition and hydration needs.
History
As noted in the journal "Geriatrics," swallowing is a complex combination of voluntary and involuntary actions, requiring the coordination of several different muscles and brain area. Dysphagia can be the result of a neurologic disease, such as a stroke, dementia or Parkinson's--or it can be caused from an obstructive disorder, such as a tumor or structural defect.
Symptoms
Symptoms of dysphagia vary, depending on the severity of the underlying problem. Symptoms can range from a mild discomfort in the mouth or throat when swallowing to an inability to eat. Signs of dysphagia may include food sticking in the throat, coughing or choking, a wet voice and nasal or oral regurgitation. Pocketing of food in cheeks, drooling and excessive chewing are also signs associated with dysphagia.
Swallowing Interventions
If you have dysphagia, some simple interventions, in addition to diet modifications, may help improve swallowing. "Nursing & Residential Care" recommends eating slowly in an upright position, practicing oral hygiene before meals, and positioning of the head by chin tucking when eating. Oral hygiene will help stimulate saliva and moisten the oral mucus membranes. Removing loose dentures and consuming only one-half teaspoon of food or liquids at a time also promote safe swallowing.
Dietary Modifications
Modified diets can make swallowing easier and help prevent aspiration. If you have dysphagia, thin liquids are not recommended. Instead thickened fluids are easier to manage. Fluids may be thickened with commercially purchased thickeners. Suitable soft foods that are recommended include cereals with hot milk, such as oatmeal or cream of wheat. Cold cereal with milk should be allowed to sit for a period of time in order for cereal to absorb the milk, making it thicker. Sandwiches with moist fillings, such as egg with mayonnaise or hummus, are generally well tolerated. Stewed fruits, such as apples, mashed bananas and custard, are part of a soft diet. Meat needs to be very tender, braised or served with a sauce.
Foods to Avoid
Foods you may want to avoid if you have dysphagia include cereals that have not been soaked in milk, cereals with nuts and fruits, and sandwiches with slices of meat. Raw fruits and vegetables as well as chunks of meat or chicken are not recommended. Dietary modifications for dysphagia are highly individualized to meet your personal needs so check with your health care provider before modifying your diet.
References
- "Geriatrics"; Dysphagia: causes, assessment, treatment, and management; G. White; F. O'Rourke; et al.; May 2008
- "MEDSURG Nursing"; Dysphagia: An Overview; M. Terrado.; C. Russell.; J. Bowman.; October 2001
- "Nursing and Residential Care"; Recognizing and treating dysphagia can help residents maintain their dignity; A. Shepherd; October 2010
