Dysphagia is condition defined by difficulty swallowing or the inability to swallow. Dysphagia can be caused by a number of medical conditions, including stroke, cancer, and neurological disorders. Because proper swallowing is a critical aspect of eating, dysphagia can present many nutrition-related challenges. Dysphagia can range in scale from mild cases to severe cases in which a person may not be able to safely eat or drink by mouth, making alternate forms of nutrition necessary.
Health Risks of Severe Dysphagia
During the eating process, foods and liquids pass from the mouth into the esophagus, which leads to the stomach. In the case of severe dysphagia, food may pass through the vocal cords and into the lungs rather than into the stomach. This is called aspiration. Foreign bodies in the breathing cavity, such as foods and liquids, can cause aspiration pneumonia, a serious lung infection. Choking on food and aspiration could also block the airway, which can be fatal.
Tube Feeding
Because it is unsafe for a person with severe dysphagia to eat or drink by mouth, an alternative form of nutrition called tube feeding can be used for nutrition. Tube feeding formula can be administered through a temporary feeding tube placed through your nose and down into your stomach. If long-term tube feeding is needed, a gastrostomy tube can be surgically placed through your abdominal wall into your stomach. Tube feeding formula can provide the calories, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals your body requires. Tube feeding can be done in a hospital or at home.
Modified Consistency Diet
Severe dysphagia can be a temporary condition. For example, a person who had a stroke may be able to learn how to swallow properly again with the assistance of physical and speech therapy and rehabilitation. As swallowing abilities improve, a speech language pathologist may determine that it is safe to resume eating and drinking by mouth. Modified consistencies, such as pureed, ground or chopped foods and thickened liquids are easier to swallow. It may be necessary to follow a diet with modified consistencies during your progression back to a regular diet.
Professional Resources
Dysphagia can be a complex medical condition. In addition to doctors, speech language pathologists and registered dietitians can help you manage your condition. A speech language pathologist can perform ongoing swallow evaluations to determine the severity of your dysphagia and the safest mode for receiving nutrition. If tube feedings are necessary, a dietitian can assess your nutritional needs and determine the amount of tube feeding formula needed to nourish your body. If your swallowing abilities improve and you are able to safely take foods by mouth again, a dietitian can help you find foods that comply with modified consistency diets. If you have lost weight due to dysphagia, a dietitian can help you find ways to safely add extra protein and calories to your diet to maintain a healthy body weight.
