How to thicken liquids for dysphagia

Product Description Dysphagia (Swallowing Difficulty) and the Need for Thickening Liquids . This dysphagia cup offered by Rolyn Prest is practical for people that have issues swallowing, but it’s not very suitable for thick liquids. If you have difficulty swallowing, you’re not alone: infants, children, and adults of all ages–especially the elderly–can be afflicted with Dysphagia, a condition that causes Swallowing Issues or difficulty. This is called dysphagia (dis FAY geh ah). Children with dysphagia need to have their food and drink changed so they can safelyThin liquids can be thickened with special thickeners, flour, cornstarch, or potato flakes. Foods that are liquid at room temperature should also be thickened. Most experts believe that thickening liquids makes it Are thickeners a good way to keep someone with swallowing problems from people with swallowing Dysphagia Resources Listed are resources where you can learn more about dysphagia and organizations that cater to people with swallowing disorders. Recipes for thickened liquids can be found in a book entitled Living with Dysphagia: A Food and Beverage Guide for Individuals With Chewing and Swallowing Difficulties, revised by Debra Zwiefelhofer, RDN, LD, for Med-Diet Laboratories, Inc, available through the website listed above. (Internationally known as “Slightly thick” or “1”) • Honey Thick liquids: liquids thicker than “nectar thick” and flows off a spoon in a ribbon, like actual honey. Pureed food and thickened fluids Pureed food and thickened fluids 2 7 What is Dysphagia? Some people have trouble swallowing when drinking and/or eating. Your child’s doctor or speech therapist may have recommended that you thicken liquids if your child has swallowing difficulty. This consistency requires little more effort to drink than thin liquid. Users love that it reduces choking incidents, but some do note that the cup is harder to use than they expected. It is easier to control though the swallow than thin liquid and can flow through a straw or nipple. Thin liquids include milk, juice, coffee, tea, soda, and nutritional supplements. How and Why to Thicken Liquids Some children have trouble swallowing.