More than 15 million people in America suffer from dysphagia based on recent reports from the medical sector. Swallowing difficulties can stem from various causes. They may range in severity from mild trouble with certain types of foods or liquids to being unable to swallow at all. This condition can affect people’s health in many ways from preventing them from getting the nutrients they need to cause choking, asphyxiation pneumonia, and other issues. While effective treatment for this condition varies depending on each person’s needs and other factors, several new trends and innovations have come to light in this arena.
Dietary Changes
Making certain dietary changes is among the most effective ways to manage dysphagia. Hard, solid foods and thin liquids tend to cause the most problems for people with this condition. Avoiding problematic foods and beverages and altering the diet can make a significant difference. Thickening agents have become popular for reducing the risk of aspirating liquids. YouTube videos by SimplyThick provide more information on these products and how they work.
Soft foods are also recommended for people who are living with dysphagia. Those include bananas, cooked fruits and vegetables, and pureed foods. Oatmeal, cereal soaked in milk, yogurt, custard, and pudding are good choices as well. Avoiding hard foods, dry breads and cereals, and sticky or chewy foods is advised.
Customized Treatment Plans
Customized treatment plans are increasingly making their way into the world of medicine, and that certainly applies to dysphagia diagnosis and treatment. Since the condition affects people differently, the appropriate treatment isn’t the same for everyone. Instead of prescribing the same treatment regimen for all dysphagia sufferers, doctors and other members of patients’ care teams are taking a more individualized approach.
Speech-language pathologists often play major roles in dysphagia management. They can develop tailored swallowing exercises and postural adjustments along with many other personalized solutions. Doctors, occupational therapists, and dieticians may also be part of a patient’s care team. All these professionals work together to create treatment plans based on patients’ specific needs.
Technological Innovations
Additionally, technology is becoming a more integral component of dysphagia diagnosis and treatment. Video fluoroscopy and fiber optic endoscopy are being used to evaluate patients and more accurately pinpoint where in the swallowing process issues arise. That, in turn, aids in creating more customized and effective treatment plans.
Advanced tools, like neuromuscular electrical stimulation, are showing promise in the treatment of dysphagia as well. NMES entails delivering small electrical currents to the throat muscles to stimulate them. That can help to strengthen the muscles and improve swallowing capabilities. Biofeedback therapy can help patients learn to control their swallowing in some cases. Transcranial magnetic stimulation can help in various ways as well depending on the causes of a patient’s swallowing difficulties and other factors.
Effectively Diagnosing and Managing Dysphagia
Dysphagia was discovered more than 250 years ago. It’s a common condition that can be caused by an array of issues, including blockages in the esophagus, head injuries, stroke, dementia, and certain types of cancer. Effectively managing dysphasia requires determining the specific cause of the problem and its severity and finding the right combination of treatments. Making certain dietary changes can go a long way toward reducing the dangers of dysphagia. New tools and technology for diagnosing and addressing the condition are making a world of difference for patients as well.