Patient was educated on measures to improve safety during swallowing and prevent episodes of aspiration as follows:
- Maintain an erect and upright posture while eating or drinking. This will straighten the passage for food and will prevent any compromise during the act of swallowing.
- Avoid talking at the dining table. Minimizing conversation and distractions at dining table can help focus on swallowing.
- Take small bites, only of size that allow a comfortable swallow and are recommended.
- Alternating food with solid and liquid consistencies can help significantly. Never mix foods of different texture and consistencies in the same bite.
- Serve food items only of recommended texture and consistencies. Noncompliance with this physician or speech pathologist recommendation can result in acute episodes of dysphagia and aspiration.
