Patient was educated regarding thickening foods for difficulty with oropharyngeal phase of swallowing as follows:

  1. Oropharyngeal dysphagia usually presents as a difficulty swallowing liquid than swallowing solids.
  2. This condition presents with pocketing of foods in the mouth between the cheeks and teeth, drooling, inability to suck through a straw, intense choking with episodes of coughing and shortness of breath, and recurrent episodes of pneumonia.
  3. Since these individuals have increased difficulty swallowing liquids, foods that are too thin are contraindicated for them.
  4. So, foods can be thickened before serving them, by the addition of following thickeners
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Custard mix
  • Cooked baby cereal
  • Gelatin powder
  • Pureed vegetables and fruits
  • Corn starch

 

  1. Foods that are thickened by addition of these thickeners can make it easy on the individual to swallow and aspiration less likely.
  2. Consult your doctor and speech pathologist for any other recommendations towards a safe swallow.