Patient was educated regarding thickening foods for difficulty with oropharyngeal phase of swallowing as follows: Oropharyngeal dysphagia usually presents as a difficulty swallowing liquid than swallowing solids. 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. Since these individuals have increased difficulty swallowing liquids, foods that are [...]

Patient was educated regarding thinning foods for difficulty with esophageal phase of swallowing as follows: Esophageal dysphagia usually presents as a difficulty swallowing solids than swallowing liquids. This condition presents with a sensation of something sticking in the back of throat, chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, exhaustion and pain during swallowing. Since these individuals have increased difficulty swallowing solids, foods that are too thick are contraindicated for them. So, foods can be thinned before serving them, [...]

Patient was educated on signs and symptoms of dysphagia as follows: Dysphagia can involve either the oropharyngeal or the esophageal or both phases of swallowing. Oropharyngeal dysphagia Oropharyngeal dysphagia 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. This kind of dysphagia usually presents as a difficulty swallowing liquid [...]

Patient was educated on dysphagia as follows: Dysphagia is defined as difficulty or impaired chewing and /or swallowing. Process of swallowing involves 2 phases Oropharyngeal phase Esophageal phase Dysphagia can involve either the oropharyngeal or the esophageal or both phases of swallowing. Neuromuscular disorders, such as, stroke, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis involve mostly the oropharyngeal phase of swallowing. Patients with this kind of dysphagia have more difficulty with swallowing liquids than solids. Esophageal dysphagia typically [...]

Patient was educated on process of swallowing as follows: During the process of swallowing, food is pushed to the back of the mouth by compressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth. Once the food is in the back of mouth, the soft palate closes the airway to prevent entry of food particles into the airway. The sphincter at the upper end of esophagus relaxes and allows the food to enter the esophagus. The [...]