Swallowing Difficulty Explained: Helpful Tips For Management

People have more than 50 muscles in the mouth and throat. Those muscles work together to help with chewing food, swallowing, and moving material through the esophagus to the stomach. For an estimated 20 million adults and many children in the United States, though, at least some of those muscles or the nerves and other tissues they’re connected to don’t work quite the way they’re supposed to. That results in a condition known as dysphagia.
Dysphagia is divided into four distinct categories depending on the area of the mouth, throat, or esophagus where the swallowing impairment occurs. Various treatments are available for different types of dysphagia. Those and certain other measures can aid in managing the condition and reducing its risks.
Thickening Agents
One way to help people deal with dysphagia is to use thickening agents. These substances can be used in beverages, soups, and other thin liquids to make them easier for people to control. They make liquids flow more slowly from the mouth to the throat, which allows dysphagia sufferers more time to coordinate their swallowing muscles and direct liquids to the esophagus. As such, thickening food with nectar helps to reduce the risk of aspiration or choking. Different types of thickening agents are available to create varying consistencies as well, so the consistencies of foods and beverages can be tailored to people’s unique needs and preferences.
Changing Positions
For some people, changing the position of the head can help make swallowing safer and more manageable. The best head position depends on the type of dysphagia a person is suffering from and its severity. For some people, turning their head to one side or the other works well. For others, tilting their head to one side is a better alternative. In some instances, tilting the chin down toward the neck is more helpful. Those are only a few of the possibilities. In many cases, people have to try a variety of positions to find the one that works best for them.
Swallowing Exercises
Several swallowing exercises have also been developed to help with dysphagia. Some focus on strengthening weak muscles in the face, mouth, or throat. Others entail practicing ways to keep food in the mouth and on the right path to the esophagus. One technique involves lifting the larynx while swallowing to prevent liquids from entering the trachea and lungs. Speech-language pathologists determine which exercises are appropriate for different patients and help them to perform them correctly.
Medications and Procedures
Certain medications and procedures are used to mitigate dysphagia as well. For example, botulinum toxin injections can stop muscle spasms that cause swallowing difficulties. Muscle relaxers may loosen muscles in the esophagus. Esophageal dilation procedures can be used to widen the esophagus or the opening leading into the stomach. As is the case with other solutions, not all procedures and medications are appropriate for everyone.
Dealing With Dysphagia
Millions of people live with dysphagia. It’s caused by a variety of issues, and it varies in severity. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate swallowing difficulties and the dangers that come along with them. From thickening agents and swallowing exercises to medications and medical procedures, people who suffer from dysphagia have numerous options at their disposal. Treatments can also be combined for more effective results. If you’re living with swallowing difficulties, don’t hesitate to reach out to your physician to find out which options might best meet your needs.