If you have recently discovered that you are having great difficulty swallowing food or drink properly, you might have developed a condition known as dysphagia. It is important that you consult with your physician right away in order to receive a proper diagnosis of such a condition and try to figure out how it developed in the first place.
There are many things that can result in the development of dysphagia. It is also the type of condition that affects people differently in regard to severity. For instance, some people with dysphagia simply have to take more time to chew their food. Otherwise, a choking sensation can occur when attempting to swallow. Others are unable to even consume liquids properly.
For those wishing to learn more about dysphagia and the different ways in which the condition can be managed, here are three facts about the condition in general.
1. It Can Be Managed
In most cases, dysphagia is the sort of condition that can be managed without too much difficulty. It might, however, involve some key lifestyle changes in regard to the manner in which you prepare and consume food and drink.
Firstly, you should look to identify what consistency of food is comfortable for you to consume without too much difficulty. This can be challenging at first, but through trial and error, you should be able to figure out what is comfortable for you. You might even consider using a thickening agent like SimplyThick in order to help you accomplish this.
The most important thing is that you are consuming the right amount of nutrients each day to ensure that your body is getting what it needs to function properly. This is particularly important if your dysphagia developed as the result of an accident or injury as your body will need proper nutrition in order to recover fully.
2. Specific Exercises Can Help
Depending on the manner in which your dysphagia came about, you might also benefit greatly from performing targeting exercises that are geared towards building up strength and mobility in the muscles used for swallowing.
There are over 20 muscles that are used in the process of swallowing. If any of those muscles become weakened or damaged, dysphagia can develop. Specific exercises that help to rebuild strength in those muscles can help to bring about a great deal of relief from dysphagia over time.
The key to finding success with this course of action is to be consistent and perform such exercises every day.
3. There Are Many Reasons Dysphagia Can Develop
Finding the right course of treatment can be tricky since there are a variety of things that can bring about the development of dysphagia. For instance, it is commonly seen in elderly individuals as their muscle mass and strength begin to decline. It can also be the result of a surgical procedure that involved the throat.
Therefore, the first step to managing your dysphagia is to discover what the root cause of your condition is by consulting with your physician.