What Is Dysphagia?

Treatment Options

Depending on your particular case, your swallowing therapist may recommend you try one or more of the following treatment options. They include:

PHYSICAL MODIFICATION  |  SWALLOW MODIFICATION  |  FOOD MODIFICATION

Before you take part in any of the options below, please make sure that you consult a health care professional.

Physical Modification

• Adjust your posture while eating
• Exercise your jaw muscles, cheeks, lips and tongue to strengthen them
• Breathe deeply when not eating

Swallow modification

• Focus on behaviors you can do while eating to help facilitate swallowing
• Take your time while you eat to ensure you adequately chew each bite
• Eat in a stress-free environment

Food modification

• Change the texture and consistency of your food so you can swallow it more safely
• Cut up your food into smaller bites
• Ease swallowing by thickening liquids to slow the time it takes for fluid to move through your mouth and esophagus
• Pay attention to appetizing meal presentations (this will help you produce saliva)
• Lower your risk of aspiration by eating foods that give you better control when you swallow
• Stimulate your swallowing reflex with certain flavors
• Stir in thickening agents like those offered by Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition to help you drink with ease without altering the taste of the beverage

Many patients combine food modification and swallow modification. Whatever treatment you choose, its goal is to ensure adequate hydration and nutrition while making it safer for you to swallow in order to avoid aspiration or choking.