Many people say that sitting down to a nice meal is one of life’s simplest but most wonderful pleasures. Eating is essential for getting the nutrients we need, but it’s much more than that. Sharing a meal can create a sense of connection, help us stick to our daily routines, and give us something to look forward to at the end of a long day.
For people who live with dysphagia, though, this activity that so many of us take pleasure in can be stressful and even dangerous. With swallowing difficulties, foods and beverages may not flow smoothly along the esophagus, and it can slip into the airway. That increases the risks of choking and aspiration. Food thickeners can play an important role in mitigating the risks and challenges of dysphagia. Read on to learn more about SimplyThick and some of the reasons why food thickeners are the key to safer and more enjoyable meals.
Reducing the Risk of Aspiration
As mentioned, aspiration is one of the main concerns with dysphagia. That occurs when food or liquid enters the airway rather than the esophagus. Thin liquids, like juice, coffee, tea, and water, are particularly difficult to control for someone with swallowing difficulties because they move more quickly than thicker substances.
Thickening agents slow down the flow of liquids. That gives dysphagia sufferers more control over them, which leads to a safer and less stressful swallowing process. It makes eating and drinking less intimidating.
Keeping Dysphagia Patients Hydrated
Because of the potential dangers thin liquids pose for dysphagia patients, many don’t take in the fluids they need. With that being the case, they’re at risk of suffering from dehydration, which can cause serious adverse effects. It can even be fatal. Since thickeners make fluids less dangerous, they can encourage dysphagia sufferers to drink more and stay hydrated.
Supporting Proper Nutrition
Drinks aren’t the only thin liquids that come into play at mealtime. Broths, sauces, soups, and other foods also enter the mix. Those can be just as dangerous for people with swallowing difficulties as beverages. Thickening agents can be used in those as well. As such, they can give dysphagia sufferers a broader range of foods to choose from without having to worrying about aspiration or choking. That may make it easier for them to get the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Customizability
Each dysphagia patient’s needs are unique. Some fare better with pudding-like consistencies whereas others only need slight thickening. SimplyThick allows them to customize the consistencies of liquids to meet their needs and suit their tastes. At the same time, it doesn’t change the tastes of foods and beverages the way some thickening agents do. That means it allows people to fully enjoy their favorite flavors. It doesn’t force them to sacrifice flavor for safety or vice versa.
Making Mealtime More Enjoyable With Thickening Agents
Learning to live with dysphagia can be difficult. In some cases, though, simple steps can make the most significant differences. That’s certainly the case with food thickeners. You simply add them to liquids to make them easier to control and safer to consume. Though finding just the right consistency may take time, the benefits are well worth the effort. Thickening agents can give dysphagia patients added peace of mind and bring enjoyment back into mealtime.
