For most people, swallowing happens without a second thought—but for millions of Americans, it isn’t that simple.
What is Dysphagia?
How is it pronounced?
Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, affects an estimated 1 in 17 U.S. adults and becomes more common with age. Research suggests that about 15% to 22% of adults over age 50 experience swallowing difficulties, with rates rising even higher in long-term care settings, where dysphagia can affect up to 40% of residents.
Dysphagia can occur as a result of many different health conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, multiple sclerosis (MS), multiple system atrophy (MSA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s disease, cerebral palsy, cancer, and other neurological or medical conditions.
Individuals diagnosed with dysphagia are at a higher risk for aspiration, dehydration, and malnutrition. To promote safer swallowing, beverage and food thickeners are often recommended.
Benefits of Thickening Fluids
Individuals with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing liquids, which can lead to aspiration (when food or liquid enters the lungs) and pneumonia.
Thickeners can be added to various liquids such as water, juice, milk, tea, broth, and purées.
A thicker, smoother consistency slows the liquid's movement, making it easier to manage and allowing the muscles responsible for swallowing more time to function effectively.
Apple juice thickened with Clear DysphagiAide Beverage & Food Thickener to a Level 2/Mildly Thick Consistency.
Thickening liquids can help those with dysphagia swallow more comfortably and safely.
Using a liquid thickener increases the chance that food will be safely directed down the esophagus to the stomach while reducing the risk of it slipping down the trachea/windpipe (the wrong pipe) and reaching the lungs.
START WITH A CLEAN DRY GLASS
To use Clear DysphagiAide® powder, always start by placing the powder into a clean, dry glass. Next, pour the liquid over the thickening powder while stirring.
Our powder activates instantly upon contact with water, which is why it's important to use a dry glass and to stir briskly as soon as you add the liquid.
ADD CREAMER AND SWEETNER FIRST
To achieve the best results, prepare your coffee or tea by adding milk, creamer, and/or sugar first. Then, pour the hot beverage into your cup containing Clear DysphagiAide® powder and stir briskly for 30 seconds. After stirring, wait as the instructions indicate.
Please note that adding any milk, sugar, or creamer to your prepared thickened drink may cause clumping. Reheating the drink is also not recommended.
ENJOY ICE CUBES
Safe Ice Cubes:
The water must be thickened first, poured into the trays, then frozen! As the cubes melt, they will return to the same thickness you made them.
Safe Flavored Ice Cubes:
Follow the same directions but instead thicken your favorite fruit juices before pouring and freezing.
Why make one glass at a time when you can make a pitcher of your thickened beverage and pour from it as you need for up to 48 hours?
Just as you would when making a single serving of thickened liquid, measure out the powder and put it into the dry pitcher. Pour the premeasured liquid into the pitcher while stirring briskly with a large spoon or whisk. Remember: Our powder activates instantly upon contact with liquid, which is why it's important to use a dry container. Stirring briskly as soon as you add the liquid will give the best results
Swallowing Support & Resources
NFOSD is dedicated to providing direct patient support, education, and research; raising public, professional and governmental awareness, and advancing the prevention and treatment of swallowing disorders.
National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders
IDDSI is an international collaboration of professionals who developed a standardized framework for labeling texture-modified foods and thickened liquids. The framework is designed to avoid the confusion created by variable terminology and definitions to describe modified diets around the world.
International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative
Dysphagia Outreach Project
The Mission of Dysphagia Outreach Project is to provide meaningful assistance to low-income individuals across the lifespan who are affected by dysphagia