Modifying+Liquids+and+Diets

= Modifying Liquids and Diets  =



Following a partial glossectomy the tongue may have difficulty moving around in the mouth in preparation for swallowing. Thickening liquids is a common practice in managing adult dysphagia.Reasons for introducing thickened liquids include the clinicians own perceptions of the patients ability to manage liquids orally, and to protect the airway from aspiration of thin liquids ( Groher& Crary,2010).Soft,pureed or even liquid diets might help with this problem making foods easier to swallow. Eliminating specific food consistencies should be a last resort in compensatory diet modifications as it can often be quite upsetting for a patient to be told that thin liquids must be eliminated from the diet.Also thickening the liquid may alter the taste of the liquid (Garcia,2005).The SLT really should take all this into account when reccommending thickened liquids for a patient Obviously however if other compensatory strategies or rehabilitative exercises are not eliminating aspiration or improving swallowing efficiency then certain consistencies must be elminated.



Similar to liquids food may have to be modified to accomodate limitations in swallowing functions in adults with dysphagia.It is important to remember that like thickened liquids, texture modified diets are not always popular (Groher & Cary,2010). In an attempt to standardise menus and decision processes in the application for modified diets for adults with dysphagia the "National Dysphagia Diet Report : Standardisation for Optimal Care", was put forward by the American Dietetic Association in 2002.

The following link is to the 'National Dysphagia Diet Standardisation for optimal Care,(American Dietetic Association,2002). Its not possible to remember all of the textures and consistencies on each level so this book can be a very useful resource for the SLT.

[]

There is more information on the National Dysphagia Diet in the next section "Mealtime Guidelines for Modifying Diet".

** Mealtime Guidelines for Modifying Diet **