What is Dysphagia?

If you have been struggling to swallow or find it uncomfortable, you may be wondering what the problem is. You may also be wondering what the solution is. Not being able to easily (or comfortably) swallow drinks or items of food can affect you physically and mentally. It can knock your confidence, and it can affect your self-esteem too. If you are struggling to swallow on several occasions, and if you are feeling like you are going to regurgitate what you have just eaten or drank, you may be suffering from Dysphagia. 

What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing (swallowing difficulties). You may have trouble swallowing anything, or you may be struggling to swallow certain items of food and drink. You may find that food and drink take a while to swallow, and you may even experience pain or discomfort in the process of swallowing. Dysphagia is something that can occur at any age; however, it is increasingly common in older people. There are a lot of symptoms you should watch out for (and be mindful of) which will help you identify what you are struggling with.

Feeling like food is stuck in your throat

Unable to chew or swallow without pain or discomfort

The feeling of choking

Persistent drooling

Regurgitating – food actually coming back up

Weight loss

Coughing or gagging when swallowing

You Are Not Alone

Realizing that you have Dysphagia can be daunting; however, it is important to realize that you are not alone. There is always someone you can reach out to, and there is always help and guidance you can get access to. This support can come professionally or it can come from peer to peer. There are online support groups as well as social media support groups that you can join, that will allow you to open up and share what you are going through, and what you are experiencing. When you realize that you are not alone in this journey, you can then start to look at what you can do to help and aid the symptoms you are feeling and experiencing.

There are Thickeners You Can Use

To carry on eating and drinking in a more comfortable manner, you need to look at adding a thickener. Using a thickener from Simply Thick LLC will help you drink and eat what you want and when you want. Thickeners can be quickly added to drinks, and they can make drinking pain-free and more comfortable once more. As thickeners can be used on the go, you can be sure that Dysphagia will not take hold of your life or slow you down.

Health and Wellness Checkups are Vital

Dysphagia can stop you from eating and drinking what you love, but it can also mean that your body is not getting the goodness and nutrition that it needs. To ensure that dysphagia does not negatively affect your weight, health, or even your well-being, you have to get regular health and wellness checkups. Keeping your medical professional or healthcare professional aware of what you are going through and experiencing is important. They can help you work through solutions and find the answers you need to carry on enjoying your life.