Seven Best Dysphagia Treatment Alternatives

By John Snyder


Dealing with a problem related to the mouth or the esophagus is one of the things that is touting and to some point expensive. Difficulties in swallowing food can cause a medical condition that makes the person suffer from pneumonia, malnutrition, and weight loss. This is caused by situations such as food allergies and cancer treatments from the radiations. There are a couple of dysphagia treatment methods that are available for an individual suffering from this condition which includes these ones.

For relaxed cases, an individual can buy prescription drugs so as to ensure the problem is eliminated. It is essential that an individual goes for examination by a specialist in this area before undertaking to use the prescription drugs. They are mostly used in order to reduce discomforts mainly resulting from esophageal spasms.

The issue can be addressed through surgery and especially where there are tumors in the system. Radiology is among the contributors to this problem, which means that they do not have the capacity to address the same issue. The best solution, therefore, is surgery which ensures that the root of the problem is plucked out and repairs any other damaged part.

Tube feeding is used for patients who are in extreme conditions and cannot even open their mouths. This involves channeling food through the use of tubes that go directly into the stomach. Patients who have suffered acute malnutrition and those who have developed tumors can use this process as a permanent solution after a surgery is done to restore them to health.

The problem is also solved through the use of diet modifications. This involves the change in the texture of foods that are eaten or the liquids that are used. It is done by cutting the food junks into smaller pieces than those that are used by people without dysphagia. Moreover, changing the type of meal that is consumed by adding or reducing the temperature, and consuming the food after a close duration helps in healing the same condition.

Use of acupuncture has been a solution that was in application even before people knew about the problem behind this condition. It works through the realignment of energy so that it channels it to work on that area which is affected. The needles that are used ensure that the body is in a state where no other function is done giving the healing process all available resources.

In addition, thick liquids have a great way of solving the problem. Patients who are in admissions are made to drink these liquids which have different viscosity. It is a system which works to exercise the area, and as the viscosity is increased, the patient gets to heal. The treatment, however, requires being done under great care as it can result in incidences of choking.

In conclusion, postural adjustments have also been used as a remedy for this medical condition. They focus on changing the position of the head and the body in an effort to reduce residue. These are short-term solutions which assist the patient in reducing the chances of aspiration. They include head rotation, head tilt and chin tuck which also vary in effectiveness on patients.




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