Dysphagia

Dysphagia Therapeutic Management Encouraging Adequate Nutritional Intake -Assess patient’s intake of nutrients -Obtain baseline weight and daily weight. -Patient encouraged to eat slowly and to chew all food thoroughly (So food can easily pass the stomach) -Recommend small frequent feeding of non-irritating foods (To promote digestion and prevent tissue irritation) -Prepare food in an appealing manner (stimulates appetite) -Ask patient to avoid tobacco and alcohol (Tobacco and alcohol are irritants) Decreasing Risk of Aspiration -Position patient in semi-fowler -Patient can be instructed the use of oral suction Relieving Pain -recommend small frequent feeding -Advice patient to avoid any activities that increases pain -Remain upright for 1 to 4 hours after each meal. -Head of the bed should be placed on 4 to 8 inches (10-20 cm) blocks -Discourage eating before bed time -Advise patient that excessive use of OTC antacids (can cause rebound acidity.) -Histamine2 antagonists are administer (to decrease gastric irritation)