THE PROFESSIONAL VIEW.In addition to the coughing and fatigue Mr. Fierston has encountered, people with MS may have problems with the speed of chewing and swallowing. ("I'm so slow.") Or they may find it is difficult to get a swallow started. ("My brain and tongue feel stuck.") People who experience any of these symptoms should ask a physician for a referral to a speech/language pathologist (SLP (Service Location Protocol) An IETF standard used to announce and discover services such as printers and file shares on an IP network. Apple used SLP prior to Mac OS 10.2, but migrated to its Bonjour technology. SLP is also used in SIP-based IP telephony applications. ), and a prescription for "swallowing evaluation and therapy." In addition, an occupational therapist occupational therapist A person trained to help people manage daily activities of living–dressing, cooking, etc, and other activities that promote recovery and regaining vocational skills Salary $51K + 4% bonus. See ADL. (OT) for instruction in equipment and positioning, and a dietitian dietitian /di·e·ti·tian/ (di?e-tish´in) one skilled in the use of diet in health and disease. di·e·ti·tian or di·e·ti·cian n. A person specializing in dietetics. or nurse for information about nutrition and adequate liquid intake may be needed. The following food safety rules may help those with swallowing problems avoid dehydration dehydration Method of food preservation in which moisture (primarily water) is removed. Dehydration inhibits the growth of microorganisms and often reduces the bulk of food. , poor nutrition, or the risk of aspiration pneumonia aspiration pneumonia n. Bronchopneumonia resulting from the entrance of foreign material, usually food particles or vomit, into the bronchi. aspiration pneumonia (which can be caused by inhaling solids or liquids). * Sit upright or lean slightly forward when eating or drinking. * Keep the chin parallel with the table or slightly tucked down. * Begin with something icy--a shake, sherbet sher·bet n. 1. also sher·bert A frozen dessert made primarily of fruit juice, sugar, and water, and also containing milk, egg white, or gelatin. 2. Chiefly British A beverage made of sweetened diluted fruit juice. , or a fruit slush slush n. 1. Partially melted snow or ice. 2. Soft mud; slop; mire. 3. Nautical Grease or fat discarded from a ship's galley. 4. A greasy compound used as a lubricant for machinery. . * Take one small bite or sip at a time. Never try consecutive swallowing. * Never wash food down with a liquid. Instead, add moisture to the food. * Choose soft, moist foods and thick, icy liquids first, as they are the easiest to swallow. Dry solids and thin liquids are more difficult, and require closer attention to safe swallowing. Avoid thin liquids altogether when fatigued. A good rule is: thin in the morning and thick in the evening. * If you feel yourself slowing down during a meal, pause and switch to something icy. * Quiet yourself and your surroundings during a meal. * With solids, swallow at least 2 times per mouthful --the first to send the food down, followed by a dry swallow to catch any residual particles. * With liquids, especially hot thin liquids, swallow; then clear the throat; then swallow again before taking more liquid. * Cold thick liquids are safer than hot thin liquids. * Moistened foods are easier than dry ones. (Add sauces, condiments, broth, water, or milk.) * Semi-solid and pureed foods are easier than regular solids. Pamela M. Sorensen has devoted her career to caring for people with MS. Most recently, she served as president of the Consortium of MS Centers. |
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