Shortly after Debbie McClure was diagnosed with Sjögren’s disease, an immune system disease that causes dry mouth, she sat down to a roast beef dinner. She is still adjusting to her condition. As a result, she didn’t fully realize that not having enough saliva (which helps move food from the mouth to the throat) could lead to difficulty swallowing, especially dry foods—such as her overcooked roast beef.
“I tried to swallow it, but it got stuck in my throat,” said McClure, a writer from Ontario, Canada. She grabbed a glass of water, took a sip, and finally squeezed out the piece of flesh.
When a medical condition causes problems with chewing or swallowing, the simple act of eating becomes impossible. Mouth pain, stiffness or discomfort in the jaw muscles, or dental problems can make chewing solid foods difficult. Dysphagia causes a delay in the swallowing process in your throat or pharynx (the digestive tube between your esophagus and mouth), which may also make it difficult for you to swallow without coughing or choking.
“If you have trouble swallowing pills, you should let your doctor know,” says Brian Hedman, a speech-language pathologist and swallowing disorders expert at the Cleveland Clinic. “A speech-language pathologist can perform an assessment and provide tips or techniques to help you or the person you care for swallow safely.”
Try these six tips to make sure your food reaches its destination.
They are flavor, temperature and texture. When you change your eating habits, it helps keep your mouth clear and focused on tasks, Herdman says.
Switch between eating something cold and sour (like lemon ice) and something warm and light (like mashed potatoes).
Heidemann recommends trying to maintain a 90-degree posture with your head slightly tilted forward during meals and for 45 to 60 minutes after meals.
“If you have trouble moving food from the front to the back of your mouth, try a reclined position,” he says. “Otherwise, the best posture for eating and drinking is to sit upright.”
Kristi King, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says it’s important to stay focused while eating, especially for people who have had a stroke or are in the early stages of dementia.
“People with Alzheimer’s disease may be more focused on an open window or the TV in the room than on what’s in their mouth,” she said.
Before eating, wipe the inside of your mouth with a disposable oral swab, or better yet, brush your teeth “to help moisturize your mouth and make swallowing easier,” Herdman says.
Keep a drink on hand during meals. McClure drinks water or something else non-foaming between bites to help move the food. Herdman recommends using an over-the-counter liquid thickener if water or other thin liquids cause coughing. They thicken but don’t change the taste or appearance of the drink.
“I also avoid over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines, or sleeping pills that contain antihistamines,” McClure says. “Antihistamines are [drying]and definitely affects the dryness of my mouth, eyes, and nose.
Cut solid foods into bite-size pieces to minimize the risk of choking.
“I learned that even finger foods have to be cut into very small portions,” McClure said. “When I’m indulging in something like potato chips or popcorn, I make sure to eat it one at a time, slowly and in small bites.”
You may need to swallow two or three times for each bite or sip. If food or liquid is stuck in your throat, cough or clear your throat gently and swallow again before breathing.
Try “alternating bites and sips,” Herdman says.
