Swallowing hints

March 5, 2008

I talked to a friend/list member tonight and she is having problems with

swallowing. I found an old post that I sent years ago. I was having problems

with every meal, so a modified barium swallow study was done then followed

by a speech pathologist exam.

When you swallow, tip your chin down towards your chest. This works wonders

on getting food down.

Take small bites, and don't talk when you eat. This one always sneaks back

with me, and before you know it I have food stuck and I'm choking on fluids.

If something gets stuck, try gently holding your breath for as long as you

are comfortable. Do not hold your breath too long, this will increase your

intracranial pressure. About 90% of the time, the food will go down for me.

If it doesn't, hold your breath again, while sitting, pull up on the bottom

of your chair. Don't hold your breath until you get a headache!

When drinking, drink through a flexible neck straw. Place the straw just to

the front of your teeth, don't put it past your teeth. Tilt your head down

when you drink. This has almost alleviated any aspiration that takes place

for me. It really helps when you take your pills to use a straw.

Another thing that helps with pills is putting them in a tablespoon of

applesauce then swallow that.

Pretty soon these techniques will become part of your eating habits.

Kathleen

Diagnosed with CM/hydrocephalus 1990, decompression/shunt. Since diagnosed

with craniocervical instability, Ehlers Danlos, and Tethered Cord Sydrome,

surgery for everything but EDS since 1998.

March 5, 2008

I have some tongue exercises that helps build back up the muscles to help with

the swallowing issues. I go to speech therapy and have for the past year to help

with the choking. I also found if you take a bite then take a drink it goes down

better to. I was told never to eat alone so this has helped and they have lifted

the band on my eating alone..I could scan the sheet and send it if you would

like.

Jodie

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