Why are thickened liquids easier to swallow?

We all know that drinking water is essential for good health, but what if you struggle with swallowing liquids or have a medical condition that makes it difficult? The answer lies in thickened liquids, which are easier to swallow and make it less likely that you’ll choke or aspirate. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why thickened liquids are so much easier to swallow.

Why It’s So Hard to Swallow

Swallowing might seem like a simple act – just take the liquid into your mouth and down your throat. However, did you know there are over 50 muscles involved in swallowing? How can our body do something as complicated as that every single day without us even noticing?

Swallowing problems (dysphagia) can affect people of all ages, from babies born with birth defects to seniors suffering from stroke-related injuries. Some common causes of dysphagia include:

  • Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis
  • Gastrointestinal conditions like acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Stroke
  • Cancer of the mouth, throat(esophagus), stomach
  • Head injury

Whatever the cause, difficulty swallowing can lead to serious complications, including malnutrition due to an inability to eat sufficient foods and dehydration.

Understanding Dysphagia: Anatomy Lesson

To better understand how thickening agents help those who experience difficulty with swallowing safely consume food and drink, it helps first now what happens when we swallow normally.

When consuming liquids such as water,two things happen upon entering the oral cavity

1.The liquid goes towards dorsal surface(toward roof of mouth) forming small bolus
2.The tongue elevates pushing back against soft top portion(velum)

In doing so ,the velopharyngeal port is closed allows bolus to be kept in the oral cavity.

However, during swallowing , this occurs :

  1. Bolus is pushed towards pharynx (throat) by contraction of the palate and tongue
  2. Elevation of larynx ensures that opening to lungs(epiglottis) is closed off thereby stopping liquids or food from getting into the trachea(windpipe)
  3. Muscles contract in sequence coordination and sequential activation(Semantic’s)

After completion of these steps, brain free’s chemicals for you“We Swallowed That Was Easy™!”.

Thickened Liquids: A Safer Alternative

Imagine drinking your favourite drink but it never going down your throat instead going into your lungs(aspiration). Aspiration can lead to pneumonia and chest infection which should make everyone cautious about putting liquid in their mouth.

Thickening agents can give people living with dysphagia a lifeline—a way to safely consume liquids without fear. Furthermore thickener usage comes along other health benefits:

  • The availability of essential nutrients(considering you don’t have difficulty feeding but just swallowing liquids/food cold turkey)
  • Better quality of life for patients who struggle with aspiration-related side effects like coughing,choking
  • Avoidance having PEG(feeding tube inserted directly into stomach).

How Do Thickening Agents Work?

Thickening agents work by creating a thicker consistency, which not only makes swallowing easier but also slows down the rate at which the liquid leaves the mouth so that there is more timing between swallows.

Most commonly used agents are gum based thickeners(xanthan gum), starch-based such arrowroot,cornstarch(those obtained naturally through processing).

Most importantly the thickness level required as per individual case varies greatly hence medical advice strictly advised before attempting using any permitted remedy

Another feature concerning emergency cases when patient is choking, thickened water is known to improve coughing in the pharynx and trachea which can help clear air passages making this treatment option virtually life saving.

Other Benefits of Using Thickened Liquids

It may surprise you to know that using thickened liquids has additional health benefits. Lower caloric intake for individuals with certain physiological needs or throat cancer patients would result lesser likelihood of regurgitation, hence lessens risk indigestion or vomit emergencies

Additionally those who have had brain related injuries ,exposure to thicker consistency increases amount oxygen intake (more than regular liquid counterparts) and maintains heart rate enabling rehabilitation.

Culinary Creativity: Thickener In Action

Despite being simple conceptually one can be very creative when it comes to increasing getting food more healthier by bringing it closer towards individual dietary requirements. Below are some examples:

  • Fruit smoothies easily made by blending a variety fresh fruits
  • Adding protein supplement such as whey powder while sticking with recommended thickness levels above 4milin newtons per meter square(Nm-2)
  • Meal replacement shakes like soylent allows addition flavors(syrup etc) having enough room oil added whilst maintaining high viscosity

Thickening agents make meal preparations easier too; they offer the scope of turning watery concoction into soupy/sauce based dishes which sometimes lend richer taste then their original counteparts.

Take Home Message

Dysphagia can be a scary condition but reaching for thickened liquids should not restrict anyone’s quality lifestyle(including food).Recently advances are been observed in natural thickeners thus buliding own custom options could also become viable source ensuring patient specific requirement fulfillment.

Thanks for reading! And Remember Swallow Your Pride Not your Drink,choose wisely slurrrp.

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