Home

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Erectile Dysfunction

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Doctor123.org

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Dysphagia Discharge Instructions


About this topic


When you have trouble swallowing, it is known as dysphagia. A lot of things can cause dysphagia and your doctor can help you find out more information about what kind you may have. It can happen if you eat too fast or do not chew your food well. Dysphagia can be caused by a problem with the tube used for swallowing. This is your esophagus. It may also be due to a problem in your mouth or throat. Dysphagia may come and go or get worse over time. Care will depend on what is causing your dysphagia and how severe it is. ‚  

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Eat slowly. Take small bites of food and chew it up well.
  • Sit up straight while eating. Stay upright for 30 to 60 minutes after you eat.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • Your doctor may have you see a speech therapist. Speech therapists can help keep you safe with swallowing and give you exercises to work on.
  • You may ask to see a dietician to know which foods are best for you to eat.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain and swelling
  • Lower stomach acid levels
  • Fight an infection

Some drugs can make dysphagia worse. Ask your doctor to look at your drugs to check them for this. ‚  

Will physical activity be limited?


Your activity will not be limited. ‚  

What changes to diet are needed?


  • Drink lots of fluids. Your doctor or speech therapist will tell you if you need to thicken liquids to drink them.
  • Talk with your doctor or speech therapist about what foods are best to eat. They can teach you how to make them so they are easier to swallow. Sometimes food needs to be soft, chopped up, or smashed up to make is safer to eat.
  • Limit spicy and fatty foods.
  • Some foods and drinks can make swallowing uncomfortable. Work with your doctor, dietitian, and speech therapist to find foods and drinks that will not cause problems for you.

What problems could happen?


  • Lung infection
  • Poor diet
  • Weight loss
  • Fluid loss
  • Bleeding
  • Pain
  • Choking
  • Less comfort with eating and drinking

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


Dysphagia can be prevented or treated depending on the cause. Ask your doctor for ways you can stop your dysphagia and ways to help treat it. ‚  

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
  • Choking on food or liquids or trouble breathing
  • Trouble with swallowing gets worse
  • More coughing or heartburn
  • Feeling like you have a lump or food stuck in your throat
  • Pain with swallowing
  • Trouble talking
  • Big weight loss

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I feel like I have something stuck in my throat, have trouble swallowing or talking, or have more coughing.

Where can I learn more?


American Academy of Otolaryngology ‚  
http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/swallowingTrouble.cfm ‚  
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association ‚  
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/Swallowing-Disorders-in-Adults/ ‚  
NHS Choices ‚  
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dysphagia/Pages/Complications.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

Copyright


Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚  
Copyright © 2016 - 2017
Doctor123.org | Disclaimer