Dysphagia is a medical condition that refers to difficulty swallowing. People with dysphagia find it challenging to get food or drink from their mouths to their stomachs. Dysphagia can cause discomfort, and in some cases, swallowing is not always possible. Occasionally having trouble swallowing, such as when you eat too quickly or don't chew your food thoroughly, is typically nothing to worry about. However, chronic dysphagia can be a serious medical problem that has to be treated.
Anyone at any age can get dysphagia, however, aging adults are more likely to experience it. Treatment for swallowing problems relies on the cause, which might vary from person to person. Fortunately, there is thickening powder available to help you swallow your food and drinks. With thickening powder, you can control the liquid in your mouth more easily and they aid in reducing liquid flow rates, lessening the likelihood of liquid entering your airway or flowing down the wrong pipe.
If you are struggling with dysphagia, getting thickening powder may help you with consuming your meals. Here is a guide to understanding thickening powder and the best six thickening powder products!
It is a no-brainer that some liquids are inherently thicker than others. This means that some liquids need a thickener to make them the right consistency that is suitable and easy for you to swallow. Both cold and hot drinks can be thickened. You will be highly likely to use a thickening powder on soft drinks, fruit juice, water, milk, tea, coffee, and commercial supplements like Ensure*.
Your assigned medical team might have prescribed a certain thickness when adjusting thin liquids. Here are the typical ranges of thickness:
Thick and Easy Instant Food and Beverage Thickener
Our Thick and Easy Instant Food and Beverage Thickener from Hormel is able to thicken many types of cold and hot foods, liquids, and supplement drinks without changing the taste. This means that you can enjoy and savor whatever food you crave without the thickening powder altering the delicious taste of your meals. It is also more palatable and safer to consume. This thickening powder product can give individuals struggling with dysphagia the chance to eat satisfying and wholesome foods as well as stay hydrated.
To use this thickening powder, simply mix your preferred meal or drink with one of our specially developed thickeners, and you can notice that your meals will almost immediately reach the right consistency for safe swallowing. Our Thick and Easy Food Thickener blends smoothly and swiftly, only taking one minute to stop thickening. It also doesn't bind fluid, making it fully digestible. This thickening powder product is convenient and easy to use, making your life hassle-free.
Thick-It Instant Food and Beverage Thickener
You can expect your favorite cold or hot foods and beverages to thicken smoothly when you add this simple-to-use corn-starch-based thickener. For this thickening powder product to work, you simply have to combine apple juice, water, cranberry juice, orange juice, coffee or tea, nutritional supplement drinks, milk, or pureed meals with our Thick-It Instant Food and Beverage Thickener.
There are several benefits of this thickening powder product, the first being that it is convenient as it instantly dissolves, making the process of thickening faster. It is also reliable as it does not alter the flavor or look of your food or drinks, meaning that you can enjoy your favorite meals without needing to adapt to the different tastes other thickening powder products may bring. This thickening powder is also versatile as it is simple to digest and does not bind fluids. Lastly, it is dietary friendly which means that it is a Kosher Parve and gluten-free thickening powder.'
Resource ThickenUp Clear
Resource ThickenUp Clear is a quick and simple-to-mix thickening powder for food and beverages. This thickening powder product helps those who have trouble swallowing. It is clinically proven to decrease the risk of aspiration compared to thin liquids, improving swallowing safety in individuals who experience challenges swallowing.
Resource ThickenUp Clear readily mixes and dissolves in a variety of liquids, making it easier as you do not have to use it in a specific liquid type. It also has no flavor, smell, or lumps. You can expect the thickening powder to not continue thickening over time and maintain its preset viscosity when salivary amylase is present. Compared to thickeners based on starch, this thickening powder is more concentrated and uses less powder. This thickening powder is made with xanthan gum and has a patented production process.
Resource ThickenUp
You can use the Resource ThickenUp Powder for both hot and cold meals and beverages as it acts as a quick thickener without lumping. It thickens fast and keeps its consistency over time. This thickening powder product makes it easier for people who have trouble swallowing food to swallow their food properly and enables proper dietary management.
Thick-It Food and Beverage Thickener Original Concentrated, Unflavored Powder, 36 0z.
If you or your loved ones have to thicken almost all of their meals and drinks, you will definitely need a larger container for that. Thick-It's 36oz. the canister is much larger than its 10 oz. counterpart in terms of thickening powder content. This 360z. uses exactly the same formula, the only difference is that this can be used more frequently as compared to the 10 oz. The key benefits of this thickening powder are that it is easily digested, gluten-free, Kosher Pareve, dissolves instantly, and can be mixed into your cold or hot food and beverages.
Thick and Easy, Ready-to-use Thickened Beverage, Cranberry Cocktail
When you or your loved ones are in a rush, it might be challenging to find time to thicken your meals. That is why this ready-to-use thickened beverage is convenient as you can easily drink it before leaving or during your journey. There are 24 pre-packed cups in one case, making them ideal for hydration on the go. The main benefits of this are that it is easy and ready-to-use, has a nectar consistency, and provides 100% of the recommended daily Vitamin C requirement.
You should aim to avoid using ice cubes. The liquid's thickness can alter as a result of melted ice. Making ice cubes is possible with xanthum gum-containing thickeners like ThickenUp and Simply Thick. Water should be thickened to the desired thickness before being frozen in ice cube trays. Inquire about the presence of xantham gum on the product's food label.
Soups with a broth base are considered thin liquids. Using ingredients like instant potato flakes, mashed potatoes, flour, pureed vegetables, or cream will help your broth to thicken to the required consistency.
When you go out to dine or are on the run, be sure you have your thickening supplies with you. Many thickening agents are available in single-serving packets. When commercial supplements are cooled or at room temperature, like Boost or Ensure, their consistency may vary. To determine whether your drink needs thickener, do the fork test.
With an emphasis on wellness and health, CWI Medical is a top supplier of goods for home health care. We have a wide range of goods, including medical supplies, incontinence products, and nutritional supplements. In addition, we provide dependable home and recurring delivery of medical supplies, educational materials, and health and caregiving guidance. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any worries or inquiries!
