“Geriatric Giants: A term coined by geriatrician Bernard Isaacs, and the expression refers to the principal chronic disabilities of old age that impact on the physical, mental and social domains of older adults”. Dysphagia is a big issue. Estimates suggest there are currently over 590,000,000 around the world suffering with it. As a result, David...

As you know the IDDSI (www.IDDSI.org) Framework has been in place in the UK for a few years now and recently a range of UK based IDDSI focused healthcare and business professionals have come together to form the UK IDDSI reference group (UKIRG).  I am a member of the group. The aim of the group is to build on the implementation work completed since...

In the April edition of NHD magazine we read an article written by Bogna Nicinska – a specialist Diabetes Dietitian. It discusses dysphagia in patients with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) disease. It contains some useful insights and ideas, consequently we wanted to make you aware of it – just in case you missed it. To read the full article click...

During our research into how to make pills, tablets and capsules easy to swallow for those with dysphagia, we discovered some interesting facts. As a result, I want to share the concept of a Swallowing Difficulty Spectrum. The research highlighted that most people that cannot swallow pills have a normal swallow. They have no other swallowing difficulty...

We recently read an article written by Veronica Giudice – a Specialist Dietitian; about making sure dysphagia recommendations are clearly communicated across the patient team. As we are sure it will prove useful we asked her to let us share it with you… Introduction Dysphagia is defined by any difficulties experienced with positioning, controlling...

This is an article we recently read about how to improve compliance from dysphagia patients. We wanted to share it with you because it contains useful ideas and because it matches our own philosophy…make drinks enjoyable again, despite containing thickener. You can read the full article here: How to improve compliance with dysphagia patients

As you can see from this article by Tiffany , they also improve the sensory experience of those with dysphagia. However, there is a misconception that the bubbles make these beverages a Stage1, nectar, honey consistency. They don’t. Their consistency must be changed to make them safe to swallow. That can be achieved using our Slõ Fizzy sachets....

Eating and drinking with dysphagia is embarrassing for those with it. The article Older Adults’ Experiences of Dysphagia and Texture-Modified Diets raises the issue again and asks healthcare professionals to bear it in mind when creating a dietary plan for someone with dysphagia. By doing so it highlights how difficult it is for clinicians to create...

Malnutrition is a common experience of those suffering head and neck cancer. There are many reasons for this which have been researched by Ms Smith a Specialist Head and Neck Dietitian. She has kindly agreed to share her findings to help clinicians, carers and patients. We trust you find it useful. Head and neck cancer is the 8th most common cancer...

Whilst developing our Slõ Milkshakes+ to help dysphagia patients increase their nutritional intake, we became aware that constipation is a frequent problem. It should be obvious? Constipation is mainly associated with an inadequate fluid and /or fibre intake and decreased activity. Symptoms those with dysphagia frequently present with and why the...

We came across this TED talk on You Tube. It isn’t dysphagia related but is fascinating. It is a talk given by Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor. She had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened – as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech,...

Last year we discovered the DysphagiaCafe.com  It’s a website for clinicians to exchange ideas and knowledge about dysphagia. We like it because it discusses serious dysphagia related topics in an informal manner. From thickened drinks and pureed food, latest ideas and clinicians experience. It covers it all. As you may not of heard of it, we think...

This site really does live up to its name. The Best Head and Neck Cancer Websites. In fact it would be better to call it a web portal! It hasn’t been updated for a few years, BUT a lot of the links still work and so if you have dysphagia as a result of head and neck cancer or are just want information about the condition it will be very – very...

Some of those with Dementia will have swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and need thickener in their drinks. Consequently we’ve been researching the condition and trying to find if those with it need specific drinks changing into Slõ Drinks to save them from thickened drinks. During the search we found this site above and the site below. Both...

The American Speech and Language Therapy Association (ASHA) is running an online Dysphagia Conference until the 14th of December. For those of us in the field of Dysphagia it is an excellent event and you can take part in it via your computer. There is a fee for taking part in it – but as you can see from the screen shot above, as a resource on Dysphagia,...

Researching what help is available to those with Parkinson’s and dysphagia, we discovered the World Parkinson’s Coalition. Quite simply – it is a fantastic resource for information about Parkinson’s. It contains lots of useful self-generated information and access to resources in different countries. This page lists all the known Parkinson’s...

Did you know Slõ Drinks Consistencies are translated for each country?

This is a list of all the commonly used terms and “Buzzwords” used by clinicians in the world of Dysphagia. Dysphagia Dictionary 2015