Unit 3 - Nutrition (e-book)
3.1 Basics of nutrition on dysphagia condition
3.1.1 Explanation about the importance of dysphagia nutrition
Effective nutritional management is crucial to the health of patients with dysphagia.
Early intervention by a clinical nutritionist is very important to indicate the dietary guidelines to follow.
Appropriate and timely nutritional intervention can play a vital role in the prevention of dysphagia health complications, dehydration, malnutrition and promotion of recovery.
Goals of nutrition management are:
- To maintain and ensure adequate nutrition and hydration status – because dysphagia can result in reduced or altered oral intake of food/liquid.
- Apply the modified diet with a correct and safe texture following the recommendations of the speech therapist. Foods with inappropriate textures can cause choking and other health complications.
- Ensure adequate and ample intake of nutritious and safe foods.
Figure 1. Nutrients (Source: designed by Canva Pro)