Live to Eat … Eat to Live, Part II

A continued look at taste…one of the“Common Senses of Caregiving”

Herman was receiving tube feedings throughout the day and night because he could not swallow safely while receiving his radiation treatments. So he sat in another room while his family ate their meals -- until Thanksgiving. As the entire family gathered around the table to celebrate the holiday, Herman just wanted to taste his favorites: sweet potatoes, cornbread stuffing, and pumpkin pie. With great care and intense willpower, he took small bites of each, slowly chewing and savoring … and then discarding the food without swallowing. Herman knew that he might choke or develop pneumonia if he swallowed. He simply wanted to be with his family and savor the taste and textures of his favorite foods.

Like Herman, many patients and caregivers struggle with the “mechanics” of chewing and swallowing. Some scenarios are sadly all too common:

•  When a patient or caregiver loses weight, he or she might face poor-fitting dentures. Patients and caregivers  all too often neglect their dental health, which can lead to increased risk of gum infections and cavities. Good oral hygiene and visits to the dentist should continue, and urgent problems should be treated with emergency care.

• Tumors, chemotherapy, surgery and radiation may also cause swallowing problems, which are often treated by inserting feeding tubes into the stomach. While feeding tubes help the patient maintain vital nourishment, they deprive the individual of the opportunity to taste food. Swallowing difficulties should always be discussed with the physician, because the aspiration of food and fluids can result in choking and pneumonias.

A few simple techniques can go a long way toward easing mechanical problems. Consider:

• Using soft toothbrushes and prescribed rinses, which can make dental hygiene less painful. Frequent mouth rinsing can also help eliminate bad tastes.

• Offering soft foods that require little or no chewing. Thickened liquids like milkshakes and thick soups are also easier to swallow. Ice cream, puddings and applesauce are easy treats that most enjoy.

• Using Thick-It, a product that can be purchased without prescription. It is a powder that is easy to mix, allowing for nectar-like, honey-like or pudding-like consistencies, for beverages and pureed foods like vegetables and meat. It does not alter food appearance or taste.