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Understanding Dysphagia

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. Signs may include coughing or choking when eating or drinking, difficulty moving food around the mouth, or coughing during or after swallowing.¹˒²

When swallowing becomes difficult, eating and drinking can feel tiring, uncomfortable or stressful. With assessment and support from a healthcare professional, appropriate food textures and drink consistencies can help make mealtimes more manageable.

If you notice any signs of swallowing difficulty, speak with a healthcare professional promptly.

Why Dysphagia Matters: 55% of older people with dysphagia are at risk of malnutrition.

Supporting Nutrition and Confidence

Swallowing difficulties can affect more than your nutritional intake. Worry about coughing or choking may reduce your confidence and make you hesitant to eat or drink. Oral nutritional supplements with a consistency that matches your assessed needs and the IDDSI Framework can help you meet your nutritional requirements while supporting greater confidence at mealtimes.4-6

Together with your healthcare team, you can find options that suit your swallowing needs, daily routine and personal preferences.

Fresubin's dysphagia range is available in a variety of formats, including Thick&Easy Clear Food Thickener, Fresubin Praline-flavoured 2KCAL Crème and Fresubin Vanilla-flavoured Thickened Level 2 Drink.

Finding the Right Way to Eat and Drink Again

When mealtimes feel overwhelming, it can be tempting to eat or drink less. A healthcare professional can assess your swallowing and recommend suitable food textures, drink consistencies and nutritional support.

The right support can help make eating and drinking feel more comfortable and manageable. Your needs may also change over time, so regular review by your healthcare team is important.

A smiling woman holding a glass of a light-green drink explains, "I avoided meals because I worried about choking. Thin liquids made me cough. With healthcare support, I learned which textures were right for me, mildly thick drinks were safer.'

*Fresubin products are food for special medical purposes, to be used under medical supervision. For the dietary management of patients with/ at risk of malnutrition. To be used under medical supervision. 
1McCarty EB, Chao TN. Dysphagia and Swallowing Disorders. Medical Clinics of North America. 2021 Sep;105(5):939–54
2McGinnis CM, Homan K, Solomon M, Taylor J, Staebell K, Erger D, et al Dysphagia: Interprofessional Management, Impact, and Patient-Centered Care. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2019 Feb;34(1):80–95
3Rofes L, Arreola V, Almirall J et al. Diagnosis and Management of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia and Its Nutritional and RespiratoryComplications in the Elderly. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2011;2011:1-13.
4IDDSI - International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative. www.iddsi.org
5Thibault R, Abbasoglu O, Ioannou E, Meija L, Ottens-Oussoren K, Pichard C, et al. ESPEN guideline on hospital nutrition. Clinical Nutrition. 2021 Dec;40(12):5684–709
6Wu XS, Miles A, Braakhuis A. The Effectiveness of International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative–Tailored Interventions on Staff Knowledge and Texture-Modified Diet Compliance in Aged Care Facilities: A Pre-Post Study. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2022 Apr;6(4):nzac032