[Dysphagia] Re: Alternative food thickeners

[tfix1 at cfl.rr.com (Todd R. Fix)]

 Ms. Campell-Taylor:

Are you suggesting that from experience, that there are no patients that
aspirate on thin liquids that do not also aspirate on thickened liquids?
Regardless of what is in print, I can tell you that I see these patients on
an almost-daily basis.  I work in a VERY large trauma hospital and complete
anywhere from 7-10 fluorographic swallowing exams daily...all in which I
test effectiveness of compensatory swallow strategies (including
texture/consistency modifications).  Over the years, I have performed
thousands.  To be frank, that is all the evidence I need to convince myself
that in some patients, thickening is effective.  During the rehabilitative
stage, nursing and medical staff can be, and are effective in patients
meeting hydration needs on modified liquids.

Regards:


Todd R. Fix MA CCC/SLP
636 N Semoran Blvd #5
Winter Park, FL 32792
  


-----Original Message-----
From: dysphagia-bounces@b9.com [mailto:dysphagia-bounces@b9.com] On Behalf
Of Irene Campbell-Taylor
Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2006 6:05 PM
To: dysphagia@b9.com
Subject: [Dysphagia] Re: Alternative food thickeners

Just curious. Since there is no evidence whatsoever that thickening has any
effect (see Robbins et al) why would one want alternatives?  Or is there a
lack of awareness that thickening has not been shown to be beneficial even
by the manufacturers of thickening products? And what are the ethical
considerations of leading patients to believe that there is a beneficial
effect rather than the tendency to dehydration that is becoming more and
more apparent?



Dr I Campbell-Taylor
Clinical Neuroscientist
Exclusive Distributor:
www.interactivetherapy.com
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