HELPING PATIENTS THROUGH THICK & THIN (LIQUIDS) Presented By - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
HELPING PATIENTS THROUGH THICK & THIN (LIQUIDS) Presented By - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
HELPING PATIENTS THROUGH THICK & THIN (LIQUIDS) Presented By Hillary Cooper, M.A., CCC-SLP ABOUT ME President & Co-Founder of the Dysphagia Outreach Project Owner of North Louisiana Swallow Solutions, a mobile FEES company
ABOUT ME
- President & Co-Founder of the Dysphagia Outreach Project
- Owner of North Louisiana Swallow Solutions, a mobile FEES company
- Owner of SLPstuff.com
- Mentor of The Medical SLP Collective
- Mom of 2 boys (age 18 and 4)
- Wife of a Really Lucky Man
- Never bored
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
I’d like to extend a very special thank you to Rebecca Brown and Kristen West for helping me gather this (and more) information as part of this lecture and to help further the mission of The Dysphagia Outreach Project.
Rebecca Brown Kristen West
COMPENSATION VS REHABILITATION
Dysphagia Intervention
Compensation Techniques
Rehabilitation T echniques
COMPENSATION VS. REHABILITATION
- Breath Hold
- 3 second Prep
- Sour Bolus
- Dry Swallow
- Alternate Liquids/Solids
- Carbonated Liquids
- Super/Supraglottic Swallow
- Compensation Techniques*:
- Thickening liquids
- Chin Tuck/Chin Down
- Head Rotation to the Weak Side
- Head Tilt to the Strong Side
- Posterior Head Tilt
- Bolus size restriction
- Texture modification
*Not a comprehensive list….
WE MUST ALWAYS TEST COMPENSATION DURING INSTRUMENTATION!
COMPENSATION VS. REHABILITATION
- Dysphagia Rehabilitation Techniques*:
- Strengthening Exercises
- MDTP
- Swallow Optimization Therapy
- Swallowing Boot Camp Approaches
- MD Anderson Swallowing Boot Camp
- Intensive Dysphagia Rehabilitation (Malandraki, 2018)
- Oromyofunctional Therapy
- Trismus Management
*Not a comprehensive list….
COMPENSATION VS REHABILITATION
- Additional Dysphagia Rehabilitation Tools/Techniques*:
- Respiratory Muscle Strength Training (RMST)
- IOPI or Tongueometer
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
- sEMG Biofeedback
- Endoscopic Biofeedback
- Manual Therapy/Myofascial Release
- Lymphedema Management
*Not a comprehensive list….
AND BACK TO THE ORIGINAL TOPIC…
TO THICKEN OR NOT TO THICKEN
According to Dysphagia Following Stroke (Daniels & Huckabee, 2014), a few key points to consider when deciding to recommend thickened liquids include:
- 1. Patient Satisfaction/Quality of Life:
- Your patient’s lack of compliance with a recommended diet (puree,
thickened) is directly related to the dissatisfaction of the food/liquid preparation (Colony, 2005)
Used with Permission from Theresa Richard, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-S www.mobiledysphagiadiagnostics.com/blog
TO THICKEN OR NOT TO THICKEN
- 2. The Risk/Benefit ratio:
- Aspiration
- There is an INCREASED incidence of pneumonia in patients receiving
honey-thick liquid compared to nectar-thick or thin with a chin tuck. (Robbins et al., 2008)
- Dependency for feeding and oral care, the number of decayed teeth, and
tube feedings are more predictive of aspiration pneumonia (Langmore et al., 1998) <--- (This "Predictors of Aspiration" paper is a must-read for anyone working in SNFs and struggling with the ultimatum to thicken or not to thicken) Used with Permission from Theresa Richard, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-S www.mobiledysphagiadiagnostics.com/blog
TO THICKEN OR NOT TO THICKEN
- 2. The Risk/Benefit ratio:
- Dehydration
- The issue is not with the actual thickening agent causing dehydration, rather
it is a palatability issue with the patient drinking less than they would if it weren't thickened.
- The free water protocol may be your best bet if dehydration is a concern.
Used with Permission from Theresa Richard, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-S www.mobiledysphagiadiagnostics.com/blog
SO WHY DO WE USE THICKENERS?
- Thickened liquids serve to slow down the
movement of the bolus from the oral cavity into the pharynx.
- In SOME patients with dysphagia, the slowed
transit into the pharynx MAY result in a safer swallow.
TO THICKEN OR NOT TO THICKEN
Used with Permission from Theresa Richard, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-S www.mobiledysphagiadiagnostics.com/blog
THICKENING & EBP*
- Miles et al (2018) tells us that patients may be more likely to silently aspirate
thickened liquids than thin liquids.
- This is why getting that instrumental assessment is so important!
- Nativ-Zeltzer (2018) tells us that:
- (1) aspiration of thickener can lead to pulmonary injury
- (2) aspiration of modified cornstarch thickener is worse on lung tissues than
aspiration of xanthan gum thickener and aspiration of xanthan gum is worse than aspiration of plain water
- Robbins (2008) tells us that there is an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia
development with use of honey thickened liquids.
*Not a comprehensive list….
POP QUIZ TIME!!!
How many major TYPES (not brands) of products are currently used for thickening liquids for individuals with dysphagia across settings?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Five
- E. Six
- F. Seven
- G. Eight
THE ANSWER IS G. EIGHT!
TYPES OF THICKENERS
Types of Thickeners Modified Food Starch/Cornstarch Gelmix (tapioca starch & carob bean gum) Xanthan Gum Gel Infant Rice Cereal Xanthan Gum Powder Infant Oatmeal Purathick (tapioca starch & tara gum) Food Puree/Baby Food/Yogurt
Note: Although individuals with dysphagia and family members may get *creative* with their thickening products, these are the types that are most currently used in medical settings across the lifespan. Items I’ve heard used include regular all purpose flour, potato flakes, agar agar, regular cornstarch, regular tapioca flour, and regular xanthan gum powder.
MODIFIED FOOD STARCH/CORNSTARCH
Typical Ingredients Modified food starch; Modified Cornstarch, Maltodextrin (varies by brand) Common Brands Thick-It Original; Concentrated Thick-It2; Resource ThickenUp; Walgreens Thick Now Powder; Hormel Thick&Easy; CVS Instant Food Thickener Age Range for Safe Use Age 1+ Hot/Cold Liquids Can be used with both hot & cold liquids. Does not work well with carbonated liquids. Palatability Often mixes up with clumps in it. Can taste “grainy” or “bitter” Liquids become cloudy Continues to thicken over time as it sits Cost $10-$20 per package Shelf Life 2.5 years or more (unopened) Special Diet Considerations Kosher Pareve, Vegetarian Contraindications/Allergies Gluten free (typically) Avoid if sensitive to cornstarch or corn derivatives Other Considerations May increase pulmonary injury if aspirated (Nativ-Zeltzer, 2019); Diabetic individuals need to account for the thickener in their diet because it metabolizes like sugar.
XANTHAN GUM GEL
T ypical Ingredients
Xanthan Gum, Water, Soluble Fiber, Glucono Delta-lactone, Gellan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Calcium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Guar Gum, Pectin
Common Brands
SimplyThick EasyMix
Age Range for Safe Use
>12 years old (packet says “do not use in infants or children under the age of 12 without consulting a healthcare professional) *some pediatric medical teams may consider off label usage
Hot/Cold Liquids
Works with both hot and cold & carbonated liquids. Can be frozen into ice. Does not continue to thicken over time.
Palatability
Smooth, gel consistency with no lumps or graininess. Consistency is stable over time.
Cost
$40-$70 per package
Shelf Life
12 months after manufacture date
Special Diet Considerations
Certified Kosher
Contraindications/Allergies
Not for use in individuals at high risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) Free of major known allergens
Other Considerations
Contains 1g soluble fiber per 4oz serving (nectar thick) Contains no more than 1g carbs per 4oz serving (nectar thick) Contains 20mg sodium per 4 oz serving (nectar thick)
XANTHAN GUM POWDER
T ypical Ingredients Maltodextrin, Xanthan gum, Erythritol, Carageenan, Ascorbic Acid (varies by brand) Common Brands
Clear DysphagiaAide, Thick-It Clear, Resource ThickenUp Clear, Hormel Thick & Easy Clear
Age Range for Safe Use
Recommended for children over age 3
Hot/Cold Liquids
Works with both hot & cold and carbonated liquids. Can be frozen into ice. Does not continue to thicken over time.
Palatability
More difficult to mix appropriately, but if done properly mixes into a smooth gel consistency. If not mixed appropriately, consistency may contain some small clumps of powder.
Cost
$10-$30 per container
Shelf Life
18 months - 3 years (varies by manufacturer)
Special Diet Considerations
Kosher
Contraindications/Allergies
Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Corn Free
Other Considerations
Contains no more than 1g carbs per 4oz serving (nectar thick)
PURATHICK
T ypical Ingredients
Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin, Organic Tara Gum, Calcium Carbonate
Common Brands
Purathick
Age Range for Safe Use
Not for use with infants under 1 year old.
Hot/Cold Liquids
Works with hot and cold liquids Liquids will continue to thicken over time. Cold liquids thicken slower over time than hot liquids. Not recommended for carbonated beverages.
Palatability
More difficult to mix appropriately, but if done properly with a shaker cup it mixes into a smooth gel consistency. If not mixed appropriately, consistency may contain some small clumps of powder.
Cost
$20 per container
Shelf Life
2 years after manufacturing date (unopened) 30 days after opening
Special Diet Considerations
Kosher Pareve, Vegan
Contraindications/Allergies
Do not use if patient has galactosemia (rare) or allergy to galactomannans is suspected.
Other Considerations
Non-GMO, Organic
GELMIX
T ypical Ingredients
Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin, Organic Carob Bean Gum, Calcium Carbonate
Common Brands
Gelmix
Age Range for Safe Use
For infants >6 pounds and/or born preterm and currently under a corrected age of 2 weeks
Hot/Cold Liquids
Heat activated. Does not work well with cold liquids. Viscosity may change as the mixture cools over time.
Palatability
Despite it’s name, it is a powder, not a gel. More difficult to mix appropriately, but if done properly with a shaker cup it mixes into a smooth gel consistency. If not mixed appropriately, consistency may contain some small clumps of powder.
Cost
$25 per container
Shelf Life
2 years after manufacturing date (unopened) 30 days after opening
Special Diet Considerations
Kosher Pareve, Vegan, Non-GMO, Organic
Contraindications/Allergies
Do not use if patient has galactosemia (rare) or allergy to galactomannans is suspected.
Other Considerations
May cause transient gassiness or loose stools in the first two weeks of use which typically resolves on its own or with decreased use.
INFANT RICE CEREAL
Typical Ingredients Common Brands
Gerber, beechnut, earth’s best, variety of “store brands”
Age Range for Safe Use
T erm-1 year + (most common use, medical team decisions vary)
Hot/Cold Liquids
Thickening and then reheating liquids results is significantly different flow rates indicating impact of temperature on liquid consistency and cereal thickening (Gosa and Dodrill 2017)
Palatability
Can have gritty texture may decrease palatability or change taste
Cost
Approximately $3-5 dollars per container
Shelf Life
About 2-3 months after opening
Special Diet Considerations
- Macronutrient shift from protein and fat to carbs which may lead to excessive weight gain (Horvath et at., 2008)
- Introduction of solids prior to 4 months
- Associated with obesity (x6) by age 3 (Grummer-Strawn et al, 2008)
- Increased risk of diabetes, eczema, and celiac disease (Norris et al., 2005; Tarini et al., 2006)
- Additional iron and inorganic Arsenic introduced into diet
- Cannot use in breastmilk due to amalyse
- Grain cut/size may impact consistency of thickening
Contraindications/Allergies
May not be recommended for infants with complex GI histories or constipation due to side effects
Other Considerations
Can thicken over time Research has found that Formula thickened with rice cereal separates over time into thin liquid and solid residue (Gosa and Dodrill 2016) Can cause constipation Different “cuts” and particle sizes result in different thicknesses May clog nipple
INFANT OATMEAL
Typical Ingredients Common Brands
Gerber, beechnut, earth’s best, variety of “store brands”
Age Range for Safe Use
T erm-1 year + (most common use, medical team decisions vary)
Hot/Cold Liquids
Thickening and then reheating liquids results is significantly different flow rates indicating impact of temperature on liquid consistency and cereal thickening (Gosa and Dodrill 2017)
Palatability
Can have gritty texture may decrease palatability or change taste
Cost
Approximately $3-5 dollars per container
Shelf Life
About 2-3 months after opening
Special Diet Considerations
Macronutrient shift from protein and fat to carbs which may lead to excessive weight gain (Horvath et at., 2008) Introduction of solids prior to 4 months
- Associated with obesity (x6) by age 3 (Grummer-Strawn et al, 2008)
- Increased risk of diabetes, eczema, and celiac disease (Norris et al., 2005; Tarini et al., 2006)
- Additional iron and inorganic Arsenic introduced into diet (less so with oatmeal)
- Cannot use in breastmilk due to amalyse
- Grain size/cut may impact thickening
Contraindications/Allergies
May not be recommended for infants with complex GI histories or constipation due to side effects
Other Considerations
Formula thickened with oatmeal may over-thicken and/or separate over time into thin liquid and solid residue (Gosa and Dodrill 2016) Can cause constipation Different “cuts” and particle sizes result in different thicknesses American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends parents of children with reflux and/or dysphagia use
- atmeal instead of rice cereal.
A FEW POINTS ABOUT THICKENING WITH CEREALS
- There is currently SOME research regarding use of cereals as thickeners, but we need more.
- Oatmeal can sometimes be less consistent than rice cereal, but it’s variable based on whether it’s
pulverized vs flake size vs brand (Gosa, 2011).
- Cereal creates more of a suspension which may contain inconsistent pockets of thin and thick.
- Temperatures can affect thickening efficacy (Gosa et al., 2020)..
- Intraoral dwell time and pressure exerted on the bolus can impact its consistent thickening
(Suiter, et al., 2013).
FOOD PUREES/BABY FOOD
T ypical Ingredients Common Brands Commercial vs homemade, wide variety of choices AND different foods to utilize including baby yogurt Age Range for Safe Use 6 months + generally (remember to consider AA) Hot/Cold Liquids ??? Palatability Will vary based on what is used can change texture/grit and alter flavor Cost Varies. Relatively inexpensive depends on brand, organic, homemade etc. Shelf Life 1-2 years for commercial baby foods depending on brand/type Special Diet Considerations Potential to introduce flavor variety to child Contraindications/Allergies Have to be cautious for potential developing allergy based on what puree you choose Other Considerations Adds nutritional value (vs empty calories) Potential for nutrient displacement Reflux considerations when picking a food type to use as a thickener Monitor GI health for stooling patterns (constipation vs loose) Lower acid baby foods include: Gerber Squash and Sweet Potatoes, Beech Nut Mixed Veggies, Corn and Sweet Potatoes, Earth’s Best Organic corn and butternut squash, organic garden vegetables
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
- It is currently difficult to thicken barium in a way that mimics thickened formula or
breastmilk (Gosa, 2013).
- This is one reason why FEES may be preferable in small infants.The actual thickened
formula or breast milk may be tested with FEES, decreasing the likelihood of false negatives/positives from aVFSS.
FINAL THOUGHTS
- Remember, choosing a thickener should NOT be a one size fits all situation. Not
everyone with high blood pressure responds well to one medication. Therefore there are many medications on the market to meet individual patients’ needs.
- Use this information to advocate for access to a variety of different products to serve
each individual patient’s unique needs.
CASE HISTORY
- 61 year old male admitted to acute care hospital due to a severe lower GI bleed requiring
multiple units of blood and surgical intervention.
- PMHX includes ETOH abuse, COPD, Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Gout,
Congestive Heart Failure, Toxic Metabolic Encephalopathy, Respiratory Failure with Hypoxia
- Pt referred to SLP due to failing the RN dysphagia screen post-surgery.
- FEES revealed frank aspiration with thins (level 0) and minced and moist (level 5) and deep
penetration with nectar thick liquid (level 2) and puree consistency (level 4).
- SLP recommendation is for Nectar Thick Liquids (level 2) and Puree Solids (level 4).
- Based on this case history, what thickener product would you recommend?
(assuming you have access to all of the previously mentioned thickeners)
REFERENCES
- Colodny, N. (2005). Dysphagic independent feeders' justifications for noncompliance with recommendations by a speech-
language pathologist. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 14(1), 61–70.
- Corbin-Lewis, K, Liss, J.M., & Sciortino, K.L., 2005, Clinical Anatomy & Physiology of the Swallow Mechanism, Thomson
Delmar Learning, Clifton Park, NY.
- Daniels, S. K., & Huckabee, M. L. (2008). Dysphagia following stroke. San Diego: Plural Pub. Langmore, S. E., Terpenning, M.
S., Schork, A., Chen, Y., Murray, J. T., Lopatin, D., & Loesche, W. J. (1998). Predictors of aspiration pneumonia: How important is dysphagia? Dysphagia, 13(2), 69–81.
- Eney, A. Changes in pediatric hospital wide thickening protocol in response to events and evidence. [PDF Format].
http://depts.washington.edu/nutr/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Eney_MNT
- Poster_FINAL-DRAFT.pdf
- Gosa, M., Schooling, T., & Coleman, J. (2011). Thickened Liquids as a treatment for children with dysphagia and associated
adverse effect: A systematic review Infant Child and Adolescent Nutrition, 3(6): 344-350.
- Gosa, M. & Dodrill, P. (2017). Effect of time and temperature on thickened liquid formula. Nutrition in Clinical Practice, 32;2.
REFERENCES
- Gosa, M., Dodrill, P
., & Robbins, J. (Accepted, January 2020). Front line interventions: Considerations for modifying fluids and foods for management of feeding and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.
- Horvath A, Dziechciarz P
, Szajewska H. (2008). The effect of thickened-feed interventions on gastroesophageal reflux in infants: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Pediatrics,122:e1268–e1277.
- Logemann, J. A. (1993). The dysphagia diagnostic procedure as a treatment efficacy trial. Clinics in Communication Disorders,
3(4), 1-10.
- Logemann, J. A., Gensler, G., Robbins, J., Lindblad, A., Brandt, D., Hind, J. A., . . . Miller Gardner, P
. J. (2008). A randomized study
- f three interventions for aspiration of thin liquids in patients with dementia and Parkinson's disease. Journal of Speech,
Language, and Hearing Research, 51(1), 173–183.
- Miles, A., McFarlane, M., Scott, S., & Hunting, A. (2018). Cough response to aspiration in thin and thick fluids during FEES in
hospitalized inpatients. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460- 6984.12401
- Miller, M. (2019). Thickener is not the answer in the NICU. The ASHA Leader, June 1.
https://doi.org/10.1044/leader.FMP .24062019.8
REFERENCES
- Neocate. (2019). Baby formula and food thickeners: What are the options? Retrieved From: https://www.neocate.com/living-
with-food-allergies-blog/baby-formula-food-thickeners-options/\
- ParapharmaT
- ech. Gelmix Product Specifications. [PDF File]. https://www.healthierthickening.com/wp-
content/uploads/2018/11/Gelmix-Product-Spec-Sheet_012019.pdf
- ParapharmaT
- ech. Purathick Product Specifications. [PDF File]. https://www.healthierthickening.com/wp-
content/uploads/2018/11/Purathick-Product-Spec-Sheet-012019.pdf
- Robbins, J., Gensler, G., Hind, J., Logemann, J. A., Lindblad, A. S., & Brandt, D. (2008). Comparison of 2 interventions for liquid
aspiration on pneumonia incidence: A randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 148(7), 509–518.
- Seattle Children’s Hospital. Choosing
Thickeners for Your Child. [PDF File]. June 2019. https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/documents/for-patients-and-families/pfe/pe2166.pdf
- Suiter, D., Gosa, M., & Leder, S. (2013). Intra oral dwell time results in increased bolus temperature and decreased bolus viscosity
for thickened liquids T
- pics in Clinical Nutrition, 28(1): 3-7.
- Zur, K., & Welc, J. (2020). Hidden acidity and the use of natural thickeners to manage pediatric dysphagia. Retrieved from:
https://www.chop.edu/news/hidden-acidity-and-use-natural-thickeners-manage-pediatric-dysphagia