Chewing and Swallowing
Difficulty Chewing & Swallowing
If a cancer patient you’re working with or ministering to complains of difficulty chewing or swallowing, you could:
- Emphasize the need to eat soft foods (cooked cereals, tofu, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, etc.).
- If unable to tolerate soft foods, switch to liquids and/or pureed foods.
- Emphasize liquid nutritional supplements of high caloric and nutrient density.
- Suggest that the use of nutrition support (i.e. tube feeding) may be necessary if the problem persists or progresses to an inability to swallow. If this problem already persists, suggest the patient contact his or her nutritionist immediately.
This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Cancer patients should always seek the advice of their physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment.