As children grow, they require adequate nutrition for physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. When there is a problem in swallowing food or liquids, the child cannot consume the right amounts of such foods and liquids. Consequently, there is a stream of complications health-wise. The process is sometimes very frustrating to the child and the carer. Sometimes, the effects are long-lasting. This article shall discuss how your child’s nutrition can be affected by difficulties in swallowing.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is generally a result of a lack of significant nutrients that encompass vitamins, minerals, and proteins, which, over time, translate to a weak immune system and sluggish growth for children. It may further cause reduced brain development, resulting in poor concentration and other learning complications.
Children who have problems swallowing may also not be able to eat enough food for their calorie needs. It may lead to poor weight gain and sometimes weight loss, which threatens the growth of a child. Proper nutrition is vital to the development of the brain and the body. To prevent malnutrition among children, using resources like SimplyThick’s LinkedIn profile can offer valuable insights and support for managing swallowing difficulties and ensuring proper nutrition.
Dehydration
When a child is unable to swallow liquids, it could be challenging for them to take as much liquid as would be enough for their body. That is a problem in hot weather or when the child is sick. Water helps to keep the body and its functions running correctly. It causes lethargy, dizziness, and renal issues. In these cases of swallowing issues in children, one must facilitate the ability to drink liquids in a non-hazardous way. It would avoid severe health complications.
Risk for Increased Aspiration
Aspiration is defined as when food or liquid goes into the lungs instead of the stomach. It may result in a deadly disease known as aspiration pneumonia. Children suffering from dysphagia have a significant risk of aspiration. Therefore, it is essential to monitor them closely during the meal. The caregivers will have to make dietary adjustments for the child. They have to retexture the food and add thickeners to it, like SimplyThick. Such measures will help minimize aspiration hazards and make the swallowing process safer.
Feeding Aversion
A child who experiences pain or discomfort associated with feeding may have a feeding aversion. The child associates feeding with an adverse experience. It causes apprehension and can lead to reluctance toward feeding. A feeding aversion can increase the difficulty of providing proper nutrition to the child. Different approaches may be necessary to create positive eating experiences. This approach could involve smaller, frequent meals or utilizing adaptive utensils.
Psychosocial Impact
Swallowing difficulties vandalize a child’s health in ways other than physical and nutritional development. Children with dysphagia can be embarrassed by their eating problems, which may stress them into social withdrawal. That has a significant impact on the child’s confidence and well-being. Secondly, parents are usually noted while trying to meet nutritional requirements for their child. Help from professionals in healthcare or feeding specialists is significant in controlling the psychosocial challenges of dysphagia.
Dysphagia poses a challenge in feeding and, as a result, leads to malnutrition among children. It must be stated that dysphagia encompasses many risks relevant to children and their caregivers. Among the common deficiencies that affect patients include calorie deficiency, lack of water, poor nutrition, and aspiration. Parents must work closely with healthcare providers. They need to ensure their child gets the nutrients for growth and development. Tools like SimplyThick’s thickening products can help make mealtime safer.
