Swallowing difficulties are a common and frustrating part of myasthenia gravis. As one MGteam member put it, "A good day means that swallowing is happening without incident." There are some practical strategies that can make eating safer and easier.
Here are some tips to help:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals — 6 small Show Full Answer
Swallowing difficulties are a common and frustrating part of myasthenia gravis. As one MGteam member put it, "A good day means that swallowing is happening without incident." There are some practical strategies that can make eating safer and easier.
Here are some tips to help:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals — 6 small meals instead of 3 big ones can reduce fatigue while eating
- Modify food textures — chop, blend, or puree foods like meat to reduce chewing effort
- Add moisture — sauces, sour cream, or yogurt can make solid foods easier to get down
- Separate mixed textures — foods like chunky soup can be tricky; try eating the solids and liquids separately
- Choose thicker liquids — they tend to be safer and easier to swallow than thin ones
- Try protein-rich smoothies — blending yogurt, milk, and peanut butter is a great way to stay nourished
It's really important to let your doctor know how often swallowing is a problem and how it's affecting daily life. If it's getting worse, asking for a referral to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is worth considering — they can do a swallowing assessment and work with you on strategies. Also, be cautious about medications. Some antibiotics, like ciprofloxacin (Cipro), can actually worsen swallowing difficulties in people with myasthenia gravis. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting any new medication.
If swallowing problems are getting worse overall, it may be a good time to revisit your MG treatment plan with your medical team.
August 21
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