[Dysphagia] My take on aspiration and reflux

[bill at kidslikedoug.com (Bill Bleecker)]

Now that Doug is on oral tube feeding, his lungs have been "clearer than ever",according to two of his doctors.  The "asthma" is gone!   I attribute this success exclusively to eliminating his oral aspiration. We still allow him to suck on a piece of fruit or other food using the Baby Safe Feeder with no noticable aspiration (besides a fleeting cough).  As for the reflux, he does indeed have an issue, but it is kept in check by feeding him real pureed foods and not cheap refined "artificial" formulas.  His reflux becomes more apparent, as with anyone, when he eats "crappy" carbohydrates such as flours, sugars, pastas, potatoes and white rice (in other words, most commercial foods).
I know from experience that those who are fed by G-tube would benifit greatly by eliminating formulas and limiting carbohydrate intake to natural fruits and vegetables, the main benifit- being virtuously reflux free!  The only downside is that it is a LOT more work to prepare real food than it is to open a can.
 
Bill Bleecker, Doug's best friend and trusted care-giver.


 KidsLikeDoug.com