dysphagia matters

EP 20: Dysphagia meets nutrition and hydration with Rainer Wirth

dysphagia matters

Show Notes

In dysphagia management we often think about how our patients can swallow food and liquids the safest and most efficient way and what consistencies are best suited for them. But what about nutritional and hydration needs in people with dysphagia? In this episode we speak to Prof. Rainer Wirth about different nutritional and hydration requirements for elderly people, people with presbyphagia and dysphagia and how we, as clinicians, can support our patients in meeting their nutritional and hydration needs.

Helpful literature mentioned or discussed in this episode:

Roberts et al. (1994). Control of Food Intake in Older Men. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1994.03520200057036

Sporns et al. (2017). Atrophy of Swallowing Muscles Is Associated With Severity of Dysphagia and Age in Patients With Acute Stroke. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2017.02.002

Volkert et al. (2022). ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2022.01.024

More from dysphagia matters

Jul 27, 2026

Tracheostomy care is a highly specialised clinical area, but when it comes to infants and children, the complexities multiply. Pediatric care requires a completely unique approach that accounts for anatomical differences, developmental milestones, and family dynamics.

Jun 29, 2026

When we think of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), we usually think of snoring, disrupted sleep, and daytime fatigue. But there is a critical link between OSA and dysphagia. In this episode, we sit down with Prof. Ankita Bhutada from Northwestern University to explore how upper airway collapse and chronic respiratory disruption can profoundly impact swallowing function.

May 31, 2026

What do you do when patients report severe swallowing difficulties, but all structural and neurological exams come back normal? In this episode, we talk to Prof. Anna Miles about her paper “Functional dysphagia: Developing a framework for assessment and treatment”. We explore why terms like “psychogenic dysphagia” or “phagophobia” are outdated, look into the neurobiological underpinnings of the condition, and discuss practical, biopsychosocial strategies for speech and language therapists.

Apr 27, 2026

What if a microphone and a few sensors placed on the neck could detect dysphagia; without access to FEES or videofluoroscopy, maybe even without a dysphagia specialist in the room?

Mar 31, 2026

Dysphagia is an under-recognised but clinically important complication following cardiac surgery. In this episode, Prof. Cara Donohue discusses why dysphagia can occur despite surgery being anatomically distant from the swallowing mechanism. We explore the complexities of dysphagia in patients post cardiac surgery, highlighting risk factors, prevalence, assessment methods, and potential interventions. Cara shares her research findings and clinical perspectives, emphasising the importance of early detection and proactive management to reduce complications and improve patient outcomes.

See all episodes →