Dysphagia Mini Series: Thick Fix - Should thickened liquids be recommended or are they just a quick fix?

George Barnes MS, CCC-SLP, BCS
March 20, 2025
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Teaser

Thickened liquids: the go-to solution for dysphagia or an overused crutch? This blog post delves deep into the controversial world of thickened liquids, exploring their benefits and drawbacks, and challenging the "thicker is always better" mentality. We'll uncover the hidden risks of thickened liquids, from dehydration to medication interactions, and examine the crucial role of patient preference in making informed decisions. Get ready to rethink your approach to dysphagia management! (Spoiler alert: it's not just about avoiding aspiration!)

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Curious?

Explore this blog post to learn more about the use of thickened liquids in dysphagia management.

Thick Fix - Should thickened liquids be recommended or are they just a quick fix?

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The Author

George Barnes, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders. As a medical speech-language pathologist, he has developed expertise in adult dysphagia management, focusing on diagnostics and clinical decision-making in the medically complex population. George is passionate about making education useful and providing accessible, quality care. With a deep appreciation for the joy and connection that food brings to our lives, he has dedicated his life to helping others enjoy this simple but deep-rooted pleasure. George has contracted with national and international organizations as a medical SLP subject matter expert, including Northern Speech Services, the Medical SLP Collective, Medbridge, SpeechPathology.com, and many other companies, state and national associations, universities, and law firms.

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Written by
George Barnes MS, CCC-SLP, BCS
CEO, FEESible Swallow Solutions
Guest author

George Barnes, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a speech-language pathologist and one of roughly 400 clinicians in the U.S. to hold Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. He has spent more than a decade working with medically complex patients across acute care, long-term acute care, and inpatient rehabilitation, including at Hackensack University Medical Center, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and Select Specialty Hospital.

George is CEO of FEESible Swallow Solutions, a medical expert witness for SwallowStudy & Associates, a mentor with the Medical SLP Collective, and an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University, where he trains graduate students for medical settings. He serves as a subject-matter expert on dysphagia for organizations including ASHA and the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders.