For most people, meals are a time to relax and revive. But that’s not always the case in myasthenia gravis (MG). Muscular weakness and fatigue can make it hard to chew and swallow, and lead to potential complications such as choking. As a result, eating can become a stressful, tiring experience. A proactive approach to planning and preparing meals plays an important role in making mealtimes easier for people living with MG.
Potential consequences of eating fatigue in MG
There are over fifty muscles used in eating. They work together to chew and swallow food. In people living with MG, these muscles may work fine at the start of a meal but begin to tire with the effort of eating. This mealtime fatigue can lead to the following consequences:
- Dysphasia, or difficulty swallowing: Muscle weakness can mean people with MG don’t have the strength to swallow food normally.
- Choking or coughing: Insufficient chewing and weakness in the swallowing muscles can lead to food getting stuck in the throat.
- Aspirating food: Food and liquid can go down the “wrong way” and become lodged in the airways or lungs.
As a result, many people with MG skip eating regular meals. If the situation is not addressed, this can lead to:
- Poor nutrition.
- Dehydration.
- Weight loss.
- Lung infections such as pneumonia.
Learn more about MG signs and symptoms
Tips for managing mealtime fatigue in MG
The physical fatigue associated with MG is due to the disruption of communication between the muscles and the nerves. Certain medications can help improve muscle function and reduce muscle fatigue — taking them before eating may help manage mealtime fatigue.
Beyond medication, the following tips can also make mealtimes easier:
Get advice from a professional
- Work with a dietitian to plan meals that are high in nutrients and calories but also easy to eat.
- Work with a speech or language therapist to assist your swallowing.
Make your food easier to eat
- Choose soft foods that need less chewing. Try pureed fruits and vegetables, smoothies, sauces, gravy and ground meat.
- Avoid crumbly, dry foods as well as bread products.
- Sip water while you eat to help soften food and facilitate chewing.
- Learn to use the chin-tuck assistant system to help you swallow.
Manage your energy
- Eat small portions at regular intervals. Several smaller meals may be easier than the usual three.
- Eat earlier in the day to avoid accumulated fatigue.
- Stay hydrated.
- Take regular breaks when eating to avoid extreme fatigue.
- Take small bites and take your time chewing; concentrate when swallowing.
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