VITAL STIMULATION
FOR SWALLOWING DISORDERS
Difficulty swallowing or problems during the process of eating or drinking - dysphagia - is a reasonably common symptom resulting from various conditions, and it's a lot more common than you might think.
Each year, approximately one in 25 adults will experience a swallowing problem in the United States, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). It’s more common among older adults, and elderly populations have an increased risk of developing dangerous side effects like pulmonary aspiration and pneumonia.
For those who experience dysphagia, there is a wide selection of specialized medical equipment that is designed to assist in the process of rehabilitation and strengthening and to make the whole swallowing process easier in general.
What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is defined as difficulty swallowing. Symptoms of dysphagia can include coughing while eating or after drinking, choking on food or liquid, the sensation of food getting stuck in the throat, pain during swallowing, shortness of breath during feeding, and the onset of pneumonia.
What is the VitalStim® Therapy System?
Therapeutic intervention for the management of dysphagia and difficulty swallowing. The VitalStim® Therapy System uses small electrical currents to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing. At the same time, trained specialists help patients "re-educate" their muscles through rehabilitation therapy.
A relative newcomer to the Speech-Language Pathologist’s toolbox of treatment devices is the electronic stimulation therapy device or E-Stim. These devices work somewhat like a TENS unit, delivering neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the muscles of the throat used in the process of swallowing. Using this stimulation along with complementary exercise, E-stim is a useful tool in reducing rehabilitation time and improving outcomes.
How does it work?
A small, carefully calibrated current is delivered to the motor nerves of the patient's throat through specially designed electrodes causing the muscles responsible for swallowing to contract. At the same time, a dysphagia specialist guides the patient through active swallowing therapy to re-educate normal swallow function.
How is VitalStim different from conventional swallowing therapy?
Conventional therapy for dysphagia typically employs both compensatory strategy techniques (diet changes, head positioning, or modifying bolus size) and specific techniques aimed at improving the coordination and strength of the swallowing muscles (thermal stimulation, biofeedback, Mendelssohn maneuver or supraglottic swallow). The VitalStim® Therapy System is the use of electrical stimulation for activation of muscles. Research shows that the combination of electrical stimulation and traditional treatment techniques is very effective at restoring swallowing function.
If you need more details, kindly reach out to us at 602-300-3391.
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