VitalStim® Therapy
Can helpPatients with Dysphagia
Dysphagia: a debilitating condition.
Dysphagia is defined as difficulty with swallowing. It can occur as a result of a stroke or other neurological disease, normal aging or after a long period of inactivity. An estimated 15 million adults in the US currently suffer from dysphagia.
People who don’t eat or drink enough are more likely to become ill or experience longer recovery times. In addition, patients with dysphagia carry a large psychological burden; many develop depression and withdraw from society because sharing of food and drink is such a big part of daily life.
The management of this condition consists mainly of diet modification to decrease choking episodes; a feeding tube may be inserted in the stomach.
In the last few years, new treatment options have become available – especially the use of electrical stimulation. This exciting treatment tool, VitalStim® Therapy, is showing good outcomes in most patients with relatively few treatments. It is simple for certified clinicians to administer and is pain free for the patient.
Who Is A Typical Patient?
Typical patient categories include, but are not limited to:
• Stroke
• Various other neuromuscular disease processes (e.g., Parkinson’s, ALS, etc.)
• Head and neck cancer (post radiation) and/or surgery
• De-conditioning as a result of age or co-morbidity
Am I A Candidate For VitalStim Therapy?
If you show signs of aspiration or have difficulty managing your diet, you may be a candidate for dysphagia therapy. Look for one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
• Coughing/clearing throat after swallowing
• Abnormal volitional cough
• Decreased voice quality (wet, hoarse, weak)
• Recurring chest infections
• Multiple swallows or special maneuvers required to clear throat
• Difficulty completing a meal
• Feeling of food being stuck in the throat
• Modified diet required (thickening, pureeing food; soft solids)
• Difficulty initiating a swallow
• Spilling food or liquid from lips and/or drooling