This post was written by Gabbe Nix, OTR, supervisor, speech therapists, Rehab Services, Parkview Hospital Randallia.
If you or a loved one are having difficulty or pain while swallowing on a regular basis, you may be wondering what the cause is and what you can do to treat it. Although swallowing problems can be caused by a number of different issues, one common cause is a medical condition called dysphagia. Here, we will talk a little bit about dysphagia as well as a treatment that may help.
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing is also called dysphagia, and is usually a sign of a problem with your throat or esophagus, which is the muscular tube that moves food and liquids from the back of your mouth to your stomach. Patients with dysphagia often experience coughing or choking while eating or drinking, food coming back up the esophagus and a sensation that food is stuck in their throat or chest.
What causes dysphagia?
Many different problems, both minor and more serious, can prevent the throat or esophagus from working properly. Although dysphagia can happen to anyone, it is most common in older adults, babies and people who have problems of the brain or nervous system (such as a traumatic brain injury, stroke or neurogenerative disease), developmental disabilities or genetic disorders, certain types of head and neck cancers, and respiratory illnesses.
How can VitalStim® Therapy provide relief?
VitalStim® Therapy is a form of neuromuscular electrical stimulation, which means it uses a small electrical current to stimulate the muscles that help us swallow. When combined with physical therapy exercises, this non-invasive therapy helps strengthen and retrain the muscular system. The goal is to help patients of all ages regain their swallowing function and reduce aspiration so they can be on the least restrictive diet possible.
What happens during a VitalStim Therapy session?
During a therapy session, a trained and licensed speech language pathologist will place electrodes–small pieces of material that conduct electricity– on the patient’s neck. Painless electrical currents are then applied until the correct amount of muscle contraction is achieved. Patients will perform exercises and swallowing movements during treatment to help reeducate their muscles.
If you are having difficulty swallowing or suffer from dysphagia, talk with your provider about the treatments and therapies that may be right for you, including VitalStim Therapy.
