As we age, we understand about our risks. We take fall prevention classes, join a gym, eat right, and keep active. Doing all the right things gives us assurance.
Regrettably, we take swallowing for granted. states Geoff Fraser, Partner at Clear Choice Health Care in Melbourne FL.
Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) impact as much as 15 million people, and can result in serious problems such as dehydration, poor nutrition, a greater rate of infection and goal pneumonia.
Among people hospitalized with pneumonia, about 10% are due to aspiration, and it stays among the most common complications following basic anesthesia occurring with one in every 2000 to 30000 cases. And if you are impacted by a neurological disorder, you’re at high danger for aspiration.
Goal pneumonia is caused by any material passing beyond the vocal cables, which lie within the voice box (throat), the uppermost part of the windpipe (trachea).
Fortunately, there are three therapies (FEES, Synchrony, and Vital Stim) that are video game changers for those with swallowing disorders, says Fraser.
CHARGES – Fiberoptic Endoscopic assessment of swallowing enables a speech language pathologist to pass a thin endoscope – a tube containing a small video camera – through the nose to enable direct visualization of the swallow. COSTS also permit evaluation of experience of essential structures involved in swallowing.
Food or liquids are blended with food coloring in order to see safe swallowing function and integrity during the test. FEES can figure out the most safe and least limiting food and liquid intake. Therapists can then include suitable offsetting strategies and establish a dysphagia rehab program.
The most recent interactive swallowing treatment uses technology and evidence-based programs and combines with medical protocols to guarantee better patient outcomes.
Clients can see in real-time their real swallowing effort. Because of the virtual reality-augmented workouts that utilize auditory and visual techniques, clients can assist in a habits change to improve their swallow.
A component of this therapy utilizes an innovative neuromuscular stimulation part, to resolve muscle disuse atrophy to accomplish a typical swallow function.
Another service for dysphagic patients comes through a hand-held electronic device that helps patients enhance their swallow-muscle strength. VitalStim therapy includes utilizing specially developed electrodes that are placed onto throat muscles which get a muscle contraction increase to motivate regular muscle control for an efficient swallow.
Becoming dehydrated and malnourished is often the plight with swallowing dysfunctions. As well as increased re-hospitalization and death.
Using specific technology, speech-language pathologists can better balance out swallowing threats.
“Engaging patients beyond an injury and throughout their recovery is crucial to our priorities. Our elders matter, and we are here for them,” says Geoff Fraser, of Clear Choice Health Care.