Canton-Potsdam Hospital has new treatment for swallowing disorders
Wednesday, November 04, 2009, 8:52am
POTSDAM -- Canton-Potsdam Hospital has expanded treatment options for people with swallowing disorders, also known as dysphagia.
The therapy, a non-invasive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) treatment, was approved by the FDA in 2002.
Clinical research has shown that it speeds a dysphagia patient's recovery when used in tandem with standard therapies used for the condition, CPH says.
Dyspahgia is generally caused by a neurological disorder, such as a stroke, degenerative neurological diseases, and head and neck cancers, according to Amanda L. Hunter, a licensed speech language pathologist with the hospital’s Department of Physical Rehabilitation
"Often this improvement means getting a patient off a feeding tube faster, with significant resulting cost savings to the health care system and an improved quality of life for the patient," Hunter said.
“Without proper management, dysphagia can lead to aspiration, pneumonia, choking, chronic malnutrition, severe life-threatening dehydration, an increased rate of infection, longer hospital stays, long-term institutional care, and even death," said Hunter.
The treatment uses electrodes applied to the muscles of the throat or face or both, to promote proper swallowing. While the electrodes are activated, the patient is put through a series of swallowing trials and exercises. A typical patient will require between 12 and 15 one-hour sessions.
For more information, patients should contact their primary physicians or call CPH Physical Rehabilitation Services, 261-5460.
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