Dysphagia (swallowing problems) can be caused by a wide range of conditions including brain injury, stroke, or progressive disease. Our licensed speech therapists work with patients to help them improve the basic life function of eating.
A swallowing disorder can cause difficulty with biting, chewing, propelling (moving food through the mouth), swallowing, or a combination of the above. Dysphagia can include the following symptoms:
- Pain or coughing when swallowing.
- Coughing, choking and/or throat clearing after swallowing.
- Delay in swallowing.
- Residual food left in the mouth after swallowing.
- A wet, hoarse or strained voice after swallowing.
Patients with all types of swallowing problems achieve an improved quality of life through St. Lawrence’s Dysphagia Treatment Program. Our program offers a new, FDA-approved technology – VitalStim Therapy as well as traditional dysphagia treatment techniques.
At St. Lawrence, two members of our team of licensed speech therapists are certified in VitalSTIM Therapy, a new FDA-approved intervention utilizing electrical stimulation of the muscles involved in normal swallowing.
VitalStim Therapy is a specialized form of low-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation transmitted through specially placed skin electrodes. The goal is to elicit muscular contractions that are responsible for normal swallowing. The principle behind this technique is re-education of the oral and/or pharyngeal muscles to create muscle movements necessary for normal swallowing. It is the only method and device currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of dysphagia.
VitalStim therapy can be provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
Upon referral by a physician – the patient’s own doctor or a member of our staff – dysphagia patients receive customized treatment that may include the following:
- A complete dysphagia evaluation performed by a Certified Speech and Language Pathologist.
- An explanation of the swallowing process and the patient’s current deficits in this area.
- A recommended course of treatment, decided in tandem with a team of St. Lawrence professionals.
- Diet modifications for each individual.
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