Stop suffering from dysphagia
Dysphagia – Difficulty Swallowing
Common among the elderly and those with neurological or brain disorders, dysphagia involves reduced efficiency in chewing and swallowing.
Symptoms include difficulty swallowing food, liquids, or even saliva, pain when swallowing, sore throat or chest discomfort, coughing, and choking during meals.
VitalStim: A Device for Treating Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia)
VitalStim uses Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) to stimulate nerves and muscles with low-level electrical currents. It is FDA-approved for restoring swallowing function in patients with dysphagia.
How Does VitalStim Work?
VitalStim delivers small electrical pulses through electrodes placed on the neck muscles involved in swallowing. These impulses stimulate nerve and muscle contractions, helping strengthen the muscles and retrain the brain’s swallowing coordination. It’s often used alongside traditional therapies like posture training, swallowing exercises, and supervised therapy from trained professionals.
Benefits of VitalStim
- Improves strength of swallowing muscles
- Accelerates recovery in patients with restricted diets
- Reduces risk of complications such as aspiration pneumonia and nasal inflammation
- Helps some patients return to normal swallowing without feeding tubes
Who Can Benefit from VitalStim?
VitalStim is suitable for patients with dysphagia caused by:
- Stroke (Cerebrovascular disease)
- Neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, ALS)
- Head or neck injuries
- Post-surgery after partial removal of head or neck cancers
- Elderly individuals with age-related swallowing difficulties
