As many as half of all Americans over 60 will experience dysphagia. People with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing and may also experience pain while swallowing. Eating may become a challenge.
 
Swallowing dysfunction can be a complication of many conditions, including:

• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Cerebral palsy (CP)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Radiation therapy as a result of head and neck cancer
• Post-polio syndrome
• Myasthenia gravis
• Other degenerative and muscular conditions

Innovative treatment for swallowing problems is available at CarePartners.
CarePartners Dysphasia Treatment Program includes a number of specialized treatments. One of those is VitalStim^® Therapy, which uses small electrical currents to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing.
 
The electrical stimulation is combined with therapy that helps patients "re-educate" their muscles. VitalStim^® is a proven non-invasive, painless treatment, and is effective for all ages.
 
Patients at CarePartners see results.
Patients in the Dysphagia Treatment Program at CarePartners have experienced significant results, including:

• Increased swallowing function
• Increased vocal intensity
• Increased tone and movement of facial muscles
• Decreased choking episodes
• In some cases, discontinuation of a feeding tube

Some patients see improvement in as little as six treatments, while others may require 20 or more.
 
Find out if VitalStim^® and the Dysphagia Treatment Program are right for you. This specialized therapy requires a physician referral. Ask your doctor if CarePartners can help you, or call (828) 277-4800.
 
CarePartners Dysphagia Treatment Program and VitalStim^® Therapy are offered through CarePartners Outpatient and CarePartners Home Health with speech/language therapists specially trained and certified in this innovative treatment.
 
You may also be interested in:
www.vitalstim.com