About 15 million Americans are living with some degree of dysphagia, which is a condition that makes swallowing difficult, sometimes almost impossible.
One device that may give some people the stimulation they need to get the throat back into working condition is called a Vitalstim. It is FDA approved therapy, which sends small electrical currents into the neck.
"It helps those muscles to move stronger and faster," says Pamela Clarke-Levens a Speech Pathologist.
The device isn't new, but a lot of people may not know this is available. It can help patients with all types of swallowing problems from Rett Syndrome, Parkinson's Disease, Cerebral Palsy, or even stroke and cancer patients. The current helps activate the muscles responsible for swallowing. At the same time, trained therapists help patients "re-educate" the muscles, so that over time, the swallowing muscles can re-learn how to get food down into the stomach safely.
Ask your doctor if you'd like to know more about the Vitalstim.
The United States is more ready for health disasters than it was five years ago, but certain regions still lag behind, a new report shows.
The United States is more ready for health disasters than it was five years ago, but certain regions still lag behind, a new report shows.
There are differences in the brains of athletes who play contact sports and those who play noncontact sports, according to researchers.
There are differences in the brains of athletes who play contact sports and those who play noncontact sports, according to researchers.
For most, playing online video games is largely a harmless hobby. But a new review finds that some fall prey to what experts call "internet gaming disorder."
For most, playing online video games is largely a harmless hobby. But a new review finds that some fall prey to what experts call "internet gaming disorder."
If you've ever had a mild concussion, your risk of developing Parkinson's disease goes up by 56 percent, a new study of more than 300,000 U.S. veterans suggests.
If you've ever had a mild concussion, your risk of developing Parkinson's disease goes up by 56 percent, a new study of more than 300,000 U.S. veterans suggests.
New research sheds light on why some people's blood pressure is especially sensitive to salt.
New research sheds light on why some people's blood pressure is especially sensitive to salt.
There are differences in the brains of athletes who play contact sports and those who play noncontact sports, according to researchers.
There are differences in the brains of athletes who play contact sports and those who play noncontact sports, according to researchers.
For most, playing online video games is largely a harmless hobby. But a new review finds that some fall prey to what experts call "internet gaming disorder."
For most, playing online video games is largely a harmless hobby. But a new review finds that some fall prey to what experts call "internet gaming disorder."
The makeup of bacteria in your dog's digestive tract may be more like your own than you think, researchers say.
The makeup of bacteria in your dog's digestive tract may be more like your own than you think, researchers say.
New research sheds light on why some people's blood pressure is especially sensitive to salt.
New research sheds light on why some people's blood pressure is especially sensitive to salt.
Women are more likely than men to suffer a knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. But -- surprisingly -- the injury occurs the same way in both genders, a new study reveals.
Women are more likely than men to suffer a knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. But -- surprisingly -- the injury occurs the same way in both genders, a new study reveals.