Swallowing - Sounds Simple
Diana Romero-Wehr Earns Certification for VitalStim Therapy
3-3-2006
It sounds simple, but for people with dysphagia, swallowing is anything but simple. Dysphagia, a condition that causes discomfort or difficulty swallowing, affects nearly 15 million Americans, 75% of stroke victims and 90% of people with progressive neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, ALS and MS.
"Nearly 75% of my time is spent working with patients who have dysphagia," stated Diana Romero-Wehr, Speech Pathologist at Ottumwa Regional Health Center. "That's why we are so excited to offer VitalStim®, a new cutting-edge therapy proven to help those with swallowing problems."
VitalStim®, which is based on neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), has had remarkable success, is proven safe and is the only NMES approved by the FDA to treat dysphagia.
Prior to VitalStim® treatments for swallowing problems were limited. "Current treatments have included thermal-tactile stimulation, swallowing exercises, diet modification such as pureed food, and the use of feeding tubes.
"VitalStim® uses small electrical currents to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing," stated Romero-Wehr. "This helps us to re-educate their muscles by helping squeeze and strengthen muscles used for swallowing."
Romero-Wehr works with a team of experts at Ottumwa Regional known as the Dysphagia Team, which includes dietary, nursing, radiology, physicians, and the patient and family.
"In order to determine the placement of the VitalStim®, the patient does a modified barium swallow which shows the three phases of a swallow," stated Romero-Wehr. "We record that image and I review it with the assistance of the radiologist in order to evaluate the exact area the patient is having trouble with swallowing, which allows me to determine the placement of the electrodes.
"This is such an exciting treatment - to know that this has a higher rate of success than other treatments and also in many cases the patients get better faster. It really can make a difference in the lives of those living with dysphagia."
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