Dysphagia is a word that sounds ominous. But all it means is difficulty swallowing. The problem could be minor or it could be so serious that it is life threatening. As mother always said, “If you don’t chew properly, it will go down the wrong way.” That is exactly what happens, and “the wrong way” is into your lungs. It doesn’t take much imagination to see that this could cause pneumonia.

Dysphagia can happen as a result of several conditions like stroke or Parkinsons. Sometimes it is just a result of normal aging. Another of mother’s axioms: “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” This is what happens when any muscle is not used properly and that includes the muscles in our head and neck related to swallowing.

The Lasher Rehabilitation Center at Menorah Manor is lucky to have been among the first nursing centers in Pinellas County to acquire VitalStim®, a technique which treats swallowing problems with neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Both of Menorah Manor’s Speech-Language Pathologists have been specially trained in this method. Though many agencies use electrical stimulation, VitalStim® is the only FDA approved method. It works by stimulating, thus “re-teaching,” the muscles in sequence to swallow.

If the muscles in a person’s neck cannot swallow properly, then the only way for that person to receive nourishment is through a tube. Though it is not a cure, we at Menorah Manor have seen several people who failed multiple swallow tests in the hospital and after participating in VitalStim® therapy, were able to once again eat three square meals a day.