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Services:.Speech
Swallowing
Dysphagia & The 4 Stages of Swallowing
Dysphagia, pronounced "dis FAY juh" is defined as difficulty managing and swallowing
foods and/or liquids. A normal swallow typically occurs in 3-5 seconds duration with
a single occurrance.
Progression of a Swallow
1. The first is know as Oral Preparatory Stage. This phase includes
preparing the food to swallow-chewing, and creating a bolus to be swallowed.
2. The second phase is the Oral Stage in which the bolus is moved posterior
on the tongue to the faucial pillars, where the swallow is triggered.
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3. The next phase is the Pharyngeal Stage in which the bolus moves from the tongue
into the pharyngeal region, to the esophagus. This phases is under involuntary control.
4. The final stage of the swallow is the Esophageal Stage. This phase of the swallow
progresses the bolus from the pharyngeal region into the esophagus, down into the stomach.
Involuntary control moves the bolus down the esophagus with peristalsis.
Treatment Techniques: Vital Stim is the only Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
device that has been cleared through the FDA to restore dysphagia. Vital Stim
is a tool used to improve functional swallowing. The electrical stimulation from the electrodes
produces current to stimulate muscle movement to enhance the following components:
- Stimulation of the facial nerve to improve lip closure and tongue retraction
- Increase speed of swallow trigger
- Improve elevation and forward movement of the hyoid
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