Synchrony Dysphagia Treatment Changes Lives
Have you or someone you know experienced issues when eating or swallowing? Issues such as pain, being unable to swallow normally, coughing, gagging or feeling like there is food stuck in the throat? Do you have to avoid certain foods altogether because of your problems swallowing? You may have dysphagia.
Synchrony Dysphagia Treatment Changes Lives
One in 25 American adults suffer from dysphagia. Not being able to swallow properly can feel both frightening and painful. It can significantly impact the way a person lives. Many patients may not realize there are dysphagia treatments available.
Fortunately, Synchrony can help change the lives of those suffering from this condition. Therapy Achievements is proud to offer this life-changing treatment option to patients experiencing difficulty with swallowing. Read on to learn more about this innovative treatment.
What Is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia is a term used to describe difficulty or issues with swallowing. It commonly occurs due to weakening muscles in the throat but can refer to a number of conditions that create difficulty swallowing.
With normal swallowing, the windpipe closes off and food moves through the throat and down the esophagus to the stomach via pressure and muscle contractions called peristalsis. Neuromuscular diseases that cause weakness or dyscoordination such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease are common causes of dysphagia. Obstructions in the mouth, throat, or esophagus or surgical change in these structures after head and neck cancer surgery are other common causes of dysphagia. And GERD - gastro-esophageal reflux disease – where stomach acid leaks back up into the esophagus is another cause.
While occasional difficulty swallowing usually isn’t cause for concern, persistent swallowing problems may indicate there’s something more serious going on. Difficulty swallowing can ultimately lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and even respiratory problems. This results in a decreased quality of life.
Synchrony Dysphagia Treatment
Fortunately, medical technology allows for people with dysphagia to take back control of this critical bodily function. Synchrony brings together surface electromyography (sEMG) and patterned electrical stimulation (PENS). The sEMG allows deeper access to the muscular functions of the individual. This accurately pinpoints the root of the problem. PENS uses electrical stimulation to send impulses to the nerves in the problem area. Together they provide treatment for dysphagia.
Benefits of Synchrony Dysphagia Treatment
By diagnosing the issue and stimulating the nerves, speech, and language pathologists can activate the areas involved in swallowing that need assistance. This offers a number of important benefits.
Quick and Accurate Diagnosis
In the past, people could suffer for a long time without even understanding why. Since this technology allows doctors to accurately discover the root of the problem, they can diagnose them quickly and efficiently. This means that they can help them sooner as well with this initiative-led treatment!
Safety and Health
Synchrony improves the safety and health of the individual.
- Difficulty swallowing creates a choking hazard that this new technology removes by receiving the patient's functions.
- When an individual experiences difficulty and pain with swallowing, they often eat less. This can lead to malnutrition.
- By decreasing the sensation of pain and improving the ability of the muscles and nerves to function properly, it helps the patient eat to get the nutrition they need to stay healthy.
- When the windpipe does not close properly, patients may aspirate, increasing their risk for pneumonia. This lung infection can easily turn deadly. Ensuring that food goes down the correct pipe by stimulating the nerves and reviving the muscle function eliminates this risk.
Quality of Life
Meals bring people together. They laugh, eat, pray, and connect. Dysphagia makes mealtime a terrible experience and takes away the joys of tasting flavors and socializing with loved ones. The treatment stops embarrassing drooling and allows you to once again revel in the deliciousness of it all.
Get Dysphagia Help Today
Every day that people hold off on seeking dysphagia treatment, they reduce their quality of life and run the risk of choking or getting seriously ill. Making treatment a priority can feel wonderful again for those who suffer!
Our team understands the importance of eating on a biological, social, and spiritual level. We want to help people experience it all with delight. Contact us today to make an appointment and see if Synchrony is right for you!