Tag: Patient
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30 Facts About Dysphagia to Raise Awareness and Improve Patient Care
June is Dysphagia Awareness Month, highlighting the condition affecting millions. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can stem from various underlying issues and leads to serious health risks. Speech-Language Pathologists play a vital role in diagnosis and treatment. Raising awareness about dysphagia improves outcomes for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers alike.
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Nutrition Essentials for Modified Diets
Nutrition is vital for health, especially for individuals on modified diets, who are at risk of malnutrition. Macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) play crucial roles. Strategies such as food fortification, small frequent meals, and hydration can enhance nutritional intake, ensuring patients maintain health and well-being despite dietary restrictions.
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Lingual Strengthening in Dysphagia Therapy: What the Research Really Says
Lingual strengthening is an emerging focus in dysphagia therapy, emphasizing the tongue’s crucial role in proper swallowing. Research shows that resistance-based exercises enhance tongue strength, swallow safety, and overall quality of life. Various devices, from advanced tools to simple tongue depressors, can be effectively utilized depending on budget and resources.
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What the Heck is the MBSImP?
The Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP™) standardizes the interpretation of Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS) through a clear, evidence-based protocol. Developed by Dr. Bonnie Martin-Harris, it focuses on assessing and treating dysphagia by quantifying impairments, guiding rehabilitation, and enhancing clinical understanding of swallowing dysfunction.
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Measuring Lingual Range of Motion
The content emphasizes the importance of measuring lingual range of motion in addition to strength for effective tongue function assessment. A new validated scale categorizes tongue movement into four domains: protrusion, lateralization, and elevation. This comprehensive approach, especially for post-oral surgery patients, enhances evaluations, treatment planning, and overall quality of life outcomes.
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Understanding Electrodes for NMES: Impedance, Adherence, and Clinical Impact
NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) is debated in dysphagia therapy, with mixed research outcomes. Electrode design is crucial for effective therapy, impacting impedance and comfort. Various electrodes are compared, outlining features, costs, pros, and cons. Ultimately, NMES efficacy relies on a comprehensive approach including patient engagement and targeted exercises.
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What is the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP) and Why Should SLPs Care?
At the end of the day, our patients deserve the most current, evidence-supported, and effective dysphagia therapy we can offer. MDTP isn’t just another technique—it’s a shift in how we think about swallowing rehab. Let’s get out of the “tongue wag” era and into therapy that moves the needle.
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Dysphagia Ramblings 