Transcription:
Announcer:
It something we all do many times a day, but for some people swallowing can be painful and dangerous. We are going to tell you about a new treatment offering help. Today in New York returns in a moment.
You probably didn’t realize that the average person swallows about two thousand times a day. Most people don’t think about it but for stroke victims and for others, the simple act of swallowing can be a major problem. Doctor Max Gomez reports now on a new treatment that offers these patients hope.
Marcy Freed:
You’ll get to the point that you can savor it, I promise.
Doctor Max Gomez:
Savor is right. The last time Martin Haz tasted food was two years ago before a second stroke left him unable to swallow. And that is not unusual.
Marcy Freed:
The literature is very clear that within 72 hours, muscles that were working fine are not working at all any more.
Doctor Max Gomez:
Marcy Freed developed the VitalStim system that uses gentle electrical stimulation.
Marcy Freed:
It’s almost like an ant is crawling on your neck.
Doctor Max Gomez:
To help patients retrain their swallowing muscles so that they can get off feeding tubes and get back to living again- she got the idea from watching marathon athletes undergoing rehab. A runner herself, Marcy wondered if the same electrical stimulation that helped restore muscle function in the legs might also get patients to swallowing again. Marty and Jackie Haz are planning on it.
Jackie White:
His favorite- a nice big plump steak.
Doctor Max Gomez:
Martin’s eyes lighten up when he talks about the foods he craves and can’t have.
Martin:
Snacks.
Doctor Max Gomez:
They come all the way from Essex England after nothing else worked.
Jackie:
It’s just a nightmare, really.
Marcy Freed:
Most of the patients that I see are folks that have not been able to respond to the other forms of conventional therapy.
Doctor Max Gomez:
And yet most of these same patients will see some improvement in just one treatment. The great flavor sucker goes down well considering, ten days later Martin is back for session number six. The discovery of a stomach ulcer has slowed his progress but now he’s ready to try ice chips.
Marcy Freed:
As soon as it hits your lips you need to swallow OK?
Doctor Max Gomez:
Even Martin seems surprised how well he is doing.
Martin:
I’m so happy.
Doctor Max Gomez:
A week later, he is digging into meatloaf with no problem.
Martin:
For two years, I haven’t ate or drank and now, I’m having some bits, a cup of tea, what do you say?
Doctor Max Gomez:
VitalStim® is FDA cleared and should be reimbursable for most insurance including Medicare. Not just stroke victims would benefit but swallowing problems can arise from a variety of other issues including; brain injury or neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or Lou Gehrig’s. Studies have shown that almost all patients will get some benefit and as many as 70 percent will get complete success.
For Today in New York, I’m Doctor Max Gomez
Announcer:
And studies show that almost all patients will get some function back. Seventy percent have complete success and are able to swallow normally.