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Newsletter :: June 2004

Jun 01, 2004 Posted by: Ronda Polanksy Newsletters

 

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Summer Vacations!

 

Monthly motivational: EXCELLENCE – to succeed, it is necessary to accept the world as it is and rise above it! The growth of any community is nurturing one person at a time.

 

Third E-Stim conference a success!!!!!!

Close to 150 SLP’s from DFW and OK have attended the E-Stim conferences we have put on since February. That is so amazing and exciting! It has been such an exciting time in our profession and we are so happy about the success stories we are seeing! Keep up the good work. Be sure to keep us informed regarding all of the settings you are doing this in, so we can pass your name on to physicians and patients looking for SLP’s trained in this type of treatment. I am very interested in doing some case studies if anyone is interested in teaming with us on your before and after MBS studies and E-Stim. We will bring Teresa back for advance courses or other E-Stim directed courses when she is able. I know many of you saw my “Letter to the Editor” in the ASHA leader. I have gotten so many positive emails from SLP’s, professors, and Scientist/Researchers from across the USA (PA, NY, MD, FL, CA, WA, etc.) in response to that letter. It is so great that SLP’s are researching this, implementing it, and moving forward!

Be looking for the next conference on Controversies in Dysphagia next quarter.

 

DiagnosTEX – Dysphagia Consultation

We are the only mobile MBSS service in the area that can guarantee 24-48 hour service. With DiagnosTEX you do not get just an MBSS, you get a full Dysphagia consultation and the most detailed reports available. We are also the most competitive in pricing locally. If you would like us to contact your Corp. office or Administrator regarding a Corporate or facility agreement, please give us a call.

I have to say thank you to all of those we work so closely with, for your continued support and friendship. We enjoy working with you and your patients. Thank you for allowing us to do what we love to do so much!

 

New Stroke Statistics

  • A stroke occurs every 45 seconds, and there is fatal stroke every 3 minutes
  • There are 700,000 strokes every year, 500,000 first time incidents, 200,000 recurrent incidents.
  • About 40,000 more women have strokes each year than men
  • The estimated direct and indirect cost nationwide is $53.6 billion

 

 

 

New Advancements in the Medical Field

  • A new device called Concentric MERCI Retrieval System, it is a tiny corkscrew that captures blood clots from vessels inside the brain and can “almost instantly” reverse damage caused by an ischemic stroke according to the first report on the device presented at the ASA 29th International Stroke Conference in February. In trials it restored blood flow in 61-114 (54%) up to 8 hours after initial stroke symptoms. Restoring blood flow reversed paralysis and other stroke symptoms.
  • Detection of risk of stroke through Eye Screening. Eye diseases often identified are frequently a manifestation of larger blood circulatory system problems, including stroke. Matthew Fink MD says it is exciting that we can prevent stroke I these patients by educating them and referring them for appropriate treatment.
  • A new study confirmed the benefits of getting patients with a stroke to the hospital quickly for rapid thrombolytic treatment. Patients with stroke who were treated within 90 minutes of the onset showed the most improvement. No benefit was seen after 6 hours. “Time is brain” said study author John Marler MD at NINDS. According to a small study, patients administered pure oxygen within 12 hours of the stroke onset was found to be safe and staves off the death of the brain tissue. This may allow doctors more time to administer the important clot busting therapy.
  • A treatment called Photodynamic Therapy using a red laser and a light sensitive drug to destroy cancer cells without harming normal tissue. “It is as close as a magic bullet as you can get to kill cancers that are close to the surface” stated Paul Castellanos, MD. The US FDA has approved photodynamic therapy to treat esophageal cancer, lung cancer, and actinic keratosis, a precancerous skin condition.

 

Dysphagia Resource for patients

Dysphagia web page explains how we normally swallow and it gives information on how dysphagia is treated and what research is underway on the condition. This page also provides a list of resource organizations for dysphagia.

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/dysph.asp

 

Dysphagia Tidbit – Wallenberg Syndrome

Wallenberg’s syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by swallowing difficulties and hoarseness which results from paralysis of a portion of the vocal cord. The disorder is generally caused by a blockage in a vertebral or cerebellar artery. Symptoms may include dizziness, a loss of pain or temperature sensitivity, some paralysis of the facial muscles, and a loss of taste. Individuals with the disorder frequently report an unsettling tilt of their environment, which affects their balance. Is there treatment? Treatment for Wallenberg’s syndrome is symptomatic. If swallowing is greatly impaired, a feeding tube may be needed. Therapy and intraoral appliances may aid speech and swallowing. In some cases, medication reduces or eliminates pain. What is the prognosis? Individuals with Wallenberg’s syndrome may experience a lessening of their symptoms as a result of medical intervention. For some patients, symptoms dissipate after a few weeks of treatment. What Research is being done? The NINDS supports and conducts a wide range of research on disorders involving paralysis such as Wallenberg’s syndrome. Much of this research focuses on finding ways to prevent, treat, and, ultimately, cure these disorders.