Publication

How difficult would life be if you couldn't swallow? And how dangerous would it be for food or liquid to go into your lungs instead of your stomach? Most of us will never need to know, but for our community members who live with that difficulty, the ability to swallow can mean everything.

East County now has an answer for these patients at Arbor Health–Rehabilitation Services. Speech-language pathologist NiCassia Gabiola, MS, CCC-SLP, the newest addition to the team, came to the position with advanced certification to perform objective swallow studies.

How does it work?

For the procedure, Gabiola inserts a flexible scope through the patient's nose and down the throat to observe the actual swallow mechanism through the scope's lighted camera. This allows her to objectively see and record if the patient is aspirating (food or liquid going into the lungs rather than the stomach) or if there are other mechanical issues. Previously, Arbor Health patients had to travel out of town for this test. Even hospital patients needing the exam had to be transported out by ambulance for the procedure.

"In the past, some folks just didn't want to travel and were willing to assume the risk of food or liquid going into their lungs," Rehabilitation Services Director Edwin Meelhuysen says. "Now they don't have to. We can take care of all their swallowing assessment needs right here. This is an extremely valuable service for our community."

Gabiola says that while the procedure may not sound appealing, it should not be painful. "I apply lidocaine to both nostrils, which helps me see which side is most open so it's more comfortable for the patient, and it numbs the nostril," she explains. "The patient will just feel a little pressure. And, on average, the scope is only in for about six minutes."

Categories: Rehabilitation Services