The first Dysphagia Unit in our country for patients with feeding and swallowing disorders began operating at ANAPLASI Medical Rehabilitation Center. As stated by physiatrist Dr. Konstantinos Zikopoulos, Scientific Director of ANAPLASI, “Dysphagia is the result of illness or trauma. It occurs in patients with diseases of the central nervous system (stroke, craniocerebral injuries, cerebral palsy), neuromuscular diseases (motor neuron disease, myasthenia, muscular dystrophy), and head and neck diseases. Dysphagia can slow down or decrease the effectiveness of a therapeutic rehabilitation program, threatening not only the health but also the life of the patient. Furthermore, feeding, swallowing, meeting caloric requirements, as well as avoiding aspiration and consequently respiratory infections, is extremely important, not only for the safety of the patient, but also for his psychological state, and thus contributes to his overall recovery.”
“The innovation at the Dysphagia Unit of ANAPLASI,” continued Dr. Zikopoulos, “lies in the fact that the diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia are not isolated, fragmentary acts, but are fully integrated into the framework of the recovery and rehabilitation of these patients by the Trans-Disciplinary Rehabilitation Team.” It is known that, at ANAPLASI, the interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Team, headed by a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, uses the knowledge distilled with over 15 years of experience in providing high-quality rehabilitation services to patients with neurological conditions. In the Dysphagia Unit of ANAPLASSI, the “usual” Rehabilitation team is expanded to include a neurologist, pulmonologist, otolaryngologist, gastroenterologist, general surgeon, and dentist, in addition to a speech therapist specializing in dysphagia, clinical dietitian, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, neuropsychologist, clinical psychologist, and nurse. Taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by advanced technology, we perform a swallowing study on our patients with a flexible fiberoptic endoscope connected to a special camera, which records our diagnostic findings in digital form. This examination is easy, fast, and comfortable for the patient. Various types of food and liquids are administered, and the stages of swallowing are assessed. Swallowing is assessed both in movement and sensation. Thus, the therapeutic intervention that follows is immediate, fast, and effective.
And Dr. Zikopoulos concluded: “The clinical results we record daily justify us. We share with our patients and their families the joy of improving or curing disorders of swallowing, so they can enjoy their everyday life and live with dignity.”
More information about dysphagia is hosted on the ANAPLASI website: http://www.anaplasi-rehab.gr.
