Stages of Rehabilitation at Top Ihilov Clinic
The speech therapist in the neuro-oncology department primarily focuses on diagnosing and correcting communication dysfunctions caused by various pathologies of oral speech skills, vocal apparatus, pronunciation, and swallowing skills.
After a comprehensive examination and diagnosis of the patient's individual problems, treatment is prescribed. Its goal is to eliminate disorders caused by the disease, reinforce preserved skills, and engage compensatory mechanisms. Individual sessions are scheduled for each patient, taking into account their health status and needs.
During treatment, the doctor employs various diagnostic and therapeutic methods specifically designed to correct speech disorders. In cases of disruption to usual communication methods with others, alternative communication methods are individually tailored for the patient.
Speech Disorders Characteristic of Brain Damage:
In the case of aphasia (one of the speech dysfunctions that occurs due to damage to the left, and less often the right, hemisphere of the brain), speech skills are significantly impaired, leading to problems in communication with others. There is a loss of skills in both oral and written speech. Aphasia varies in severity and manifests as non-verbalization, difficulty in finding the right words, and constructing phrases. Text perception is disrupted, along with various forms of dyslexia. A patient with aphasia requires individualized treatment selection and intensive management.
The patient's relatives also need consultation with a speech therapist to learn methods of verbal contact with the patient and techniques for independent practice with them.
Pronunciation Disorders (Dysarthria and Dyspraxia) occur as a result of dysfunction of the facial muscles due to damage to the central or peripheral nervous system. Dysarthria is characterized by unclear speech, imprecision in articulation with a constant or temporary disorder of the pronunciation of certain sounds. Exercises to strengthen the facial muscles and control over them are indicated. Techniques for clear pronunciation are beneficial. Dyspraxia leads to complete or partial loss of control over the movements of the lower jaw, larynx, lips, and tongue. The skill of correctly managing single or multiple movements of these organs is lost. The patient's speech is unclear while maintaining strength, reaction, and coordination of muscle movements. Speech is filled with repetitions, substitutions, or omissions of phonemes. The process of finding the correct pronunciation can sometimes be difficult. Exercises for planning the pronunciation of individual sounds are indicated, and individually tailored therapeutic techniques are applied in treatment.
Voice Disorders occur as a result of damage to the central or peripheral nervous system. The speech therapist's task is to conduct accurate diagnostics (if necessary, supplemented by an ENT consultation) and select the appropriate speech therapy treatment. Such voice disorders can result from weakness of the vocal cords or dysfunctions of the resonator system. In such cases, the voice may start to sound hoarse, nasal, weak, etc.
Swallowing Disorders require prompt correction, as they pose a risk of food entering the airways, which can lead to aspiration and pneumonia, as well as choking during eating. A lack of food and fluids in the body leads to patient exhaustion. The aesthetic and social aspects are also of significant importance for the patient and their relatives.
Advantages of Neuro-Oncological Rehabilitation at Top Ihilov Clinic
- In the neuro-oncological rehabilitation department, the speech therapist conducts a thorough assessment of the patient's swallowing function.
- If disorders are identified, the patient and their relatives are consulted by the doctor regarding the application of compensation techniques and correction of lost swallowing skills.
- After surgery for tracheostomy removal, the speech therapist assesses the patient's condition and recommends means that will help them speak in the future.
The treatment process is conducted under the supervision and control of a multidisciplinary team, which includes senior and mid-level medical staff. If additional tests or consultations are needed, the patient may be referred for examinations by other specialists (gastroenterologist, ENT, etc., for video fluoroscopy).