Severe Anorexia Nervosa
Oftentimes, Anorexia Nervosa is classified as a psychological disorder and is not viewed as an
instigator of communication disorders. Besides the obvious negative consequences of eating
disorders, anorexia can cause an onset of dysphagia. Anorexia is a terrible disease and the annual
death rate is approximately 12 times higher than the death rate of all causes of death among
females ages 15 to 24 (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, Mehler, 2012). Severe anorexia Nervosa
encompasses a plethora of medical complications that affects each body system and causes severe
weakness (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, Mehler, 2012). At this time, Speech Language Pathology
(SLP) is not well versed in treatment and management of anorexia conditions. Veldee... Show more
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The women were institutionalized in an acute medical center and experienced complications of
malnutrition and dysphagia (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, Mehler, 2012). To begin the study, the
women were subjected to a bedside swallow evaluation and video fluoroscopic studies (VFSS)
(Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, Mehler, 2012). Two of the patients showed signs of mild to
moderate dysphagia and one demonstrated severe dysphagia (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani,
Mehler, 2012). Two of the three also showed aspiration and the third showed penetration (Holmes,
Gudridge, Gaudiani, Mehler, 2012). Upon reviewing the findings, a SLP team was brought in to
perform therapy via NMES, along with swallowing therapy (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, Mehler,
2012). Swallowing therapy tasks included compensatory strategies and strengthening exercises
(Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, Mehler, 2012). The NMES device of choice in the study was the
Vitals Stim Therapy Unit (Holmes, Gudridge, Gaudiani, Mehler, 2012). The patients were tested
orally using the following consistencies: puree, thin, nectar thick, honey thick, mechanical soft and
regular textures. Their results were measured by using the Penetration Aspiration Scale that scores
the passage and ejection of material into the airway and vocal folds. The scale provides a score
ranging from one to
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