Less Fear Swallowing

When you are seated upright, the trachea lies in front of the esophagus.  Gravity helps reduce the risk of aspiration (fluids going into the trachea). 

When a patient is reclined or lying flat, the trachea is positioned above the esophagus, increasing the risk of accidently breathing in saliva or contrast.  

In a 2017 African Health Sciences study, it was found that swallowing in an upright, sitting position was the least difficult.  With 186 subjects (average age of 32.7 years), there were significant differences found between sitting upright, sitting with their head and neck flexed, their head/neck extended, and lying flat.  It was concluded that swallowing in an upright position may help patients with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) by using gravity to improve the safety and speed of swallowing.  It could also help alleviate patient fears of choking or suffocating and adding more ease and comfort to the treatment.

At Leo Cancer Care we believe that the more comfortable a patient is during treatment, the better the results may be. In our determined and impassioned efforts to find a more human way to deliver medical care, we are convinced that the lack of stress, lack of anxiety, and lack of pain are keys to creating a more healing environment where patients can be active and informed participants in their own care.

Please Note: The Leo Cancer Care technology is not available to treat patients until the required regulatory approval has been achieved.