Each year, from May 6-12, we celebrate nurses who dedicate their lives to improve patients' health and well-being. Nurses are essential members of the healthcare community, providing compassionate care to patients during their most vulnerable moments. Since 1994, the American Nurses Association (ANA) board of directors officially recognized May 6-12 as National Nurses Week. The date was selected in honor of Florence Nightingale, who was born May 12, 1820.
At Encompass Health, nurses are an influential part of our exceptional care team of physicians, therapists, case managers, dietitians and more. Nurses prioritize time with patients by getting to know them and providing unique insights into their needs. As advocates and educators, they support patients and their families every step of the way during recovery.
We would like to shine a light on the outstanding patient care all nurses provide daily. Across the nation, companies join us in thanking nurses by offering exclusive discounts. Here is a list of goodies and services offered to healthcare professionals:
Travel and entertainment
By logging in through ID.me, nurses can receive 2% cash back at Walt Disney World Resort.
By logging into ID.me, rental car customers receive discounts of up to 35% from companies such as Avis, Budget, and Hertz.
With a complimentary GOLD membership upgrade, healthcare workers are eligible for perks like late checkout, preferred room choice and extra points. Sign-in online and describe your job to receive the upgrade.
By verifying through ID.me, Caesars provides nurses year-round discounts of up to 15% off hotel stays.
Electronics and technology
By verifying through ID.me, HP provides nurses with up to 55% off appliances and laptops.
On products such as appliances to electronics, vacuum cleaners, fitness equipment and more, Abt is offering a $50 promo code off purchases of $500 or more all year long. To claim, simply verify eligibility through ID.me during the checkout process.
Nurses enjoy up to a 15% discount plus free shipping on Sennheiser premium products, including headphones, microphones, wireless transmission systems and more.
The company is offering a special 10% off discount on quality audio products. Verify your eligibility with ID.me.
For a 30% off discount on smartphones, laptops, tablets and other products, visit the website and sign up for the First Responders Offers Program.
Clothing and accessories
Nurses are eligible for 15% off on shoes and other accessories after verifying with ID.me.
Featuring casual and classic clothing styles for the entire family, in appreciation for nurses and medical professionals, the retailer provides up to 3% cash back. All that's required is verification of status.
With Maui Jim's Mahalo to Heroes program, nurses can log in to ID.me and receive a code good toward the sale of one pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. Taxes and shipping costs still apply.
Nurses are eligible for 30% off after verifying with ID.me.
Nurses are eligible for up to 40% off new markdowns and free shipping for members on orders $50 or more.
With clothing, denim, shoes and bags for men and women, Madewell is known for its effortless casual style. Just sign-up for a Madewell Insider account and verify your medical professional status to enjoy a 40% discount online and in stores.
NoBull training gear including footwear, apparel and accessories is available at a 30% discount for nurses using an ID.me account.
Asics offers nurses a year-round discount of 25% on full-price products in-store and online. Simply verify your status with SheerID.
Currently licensed, U.S.-based medical professionals can sign-up with SheerID to receive a 10% discount on L.L. Bean clothing and outdoor recreation equipment. Each verification is valid for one-time use, but IDs can be validated more than once.
Known for its casual shirts meant to be worn untucked, the retailer offers nurses a 25% discount on men’s and women’s apparel through ID.me. Simply login at checkout to redeem your discount.
By verifying eligibility through the SheerID program, U.S. nurses can take advantage of a 15% discount on technical athletic clothes. Note: A Lululemon account is needed to claim the discount so sign-in or create a new account before entering the discount information.
Food
Home chef has oven-ready meals that are pre-portioned for everyday enjoyment. Nurses are eligible for 50% off your first box and 10% off ongoing boxes through ID.me.
Nurses are eligible for a free one-year membership with Thrive market through ID.me.
Nurses are eligible for up to 15% off low-sugar superfood with gr8nola through ID.me.
HelloFresh's hero discount program makes it possible to get 55% off a first-time meal kit box plus free shipping. Additional boxes are 15% off for the next year.
Throughout National Nurses Week and every day nurses enjoy a 10% discount with a valid medical ID at the Australian-inspired casual dining chain.
Nurses are eligible for a 15% discount on healthy snacks sitewide with identity verification through ID.me at checkout.
Health and beauty
Ulta offers products for the entire family. The more you spend the more you save with up to 1% cash back for nurses through ID.me.
Nurses are eligible for up to 1.2% cash back after verifying through ID.me.
Cash in with a 20% discount on any regularly priced Theragun device or TheraOne CBD product from the wellness technology company through ID.me.
Known for its natural and probiotic skincare products, U.S. nurses receive 20% off at TULA Skincare when they log into ID.me.
Show a valid ID at any Eyemart Express store and receive a 20% discount for in-store purchases.
The maker of mineral makeup, skin care and sun care, Colorescience nurse customers receive a 15% discount on every order using an ID.me account at checkout.
For even more discounts and offers, check out the ID.me shop and SheerID.
What is dysphagia?
Like aphasia, it can be caused by neurological conditions such as brain injuries and stroke, but it also can stem from muscle disorders, certain cancers and blockages/strictures in the throat.
Depending on the cause, dysphagia can be temporary or long-term.
Conditions commonly associated with dysphagia include:
- Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
- Neck and throat cancers
- Late-stage Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
- Cervical neck surgeries
Stages of dysphagia
There are three phases of swallowing that are impacted with dysphagia:
- Oral: This is the process of chewing food and mixing it with saliva to form a bolus in order for it to be moved from the front of the mouth to the back of the mouth. A person with dysphagia in this phase could have trouble breaking down the food enough to properly move it to the back of the mouth to trigger the swallowing reflex. This stage is also where tongue weakness or decreased sensation may impact the ability to clear food from the sides of the mouth causing it to pocket in the cheeks.
- Pharyngeal: This is where the swallowing reflex begins, and pharyngeal muscles push food down the throat to the esophagus. The epiglottis (a cartilage) inverts to protect the airway and sends the bolus towards the esophagus. This is when the upper esophageal sphincter opens to allow food to travel into the esophagus. A person with dysphagia in this phase might feel like the food is “entering the wrong pipe,” Delashaw said, because the muscles in the pharynx and/or larynx are not operating properly to prevent food or liquids from entering the airway.
- Esophageal: This is when the bolus is taken from the upper esophageal sphincter that has opened, allowing it to enter the esophagus. Peristalsis (muscle contractions) carries the bolus from the upper esophagus towards the stomach. In this phase, a person with dysphagia may feel like food is stuck in their throat or chest.
Symptoms of dysphagia
Dysphagia symptoms could include:
- Coughing or choking during or shortly after eating or drinking
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Feeling that food is stuck in the throat or chest
- Painful swallowing
- Regurgitation
- Food sitting in the mouth or being pocketed in the cheeks
- Unexplained weight loss
- Reduced desire to eat
Diagnosing dysphagia
Dysphagia is diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Speech-language pathologists diagnose dysphagia with a comprehensive oral exam and swallowing examination, which should include swallowing tests such as a FEES or MBS exam.
- FEES: FEES stands for fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. This is an exam where a speech-language pathologist inserts a small thin scope with a camera through the nose and allows visualization of the throat, larynx and vocal cords to assess swallow function as you eat and drink certain foods.
- MBS: During a modified barium swallow study, a speech-language pathologist will give you food and liquids covered in a small amount of barium. As you swallow, X-rays are performed to view your swallow in real-time.
Treatment of dysphagia
After a dysphagia diagnosis, a speech-language pathologist can help determine what consistency of food and liquids is safest to eliminate risk of choking or aspiration. They can also provide therapy and exercises to help strengthen the muscles used during the different stages of swallowing.
Treatment should always involve a discussion with the individual to determine their wishes regarding oral intake and development of dysphagia treatment.
“If difficulty is noted in the oral phase, we can design an exercise program to target movement for the muscles used when breaking down the food,” Delashaw said. “Say you had a stroke that impacted lip muscles, and you can’t hold food in your mouth. We’re going to work on increasing the control and strength of the lip muscles, so you do not lose liquids or foods out of the mouth.”
In addition to exercises, Delashaw said neuromuscular electrical stimulation could also be used to increase muscle awareness in the different stages of dysphagia.
In the esophageal stage, your speech-language pathologist could suggest obtaining a referral from your primary care doctor to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation.
Recovery from dysphagia
Depending on the diagnosis and related conditions, dysphagia could improve over time. If swallowing difficulty is related to a neurological condition, inpatient rehabilitation could help develop adaptive techniques and diet plans to meet your needs and quality of life standards.
The multidisciplinary approach in this setting also allows for other symptoms related to your condition to be addressed through intensive therapy. In addition to working with a speech-language pathologist, your therapy team would also include a physical therapist and occupational therapist to address mobility and strength as well as activities of daily living and quality of life.