Trachs, trachs, trachs!

Here are a few Q & A's about trached life.  Sorry for not personalizing it... it's not on my to do list today... it's quite lengthy. 

GTTAW Educational Question 5: Can people with trachs talk, sing, or make any sounds?

There are many ways to Achieve Vocalization with a Tracheostomy

One way involves covering the tube. Having the patient cover the tube by holding a finger or placing a cap over the tube for short periods of time can be considered a solution. This may, however, cause increased resistance to breathing that is intolerable to some patients.  Some patients may get enough air for speech without blocking the tube, but may not have the awareness, muscle movement or muscle tone to make a good occlusion.

Other ways include Talking/Speaking/Speech Valves as an alternative, a variety of valves are available that can be attached to the tracheostomy tube. These valves allow air to enter via the tube, and exit through the mouth and nose.

GTTAW Educational Question 4: Can people with trachs eat?

Having a tracheostomy usually will not affect the eating or swallowing patterns. Sometimes there are changes in swallowing dynamics that require adjusting to, but it is rare that this cannot be overcome in a short time. If swallowing problems do occur, it is usually due to limited elevation of the larynx or poor closure of the epiglottis and vocal cords, which allows food or fluids into the trachea.

Due to the varying conditions that require tracheostomy tubes, many patients (especially infants and children) will have feeding tubes placed as a supportive/supplemental means of nutrition and hydration to minimize the risk of aspiration.

GTTAW Educational Question 6: What about baths and swimming, doesn't water get in the trach?

Specialized equipment is available that can be used to stop water from going into the stoma for swimming and even baths. Once a tracheostomy has been performed, it is not possible to swim without using specialized equipment unless the stoma (hole in the neck) site has healed completely.

Baths and swimmi ng can be done without specialized equipment as long as the water level is kept below the chest with no risk of splashing into the trach. It is considered irresponsible to swim or bathe without speciailized protective equipment, however more experienced trach patients and caregivers have the experience and knowledge to handle these situations safely.