Thursday, November 5, 2009

Stem Cell Technique Provides A Groundbreaking Option In Plastic Surgery




The advancement of plastic surgery is truly amazing. There is no record of when exactly plastic surgery originated, but there is evidence that suggests that plastic surgery has been around for thousands of years. However, it became more popular around the time of World War I. After that, steady growth and miraculous leaps have been seen throughout the history. Plastic surgery continues to evolve and improve and this continued evolution has allowed millions of people to benefit from the procedures both externally and internally. From silicone breast implants, liposuction, face lift, botulinum toxin, to the very recent stem cell therapy, the options are simply limitless.

Recently introduced as a way to treat physical disorders, stem cell technique now takes on a big role in plastic surgery. Scientists are working on a stem cell technique that will allow women to grow their own natural breasts by implementing stem cells that grow as the same type of fat cells found in breast tissue. Breast implants grown from stem cells is believed to provide a safer alternative to silicone or saline implants which have been reported to cause infections. Stem cell implants are also able to better retain their original shape, as opposed to artificial implants which reduce the size as time goes by.

Stem cell therapy also enables a non-surgical approach to facial rejuvenation since stem cells can naturally and effectively repair organs. Saraf S mentioned on "Role of Stem Cells in Plastic Surgery" that the new technique of tissue engineering is expected to revolutionize various aspects in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. When used for wrinkle removal, the implants will retain their size and shape better and longer than any other allogenic implant.

It has also been reported that they have the power to self-renew and differentiate into skin and functioning hair follicles. Multipotent stem cells are said to be capable of developing into the many different cell types needed for hair growth and follicle replacement. The method could one day be used to regenerate hair on bald people or patients with severe burns.

Chiefly, stem cells are derived from the bone marrow or the blood. Stem cells can be stored at a stem cell bank for later use as well. Alternatively, there has been an ongoing research pointing to the enormous potential of using stem cells derived from liposuction in cosmetic surgery, provided that the stem cell is taken from fat before it has become a fat cell.

However, at this stage, stem cell therapy is only a bright, shiny hope that has not been fully studied and approved. There have been reports of side effects and unsuccessful treatments. To date, only a handful of treatments have been licensed, principally for treating leukemia, thalassemia, and eye and skin disorders. More and longer term studies will be needed and many questions remain to be answered.
About Author Pichet Rodchareon :
Dr Pichet Rodchareon writes for Bangkok Plastic Surgery Clinic (http://www.bangkokplasticsurgery.com), center of plastic and cosmetic surgery based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Article Source: http://www.BharatBhasha.com
Article Url: http://www.bharatbhasha.com/health.php/53134
Stem Cell Therapy

Friday, July 31, 2009

Dental Clinic - Three Easy Steps To Choosing The Right One For You

Dental clinic can be a savior or a burden to those that visit. This, of course, depends upon what kind of insurance you have and your options that are available. Sometimes they have a bad rap. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a dental clinic for you and your family.

There is nothing more important than taking good care of your health. Regarding your teeth, and the hygiene of your family, the best way to make sure you and your family receive the best health care Dental Services is turning to a reputable dental clinic to maintain your dental hygiene. When choosing one for your family, make sure the one that you choose is not only covered by your dental plan, but also offers a wide range of family health care professionals and is staffed by reputable dentists.

Word of mouth may actually be the best way to determine if a dental clinic is the best choice for you. My family and I have used three different dentists, all of which have been recommended for their outstanding work. I did not, nor would I have found, these dentists in the phone book, and I certainly would not have had the instant trust that I had if I had found them online.

Make sure you hear things such as the staff is great at making the patients feel comfortable and secure in the dentist office. Make sure that the dentist has all of the necessary certifications to do the dental work that you need.

Most dental offices will offer simple things like tooth bleaching, implants, fillings, tooth extraction and regular check-ups. Make sure that your insurance will cover them. Also check to see if they are part of their preferred provider program so that you can get an even larger discount.

Moreover, make sure that your first visit to the dental clinic is a happy one. If you felt comfortable, come back. If not, do not come back. You have to be comfortable while someone is drilling on your teeth or you should not even be in the room.

by Michael Kohler

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Choose Massage Therapy For Relieving Stress, Muscle Tension and Fatigue, and Pain From Everyday Life

High amounts of stress, elevated blood pressure, and sugary caffeine drinks are elements of everyday life for 4 or 5 billion people worldwide. Most individuals don't even recognize, much less acknowledge, the stress that they are under at work is slowly affecting their life at home. Like a boiling teapot, pressure builds up to a sudden release. People and families hopefully take periodic vacations to let off steam and relax, but in this economy, vacations are quickly becoming a fleeting wish that never becomes realized.

The simplest and always overlooked solution is not a pill or shot, but massage therapy. Forget those fancy overpriced chairs with the rollers. Massage therapy has been relied upon for hundreds and thousands of years by Eastern and European cultures as a means to reduce muscle fatigue, overall stress, and improve circulation and health. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans have yet to experience the benefits of massage therapy to deal with the pressures of everyday life.

Some corporations recognize the benefits of massage therapy and make provisions for the executives to receive the benefits of massages. A little secret is that one doesn't need to be an "executive" to partake. Most individuals aren't executives, but suffer from the same kinds of stress day in and day out.

The idea of massage therapy never occurs to the majority of people. That's why gift certificates are always a shocking surprise. Treat friends and reward employees with a much needed visit to a professional massage. After a therapeutic massage experience, the appreciation from friends or employee will be visible. It's relaxation without an expensive flight ticket and hotel stay. Some people would never give a gift like a massage without first ensuring the quality of the gift. This is the perfect opportunity to justify a visit to a professional massage center. "Testing" out a massage is really the only way to ensure that you give a quality gift.

There are several types of therapeutic massage, ranging from Swedish massage, to sports massage, to chair massage, and more. Each kind of massage has distinct health benefits, and most can be adapted to busy lifestyle environments. There are many benefits to getting a "real" massage from a live person instead of a massage from massage gizmo purchased from a store. One benefit is that a legitimate massage from a licensed massage therapist provides focused, targeted treatment to soothe aches, pains, and stress, and the massage therapist can act upon your feedback to ensure that you receive the individualized attention your body needs.

by Daniel P. Elliot

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Dental Insurance and Service Coverage Explained

Preventive dental care will insure your teeth are healthy while decreasing the risk of gum disease and painful cavities. Many dental insurance plans cover preventive care with cleaning, and checkups. To keep your smile healthy, shop around for the best dental plan to suit your needs. The following describes different types of dental care insurance and treatment coverage options available. Dental insurance is usually divided into two types based on the co-pays and network providers.

The Managed Care Dental Insurance Plan:
This plan has a network of doctors that are providers, doctor visits and treatment must be done within the network so choices of dentists are limited to the network providers. Many in this dental plan are assigned a dentist for preventive care within the network.

The Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan: This dental plan has a network of dental health care providers and you choose your dentists and service providers in the network. Going outside of the network may not be covered.

The Fee for Service Dental Insurance Plan:
Dental treatment services are paid at time of service. This plan allows choice of any doctors with individual dental service claims made after each visit. The insurance company then reimburses for any medical expenses covered in the dental plan. Many of the plans have set prices for certain services so check carefully to understand what the plan covers and possible limitations.

Dental Treatment Options and Cost Comparison:
In many dental plans, the least expensive treatment option will be followed by the physician because the dental plan will cover only the less costly procedure.

The patient must cover the additional cost if choosing a more expensive treatment option. For choices in treatment options, monthly premiums are higher but more dental services and procedures are available. Check the policy to find out who makes the treatment decisions. Many people prefer getting higher quality treatments and will opt for higher premiums and co-pays

Dental Treatment and Services Coverage:
Read the policy to find out if the plan covers preventive care for routine cleanings and checkups. Does it cover emergency services? Many plans cover both and list the services covered in the plan. Here's a typical list of routine treatments in a full dental plan:

1) Full x-ray checkup--every three years,
2) Initial oral examination--once per dentist
3) Recall examinations--twice per year,
4) Cavity x-ray checkup-- once per year
5) Teeth cleaning--twice per year
6) Topical Fluoride treatment--twice per year
7) Sealants--for those under age 18.

Routine Corrective Treatments Coverage:
Check what routine corrective treatments are included in your policy coverage. Many need more than preventive dental care to treat more serious dental problems. Some dental plans will cover 70-80 percent of the treatment costs, so find out how much will be paid in co-pays and maximum payout amount of policy. Here are the routine corrective treatments that many dental plans cover:

1) Restorative care - amalgam and composite resin fillings and stainless steel crowns on primary teeth
2) Endodontics - treatment of root canals and removal of tooth nerves
3) Oral Surgery - tooth removal, and minor surgical procedures such as tissue biopsy and drainage of minor oral infections.
4) Periodontics - treatment of periodontal disease including scaling, root planning and management of acute infections or lesions
5) Prosthodontics--repair of existing dentures and bridges.

Take advantage of being covered and visit the dentist on a scheduled basis with routine cleaning, and checkups. Keeping your teeth and mouth healthy requires following a preventive treatment plan. For more expensive treatments or surgery, ask the doctor about payment plans available to cover out of pocket expenses that insurance does not cover. Knowing your dental plan coverage and the treatment services it offers will also be an advantage when choosing additional plan options or changing policies.

by Elliot Bigman