Day: July 26, 2022

Plasmapheresis is a medical treatment that involves removing blood plasma from the body and replacing it with fresh plasma or a plasma substitute. This treatment can be used to treat various conditions, including autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, and kidney disease. Houston Plasmapheresis is also sometimes used as a last-resort treatment for certain types of cancer.

However, this procedure is not without risks, and it is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of plasmapheresis with a medical professional before undergoing treatment. Some of the risks you need to know include:

• Infection: There is always a risk of infection whenever the skin is broken, necessary for plasmapheresis. This risk can be minimized by using sterile equipment and avoiding exposure to contaminated surfaces.
• Allergic reactions: Some people may have allergic reactions to the plasma or plasma substitutes used in treatment. These reactions can be serious, so it is important to be aware of them before treatment begins.
• Bleeding: There is also a risk of bleeding during or after plasmapheresis, especially if you have a blood disorder. This risk can be minimized by avoiding injury during the procedure and by using fresh plasma.

Before you settle for this procedure, you need to understand the different benefits, such as:

• Reducing the levels of antibodies in your blood

When medical experts remove the antibodies in your blood, it will help in reducing the autoimmune reaction. Therefore, the procedure is effective in treating conditions such as myasthenia gravis, Goodpasture’s syndrome, and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

• Removing harmful substances from your blood

In some cases, plasmapheresis can be used to remove harmful substances from the blood, such as certain types of immune cells or proteins. It can be beneficial in treating conditions such as TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) and HUS (hemolytic uremic syndrome).

• Reducing the side effects of certain medications

If you are taking certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, plasmapheresis can help reduce the side effects of these drugs. It is because the procedure can remove the drug from your blood before it has a chance to cause side effects.

There are some potential candidates for plasmapheresis. This treatment may be an option for people who have:

Autoimmune diseases

Plasmapheresis may be an option for people with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or myasthenia gravis. This treatment can help remove antibodies attacking healthy cells in the body. When the antibodies are removed, the autoimmune disease may go into remission.

Blood disorders

Plasmapheresis may also be an option for people with blood disorders such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. This treatment can help to remove abnormal blood cells from the body. This option may be particularly beneficial for TTP people, as this disorder can be life-threatening.

Kidney disease

This option may also be an option for people with kidney disease. Plasmapheresis can help remove harmful substances from the blood, such as immunoglobulin A (IgA). This treatment may also be beneficial for people with active IgA nephropathy, as it can help prevent this condition from progressing to kidney failure.

Cancer

Plasmapheresis may also be an option for people with certain types of cancer. This treatment can help to remove cancer cells from the blood. Plasmapheresis may also be used to treat side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting.

If you are considering plasmapheresis, your Houston Kidney Specialists Center doctor will need to evaluate your specific case to determine if this treatment is right for you.

Birth control or contraception is a method or device used to prevent pregnancy before it begins. There are different methods available to keep you from getting pregnant, but professional help is essential in deciding the proper method for you. When choosing a birth control method for you, you need to factor in variables like potential side effects, convenience, cost, and future pregnancy plans. The following information discusses various hormonal methods of contraception that your Serenity Women’s Health & Med Spa healthcare provider may recommend.

Birth control implant

The implant is a small device that a healthcare provider places beneath the skin into the upper arm. It releases small amounts of progestin hormone, absorbed into the surrounding tissue. The hormone prevents ovulation and thickens your cervical mucus, making it hard for the sperm to penetrate and fertilize the egg. Besides being an effective method of birth control, the implant is also convenient; you don’t have to worry about using it correctly or remember to take it often. Once in place, the implant offers at least three years of protection from pregnancy but can be removed earlier if you prefer not to use it or want to get pregnant.

However, the implant has several drawbacks; for example, expect side effects such as pain, bruising, and redness from putting the implant. The most common side effects of the implants include irregular menstrual bleeding, but other possible side effects include acne, weight gain, breast pain, and nausea.

The combined pill

The pill is an oral contraceptive that contains estrogen and progestin hormones; it keeps you from getting pregnant by:

• Thickening the cervical mucus, making it impenetrable to the sperm
• Preventing ovulation
• Keeping your uterus lining thin.

The pill has additional benefits; for example, it makes menstrual bleeding more regular with a lighter flow and fewer days of bleeding. Women who use the combined pill report a reduction in menstrual cramps and acne. The combined pill also reduces your risk of iron deficiency anemia, ovarian cancer, and uterine lining cancer. However, one potential downside to the pill is that you have to remember to take it every day, which is inconvenient for most people. Common side effects of using the combined pill include breast tenderness, nausea, mood changes, bloating, and irregular bleeding. These side effects usually resolve within the first two to three months without treatment.

Progestin-only pill

As the name suggests, progestin-only pills, also called mini-pills, only contain progestin hormone. They are an alternative for women who cannot or should not take estrogen, such as breastfeeding mothers and patients with high blood pressure. Progestin-only pills are equally effective as the combined pill when taken ideally at the same time every day. However, they have a higher failure rate when you take the pill three hours later than the expected time. If you are more than three hours late or skip a pill, you should use a backup form of birth control for at least seven days. Most women who use progestin-only pills experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting.

If you need help choosing a birth control method, consult your doctor at Serenity Women’s Health & Med Spa.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your mouth to your skull and serves as a hinge. It allows you to communicate, chew, and yawn by moving your jaw up and down and side to side. When it is not working properly, though, it can be really painful. When it comes to TMJ Treatment Jasper, your doctor might recommend a few different things.

One of the best things you can do for TMJ pain is exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles around the joint. These exercises can help to reduce pain and improve the range of motion. You can do these exercises at home, and you do not need any special equipment. Your doctor or physical therapist can show you how to do them.

It is beneficial to consult a specialist to understand what other treatments might be recommended to you. The doctors will be able to assess your case and come up with a treatment plan that is best for you.

Here are a few exercises that your doctor might recommend:

Chin tucks

It is a simple exercise that you can do anywhere, at any time. Sit up tall with your shoulders down and back to do a chin tuck. Gently tuck your chin towards your chest, hold for a few seconds, and release. Repeat this 10 times.

Jaw opening and closing

This exercise is good for stretching the muscles around your TMJ. To do it, sit up tall with your shoulders down and back. Gently open your mouth as wide as possible, hold for a few seconds, and then close it. Repeat this more than 5 times and avoid opening your mouth too wide.

Jaw side-to-side

This exercise helps stretch the muscles and ligaments on either side of your jaw. To do it, sit up with your shoulders down and also back. Gently move your jaw from side to side, holding for a few seconds in each position. Your doctor will recommend how far you should move your jaw.

Neck rolls

This exercise stretches the muscles in your neck, which can help relieve tension in your TMJ. To do it, sit up tall with your shoulders down and back. Gently roll your head from side to side, holding each position for seconds. Avoid rolling your head too far forward or backward.

Shoulder rolls

This exercise stretches the muscles in your shoulders, which can help to reduce tension in your TMJ. To do it, sit up tall with your shoulders down and back. Gently roll your shoulders forward 10 times and then backward 10 times.

Head tilts

This exercise stretches the muscles in your neck and shoulders, which can help to reduce tension in your TMJ. You can exercise while sitting or standing. To do it, slowly tilt your head to the right, then to the left. Repeat this 5 times.

These are just a few of the exercises that your doctor might recommend. If you are not sure how to do them, or if you have any pain, be sure to ask your doctor at Advanced Dental Care of East Texas. They can show you how to do the exercises correctly and help you figure out which ones are best for you.

Even though numerous persons are concerned about the aesthetic consequences of losing one or more teeth, it is more than a superficial problem. Missing teeth could make it hard to talk correctly or eat properly, and it can also compromise the operation of your mouth. Fortunately, numerous tooth replacement solutions are available, including bridges, dentures, and implants. Nonetheless, dental implants Saratoga are still the benchmark for teeth restoration, and understandably so. In this post, cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Kiran Rapal goes over some of the top 5 reasons to consider dental implants. Read on to learn more.

1)Implants Help to Keep Your Jawbone Healthy

Your jaw is surgically attached with dental implants. These implants are made up of the crown (aesthetic tooth), a metal abutment (connection), and a titanium pillar (root).

Very much like natural tooth roots, the post nourishes your jawbone. You are in danger of suffering jawbone atrophy if you do not have enough tooth roots. Dental implants aid in the preservation of your jawbone and, as a result, preserve the structure and integrity of your mouth.

2)Dental Implants Resemble Natural Teeth in Function and Appearance

Even though it is preferable to keep a natural tooth whenever feasible, dental implants appear and operate just like a natural tooth whenever a replacement is necessary. Besides, implants are cosmetically beautiful, and it is hard for anybody else to notice any discrepancy unless you disclose it to them. 

Dental implants operate similarly to natural teeth, so you can floss, brush, and eat normally. On the other hand, Dentures have a rigid palate on the top, rendering it harder to assess your food’s temperature, thus, hindering your ability to fully appreciate it.

3)Implants Have a Long Lifespan

Osseointegration is how your implant’s post merges with your jawbone. For this reason, your implant is designed to last a lifetime. If the crown that rests at the top of your implant gets compromised, it might need repair or replacement. Nonetheless, crowns could last for up to two decades with regular dental care.

4)Anchor Teeth Are Not Necessary with Implant Placement

A bridge is a dental restoration procedure in which the replacement tooth, known as a pontic, is kept in place by two anchors. The anchors, two adjacent teeth to your missing teeth or tooth, are trimmed down and sealed to hold the pontic. However, with an implant, the post placed into your jawbone holds the complete tooth replacement; thus, anchor teeth are unnecessary.

5)Implants Are Adaptable and Practical

Like dentures or bridges, dental implants could be used to replace a single tooth or an entire arch of teeth. However, implants are far more convenient in that:

• They do not necessitate the use of unpleasant adhesives
• Are simple to clean and maintain
• There is no need to soak them overnight
• They are comfortable when talking or biting   

Do not avoid replacing a missing tooth if you are self-conscious about it or find it difficult to eat smoothly. Implants improve your mouth’s function, safeguard the structure of your jaw, and enhance your self-esteem. At Kiran Rapal, DDS, you can expect the best implant restoration procedure outcomes, thanks to the integration of advanced technology and innovative techniques. Call the office near you or book an appointment online today to explore the benefits of dental implants for your smile and overall health.