Spinal Stenosis

Thoracic Spinal Stenosis Symptoms and Treatments

Thoracic spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal cord or spinal nerves are compressed by narrowing of the spinal canal or the openings between vertebrae. The thoracic spine has some unique characteristics that make thoracic spinal stenosis a little different than stenosis in other areas. Thoracic spinal stenosis rarely occurs in isolation, but is almost always accompanied by stenosis in the lumbar area, and sometimes also the cervical spine.

There are 12 thoracic vertebra and they articulate with the 12 sets of ribs that protect our major organs. The thoracic spine curves outward, and the curve is gentler than the cervical or lumbar curves. Because of the ribs, the thoracic spine is more fixed than the cervical or lumbar areas, too. Most of the motion of the thoracic spine is rotation, with little flexion or extension.

The spinal canal is naturally narrower in the thoracic area, even though the size of the spinal cord remains the same. That means there is less extra space, so it takes less obstruction to cause problems.

Symptoms
Like cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis, thoracic spinal stenosis can be congenital or acquired. There is a great deal of difference, however, in how it is manifested.

Most thoracic spinal stenosis is due to degenerative changes—arthritis in the joints, bone spurs, disc degeneration and other changes due to aging. As the degeneration progresses, you may experience pain in your back and legs, either aching in your legs when you walk that gets better when you rest, or pain that radiates down your back or legs. You may develop problems with walking or loss of bowel or bladder function.

Because the thoracic spinal canal is already naturally narrow, people with congenital spinal stenosis cannot tolerate any extra pressure on the spinal cord. They tend to develop symptoms of cord compression (loss of sensation or movement below the injury) rapidly after minor injury.

Treatment
Degenerative thoracic spinal stenosis may get better with conservative treatment, which includes anti-inflammatory medications, pain management and physical therapy. Steroid injections or nerve blocks may help manage the pain.

If the pain is uncontrolled or if there are signs of cord compression, however, surgery is necessary to relieve pressure on the cord or spinal nerves. Traditional surgical options are laminectomy or corpectomy to provide more room in the spinal canal and spinal fusion to stabilize the spine and prevent damage to the cord.

Minimally invasive surgery may be an option for some cases of thoracic stenosis. Surgery is done through an endoscope using a microscope to directly visualize the spine. Microsurgical techniques allow the surgeon to perform precise, delicate maneuvers to remove the nerve pressure and repair structures.

About the Author: David Betz is a consultant doing work for Laser Spine Surgery http://www.laserspineinstitute.com and Houston Web Site Design http://www.novatexsolutions.com

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Spinal Stenosis Resources

Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis – Mayo Clinic

Back Surgery

When Do You Need Back Surgery?

Most of us are familiar with back pain of some kind. You bend over to pick something up or twist the wrong way, and the pain hits you like a baseball bat. Even though it hurts a lot, however, you usually get better in a few days by resting, using a heating pad or ice packs and taking anti-inflammatory medications.

Sometimes your back pain doesn’t go away, though. It may have been getting worse for a long time, and you’re tired of suffering with it. You’ve probably tried a lot of things besides home treatment, like prescription medications, steroid injections and physical therapy, and you’re still not getting relief.

Physicians are reluctant to suggest back surgery unless it’s really necessary and nothing else helps. Any kind of surgery has risks associated with it; some risks associated with back surgery are:
· General surgical risks, such as reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, infection, lung problems and blood clots.
· Problems with the surgery itself, like poor healing of bone grafts.
· Problems due to spinal nerve damage, like weakness and paralysis, urinary or fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
· Poor surgical results. Back surgery doesn’t always relieve the pain, and some people even get “failed back surgery syndrome” with persistent pain.
· Problems due to scar tissue formation. As time goes by, scar tissue shrinks, and it can cause pressure on the spinal nerves and your back pain can come back.

There are some newer “minimally invasive” procedures using endoscopes. The surgeon inserts a small endoscope through a tiny incision. Using a microscopic camera, she can directly visualize the damage and repair it through the endoscope. Instead of cutting the muscles, she pushes them aside, which means there is less scarring after surgery. This is an exciting development because endoscopic surgery can be as effective as open back surgery, there are fewer complications, you’re in the hospital for a shorter time, and you recover faster.

With all of that said, however, there are times when you really do need back surgery. Your doctor may recommend it if:
· You’ve had back pain for six months or longer that is not getting better with other treatments.
· You have weakness in your arms or legs, trouble grasping things or numbness/tingling in your legs and feet.
· You have lost bladder or bowel control
· You have spinal instability.
· You have spinal deformity.

When you can’t manage the pain or when you’re having functional problems because the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves are being impaired—that’s when you need back surgery.

About the Author: David Betz is a consultant doing work for Laser Spine Surgery http://www.laserspineinstitute.com and Houston Web Site Design http://www.novatexsolutions.com

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Back Surgery Resources

Back Surgery
Back Treatment

Colon Cleanse

Colon Cleanse versus Body Detox

By Silvia Blach

You may have heard that the human body can store up to 20 pounds of excess waste and toxins. Although most individuals do not have this much stored, even 5 pounds can be too much. That is why you may be interested in ridding these toxins from your body, but how do you? You will find two main options listed online, a colon cleanse and a body detox.

For the most part, you will find many similarities between a colon cleanse and a body detox. You will also see some differences. For example, both are designed to eliminate toxins from your body. The approach taken is different. With a body cleanse your whole body is targeted, including your colon. With a colon cleanse, only the colon is targeted.

So, which approach is right for you? It depends. First, it is important to look at results. Do you want to remove any of the above mentioned extra waste which may be causing you to carry around excess pounds? If so, a colon cleanse is your best option. This specifically targets the excess weight and poundage in your track.

Although many people are horrified to hear that they may have a lot of waste built-up in their bodies, that is not the only reason for a cleanse or detox. Detoxification has a number of benefits, including an improvement in skin complexion, increased energy, and an overall feeling of wellbeing. If this is your goal, a whole body detox is your best option.

How you intend to detox or cleanse can also determine if a whole body cleanse or colon cleanse is right for you. With colon cleanses, you have a number of different options, including a saltwater flush. Even with this cheap option, many prefer to purchase over-the-counter products, which may include pills or drink mixes. In most instances, these products do work, but you may find them to be costly. A drink mix, which tends to work faster than pills, can cost up to $50 for one serving!

In keeping with costs, you may find a whole body detox to be a more affordable option. This is due to your options. Although over-the-counter products are available for sale, many turn to water fasting, juice fasting, and the Master Cleanse. Out of the three, the Master Cleanse will be the most expensive, as you need to purchase cayenne pepper, grade b maple syrup, natural salt, and fresh lemons. Not only do body detox tend to be cheaper, but remember that they target the whole body, including the colon.

As previously stated, colon cleanses tend to work faster than whole body detox. This is because you are targeting a specific area of your body. As nice as this sounds, you need to take your daily routine into consideration. A colon cleanse in a drink format should produce results in 1 hour or less. At this point in time, you will find yourself running to the bathroom. For that reason, a colon cleanse is recommended for at-home use only. Pills tend to work over a period of 7 to 30 days. Throughout that time, you will notice a pattern in your bathroom habits, making it easy to go about your daily routine.

So, should you undergo a colon cleanse or a whole body detox? The choice is yours to make. However, if you have the time to devote to a body detox and have the ability to forgo solid foods, you may experience the best results.

Detox Body Detox offers helpful information and guide on colon cleansing. If you have been living on planet earth, you absolutely must start to detox your colon now!

Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Colon Cleanse Resources

Colon Cleansing
Colon Cleanse Central

Dental Implants

Types of Dental Implants in Implant Dentistry – Considerations You Should Know

By Wally Singer

If you are missing a few teeth, the best choice for you is a dental implant. Most dental implants are made of titanium, and they are placed directly in to the jaw’s bone structure. There are several types of dental implants, though, and this article will outline the different types.

Root Form Implants
This is the most common type of dental implant. It looks exactly like a real tooth root, but it needs plenty of jaw bone to be inserted. If you don’t have enough bone for the surgery, the dentist will do a bone graft to increase the amount of bone. Afterwards, the gum is open and the jaw is completely exposed after which the implant is inserted. Your gums are closed with stitches, and you will need several months for recovery.

Plate Form Implant
For people with a narrow jaw line, this is the dental implant of choice. It’s used when the dentist is unable to graft more bone on to your jaw. The design of this dental implant is long, so it fits better in the narrow shape of a small jaw. The gums are open, and the rest of the procedure is similar to the root form implant. Your dental implant is inserted and the gums are closed with stitches. Like root forms, this surgery requires several months to recover from the procedure.

Subperiosteal Implants
If your jaw is too small and narrow, this procedure is preferred. Subperiosteal implants are similar to plate form implants except it has a unique way of being inserted into your gums. Subperiosteal implants are inserted after a specific mold of your gums is made. Finally, after the mold is made, the dental implant is inserted similar to the other methods. You will need several days of recovery for this method as well.

Cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures, including teeth whitening and dental implants, can help enhance your smile. Find a cosmetic dentistry office near Houston to learn more.

Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Dental Implant Resources

Dental Implants Consumer Guide
Dental Implant Info

Vasectomy Reversal Surgery

By David Done

Making the Decision for Vasectomy Reversal Surgery

When you made your decision to have a vasectomy, it wasn’t made overnight. There was a lot of thought, emotions and time put into that decision. And if you are considering a vasectomy reversal surgery, then no doubt, all of those familiar considerations have resurfaced.

There is a lot to think about before choosing to undergo a vasectomy reversal surgery. From emotional and physical aspects of the surgery to the reasons behind your wanting to be a father, it can be quite a daunting experience.

Who is Vasectomy Reversal Surgery For?

Vasectomy reversal surgery is a highly effective way for couples to achieve pregnancy through natural conception after a man has already had a vasectomy. While it may seem rare that a man who had a vasectomy may consider having it reversed, the truth is that of the half a million men who choose vasectomies each year, five percent will elect to undergo reversal surgery at some point. The reasons for their change of heart are varied, including:

• Financial upswing
• Divorced and re-married
• Changed outlook on life

Who Should NOT Seek Vasectomy Reversal Surgery?

Vasectomy reversal surgery is not for everyone. For instance, if you are happy with the size of your family but your partner craves more children, then the two of you need to truly discuss your family planning matters more thoroughly. Also, the financial responsibilities of having another child should be considered. If you are having a difficult time making ends meet now, then having another child is not a good idea. Of course, you have to be able to afford the vasectomy reversal surgery as well. This is not to discourage you from choosing to reverse your vasectomy; this is simply to point out that not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure. A vasectomy reversal surgery can be highly successful and you should undergo it only if you are prepared to provide a loving and supporting home for a new child.

The Emotional Aspects of Vasectomy Reversal Surgery

Becoming a father is one of the most emotional times in one’s life.. A baby brings with it not only great joy but an incredible range of emotions and it all begins with vasectomy reversal surgery.

It’s important to understand the emotional aspects of your decision. For most men, the birth of a child after a vasectomy reversal is an intensely happy occasion. It allows the fulfillment of a desire that may have seemed out of reach. For some men, however, the prospect of having another child brings stirs a mix of emotions. For some reluctant fathers, the birth of a child can be a blessing that motivates and invigorates the man in this next wonderful phase of his life. On the other hand, vasectomy reversal is not always the right choice, and if a man truly does not desire this he should not do it.

If a couple has an inherently unhappy marriage, and the man or his spouse hopes that having a child will help to heal those cracks, then he should re-consider his decision. Pregnancy rarely saves a troubled marriage. But for other couples, it is only the barrier of a vasectomy interferes with the ability of a marriage to become a family, and for those couples, vasectomy reversal can enhance the marriage.

Vasectomy Reversal Surgery and Age

Another major topic that comes up when deciding on reversing a vasectomy is age of both the male and his partner. There is no age maximum for a male to undergo vasectomy reversal surgery, but for women over the age of 40, there is a lower chance of successfully becoming pregnant.

Choosing to reverse your vasectomy is an important decision. To learn more about vasectomy reversals surgery, visit VasectomyReversalUSA.com or call 714-REVERSE (714.738.3773).

Learn More:

Vasectomy Reversal California – Finest, safest, affordable and the most result-oriented Vasectomy Reversal experience in the USA.

About Author:

VasectomyReversalUSA.com offers you the whole range of services related to male infertility and Vasectomy Reversal. Find more information & resources about California Vasectomy Reversal at VasectomyReversalUSA.com

Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Vasectomy Reversal Resources

Vasectomy Reversal Info
Center For Vasectomy Reversal