Technological advances in healthcare have vastly improved patient care and surgery outcomes over the past 30 years. In effect, these advances are improving our quality of life. In particular, Image-Guided Surgery Systems (IGS) have become the official standard of healthcare over the past 10 years.

IGS systems are often applied in neurology, orthopedics, otorhinolaryngology, ophthalmology, cardiology, urology, gynecology, gastroenterology, dentistry, and cancer treatment.

Specifically, they often deal with cranial, otorhinolaryngological, spinal, orthopedic, and cardiovascular disorders.

IGS technology continues to grow at a rapid-pace, as a minimally invasive and safe surgical innovation. 

What is IGS? 

IGS is also known as surgical navigation and combines navigation technology, image acquisition, and image processing. It considered analogous to GPS (Global Position System), as both allow drivers/surgeons to see their position on a computer-generated map. Both IGS and GPS use cameras or electromagnetic fields to show the person’s location on a computer monitor. In the case of IGS, the patient’s anatomy and the surgeon’s movements can be seen on computer monitors in the operating room.

Navigation in surgery is an example of these technological advances. IGS technology allows the surgeon to see in 3D. It makes surgery safer, more precise with safe targeting of anatomy, and uses less invasive tools. This allows for more challenging and daring procedures to be performed.

IGS allows surgeons to answer questions, such as

• Where is my target and how do I reach it safely?
• How should I position my tool? 

Types of IGS Hand-Held Surgical Probes

One of the most important parts of Image-Guided Surgery Systems is the hand-held surgical probe. This tool allows the surgeon to work on a designated area efficiently. The tool often has sensors, which work with the computer to show its position in real-time.

2 types of probes are especially important.

• Radiotracer-guided intra-operative probes – are believed to be able to “increase the specificity of tissue biopsies, enable minimal-access incisions, reduce patient hospital utilization, and contribute to improved patient recovery.”

• Intraoperative probes – are often “used in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, breast carcinoma, thyroid tumors, and parathyroid adenoma.”

Types of IGS Surgeries 

• Image-Guided Reconstructive Orthopedic Surgeries – include total knee and total hip replacements. These ligament reconstructions help surgeons properly align implants to avoid complications like leg length discrepancies. They also include trauma and emergency interventions, such as percutaneous spine injuries.

• Neurology and Neurosurgery–include craniotomy, shunt replacement, brachytherapy, and biopsy.

·         Ear, Nose and Throat – include Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS). 

• Minimally Invasive Revascularization Surgery – used in beating-heart coronary artery bypass grafting. They use cutting edge tools and techniques to optimize beating-heart revascularization.

Do you always wonder how to preserve tissue samples? There is a spread of strategies to preserve tissue and DNA samples that are well tested and regularly used as well as freezing, drying and storage in ethanol or buffer. Among the foremost often used preservation methodology of samples collected for DNA analyses is freezing.

Emerging Types of Surgeries

·         Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping – these are the lymph nodes in which tumor cells first metastasize.

·         Optical IGS – are being developed for the detection of tumors.

Benefits of IGS

Recent advances in (IGS) have changed the way surgeons perform difficult procedures.

IGS overcomes limitations of conventional surgery, such as the difficulty of trying to reach hard to reach areas physically and the human eye’s range of vision. Surgeons can now perform procedures with precision in complicated surgeries. 

For example, they can now see the body in 3D allowing the surgeon to create a precise plan for the surgery. This is especially beneficial for seeing in narrow or small areas, such as the artery, sinus, Eustachian tube, or larynx. They can plan exactly where to make the incision, how to get there, and what to avoid.

Surgeons can now build patient-specific models of anatomy, allowing them to extract abnormal tissue without damaging surrounding tissue. It is now easier than ever to see and differentiate between abnormal tissues, such as tumors, and healthy tissue.

This decreases surgery invasiveness, leading to faster recoveries, smaller incisions, reduced complications, and more positive outcomes of surgeries especially for inoperable patients. In addition, it shortens operating times.

In addition, IGS is able to see inside solid objects, such as tumors, and see them in higher contrast. They can now easily measure the position, location, and size of the tumor. Most importantly, they can also identify changes in parts of anatomy, such as the brain, during the surgery itself.

IGS Outcomes 

It is believed that IGS will become the common way to perform all surgeries. 

The developments are increasing accuracy of procedures and reducing complications. According to a 2019 study by Trends Market Research, the market for IGs is expected to rise exponentially by 2024, in the US, Asia, and Europe. 

Recent developments 

IGS is being used more and more for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and is considered one of the most significant advances in this surgery since its inception. Surgeons can now follow the sinus cavity on the computer with endoscopic positioning systems, which use optical, electromechanical and magnetic tracking.Clinical trials and surgeon training will only improve IGS as technological advances continue.

Mental health is an issue that has come increasingly to the fore of public attention in recent years. In recognition of previous generations being unwilling to talk about mental health difficulties, and in a committed attempt to comprehensively overcome what is such a complex health condition, mental health difficulties are now more openly discussed than ever before and new innovative treatment methods have emerged, such as psychotherapy clinics, where patients can undergo a wide range of treatment from a psychotherapist.

Bipolar disorder is also characterized by various phases that reappear over and over again in the course of the illness. These are depressive and manic phases. Because anxiety and depression can emerge from a vastly different array of causes, and also show themselves in various forms, psychotherapy is often described as the ‘talking therapy’ and is designed to give patients the ability to adapt to future difficult situations. Lasting either for short-term, one-hour sessions, or taken more longer-term over months or years, therapy with a psychotherapist can either be one-to-one, in groups or pairs, or take the form of music, art or drama.

What conditions can psychotherapy treat?

Seen as a multi-layered approach to mental health therapy, psychotherapy differs from psychiatry and psychology in that it provides a non-medical approach to treating mental health issues. It is often associated with holistic healthcare because it takes a ‘whole-body’ approach to its therapy methods, taking the entire human form into consideration when providing treatment and solutions to seemingly separate issues.

Psychotherapy can be used against deep-rooted phobias such as agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anger issues, where the solutions may lie in other areas of the body such as poor diet or lack of exercise. It can also be used to address issues that have been caused by external factors, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, bereavement, divorce issues, and drug addiction. In all cases, a tailored and bespoke treatment plan is usually crafted to overcome the unique circumstances behind each condition.

Psychotherapy clinics often employ multidisciplinary teams with backgrounds including life coaching, couples counseling, and mindful eating, which enables a wider collaboration aimed at helping patients search all the possible areas of their lives to identify the root causes of their difficulties. One of the central beliefs of holistic medicine is that it actively promotes the connection between mental and physical health, and explores how problems in one area usually originate in the other.

Psychotherapy differs from other similar-sounding specialties such as psychiatry and psychology in that it applies talking therapies in a non-medical way, although the core aspects of conventional medicine are very much still followed – confidentiality, the duty of care and complete objectivity.

How successful is psychotherapy?

The reputation of psychotherapy is such that market analysts have measured the value of the global behavior therapy market at over $183 billion as of 2018 – with this estimated to grow to over $347bn by the end of 2025. Analysts put this staggering value down to greater awareness of the therapy and a desire by people to move away from medication, in the belief that talking through issues and addressing overall physical and mental health are more satisfying and effective approaches.

The rise in substance abuse has also led to active support of psychotherapy programs by governments, who have issued various grants and other initiatives to spread the availability of treatment to victims of substance abuse. North America remains the biggest consumer of behavior therapy, with Europe in second place – the growth in allergy cases in China and India are expected to drive future growth in the Asia Pacific region.

Professional opinion on its effectiveness differs. In the UK, the Royal College of Psychiatrists acknowledges its success in treating physical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and the level of blood sugar in brittle diabetes. It has also had notable achievements in preventing relapse in mental illness, helping with social and family relationships and general functioning, and completely changing personalities. As with many mental health treatments, the College advises that psychotherapy is not necessarily for everyone and recommends a decision on whether or not to continue is considered following an initial consultation.

On the flip side, the British Psychological Society says that many risks of psychotherapy have been under-reported. Claiming that many psychotherapists are largely unaware of the risks of some of their treatment methods, the Society pointed to a 2007 study that listed some of the problematic therapies as critical incident stress debriefing, facilitated communication, recovered-memory techniques, boot camps for conduct disorder, attachment therapy, dissociative identity disorder-oriented psychotherapy, grief counselling for normal bereavement and expressive-experiential psychotherapies. In a small number of cases, treatment might have actually caused harm to a patient or at least slowed their progress.

As with all mental health therapies, deciding on whether psychotherapy works for an individual very much depends on initial experience and how the patient feels afterward. However, finding an effective way of tackling such an unpredictable condition with multiple causes and symptoms is a welcome development for anyone who has experienced it themselves.

A bride is usually the center of attention at a wedding. This can be great if you love being in the limelight, but it might also be a cause for panic. All eyes will be on you, at least for a crucial few minutes, so you need to take some steps beforehand.

All those decisions and preparations could get confusing, so here are some things you should check off first. This way, you’ll be well on your way to feeling fabulous when the time comes:

Get the Right Dress

Once you have the perfect wedding dress, you’ll feel like half the work is done. Make sure you choose the one that goes with your body type, instead of going a few sizes smaller and placing undue pressure on yourself.

For a destination wedding, you might want to consider something shorter and easier to handle than the traditional ball gown. It’s also best to deal with the bridesmaid dresses as soon as possible. You can learn here what styles are in and give your bridesmaids a chance to choose as well.

Set Aside Time for Self-Pampering

This is a stressful time for everyone, but especially for you. That’s why you need to have some pampering sessions no matter what! You can get this in the form of a spa day with friends, but having a proper skincare and health routine is essential as well. Get those massages along with refreshing facials.

Pampering also includes learning how to avoid wedding makeup mistakes and going for the makeup that makes you comfortable. There’s no need to stress out over too much makeup, or anything experimental. Waterproof mascara, manicured nails, and a long-lasting lipstick are your best friends here.

Enjoy Sharing The Wedding Promises With Your Spouse-To-Be

Your wedding promises are another thing that bog you down, so don’t leave them too late. Keep them simple, and don’t be afraid to consult your to-be spouse beforehand. You can include your plans for the future in those, or just go with how happy you feel.

As long as it’s from the heart, this step shouldn’t be an issue. For more inspiration, try to read some books with quotes about love, companionship, and marriage.

Think Home Decor

After you get married and settle down, your first thought will probably be that of making a home. You can prepare for that beforehand by picking out some home décor items. Planning out the home interior will help you make the place feel special the moment you step into it.

You can begin by deciding on the color scheme. Once that’s done, you can collect some items that match your ideas. Again, you might want to collaborate with your significant other to make sure you’re both on the same page. Get the essentials first, such as a sofa, closet, chairs, and rugs along with the bed.

Focus On The Finances Beforehand

This is a difficult time for most young couples, so it’s best to be honest and straightforward about your finances before the wedding. Sit down with your future spouse and chalk out a budget that will suit both of you.

If you have to delay the honeymoon or wheel back on the wedding expenses, it’s best if that’s a mutual decision. An honest discussion now will help you feel more relaxed and ready when the big day rolls around.

The Takeaway

Remember that your inner peace and happiness is of utmost importance as you prepare for your marriage. Let all the worries fade away, and relax as much as possible. This will help you enjoy your wedding while also looking like a million bucks!

In the world of cosmetic procedures, anti-aging generally involves two different categories of treatments: skin resurfacing and surgery. Skin resurfacing, such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels, can improve the appearance of fine lines and spots. However, they don’t address deep wrinkles and sagging skin. For many years, surgical facelifts were the only way people with sagging skin could achieve a permanent, youthful look. Now, advances in medical technology have resulted in anti-aging procedures that don’t require surgery at all. One of these new procedures is the “silhouette thread lift.”

What Is a Thread Lift?

The FDA-approved thread lift procedure uses sutures, or very thin, flexible threads, to lift sagging skin. The threads are sewn into the treatment areas under a local anesthetic. This eliminates the need for incisions, sedation, stitches, or general anesthesia. Along with lifting the skin from underneath, the sutures also trigger the body’s healing processes. This stimulates collagen production, which supports the sutures and adds volume to the skin, further contributing to a younger, rejuvenated look.

Thread lifts can be used to treat the following areas:

• Eyebrows
• Cheeks
• Jawline
• Neck

How Does a Threadlift Differ from a Facelift?

First and foremost, a facelift is considered major surgery. Therefore, patients who are about to undergo a facelift must follow their doctor’s pre-surgery instructions, such as fasting or adjusting medications. During the procedure itself, the patient will be put under general anesthesia, and the surgeon will make the appropriate incisions, removing excess skin if necessary. Facelift surgery takes three to six hours to complete. Patients must be driven home by a friend after their surgery. Patients must also rest at home for the duration of their recovery, which can take several weeks.

Benefits of a Threadlift over a Facelift

• Recovery

Unlike a facelift, a thread lift takes about 45 minutes to complete, and there’s no general anesthesia involved. With this in mind, the most obvious benefit of a thread lift is that there is almost no downtime required for recovery. Some mild bruising or swelling is normal and expected to subside in a week.

• Quick and Simple

People opting for a thread lift can drive themselves to and from the procedure. Some people are even able to receive the treatment during their lunch break and return straight to work. The results are immediate and last for several years. With a facelift, patients must request time off work, arrange their own transportation, and might have to find childcare as well.

• Low Risk

Thread lifts are non-invasive and incision-free, so complications are rare. They are free from the risks associated with surgery (bleeding, infection, bruising, anesthesia complications). Because there are no incisions or stitches, there is virtually no risk of scarring from a thread lift. In rare instances, some people may be able to feel their sutures under the skin, which can cause irritation. If this happens, the surgeon can simply remove the sutures.

• Affordable

Because a thread lift is simpler than a facelift, it is usually more affordable than a facelift as well. The results of a thread lift are less permanent than a facelift. Still, the procedure is safe and affordable enough to be repeated in patients who have had prior thread lifts.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Threadlift?

Thread lifts are best for treating the early signs of aging, such as fine lines and mild sagging. Ideal candidates are in their early 30s to 50s, in good health, and have realistic expectations for a thread lift procedure. The results are subtle and semi-permanent, with the skin being lifted by a few millimeters. People over the age of 55 with very mature skin or wishing to see more dramatic, permanent results might prefer a facelift over a thread lift. However, people who can’t undergo facelifts for age-related reasons, like high blood pressure or diabetes, can safely reverse some signs of aging with a thread lift.

Best Practices to Get the Most out of Your Threadlift

People who have received thread lifts should avoid vigorously rubbing their faces when they cleanse, moisturize, or apply makeup. They should also sleep with their heads slightly elevated to avoid rolling onto their faces during sleep. They can resume normal activity once their skin has healed around the sutures.

Because of the ease and safety of a thread lift, it can be combined with other nonsurgical procedures to maximize its anti-aging benefits. Once a person’s face has healed from a thread lift, they might be interested in ultrasound therapy or injectables like Botox to further lift and tighten their skin. They might also need skin resurfacing to improve their skin’s tone and texture, which addresses the age spots and pigmentation that aren’t treatable with thread lifts. Combining these different treatments allows the patient to achieve their best, most youthful appearance without having to undergo any surgery at all.

With all the procedures that are available to us today, settling on the right one for you can be an overwhelming task. Consulting with a doctor is the best way to figure out whether you will benefit from a thread lift. If you want to make a positive change in your aging face, book an appointment with a local plastic surgeon to learn more about thread lifts and other anti-aging treatments.

Many children and adults suffer from crooked or misaligned teeth. If they’re lucky the degree of the misalignment may be small, and it may not be very noticeable. However there are lots of cases where that isn’t true, and the crooked teeth may even cause other health issues.

Causes of Crooked Teeth

In general, crooked teeth can be classified as either tooth that came in crooked, or that gradually became crooked. Some of the more common causes of crooked teeth include:

• Repetitive oral habits

Certain repetitive oral habits can affect the muscles, and function of the mouth – and cause teeth to become crooked. The more common habits that you should try to avoid are pacifier use, thumb sucking, mouth breathing, and tongue thrusting.

• Misaligned jaw

If you have a misaligned jaw such as an overbite or underbite, it can result in malocclusion. Essentially teeth will be ‘pushed’ out of place, making them crooked.

• Genetic factors

Children with parents that have crooked or misaligned teeth are more likely to end up with misaligned teeth themselves. Aside from the risk of inheriting crooked teeth, children may also inherit issues with jaw alignments such as an overbite or underbite.

• Poor dental health

Dental issues such as cavities and gum disease can both affect the alignment of teeth. If your dental health is poor and you don’t go to a dentist regularly for a checkup, the risk of it affecting your teeth alignment is higher.

• Injuries and trauma

As you can imagine, any injuries or facial trauma could result in crooked teeth. A forceful hit to the mouth or face will be able to quite literally knock teeth out of place – and may cause other damage as well.

• Nutrition

In order to develop properly, your teeth, jaw, and facial muscles all require good nutrition. If a child does is not able to get sufficient nutrition, it is more likely that their teeth will end up crooked.

Make no mistake there are other causes of crooked teeth as well, but the ones listed above are the more common culprits. Based on them you may even be able to pinpoint the reason why your teeth are crooked.

What Can Be Done About Crooked Teeth

If your teeth are just slightly misaligned or a little bit out of place, you may not feel the need to do anything about them. However, in more severe cases they can affect your self-confidence, quality of life, and cause other health issues too.

The good news is that crooked teeth can be straightened. Overall that is done in two different ways:

• Braces

While there are several different types of braces available nowadays, they function in a similar way. The braces will slowly help to adjust the alignment of your teeth.

The time and cost that it takes to fix crooked teeth using braces can vary quite a bit. Additionally, some braces are very noticeable, while others such as Invisalign Buckingham are completely invisible.

• Teeth straightening surgery

A less popular option to straighten teeth is to have surgery done. By repositioning the gums and bones in the jaw, the position and alignment of teeth can be fixed.

The cost of teeth straightening surgery can be quite high. On top of that in many cases, it is just part of the treatment, and your dentist may recommend that you wear braces afterward.

All said and done it should be clear that there are definitely ways to tackle crooked teeth – but each case is different. That is why the first thing you need to do is visit your dentist and have them take a look then recommend the best course of action.

Keep in mind that if your teeth are very crooked, it is better to have them adjusted sooner rather than later so that they don’t end up affecting you in the long term.

CBD oils have proven to have a range of health benefits to users, including pain relief, reduces inflammation, treatment of epilepsy, depression, anxiety, good for the skin, and studies have also shown that CBD reduces cancer cells. With this, CBD is continually growing in popularity, with more and more users turning to this product for the treatment of numerous ailments. The increased demand has led to the rise of more CBD products hitting the market. Although this is great for consumer selection, choosing the best full-spectrum CBD oil in Canada has become such an overwhelming task.

How do you select the right CBD oil for you and use it correctly? Here are a few tips to guide you through your search. 

Consider the dosage

The only way to enjoy the mentioned benefits and more is if you consume the product in the right dosage. Regardless of the CBD product, you plan on using, any reputable seller will recommend dosage to avoid experiencing the side effects of overdosing. Some CBD oils contain more CBD concentration than others, and it is, therefore, vital to keep that in mind when changing the brand.

Check the CBD concentration

This is more like a dosage, but in this case, you should check how much CBD is contained in a single dosage. Most of the CBD oils contain concentration of 100mg, 250mg, 500mg and 1000mg. It is recommendable that you confirm the concentration from the seller to ensure that you are not taking more than your body can take. The concentration may be specified in terms of percentage. Note that the higher the dosage, the higher the amount you take; hence, the more the effect. You should start with a low dosage and concentration, and you can increase it gradually as your body gets used to CBD effects. 

Full-spectrum vs. CBD isolate

CBD oils come in two major types, and it is, therefore, essential that you compare full spectrum CBD versus CBD isolate and determine which one is best for you. CBD isolate has more CBD concentration and can also be termed as pure CBD. This means that it is not mixed with other products. Full-spectrum, on the other hand, has lesser CBD concentration and has additional additives added to the oils. You should consult with an expert to help you determine which one of the two is right for you based on the results you are hoping to get. Also, you need to consider what you want. Both types contain a high CBD concentration but different THC. If you are hoping to get high after using the product, full-spectrum is the better choice for you. CBD isolate, on the other hand, contains little to no THC; hence, you cannot get high after use. 

Consider the source of the oils

There is a range of cannabis and help plants where the oils are sourced. Some of them are higher quality than others.  A good supplier will be honest enough to tell you where they got the products. The quality of the CBD oil will determine if you will get the results you are looking for. You can obtain quality CBD tinctures from Honest Botanicals to get the best effects and avoid any side effects resulting from poorly manufactured CBD oils.

With these tips, you will undoubtedly find the right CBD oil in Canada to enjoy all the benefits that come with the product. However, you might think that you have everything figured out, but without the right supplier, everything else is in vain. Take your time and look for a reputable supplier in the market, and to do so, you should check reviews, customer services, and product selection. All the best!