Breast implant rupture

I had silicone breast implants recently and think I may have a rupture. Is this dangerous?

Breast implants are sturdy and durable but they sure can rupture. When a breast implant ruptures, the silicone leaks around the breast and can cause development of a thick firm scar. This may lead to pain and asymmetry of the breast. You will definitely notice a chance in the contour of the breast. Over the years, there has been a lot of controversy if the ruptured implant can cause cancer or other collagen vascular disorders. Some people say it does and some say it does not. The best advice is to see your surgeon and let him decide the next course of action. You can rest assured- managing a ruptured implant is an expensive undertaking.

 

Treatment of phobias

How are phobias generally treated?

Once the phobia is diagnosed, there are treatments for this mental disorder. In most cases, a combination of medication and behavior therapy can help reduce the phobia. In the majority of cases, a phobia will never get better if it is left alone.  There is no cure for phobia but the therapies can help reduce the fear and anxiety. The behavior therapies can help you manage your reactions to the phobic-causing situation. The types of medications used to treat phobia range from beta-blockers to reduce the symptoms of fast heart rate and sweating, anti-depressants and sedatives. Behavior therapy can help one adjust to the phobia. The therapies emphasize learning and developing a sense of behavior control of thoughts and actions.

Feeling afraid for no reason

I sometimes feel afraid for no apparent reason. What do you think is wrong?

Phobia is defined as an intense and irrational fear of a situation or an object that in reality poses little risk. A phobia is different from anxiety and can be long lasting, cause severe physical and emotional reactions that can affect one’s ability to function normally. There are many types of phobias- some people hate closed spaces, others fear certain animals, some are afraid to get in the elevator and so on. In general, phobia does not need treatment if it does not affect you daily life.

Can Electricity improve memory!

 We know that no drugs can improve memory, and researchers have been looking at more exotic methods to stimulate the brain. Recently scientists from the famed British University, Oxford, revealed that tiny electrical current to the brain could make one better at learning maths. They observed that when the parietal lobe of the brain was shocked, the ability of volunteers to solve mathematical problems improved. They suggest that perhaps this technique may help people who struggle with numbers (dyscalculia).

There are many people who have trouble with basic numbers, and this affects their ability to perform even the most basic maths and managing money. Some neuroscientists speculate that perhaps certain chemicals within the parietal lobe play a crucial role in memory.

Previous studies have shown that when magnetic field is applied to certain parts of the brain, it can disrupt electrical activity and lead to temporary difficulties in solving math problems. Therefore, these investigators applied electrical current to stimulate the parietal lobe in a small number of students. The electrical current was minor and had no untoward effects on other brain function. As the current was employed, the students performed much better at mathematical problems than those who were given no electrical current. In addition, the direct of the current was also very important. When the current was given in the wrong direction, their ability to solve problems declined drastically.

The study also revealed that the positive benefits were long lasting and persisted beyond 6 months.

Dr Cohen Kadosh, lead investigator said, "We are not advising people to go around giving themselves electric shocks, but we are extremely excited by the potential of our findings and are now looking into the underlying brain changes. We have shown before that we can induce dyscalculia, and now it seems we might be able to make someone better at maths, so we really want to see if we can help people with dyscalculia. Electrical stimulation is unlikely to turn you into the next Einstein, but if we're lucky it might be able to help some people to cope better with maths."

Final point: While the study is exciting, one should note that electrical therapy (ECT) has been used to treat depression for several decades. So before you start lining up for electrical therapy, remember that even though the current in ECT therapy is slightly high, the majority of people have one major side effect- memory loss, which is sometimes permanent. Until further studies are done on this novel therapy, people who cannot count their money are better off asking others to shop for them.

Vagus nerve stimulation for depression

Recently my doctor recommended a vagus nerve stimulation procedure to reverse depression. Does this work? Part 1

Many people with depression struggle and are always searching for a treatment that lasts long. While drugs have been the primary therapy for depression, many people do not always respond to them. Even when they respond, the benefits are short lived and plus the drugs also have potent side effects.

 Recently vagus nerve stimulation has been introduced as a treatment for depression. Vagus nerve stimulation has been used for the treatment of certain epileptic disorders. Over time, it became obvious that these individuals started to develop an improvement in their mood. So now vagal nerve stimulation is being tried as a therapy for chronic depression.

 Vagal nerve stimulation is a small surgical procedure. A thin electrode is placed near the vagus nerve in the neck and the wire is then connected to a pulse generator, which is implanted in the upper chest. The pulse generator emits electrical signals which stimulates the vagus nerve. Vagus nerve stimulation in turn results in mood improvement- at least that is the theory.

Vagus nerve stimulation is not standard therapy and only used in people in whom the standard anti-depressant therapies have failed. In addition, vagus nerve stimulation may be an option for people who are taking multiple drugs and have failed electroconvulsive therapy. Unfortunately, vagus nerve stimulation does not work in all depressed people. The few studies have not always shown convincing results and the result are also variable. Even among psychiatrists, the therapy is not accepted and many health insurance companies do not cover the procedure. In addition, the costs of vagal nerve stimulation are not trivial- considering that it may not even work.

Vagus nerve stimulation for depression

Recently my doctor recommended a vagus nerve stimulation procedure to reverse depression. Does this work? Part 2

While the procedure is easy to perform, it does have side effects that range from neck pain, infection, damage to the vague nerve, difficulty breathing, nausea and slowing of heart rate. In rare cases, one may develop vocal cord paralysis, voice changes, persistent cough and throat pain. While most side effects are tolerable, many people find the side effects annoying in the long run. However, of more concern is that in a few cases, vagal nerve stimulation may also lead to worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts and anxiety.

The surgery for implantation of the device is done as an outpatient and done under local anesthesia. After implantation, the device is programmed to deliver electrical impulses at various frequencies. Most people are started at low electrical current, which is gradually increased to get the desired result. Each stimulation lasts 30 seconds and occurs every 5 minutes. During this period, the side effects are most common. All individuals are given a small hand-held magnet to control the device. The machine has to be turned off while eating or speaking.

The results of vagus nerve stimulation are not immediate and often take months before the desired electrical impulse is obtained. As soon as the stimulation stopped, the depressive symptoms return. The decision to undergo vagal nerve stimulation is difficult. The procedure is very costly and there is no guarantee it will work. So before you decide to get the procedure, speak to people who have had it done. Remember even after vagal stimulation, you may still need to take anti depressant medications and continue with psychotherapy.

Itchy nipples

I am 25 year old and have developed very itchy nipples. Can I apply something on them?

In young people, itchy nipples are nothing to worry about. The itching may be due to tight clothes or your nipple rubbing against your bra or under shirt. This can happen if you exercise without a bra. However, chronic itching can also be a sign of eczema. If the itching is bothersome, obtain hydrocortisone cream over the counter and apply it 3-4 times day. If this problem persists after application of hydrocortisone, it is wise to see your doctor. Another common cause of itching around the nipples is a fungal infection, which can also be easily treated with an anti fungal cream. If the itch is limited only to your nipples, perhaps a change of fabric or bra may be warranted