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Botox injections and the Hollywood’s most stunning faces

Botox is used cosmetically to remove the signs of aging by non-permanently numbing muscles. The Botox is also used to treat certain medical conditions. It is obtained from Neurotoxin called botulinum toxin produced by a bacteria. These bacteria are found naturally in soil, lakes and forests

How does Botox work?

Botulinum toxin is one the venomous substance discovered by scientist today. In higher accumulation Botox can result in severe, life threatening illness. In spite of this Botox age reversal treatment has shown promising results and has become a valuable therapy option. The Botox age reversal treatment is done by injecting a very minimal amount in your  problem areas, it works by restraining the signals from the nerve cells from getting in touch with the muscles hence numbing them. The Botox relaxes the abnormal muscle shrinking and facilitates flexibility

Medical and cosmetic uses of Botox

Botox  age reversal treatment is usually used for cosmetic purpose to enhance the impression of fine lines, wrinkles, and other cosmetic uses of Botox involve;

  • Frown lines between the eyebrows
  • Crow’s feet
  • Wrinkles caused by sun damage

If we talk about the efficacy of Botox age reversal treatments, there is no question of doubt that Botox is equally efficient in addressing certain medical problems, including the eye squinting, migraines, excessive sweating and leaky bladders

Yet it is a bit difficult to believe that Botox has been serving as best age reversal therapeutic option for a decade, while overuse of anything can be too much. Many of the celebrities in Hollywood have practiced in the Botox treatment that made their faces appear smooth, young and stunning.

Celebrities who have taken Botox as an additional essence of their beauty

Tom cruise turns 50 this July 3rd, but the actor could be called the same age as his younger wife Katie Holmes. How is it possible? An expert cosmetic surgeon and a course of Botox age reversal treatments keeps him as young as his youthful wife. If looking 30 at the age of 50 is not a Mission Impossible for Tom Cruise then why for you? Dr Ayesha says

 When Botox age reversal treatment was first becoming popular in Hollywood, the feedback from many starlets went into denial, despite of all Nicole Kidman just underwent.

Dr Ayesha says that she has a beautiful, well defined Botox brow, though it took time for the actress to admit

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Know the red flags to your neck pain

A sudden outbreak of neck pain is common. In nine out of ten of us experience chronic neck pain at some point in our lives. In most cases it is irrespective of any serious ailment and neck problem and usually the precise cause of the pain is not clear. Mostly chronic neck pain symptoms arise from poor posture and minor sprains. Some cases show full recovery, the general guidance to overcome chronic neck pain is to keep the neck active. Pain killers are helpful only easing pain, however, the chronic neck pain may need further treatment

Recent Studies at The Pain Management Institute have examined neck pain overall have found higher rates in women than men at an older age.

Causes and red flags to neck pain

 Non specific neck pain

This is the most observed type of chronic neck pain often called simple and instantaneous neck pain. Usually the accurate cause or source of the is unknown. It may involve slight trains and sprains to the muscles and or ligaments in the neck. Poor posture may also add cheese to pain in some cases. For instance; neck pain is usually common among people who spend more of their time working at a desk in the position bent forward.

 A whiplash

 A whiplash occurs if you face an accident by means of a vehicle such as a crash. Sudden jerks to the will lead to severe neck pain

 Cervical Radiculopathy

If the nerve root is pinched or damaged as it passes out from your vertebral column in your neck and the cervical region. The condition is known as the cervical radiculopathy. The condition, not only give rise to severe neck pain, but also you may feel numbness, pins and needles sensation and weakness in certain parts of the arm

Some red flags to cervical radiculopathy

 

Cervical radiculopathy can become more serious, some rare cases that may lead to cervical radiculopathy causing non tolerable neck pain includes; rheumatoid arthritis, bone disorder, infections, cancer and other acute injuries

 Symptoms

The pain is usually initiated from your neck and spreads to the shoulder or the root of your skull. You may feel hindrance while moving your neck, the pain becomes worse with movement. The neck pain may spread to your arm and hands. This is because of the pinched nerve that goes to your arm from the spinal cord in your neck. You must consult your physician if any of the symptoms occur, as the physician will examine any pressure on your nerves.

 

Final thoughts

Research by Dr. Zaki concludes that chronic neck pain is more associated with occupational, physical activities such as hand operated handling of heavy objects, poor postures and excessive use of workstations, Dr Zaki suggests that psychological factors such as mood swings, anxiety and depression contributes to neck pain.

 

 

In case you or any of your loved one is suffering from chronic neck pain and looking for a safe and cost-effective treatment, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at 815-464-7212. He is a world renowned Pain Medicine Physician who has been practicing regenerative injection therapies for the past several years with remarkable results.

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Understand the cause of your chronic headache pain

Overview

Headaches can be complicated to a greater extent than common people can perceive. Different types of headache have their own set of indications, different causes and are recommended different kinds of treatments. Once you know the kind of the headache you experience, it will become easy for you and your physician to recommend a treatment that will not only help but also try to avoid chronic headache pain

Common types of headache

Headaches can be of numerous types, however, the most common types of headaches are;

Tension type headaches

These are most common types of headache pain, mostly observed among adults and teens. These headaches can cause mild to moderate pain intermittent.

Migraine

The migraine pain goes with intense headaches. These headaches are usually described as beating and throbbing pain. The pain can last from 4 hours to 3 days and usually happen one to four times a month. Other symptoms accompanied with migraine are sensitivity to light, noise or smell, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite and belly pain. If a child may experience migraine pain, he may look pale, dizzy and may have blurry vision

Cluster headache

The headache pain is like burning and piercing pain behind and around one eye. It can be striking and persistent. The pain is greatly debilitating. The pain may cause drooping eyelid, eye redness, runny nose. These chronic headache pain attacks for 3 hours and can be so painful that patients may wake from their sleep. More common among men than women

Sinus headaches

The pain is felt in your cheekbones, forehead and bridge of the nose. The kind of headache arises when the cavities in your head called sinus get inflamed, the pain is mostly accompanied by symptoms such as runny nose, blocked ears, fever and swelling on the face. The sinus headache arises from sinus infections

Hormone headaches

Women usually experience chronic headache pains from changing hormone levels during periods, pregnancy and menopause. Hormonal changes while taking birth control pills can also trigger chronic headache pain in women

What Causes Headaches?

The pain experienced during a headache comes from a combine signal between your brain and blood vessels and the nearby nerves. Certain nerves, blood vessels and head muscles activate and send pain signals to the brain

In case you or any of your loved one is suffering from chronic headache pain and looking for a safe and cost-effective treatment, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at 815-464-7212. He is a world renowned Pain Medicine Physician who has been practicing regenerative injection therapies for the past several years with remarkable results.

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Help yourself overcoming hip pain

The Hip structure

The hip joint is the one of the largest joint of the body and serve in movement as the thigh motions ahead and backwards. The hip joint also rotates while sitting and with changes of direction when walking. There are several muscles and tendons that slide around the hip joint. Tiny fluid- filled sacs called bursae, provide sliding surfaces for the muscles and the tendons surounding the hip joint. Major arteries and veins pass through the front of the hip joint. The largest nerve of the body sciatica also spreads behind the hip joint

What are the causes and risk factors for hip pain?

There are a several causes of the hip pain, in some cases hip pain is short lived, while in other cases hip pain can be persistent and chronic. Some general causes of the hip pain include;

Bursitis

Inflammatory and non inflammatory arthritis

  • Fracture
  • Sprain
  • Septic arthritis
  • Avascular necrosis
  • Gaucher’s disease
  • Sciatica
  • Muscle spasm
  • IT band syndrome
  • Hematoma

Symptoms

The common symptoms of the hip pain depend on the cause. Symptoms may include;

  • Limping,
  • Joint pain,
  • Groin pain,
  • Loss of motion of the hip,
  • Warmth,
  • Swelling over the hip,
  • Tenderness of the hip,
  • Difficulty sleeping on the hip.

The symptoms may alter in severity depending on the real cause in some cases hip pain might be the cause of any disability

What are treatments and medications for hip pain?

The hip pain treatment may be subject to the accurate cause of pain. The hip pain treatment can include

  • Adequate rest
  • Avoidance in lifting heavy weight
  • Treating with ice and heat
  • Anti inflammatory medications

Sometimes steroid injections are also used to reduce inflammation

 

  • Infections can be treated with antibiotics
  • Fractures might need surgical repairs, and total joint replacement therapies

 Alternatives to surgery

Other alternatives to address minor fractures and hip joint deformities due to arthritis causing severe hip pain can be well treated with stem cells and Platelet Rich Plasma therapy. The stem cell and PRP therapy are a purely natural procedure that shows promising results in hip pain treatment with least side effects

 Is it possible to prevent hip pain?

Hip pain can be prevented by avoiding injury to the hip joint. This includes sports injury. Sometimes proper training prior to a sports event can prevent injury.

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Is failed back surgery a syndrome?

Failed back surgery syndrome often called FBSS is an inaccurate name used, basically it is not a syndrome, a very broad statement that is frequently used to explain the conditions of patients who had not reaped successful results with back surgery or spine surgery and feel continued pain after the surgery. There may be several reasons that may contribute to back surgery,  even if performed by the best surgeon with the best indication, spine surgery is not more than 95% anticipated of successful results

The spinal surgery basically addresses only two ailments;

  1. Decompress a nerve root that is pinched, or
  2. Stabilize a painful joint.

Usually a back surgery or spine surgery cannot completely eliminate the patients’ pain, however the surgery can only alter the physical structure and any damage caused to the anatomy of the spine. The most probable cause of back pain can be recognized prior to the surgery rather than following the failed back surgery

Expected Pain after failed back Surgery

Several types of failed back surgery are more expected regarding the patient’s pain symptoms than others. For instance

Discectomy for a lower disc herniation causing leg pain is expected to be successful, however, a discectomy for a lower disc herniation causing lower back pain is far less successful

A spine fusion for spinal impermanence is relatively less riskier operation, but a fusion surgery for multiple lower degenerative disc disease are riskier and less successful in reducing patient’s pain after failed back surgery

Hence the best way to avoid spinal surgery that may bring undesired consequences is to opt the surgeries that have a higher degree of success and make sure that any physical injury that can be treated must be identified prior to operation

Causes of failed back surgery and pain afterwards

Additional to the discussed above causes of the failed back surgery, there are many other potential causes of failed back surgery or persistent pain after surgery

  • Fusion surgery considerations
  • Lumbar decompression back surgery considerations
  • Scar tissue considerations
  • Postoperative

The failed back surgery syndrome is basically not a syndrome and there are no distinctive cases. Every patient is different, and a patient’s continued treatment and work up need to be individualized to his or her particular problem and situation.

In case you or any of your loved one is suffering from failed back surgery and looking for a safe and cost-effective treatment, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at 815-464-7212. He is a world renowned Pain Medicine Physician who has been practicing regenerative injection therapies for the past several years with remarkable results.

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Know the symptoms of your Complex regional pain syndrome

The complex regional pain syndrome is a rare form of chronic pain that commonly affects the arm or the leg. The complex regional pain syndrome particularly develops after an injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack. The real cause complex regional pain syndrome is still not yet clear. The treatment is highly beneficial for complex regional pain syndrome if started as early as possible. Once the treatment is started earlier recovery even elimination is probable

Symptoms

Some common signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome include:

  • Persistent burning or pulsating pain, usually in your arm, leg, hand or foot
  • Reactivity to touch or cold
  • Inflammation and bump of the painful area
  • Changes in skin temperature
  • Changes in skin color, ranging from white to red or blue
  • Changes in skin texture,
  • Changes in hair and nail growth
  • Joint stiffness, swelling and damage
  • Muscle spasms and weakness
  • Decreased ability to move the affected body part

The complex regional pain syndrome may spread from its source to other parts of the body such as opposite leg. Also the pain is aggravated by emotional pressure

In some cases the symptoms of complex regional pain disappear without any treatment. In others the signs and symptoms continue from months to years

When to consult a physician

If you feel severe and continuous pain that have an effect on the limb and mobilizing or touching the limb becomes extremely painful, immediately consult your doctor to diagnose the underlying cause

Complex regional pain syndrome occurs in two types, with similar signs and symptoms, but different causes.

Types of complex regional pain syndrome

Type 1

The certain type of the complex regional pain syndrome, this type is observed after an illness or injury that does not damage the nerves directly in the affected limb. Most of the people experience the type 1 syndrome

Type 2

The certain type of complex regional pain syndrome can also be referred to as Causalgia, this type occur after a certain nerve injury. The symptoms occur after certain trauma or crash injury to the arm or the leg. Other minor traumas such as surgery, heart attack, infections and even sprained ankles

What might be the complications?

If the complex regional pain syndrome is not diagnosed and treated earlier the disease may aggravate to enfeebling signs and symptoms; that may include;

Tissue wasting;

If due to severe pain you have difficulty in moving your leg due to stiffness, your skin bones and muscles may get worse and weaken

Muscle contraction

Also muscle contraction may occur. The hands fingers of your hands and foot may fix to a fixed place

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Know the cause of your hand pain

Hand pain can be caused by several reasons, one can be a carpal tunnel syndrome is the numbness, itchiness, weakness and other ailments in your hand as a result of pressure on the median nerve in your wrist

The median nerve and many other tendons spread from your forearm to your hand covering a small space in your wrist called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve is responsible in controlling the movement and sensation in your thumb and the first three fingers except the little pinky

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Strain on the median nerve causes carpal tunnel syndrome. The strain can arise from swelling or any such ailment that makes the carpal tunnel narrower. Several problems can cause the swelling around the carpal tunnel including;

  • Ailments such as hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes
  • Repetitive movements of the hand specifically the wrist is bent, or repetitive movements of the wrists
  • Pregnancy

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

The carpal tunnel syndrome can cause severe itchiness, numbness, instability and pain in the fingers or hand.  Most of the people experience pain in the area between their hand and their elbow. The symptoms are mostly observed in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half way of the ring finger. If  you feel pain and other problems in your fingers except the little pinky, this may be an indication that you have a carpal tunnel syndrome as the little finger is provided by different nerves. Initially the symptoms are noticed at night and are relieved by shaking the hand

Diagnosis of the carpal tunnel syndrome

The doctor will inquire if you have any medical history, such as arthritis, hypothyroidism and diabetes or if you are pregnant. The physician might ask if you have undergone any recent injury in your wrist, arm or neck. During the physical examination, the physician will monitor the strength, appearance of your neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands. Several tests such as blood tests or nerve tests are also conducted

Home care 

Minor symptoms of the carpal tunnel syndrome can be easily treated with home care treatments;

Avoid activities that cause strain on the wrists, causing numbness and pain

Treat with ice for 10 to 15 minuted

Wearing a wrist splint specifically at night, that takes pressure off your  nerve.

The earlier you start the treatment the more chances of governing the symptoms and preventing the long term damage to the nerve. The carpal tunnel syndrome also needs medications or any other health condition arising from carpal tunnel syndrome

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Get rid of post operative back pain with Epidural Lysis procedure

When you experience a back injury that affects the spine, a band of dense scar tissues is formed naturally in the epidural cavity as a factor in the natural healing process. The epidural space is the region between the spinal cord and the vertebral bones that encircle it. The band of scar tissues applies pressure on the nerves in their excess and restrain their movement causing severe pain and inflammation

The epidural Lysis procedure is an  outpatient approach carried out to reduce the amount of scar tissues or sometime remove it permanently, thus releasing pinched nerves and relieving pain. The procedure includes the use of a small plastic tube called a catheter to help delivering various medications into the epidural space that dissolves the scar tissue formation. The combination of the drugs may vary in some treatment, however, mostly steroids are used to relieve inflammation encircling the pinched nerves along with the local anesthetic. The epidural Lysis procedure is medically safe and effective method to reduce pain and inflammation

Who are the candidates?

The Epidural Lysis procedure is mostly recommended for the patients who experience chronic back pain and leg pain due to the formation of epidural adhesion, after a lower spine surgery or a sudden injury or fall. The symptoms might include severe pain in the lower back along with a burning sensation, sciatica pain that sparks from the spine and spreads into the thighs, calves and feet, muscle spasms, reflex change and lower range of motion in the legs

Along with treating excessive scarring the epidural Lysis procedure also treats a variety of spinal problems including;

  • Herniated disc
  • Compression fractures
  • Degenerative spine
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Cervical Stenosis
  • Failed back surgery syndrome
  • Arthritis of the spine

The Epidural Lysis procedure may not be the first option, the patients who opt this therapy have usually tried several other traditional treatments including medications and epidural steroid injections and failed to reduce pain

 Procedure

The Epidural Lysis procedure is an outpatient approach and can be performed in a surgery center, the patient is usually given local anesthesia. The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes. The epidural Lysis procedure is initiated by  cleaning the patients lower back with an antiseptic solution before exposing it to the numbing medications. Soon after the numbing a small cut is made and with the help of an X-ray guidance a catheter is inserted and guided into the Epidural space. The catheter may release a contrasting pigmentation to confirm the exact location of pain

Once the confirmation of the affected area is made the catheter is used to deliver the blend of medications into the targeted area that will aid in dissolving the formation of scar tissues reducing swelling and pain. During the whole procedure the catheter is being monitored with the X-Ray guidance to ensure safe and effective positioning of the catheter. As all the medications have been delivered, the catheter is removed and the cut is cleaned and covered with a bandage

In case you or any of your loved one is suffering from any severe back pain and looking for a safe and cost-effective Epidural Lysis treatment, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at 815-464-7212. He is a world renowned Pain Medicine Physician who has been practicing regenerative injection therapies for the past several years with remarkable results

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Epidural steroid injection and your back pain

Epidural steroid injections are the most accepted therapeutic alternate for several kinds of back pain and leg pains. The epidural steroid injection has been used for decades as a remedy for back pain and has become a significant non invasive treatment for sciatica and lower back pain.

The basic purpose of epidural steroid injections is to provide temporary relief of lower back pain. In addition to relieving back pain the epidural steroid injections have worked wonders in treating cervical pain and pain in the mid of the spine

Conditions in which epidural steroid injections are helpful

Epidural steroid injections have proved to be helpful in several conditions that cause back pain either  it is chronic or acute back pain. Or pain arising from pinched nerves. The specific conditions may include;

  • Lumbar disc herniation; the nucleus of the disc leaks out from the outer hard surface and spreads into the spinal canal pinching the nerves
  • Degenerative disc disease; where the disc space is crumpled between the two discs causing severe pain  and inflammation by the pinched nerves
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis; where the spinal canal has been shrunk pinching the spinal nerves
  • Compression fracture; fracture caused due to severe injuries and lifting heavy weight
  • Cyst; tumors in the spine deforming the whole spinal structure
  • Annular tear; a painful, tear presented in the outer layer of the spinal disc

Epidural steroid injection procedure

The epidural steroid injection procedure is initiated by cleaning the targeted area, the injections may take 15 to 30 minutes and is followed by standard steps;

The patient is allowed to lay on the  examination table laying face down with a pillow beneath the belly to give it a slightly curved shape. If the said position causes pain, then the patient might sit or lie on a side in a little curled position The skin is cleaned and the patient is given with local anesthetic

The patient lies flat on an X-ray table or with a small pillow under their stomach to slightly curve the back. If this position causes pain, the patient can be allowed to sit up or lie on their side in a slightly curled position. The skin is cleaned and the patient is given with local anesthesia. The needle is injected using the X-ray guidance  directly into the epidural space. Once the needle reaches the correct position  a contrasting dye is  injected to make sure the needle has reached the correct position. The steroid solution is slowly injected which may be experienced by some patients as putting pressure on the spinal cord, however, the pressure felt by the patients are not usually painful. The patient is observed for 15 to 20 minutes after the procedure and is allowed to go home soon

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Facet block injections and your pain symptoms

A facet block injections are comparatively simple and direct procedure, can be easily performed in a pain management clinic. As with other spinal injections the, facet block injections are the most recommended they works well with the guidance of X-ray to help the needle reach the targeted nerve  and avoid maximum damage to other nerves

The procedure of facet joint injections 

The facet block injections can be carried out by the following steps:

Traditionally, the process is carried out without any numbness or local anesthesia, only an IV injection is given if needed. The procedure is initiated by the patient lying on the examination table. The skin of the area to be treated is cleaned with an antiseptic. A numbing medication is given in a selected area of the skin, which may create a stinging  effect for a few seconds. The practitioner takes help from the X-Ray to place the needle in the correct position. A small amount of pigmentation is given through the thin needle in the facet joint to confirm the nerve that is pinched. Along with the pigmentation a small amount of  anesthesia and steroid is given into the facet joint. The facet joint injection only takes a few minutes, however, the whole procedure takes fifteen to thirty minutes

What to expect immediately after the  facet block injections

Soon after the facet block injections the candidate is allowed to rest in the recovery area for about twenty to thirty minutes and is observed upon certain movements or actions that might have a chance of stimulating pain. In some cases, patients may not be given pain relievers, however, this depends upon the joints that are aimed. If the certain facet that undergo facet block injection joints are not the source of pain, the pain relievers are not given. In some cases, patients might feel numbing effect or might feel weakness in the neck or back for a couple of hours after facet block injections. Patients are advised to avoid any intense activities, pain killer drugs must be reduced from the initial four to six weeks after the facet block injections so that the information obtained for diagnostic purpose is accurate. The patient might avoid driving unless it is  approved by the physician, if any seductive medication is used, then it is highly prescribed to avoid driving for 24 hours of the facet block injections

In case you or any of your loved one is suffering from a severe back pain  and looking for a safe and cost-effective treatment, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at 815-464-7212. He is a world renowned Pain Medicine Physician who has been practicing regenerative injection therapies for the past several years with remarkable results.

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