Mesotherapy and Lymphedema

Lymphedema refers to swelling that occurs in your  patient’ arms or legs for no apparent reason. It may affect just one arm or leg, but sometimes lymphedema can involve arms or both legs and all the limbs at once. 

The swelling occurs when a blockage in your lymphatic system prevents the lymph fluid in your arm or leg from draining. As the fluid accumulates, the swelling continues unchecked. This is a condition that must be managed, as there is no cure for it. The application of mesotherapy can be a successful intervention and may nclude an iectible cocktail of vaso-dilators such as Pentolifyilline,lipolytic agents thatbreak down fat and calcium hormone.

There are two types of lymph edema – primary and secondary.  Primary is an inherited type of lymph edema and secondary means that the disorder may have other causes such as Milroy’s disease. Secondary edema may have a known or unknown cause, such as kidney disease.

Symptoms of Lmphedema

The swelling caused by lymphedemea ranges from hardly noticeable changes in the size of a person’s limb to extreme swelling that can make it impossible to use the affected limb.

Signs and symptoms Include –

• Swelling of part of your arm or your entire arm or leg, including your fingers or toes
• A feeling of heaviness or tightness in your arm or leg
• Restricted range of motion in your arm or leg
• Aching or discomfort in your arm or leg
• Recurring infections in your affected limb and or –
• Hardening and thickening of the skin on your arm or leg

Causes

The causes of the two types of lymphedema differ from each other.

In primary lymphedema, which is rarer, problems with the development of lymph vessels causes problems with the legs. This type of lymphedema first makes it appearance in childhood or around puberty. Lymph vessels develop without valves making it difficult for the lymph nodes to drain.  Usually the symptoms of this disorder appear before a child reaches the age of ten. There is also a late onset form that does not make itself known until after the age of 35.

Damaged lymph nodes or lymph vessels cause secondary lymphedema. Surgery for breast cancer that requires the removal of a lymph node can be a trigger for the condition.

Radiation treatment for cancer can cause scarring and inflammation of the lymph nodes or lymph vessels, restricting flow of the lymph.

Cancer cells can cause lymphedema if they block lymphatic vessels. For example, a tumor can grow large enough to obstruct the flow of the lymph fluid.

Parasites can also block lymph vessels. Infection-related lymph edema is most common in tropical and subtropical regions of the globe and is more likely to occur in undeveloped countries.

Care and Treatment

Lymph edema can't be cured. Treatment focuses on minimizing the swelling and controlling the pain.

Alonng with mesotherapy treatments, you might pescribe light exercises that require you to move your affected arm or leg so lymph fluid is moved out of your limb.

You  also suggest that your patient wrap you arm or leg. Pressure from bandages can encourage the lymph fluid to flow back out of your affected limb and towards the trunk of your body. This type of bandage is wrapped tightest around fingers and toes and more loosely as you move up the arm or leg.

Massage may be also recommended. Manual lymph drainage involves special hand strokes on your affected limb to gently move lymph fluid to healthy lymph nodes, where it can drain. Lymphatic massage is one of the most in-demand massage techniques at the Pinewood Natural Health Centre in Toronto, which is also run by Dr. Michael Rahman and his team.

Pneumatic compression is another therapy that may be prescribed. With this therapy receive pneumatic compression you'll wear a sleeve over your affected arm or leg. The sleeve is connected to a pump that intermittently inflates the sleeve, putting pressure on your limb. The inflated sleeve gently moves lymph fluid away from your fingers or toes, reducing the swelling in your arm or leg.

Prognosis

If not managed, lymph edema in your arm or leg can lead to serious complications.  Sufferers have to be particularly careful of infections as the affected area is more prone to infections like lymphangitis and cellulitis.  Mesotherapy injections can assist with drainage as well as help handle with the thickening of the skin that can occur after years of swelling.

For more information about The Pinewood Institute for the Advancement of Natural Medicine courses including course outlines, detailed descriptions of courses and information about upcoming training sessions, please go www.pinewoodinstitute.com.  You can also send us an email using our email form at http://pinewoodinstitute.com/contact.aspx or call us at 416-656-8100. If you prefer to fax the number is 416-656-8107.

Mesotherapy for Dupuytren’s Contracture

A very specific disorder that is helped by mesotherapy better than most interventions is Dupuytran’s Contracture.

Dupuytren's contracture, also called Dupuytren's disease is a subcutaneous  thickening of the skin in the palm usually at the base of the third and fourth fingers that causes the fingers to become disabled as they are pulled into the direction of the palm.

Although the ring and little fingers are the digits most commonly affected but this disease can also affect all of fingersw. It is also a disease that affects more men then women and it is more common for it to occur in both hands rather than just one.

Symptoms and Causes Dupuytren’s Contracture

The symptoms are progressive and start with development of thick tissue under the skin in the palm of the hand. This is followed by a decrease in hand function and the fingers pulling forward as they appear to shrink into the palm.

It is thought to be a hereditary disease, but the exact cause of this disorder is unknown. Dupuytren's contracture may be associated with cigarette smoking, epilepsy, diabetes, and alcoholism.

There are no warning symptoms and the disorder usually presents itself in middle-aged people.

Care and Treatment

Not too long ago, surgery was the only treatment available to help correct advanced Dupuytren's contracture.  Mesotherapy is most effective when used in the earlier stages of the disease.  Injections of anti-inflammatories, collagenase, steroid and 5% flourouracil directly into the nodules growing on the palm can help diminish their size and stop their growth before the hand is completely disables.

Surgery comes into the picture when the contracture of the joint between the finger and the palm is greater than thirty degrees.

If your patient opts for the surgery, the recovery time may be much longer.  In the surgery used to correct Dupyfren’s Contracture, the surgeon makes an incision in the hand and cuts the area of thickened tissue. This allows for improved movement of the tendons and increases the mobility of the fingers. After surgery physical therapy is recommended to help increase the function of the hand.

Duputren’s contracture is an affliction that is managed but not cured. While surgery may increase the mobility of the fingers, it does not arrest the underlying disease process.  Mesotherapy can be used after surgical treatment to keep the issue under control as well.

For more information about The Pinewood Institute for the Advancement of Natural Medicine courses including course outlines, detailed descriptions of courses and information about upcoming training sessions, please go www.pinewoodinstitute.com.  You can also send us an email using our email form at http://pinewoodinstitute.com/contact.aspx or call us at 416-656-8100. If you prefer to fax the number is 416-656-8107.

Mesotherapy for Hair Loss Caused by Scalp Fungus (Ringworm, Tinea Capitis)

Balding due to a ringworm infection on the scalp can be
addressed with mesotherapy injections.

Ringworm is not actually a worm. It is the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot, and if the fungus reaches the scalp, patchy spots of hair thinning and balding can be the result.  The good news for your patient is that often, in these cases, a mesotherapy injection full of vitamins and minerals, such as biotin, iron, zinc, selenium and the B vitamins can help the scalp grow new hair. Retinoic acids and a mild anethesthetic might also be indicated to deal with the itching and inflammation.

This fungus spreads rapidly when beneficial bacteria re destroyed by antibiotics, drugs or radiation. It is especially prevalent and highly contagious in warm, damp places such as gyms and swimming pool locker rooms. Most of us known this fungus as Athlete’s foot but it is easily spread to the hands and then the head through physical contact.

Symptoms of Scalp Ringworm

Symptoms of ringworm include sores, cracking, scaly skin and inflammation. Usually it starts somewhere else on the body first, usually on the feet.  It can spread to the scalp quite easily through infected towels, sheets and surfaces. 

Your patient usually finds out that they have scalp ringworm when their scalp starts to itch.  The area becomes very soft and flaky.  Hair pulls out easily just by shampooing or brushing the hair.  Sometimes the hair loss does not happen right assay, but within a three month period.

People who have ringworm on the feet or anywhere else may notice cracked and peeling skin. It is important to medicate these areas right away with an anti-fungal treatment to prevent them from spreading to your scalp.

Care and Treatment of Ringworm Induced Hair Loss

Often, ringworm responds well to over-the-counter (nonprescription) treatments you can apply to your skin. More severe cases may require prescription medications.  Antibiotics may also be prescribed if the Athlete’s foot is accompanied by a bacterial infection, which occurs when the patient feels compelled to scratch the ringworm sores.

Mesotherapy injections can help reduce the scalp inflammation and reduce the itch as well a encourage new hair growth.  Caffiene and B3 may be used to clarify the follicles so that they are not clogged by skin flakes and toxins.

If the issue is to regrow hair, a laser treatment can be applied after the mesotherapy cocktail injection to help clear scar tissue from the sores that might be preventing hair from pushing it way through the hair follicles damaged by ringworm.

This type of mesotherapy treatment in conjunction with the use of anti-dandruff shampoos and conditioners and hair regrowth oils such as Amla (Indian Gooseberry). Emu oil and Argan oil can really help repair the damage from scalp ringworm.

For more information about The Pinewood Institute for the Advancement of Natural Medicine courses including course outlines, detailed descriptions of courses and information about upcoming training sessions, please go www.pinewoodinstitute.com.  You can also send us an email using our email form at http://pinewoodinstitute.com/contact.aspx or call us at 416-656-8100. If you prefer to fax the number is 416-656-8107.

Mesotherapy Has Many Applications for Immune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders are conditions that are caused by an immune response against the body's own tissues. The body over-reacts by attacking itself instead of the disease in a scenario that can best be described as autoimmune overkill.  These types of diseases are more to be managed rather than cured and that is where mesotherapy can be of some assistance to your patient.

When someone is suffering from an autoimmune disorder, the various symptoms can be overwhelming.  Autoimmune disorders result in destruction of one or more types of body tissues, abnormal growth of an organ, or changes in organ function. The disorder may affect only one organ or tissue type or may affect many organs and many different types of body tissues at once.

Organs and tissues commonly affected by autoimmune disorders include blood red blood cells, blood vessels, connective tissues, endocrine glands such as the thyroid or pancreas, muscles, joints, and skin.

There are many different types of autoimmune disorders but the most common are Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, pernicious anemia, Addison’s disease. Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Type II, Diabetes, HIV, Rheumatism, Grave’s disease and Celiac disease.

Symptoms of Auto-Immune Disorders

The symptoms experienced by an individual might depend on what particular type of autoimmune disorder has been contracted.  For instance those who have Grave’s disease may experience swelling of the thyroid tissues and those who develop Lupus might experience thickening of the skin and joint pain.

However despite the need for a distinction between the different disorders, there are some general indications that a person may be suffering from one type of autoimmune system disorder or another and they include fatigue, dizziness, malaise and constant low-grade fever.

The Causes of Auto-Immune Disorders

The cause of an immune disorder is the failure of the body’s own defense mechanism to recognize its own tissues.

Usually the immune system protects the body from potentially harmful substances (antigens) such as microorganisms, toxins, cancer cells, and foreign blood or tissues from another person or species. These antigens are destroyed by a healthy immune response, which includes production of the antibodies and white that destroy any invaders.

When the body is experiencing an autoimmune disorder the immune response is inappropriate, overly enthusiastic or lacking all together. The immune system becomes over sensitive and over reactive. It fails to distinguish from tissues that are part of the self and invaders such as viruses and bacteria.

The mechanisms that cause this are not known. One theory holds that various microorganisms and drugs may trigger some of these changes, particularly in people with a genetic predisposition to an autoimmune disorder.

Care and Treatment

In this case, mesotherapy may be a support treatment for other treatments depending on the severity of the symptoms or even the patient's preference. Many of these disorders involve severe joint and muscle  pain and mesotherapy can help lessen the need for those medications Inectsions of hyaluronic Acid, Gycolic Acid and vitamins can help with that sort of pain. Substances such as Biotine, L-Crnitine and Artichoke extract can also be used to help reduce comfort and support the function of the liver, pancreas and kidneyes.

Hormones or other substances normally produced by the affected organ or body tissues may be subscribed to the sufferer. For instance if the thyroid is the swollen it may need to be removed and the person may take supplemental hormones.

Treatment for autoimmune disorders includes thyroid supplements, vitamins, insulin injections, or other supplements. Disorders that affect the blood components may also require blood transfusions.

Medications that suppress the immune system may also be prescribed to prevent it from destroying tissues.

Prognosis

The prognosis depends on the individual and also the type of autoimmune disorder the individual has contracted.  It should be noted that usually the side effects of the medications prescribed for these disorders are quite severe.

For more information about The Pinewood Institute for the Advancement of Natural Medicine courses including course outlines, detailed descriptions of courses and information about upcoming training sessions, please go www.pinewoodinstitute.com.  You can also send us an email using our email form at http://pinewoodinstitute.com/contact.aspx or call us at 416-656-8100. If you prefer to fax the number is 416-656-8107.