What is Brain stimulation therapy?
Deep brain stimulation therapies can play an essential role in treating certain types of medical health conditions. It helps treat people with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, psychiatric conditions and OCD. It involves the activation of putting the brain to sleep and helps send responses and keep it functioning using electrodes.
Brain stimulation therapies help resolve a lot of mental health issues especially when those are in distress or need help coping with certain tasks or activities.
Types of deep brain stimulation therapies
There are several different types of brain stimulation therapies. Some examples include:
- Deep brain stimulation
- Magnetic seizure therapy
- Nerve stimulation
Electroconvulsive therapy otherwise known as (ECT) is used to treat different mental health issues. ECT involves electrical stimulation whilst the patient is asleep. This means that doctors have to take caution when performing on patients.
It would be needed to perform on the patient if medicines or other therapy behaviours do not reduce or get rid of the effects and pain.
ECT affects the brain and is considered a treatment for mental health disorders. The procedure is very delicate and is quite simple.
Furthermore, the patient is put to sleep during the procedure and once it has been completed they are allowed to resume activity after about an hour or two.
There are numerous stages and processes that patients may have to undergo such as taking four to six treatments in order to keep sanity and keeping your mental health under control.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Is a process that creates magnetic fields in the brain as a means to improve the symptoms of depression. TMS is when an electromagnetic coil is placed on the person’s head, sending waves and short pulses to the area of the brain that controls the moods of the person.
The doctor would need to know how much energy is needed for every treatment session before they proceed with the surgery. TMS takes about 40 minutes and does not require the person to stay asleep. Visiting your psychiatrist is very helpful as it shows the effectiveness of TMS therapies.
TMS should not be used to treat anybody who is suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts or bipolar and psychosis problems.
There are different side effects that come with this process such as headaches, muscle pulling and tingling in the face or jaw.
These types of therapies help the individuals not feel pain during the procedure. If the condition worsens then the patient would need to resort to medication or behavioural therapies. Most treatments use medications and psychotherapies to reduce the effects of mental health conditions.
Many patients may resort to a treatment plan made by their doctor or psychiatrist. Other treatments such as medicines deal with the symptoms of mental health issues. Patients may refer to ECT therapies in order to protect their mental health.
Information about deep brain stimulations
DBS does not cause any damage to the brain; the electrical stimulations are reversible and adjusted so that the patient is able to undergo the procedure without any pain. During emergencies, the doctor has to stop the operation and let the patient know.
DBS can change a person’s behaviour and attitude altogether. However, there can be a change in a person’s behaviours and attitudes after the surgical procedure for a while.
DBS can solve anything to do with moving, this means that if a person is unable to move then they would need to take deep brain stimulation surgery. DBS treats stiffness, rigidness, walking problems or slow movement.
Most people research what the treatment and what the benefits and risks are. The treatment is not for everyone but is effective for some people. There is no specific age requirement when getting DBS surgery.
Cost of DBS
The cost for DBS surgery is approximately £19,500 according to google. On the other hand, DBS surgery is very expensive in other countries such as America. The cost of the treatment can become very expensive for those who are unable to afford it but can stick with a treatment plan that will help them eventually pay it off.
90,000 people according to google receive DBS surgery to help with Parkinson’s disease. Many people can’t afford surgery because they may fear it will go wrong and cause more problems for them.
Reasons for DBS
Deep brain stimulation helps deal with different disorders. The treatment is for people who can’t control their symptoms with medication or other healing therapies.
There are many risks that come with DBS but they are beneficial in terms of improving mental health significantly as it helps reduces the pain significantly which makes it easier to handle your mental health.
Deep brain stimulation therapies control the person and allow them to undergo a safe operation in order to maintain their mental health.
Surgical risks of Deep brain stimulation therapies
Deep brain stimulation involves a small device embedded into the patient’s head that sends electrodes during the operation.
There can be multiple risks when it comes to performing brain stimulation surgeries. There are different risks when performing surgery such as:
- Strokes
- Bleeding of the brain
- Heart problems
- Nausea
- Seizures
Furthermore, the treatments used can help reduce the effects of the conditions listed above. There can be side effects during the surgery and after the surgery. This may include problems concentrating, headaches, infections and temporary pain. Therefore, the surgery should be a success and there shouldn’t be any complications.
Results of deep brain stimulation therapies
Although deep brain stimulation therapies will not entirely cure your disease they may help with the condition temporarily such as reducing the symptoms. The symptoms will improve a lot if the DBS surgery goes well. However, the condition will not go away completely. Medication helps manage the side effects of brain stimulation therapy.
Deep brain stimulation therapies aren’t always effective as the success of deep brain stimulation is dependent on various different factors. Before surgery, it is best to speak to your doctor about the type of improvements you could expect from healing from your medical condition.
