Stem Cell Clinic

Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments – Verywell Health

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent type of arthritis. It occurs when the smooth, slippery cartilage that coats the endings of bones begins to deteriorate at a joint (where two bones meet). This wear and tear can increase friction, bone spurring, pain, and stiffness.

Though OA can develop at any joint, it is most common in the hands, spine, knees, hips, and feet.

This article will outline the most common causes, symptoms, and treatments for osteoarthritis.

Srdjan Radevic / EyeEm

When two bones meet, a joint forms. A smooth, slippery coatingcalled cartilagecoats the endings of bones and helps one glide against the other.

Several hallmark symptoms are typically seen with osteoarthritis. Some of the most common are:

In addition, several specific signs may present depending on which joint is affected. This includes:

Many people hear that a lifetime of physical activity or exercise can develop osteoarthritis in their bones and joints. However, a recent review dispelled this myth and found moderate physical activity does not cause OA to develop. Instead, it identified several other potential causes, including:

Many OA risk factors may potentially elevate your likelihood of developing osteoarthritis. These include:

The research establishing these risk factors is still in progress. Speak to a healthcare provider about your specific situation and any personal risk factors that may need modifying.

Preventing osteoarthritis from progressing or becoming symptomatic may be possible if you address some of the conditions risk factors. Some strategies that may benefit you include:

There are significant differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. For example:

There are significant differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

As previously mentioned, osteoarthritis occurs after wear and tear cause a bones cartilage to deteriorate at a joint. This increases friction, excessive bony buildup, and pain or soreness. OA commonly affects weight-bearing joints (like the hips or knees) and frequently occurs on only one side of the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that causes your bodys immune system to attack its joint tissue. This tissue damage frequently leads to pain, swelling, and inflammation. RA most commonly impacts smaller joints, like those in the hands or feet, and is usually seen simultaneously on both sides of the body.

To accurately diagnose osteoarthritis, a healthcare provider usually performs a comprehensive evaluation. During this process, they will examine the affected joint(s) and take a personal history of your symptoms.

They may also obtain an X-ray to provide a clear image of the joint in question. This test can show damage to your bone, bone spurring, and any loss of space within the affected joint.

Finally, they can order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if they suspect concurrent damage to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or other soft tissue structures.

Depending on the severity of your arthritis symptoms, they may suggest several different treatment strategies. The most common are outlined below.

Pain relievers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) medications are frequently recommended to help treat OA pain and inflammation. Pain-relieving creams, rubs, or sprays may also help. Occasionally, a stronger corticosteroid may need to be taken orally or injected into the joint to alleviate a severe OA aggravation.

One of the biggest lifestyle changes you can make to impact your OA symptoms is maintaining a healthy body weight. Losing excess weight can:

Staying active with an exercise program focusing on strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness is another cornerstone of OA self-care. A healthcare provider can guide safe ways to begin a new fitness regimen. They may also refer you to physical therapy for more structured guidance on appropriate osteoarthritis exercise techniques.

In severe cases of OA, surgery may be necessary. This is especially true if more conservative treatments fail to relieve your symptoms.

Depending on the affected area, this may involve a joint replacement (arthroplasty) or a joint fusion (arthrodesis) procedure. Occasionally, osteotomy surgery may also be recommended. This operation involves removing a piece of bone to alleviate pressure on the arthritic portion of the joint.

In some situations, a brace can reduce some of your osteoarthritis pain.

Most commonly utilized for knee arthritis, braces can:

Similar devices may also be recommended for osteoarthritis in your fingers, wrists, ankles, or elbows. Though bracing an arthritic area will not prevent OA from advancing, it may provide short-term enhancements to your day-to-day function and diminish some of your pain.

Several other treatments may help you manage your osteoarthritis pain.

Because platelets play a role in regenerating tissue and controlling inflammation, some have recommended platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for OA. Unfortunately, the research on this intervention is still mixed. Currently, there is low-level evidence showing that PRP injections may provide short- and medium-term pain relief for osteoarthritis.

Stem cell therapy has also been proposed as a potential management strategy. Stem cells are thought to help regenerate cartilage and reduce inflammation levels. Unfortunately, the evidence supporting this treatment is also still mixed. Several low-quality studies found reduced evidence of osteoarthritis and diminished pain levels after receiving this treatment. More research in this area is still necessary, however.

There is currently no evidence-based treatment that reverses osteoarthritis. That said, the presence of OA on an X-ray does not necessarily mean that you will have symptoms. It is possible to have osteoarthritis and minimal to no pain.

By staying active, maintaining a healthy body weight, taking medications as prescribed, and wearing braces if recommended, you may be able to keep pain levels low while continuing with the activities you love.

Osteoarthritis usually progresses slowly and gets worse as time goes on. As the cartilage in a joint thins, friction increases with movement and triggers bone spurs. This bone adds to the irregularity of the joint surface and begins to cause inflammation, swelling, and pain.

Though these symptoms may be mild and infrequent at first, over time, the pain from severe osteoarthritis may become more intense and constant. Other factors like heavy loading of the affected joint and excessive body weight can also accelerate this process.

To remain active and maintain a healthy body weight in spite of osteoarthritis, try following these steps:

OA can cause severe pain and significantly limit overall mobility if inadequately treated. This shift to a more sedentary lifestyle may also lead to the development of other health conditions like obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.

Fortunately, many cases of osteoarthritis are effectively managed with the conservative treatments listed above. Working closely with a healthcare provider can help avoid these potential side effects and ensure a better long-term outlook.

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Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments - Verywell Health

Owen Warner visits hair clinic to ‘prevent going down route of Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson’ – The Mirror

Hollyoaks actor Owen , who portrays Romeo Nightingale in the Channel 4soap opera, travelled to the hair clinic in Hale, Manchester after worrying about his 'receding' hairline

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! finalist Owen Warner has joked he "doesnt want to go down the route of Hollywood celebrities like Vin Diesel or Dwayne The Rock Johnson" after visiting the British Hair Clinic.

The 23-year-old became a fans' favourite on the popular ITV reality show when he came runner-up behind England Lioness Jill Scott as I'm A Celeb returned to the New South Wales jungle for the first time in three years due to coronavirus.

The Hollyoaks actor, who portrays Romeo Nightingale in the Channel 4 soap opera, travelled to the hair clinic in Hale, Manchester after worrying about his 'receding' hairline despite still having a full head of thick brown hair.

Speaking in a video posted on British Hair Clinic's Instagram page, which has more than 12,400 followers, Owen said: "Hair transplant is a big process to go through and I thought why not prevent it for as long as I can, make my head healthy, thick hair on the top of my head, just prevention really.

"It's like stopping something before it could possibly go a certain way."

He added that he "doesnt want to go down the route of Hollywood celebrities like Vin Diesel or Dwayne The Rock Johnson who are completely bald, it suits them but not sure it would work for me!"

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Owen underwent Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections which can effectively prevent hair loss and promote new hair growth.

He joins a host of celebrities who have used British Hair Clinic to manage their hair issues. Former England rugby union captain Dylan Hartley, boxer Conor Benn and reality TV stars such as Towie's Kirk Norcross have all had treatment done at the clinic including hair transplants.

Owen's ex-girlfriend and former Hollyoaks star Stephanie Davis underwent a female hair transplant at the British Hair Clinic.

He continued: "I need to keep the hair thinning on hold. Im young and as an actor who plays certain roles so I need to maintain a youthful appearance.

"Im conscious about my hair just as I am about my general health, better to be healthy and have a good head of hair than to be unhealthy and bald, especially if health and hair can be maintained.

"Its important to be proactive as an actor and not let your appearance deteriorate as essentially our talent and looks help us get the roles we need."

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Owen Warner visits hair clinic to 'prevent going down route of Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson' - The Mirror

Osteoarthritis of the knee: How Temple Health is helping ease knee … – WPVI-TV

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- For millions of people, arthritis of the knees causes frequent pain and limits their lives.

Yet they're often afraid of joint replacement surgery.

A Philadelphia man says getting over his reservations put him back on the road again.

Lester Frisby of Juniata Park admits he was a crazy kid.

"We used to jump out of the second flood window onto mattresses," Frisby recalls.

And his knees paid the price.

"The body doesn't forget what you put it through," he notes.

Dr. Mark Desmond, a Temple Health orthopaedic surgeon, says osteoarthritis develops when cartilage - the cushion between the upper and lower leg bones - gets damaged over time.

"And sometimes it gets so worn, that there's none left, and there's only bone rubbing on bone, which can be very painful," Dr. Desmond says.

"My pain level was easy 7 to 10 every day," Frisby says.

Dr. Desmond says the first treatments for knee osteoarthritis try to make people comfortable with what they have.

Losing weight, over-the-counter medications, braces, and changing exercises can cut stress on the knees.

"Instead of running, consider cycling. If you can swim, swimming is great exercise. It's low-impact, no-impact. There are ellipticals and other knee-sparing exercises," says Dr. Desmond.

Physical therapy can help, too.

"To strengthen the muscles around the joint can really actually decrease some of the abnormal forces," he notes.

Injections are usually the next step: cortisone or other steroids first, later a gel lubricant that mimics the cushioning effect of cartilage.

Studies show three treatments of PRP, platelet-rich plasma, often ease pain.

When 30 years of knee injections stopped working, his doctor said knee replacement was the only option left.

"You can live the rest of your life always having trouble with your knees or you can live the rest of your 70s, 80s, and 90s pain-free," Frisby recalls his doctor saying.

Dr. Desmond eased Frisby's worries about surgery.

"He made me feel so good, that the first thing that came outta my mouth was - how soon can we do it?" he says with a broad smile

Hours after having both knees replaced last October, Frisby wasn't just up, he was walking around the hospital, finally free of that grinding pain.

"They had to slow me down," he laughs.

And he waves off reservations some have on getting two knees at once. "One surgery, one rehab."

Frisby is back to his job driving rideshare and delivering auto parts.

And boy, is he ready for spring!

"I can't wait to get on my motorcycle. I haven't been on it for 3 years," he says happily.

"The majority of people are very happy with their results," adds Dr. Desmond.

Dr. Desmond says acupuncture gave his mother three years of pain relief before she needed a joint replacement. So he encourages patients to check out all the avenues they can.

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Osteoarthritis of the knee: How Temple Health is helping ease knee ... - WPVI-TV

New Haven doctor uses healing injections so patients can avoid surgery – WTNH.com

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Every year, many people undergo surgery for problems with their joints.

Paul Gebauer was almost one of them. Gebauer, a 60-year-old from Clinton, was in extreme pain from an issue involving his shoulder.

I was diagnosed with a torn tendon in my shoulder, he said.

Thanks to his wifes research, he found New Haven orthopaedic surgeon Phillip Luchini of Luchini Orthopaedic, who performs in in-office procedure to relieve joint pain.

The procedure uses something called platelet rich plasma or PRP. It is not like a cortisone shot which just eases pain. PRP actually uses bloods own plasma to heal from within.

A patients blood is put into a centrifuge, which separates out the plasma. The plasma is then injected into the patients trouble area under ultrasound guidance.

The platelets release their growth factors, and then that jumpstarts the natural healing process in the body, Luchini said.

Areas that can be treated with PRP include shoulders, elbows, hips, wrists, knees, ankles and arthritic joints.

This is another modality we can use to avoid surgical treatment in many cases, Luchini said.

It worked in one try for Paul, who was in so much pain he was ready to undergo surgery if needed.

It was a little sore for like a day or two, but then over a matter of like a week or so, it was like holy cow, its all better, Gebauer said.

He can now do the simple things again that he once took for granted including playing tennis with his daughter.

The procedure itself is not covered by insurance. Costs start at $500. It does not work on everyone, and some people need multiple treatments.

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New Haven doctor uses healing injections so patients can avoid surgery - WTNH.com

A Urologist’s Guide to Safely Increasing the Length and Girth of Your … – San Francisco Bay Times

By Judson Brandeis, M.D.

As a board-certified urologist, Ive seen a growing demand for penis enlargement procedures. Men of all ages and backgrounds have come to me seeking solutions for what they perceive as inadequate penis size. While the desire for a larger penis is understandable, the available medical options have significant drawbacks. Temporary cosmetic fillers and surgical procedures are expensive, risky, and often provide unsatisfactory results.

Penile enlargement surgery involves cutting ligaments or using implants to add length and girth to the penis. Surgery costs range from $15,000 to $25,000 and involve significant risks. Complications include infection, bleeding, and scarring, as well as erectile dysfunction and loss of sensation. Additionally, surgery results can be unpredictable, and some men end up with a deformed or unsatisfactory penis shape.

Another option for penile enlargement, cosmetic fillers, involves injecting materials such as hyaluronic acid, silicone, or polyacrylamide gel into the penis to increase girth. While the results are immediate, the fillers are temporary and require repeated injections every year or two. Furthermore, the fillers can cause significant complications, such as granulomas (small nodules at the site of an infection or inflammation), penile distortion, and foreign body reactions. The cost of fillers can range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on how much filler is used.

These risks and expenses associated with traditional penis enlargement options are why I am excited to share information about the P-Long Protocol with you. P-Long is the first and only clinically proven protocol that naturally increases the length and girth of the penis without the need for surgery or temporary fillers. P-Long combines traction therapy, stretching exercises, AFFIRM circulation boosting supplement, and platelet growth factors in achieving natural and permanent penis enlargement.

I developed the P-Long Protocol in response to the low level of satisfaction with current penis enlargement options. We wanted to create a safe, effective, and affordable solution that allows men to achieve their desired penis size without the drawbacks of surgery and fillers.

The P-Long Protocol involves a combination therapy, including monthly doses of platelet-rich plasma and daily traction therapy, stretching exercises, and the AFFIRM nitric oxide boosting supplement. Men wear traction and suction therapy devices for a little more than an hour a day to gently stretch the penile tissue in both length and girth. The traction and stretching exercises are designed to improve the length and girth of the penis, the platelet-rich plasma accelerates the effects of the suction and traction, and the AFFIRM supplement boosts nitric oxide levels, which enhances circulation that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the growing phallus.

A recent clinical trial of the P-Long Protocol showed impressive results. Over six months, participants in the study experienced an average increase of almost a full inch in length and an average of half an inch in girth. They also reported improved sexual function without any adverse side effects or downtime.

The P-Long Protocol offers many advantages over traditional penis enlargement options. Firstly, it is a natural and long-lasting solution that doesnt involve surgery or temporary fillers. Secondly, it is a safe option that doesnt carry the risks and high costs associated with surgery and fillers. Finally, it offers improved erectile function and size, as shown by clinical studies.

The good news: P-Long is now available to the public nationwide and offered by medically-trained experts.

As a urologist, I believe the P-Long Protocol offers a better and safer solution for men seeking penis enlargement. Thats why I have created a complimentary guide that offers accurate information on male enhancement, which can be downloaded at https://p-long.com/download

Judson Brandeis, M.D., is a board-certified urologist in private practice in the East Bay for over 20 years. He was chief of urology at John Muir Hospital and Hills Physicians Medical Group for over a decade. From 20142020, he was voted Top Urologist in the Bay Area by San Francisco Magazine. After earning degrees from Brown University and Vanderbilt Universitys Medical School, he spent a year at Harvard Medical School doing research sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He finished his formal medical training with 2 years of general surgery and 4 years of urology training at the UCLA Department of Urology. In 2019, he opened his office in San Ramon, where he focuses his practice entirely on mens sexual health and rejuvenation. For more information: https://brandeismd.com/

Published on March 9, 2023

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A Urologist's Guide to Safely Increasing the Length and Girth of Your ... - San Francisco Bay Times

MLB’s All-M*A*S*H team: How teams cope with spring losses – Sportsnaut

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Toronto Blue Jays young superstar, left Fridays exhibition game after injuring his knee on the basepaths. A few days before that, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux suffered an even worse knee injury running the bases.

On Monday, Boston Red Sox third baseman Justin Turner was hit in the face with a pitch and rushed to the hospital.

And just like that, the upbeat, dulcet tones of MLB spring training turned sour for three teams with October in their sights.

Thats how quickly vibes and fortunes can flip in spring training, regardless of how well those teams and others are prepared with quality depth at those or any other positions.

Its also how quickly reminders arise every spring of the top three things every team in baseball tries to accomplish every year at this time:

1. Be healthy.

2. Get healthy.

3. Stay healthy.

To wit: Ultimately, I want to come out of this with everybody healthy, Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young told the Dallas Morning News regarding new ace Jacob deGrom and the rest of his staff. I also realize that may not be realistic. But with our depth, I think were in a better spot now.

Everyone feels good coming in. And I want them to feel good coming out.

Cut and paste those comments about 29 times, and you have an accurate account from every teams top baseball boss.

A lot gets made of who wins the offseason every year second only in hype, perhaps, to who wins the actually season. But when it comes to that part about the actual season, who wins the spring tends to be the most underrated part of the equation. And winning the spring is all about surviving it intact.

And if you dont believe that, just take a look at the starting lineup and playoff rotation that can be put together with players who have already suffered injuries in camps across Florida and Arizona this spring most of them likely costing the players injured-list stints to open the season and more than one threatening their entire seasons.

Wong is not exactly a household name among most baseball fans, but the Red Sox are not exactly blessed with catching depth, either. So for a team that won a World Series as recently as 2018 and was in the playoffs just two years ago, the hamstring injury to a projected platoon regular is problematic at least. It doesnt appear severe, but the team doesnt have a timeline for the injury.

The former MVP runner-up seems to have escaped serious enough injury to land on the IL at the end of the month. But hes taking his recovery slowly at this point, and he withdrew from the World Baseball Classic over it, costing Dominican World Baseball Classic roster one of its best players.

A badly dislocated shoulder suffered the first week of Cactus League play is serious enough to require surgery and will likely cost the Gold Glove winner and All-Star hopeful the entire 2023 season. Its a huge blow to the already marginal hopes of the Rockies.

Hit in the face with a pitch Monday by Tigers right-hander Matt Manning, the immediate prognosis for Turner after being examined at the hospital was mostly good, with 16 stitches needed and a lot of swelling but no apparent broken bones. Best case scenario: It ultimately turns out to be more scare than significant injury, more mental than physical for one of baseballs tougher-minded players, who walked off the field on his own after the blow, holding a towel to his face.

A torn ACL means the 2023 season is over for Gavin Lux, the former top organizational prospect who was handed the unenviable task of trying to replace All-Star shortstop Trea Turner after Turner departed for Philadelphia (and $300 million). The Dodgers, coming off a 111-win season with the big-spending San Diego Padres breathing down their necks, have Miguel Rojas plugged in for now as they continue to evaluate options for the season.

The versatile outfielder with two-way talent as a burgeoning everyday player was positioned to make an impact for a team that missed the playoffs last year by one game after a badly sprained right elbow has forced him to be shut down for at least half of spring training. He received platelet-rich plasma injections in the elbow, and according to reports from Arizona, hes expected to miss at least the first month of the season.

A low grade oblique strain finally shut down the projected Opening Day centerfielder and former top organizational prospect on Monday for seven to 10 days putting his status for the opener in jeopardy. It could be a big blow early for a team with big plans for a 2023 turnaround, little margin for error in a division with Houston and Seattle and not a ton of depth at the position.

Last years $99.6 million rookie from Japan was forced to skip the World Baseball Classic and looks likely to miss the first week or two of the season dealing with an oblique strain that has prevented him from playing any games so far this spring. Last years NL Rookie of the Month for April put on 20 pounds of good weight in the offseason to leverage what he learned about the grueling differences between the Nippon Professional Baseball and MLB schedules.

A broken left big toe from a weight-room accident has will delay the start to the All-Star right-handers season and has the loaded Padres mulling whether to continue with the six-man rotation plans they had before the injury. Meanwhile, Musgrove is pulling out all stops, including spending two hours a day in a hyperbaric chamber. Ill try anything, he told the San Diego Union-Tribune. Anything, even if it knocks a day or two off.

A grade 2 oblique strain suffered early in camp is the latest injury to befall the talented right-hander, who finally appeared poised for a healthy season after missing all but two starts last year rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. This one is considered a six- to eight-week injury and a big blow to a perennial playoff team even one with more talent and depth on its staff than in some recent years.

Gordon Wittenmyer, MLB expert and former beat writer for NBC Sports Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times. Get Gordons latest Sportsnaut Exclusive today!

The former All-Star left his last start with soreness in his left side that testing determined was caused by a small stress fracture in his fifth rib. He withdrew from the WBC (Team Colombia) and left Florida for New York for more testing. The pennant-contending Mets did not suggest a timeline for the injury.

Right elbow tenderness has shut down one of the top prospects in the game and ended one of the most intriguing stories of the spring reports from Clearwater, Florida, suggesting the powerful 19-year-olds chances for earning the fifth-starter job in camp are likely over. For now the hope around the defending NL champs is that Andrew Painters injury isnt serious or long-term.

Gordon Wittenmyer covers Major League Baseball for Sportsnaut. You can follow him on Twitter at @GDubCub.

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MLB's All-M*A*S*H team: How teams cope with spring losses - Sportsnaut

Getting Multiple Skincare Treatments At Once Is Smart. Here’s Why – Glam

Let's talk about at-home treatments first. There's a good chance you have already been doing it every day, with things like multimasking, as layering skincare products means applying creams, serums, balms, and oils one over the other. But did you know that there's actually a proper order in which to layer your skincare products?

The typical layering routine involves multiple steps, including cleansing, exfoliating, toning, treating, and moisturizing. One popular method involves starting with an oil-based cleanser to remove dirt and makeup, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining residue. After cleansing, you can then apply an exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and toner to balance your skin's pH levels. Next, you can apply a serum, which contains active ingredients to target specific skin concerns like fine lines, dark spots, or acne. Remember to finish your routine with sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even incorporate a facial oil or mist to help lock in moisture and add a dewy glow.

Mixing products for skincare treatments can seem overwhelming, but with a little bit of experimentation and patience, you can find a routine that works best for your skin.

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Getting Multiple Skincare Treatments At Once Is Smart. Here's Why - Glam

What’s A Laser Hair Cap And Do They Really Work? – Glam

According to Torkian Facial Plastic Surgery, a laser hair cap is fundamentally a low-level laser therapy (LLLT) which, when worn over your head, emits red light directly to your scalp to encourage cell growth and regenerate hair follicles. As noted in a study published in the International Journal of Trichology, when the emitted photons penetrate the scalp, they stimulate adenosine triphosphate production in dormant hair follicles, jolting them out of the resting phase and into the growth phase to facilitate hair growth.

The absorption of the laser light into the hair follicle also increases microcirculation, enabling the hair to linger in the growing phase for longer and preventing hair shedding. The treatment is completely pain-free, user-friendly, and usually lasts for about half an hour on average. Laser hair caps are available in a variety of fashionable forms, such as helmets, baseball caps, and headbands. To the average eye, the cap can look just like any regular baseball hat, when in reality, it's radiating energy and supercharging your scalp.

According to the New Jersey Hair Restoration Center, laser hair caps have earned the FDA approval as a laser phototherapy device for treatment of hair loss and stimulation of new, thicker hair growth. Studies suggest that they can treat androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss.

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What's A Laser Hair Cap And Do They Really Work? - Glam

Women suffer hair loss too – but there are hi-tech new solutions – inews

Doreen Morgan had always noticed she had a high hairline. But after going through an early menopause and with her hair beginning to thin as it does for many menopausal women, she noticed that something drastic was happening: her once striking profile now boasted a receding hairline.

As I got older and started to take a bit more care about how I look it became more obvious, she says. To disguise it, she grew a fringe, and began wearing hats. It always made me self-conscious and anxious, and I wouldnt want a photograph taken as if there was a gap [in my fringe] and it would show my hairline.

Morgan, 57, felt restricted in her choice of hairstyles and would spend hours styling her hair, straightening her curls and trying out gels and waxes and to keep her hair in place. Sometimes it would spring back and look even worse, she says.

Morgan is not alone, although at times she may have felt like she was. While most people are aware that men can suffer hair loss and balding from a young age, most women dont realise that the same will eventually happen to them. By the age of 60, 80 per cent of women are shedding their hair. This can manifest as thinning, a receding hairline or even bald patches.

As womens hairstyles are often longer, in the early stage they may find it easier to disguise than men do, and until recently its been dismissed as an inevitable part of ageing. But now, a new generation of treatments and therapies are specifically targeting female balding and thinning. Cosmetic surgeons and medical start ups are investing in new technologies some of which are also incredibly costly.

Its set to be a boom market for women in midlife, with a huge potential customer base: a recent poll of viewers of the ITV show Loose Women found that over 90 per cent were already worried about hair loss.

Dr Adam Staten, an NHS GP and clinical director of One Day Tests, says even he was surprised by the statistics around female hair loss. Its definitely an issue we see fairly frequently in my NHS practice and it can be a very significant psychological burden, he says. I think a lot of women just accept it as a part of ageing and dont necessarily think that there might be something that they can do, but sometimes there is potentially a quick fix.

When women lose their hair, diagnosing the causes is the first step. These can include vitamin deficiencies such as lack of iron or vitamin D, undiagnosed diabetes, the hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause or underactive thyroid. In those cases, simply treating the previously silent underlying issue whether thats with hormone replacement therapy or supplements can remedy the problem without any other intervention.

Such is the interest from women in understanding hair loss that, from 1 March, 2023, Statens company is offering a rapid blood test, costing 115, to quickly diagnose any underlying issue or to pinpoint whether the loss is simply down to genetics.

Once any underlying issues are treated, many new cosmetic interventions are possible.

In 2021, Morgan chose to have a hair transplant to deal with her receding hairline a form of surgery that has been available for decades, but with radically improved success rates recently thanks to new techniques which involve transplanting single follicles rather than sections of scalp tissue.

She also opted for a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, a new treatment extracting a patients plasma from their own blood, which contains stem cells and other growth factors, and injecting it where tissues need regenerating. The combination of treatments was a success, although the six-month recovery period required patience.

They shaved my hair off and took follicles and preserved them, then cut back and reinserted the hair and then started the recovery process. It was very tricky because I left work two weeks prior to that with people saying theres nothing wrong with your hair, and then I had got this big exposed area and it looked red raw people must have wondered what the hell had happened and I had to let it heal like that.

Six months later her hair had regrown and she was able to sport a short style for the first time. She is now much happier with her appearance. I dont mess about with my hair as much, I dont look in the mirror as much and I dont wear hats. I think thats a great stepping stone.

Such treatments dont come cheap. A follicle hair transplant is likely to cost around 6,000 (costs range from 2,000 to 30,000 depending on the size of the area to be treated). PRP costs 400-500 per injection, and women are likely to need three or four.

Dr Matee Rajput is one of the doctors using new transplant techniques. He says they have improved healing time and made the surgery a much more attractive option for women. Everything is on a micro scale and therefore you can put more hair in the same place, he explains. Youve got less scarring and more regrowth.

Dr Furqan Raja, a cosmetic doctor who also carries out hair transplants and PRP injections, says these new techniques have improved success rates for hair loss treatments. In particular, he says, PRP injections significantly improve the quality of the hair, meaning women are more comfortable spending money on the technique.

The next development in treatment, set to become available within the next two years, is stem cell implantation, using healthy hair follicles to regenerate dying follicles in areas where the hair is starting to thin. Its a preventative measure, rather than a surgical intervention, but rollout has been delayed by pauses in university research due to departments shutting down during the pandemic.

Research is also ongoing into medications known as JAK inhibitors, which currently treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, looking at whether they can block the activity of immune cells which contribute to hair loss.

Meanwhile, CRISPR technology, which is leading to huge leaps forward in cancer treatment, could also have applications for cosmetic purposes. This gene-editing technology could allow doctors to edit the genes that regulate hair growth, potentially allowing for new hair follicles to grow, according to Yannis Giantizides, managing director of the Harley Street Hair Transplant Clinic.

These treatments may be some way off, but they are already guiding current offerings for women. Dr Bessam Farjo, who owns the Farjo Hair Institute based in Manchester, is already offering a follicle banking service for people in the earliest stages of loss to preserve their healthy follicles now.

Everything is now geared to preservation and maintenance, so we like to catch these issues early on and catch the issue and preserve the hair rather than wait for it to fall out, Farjo explains. The future treatments are cell-based treatments, meaning well be able to take different parts of cells and replicate and multiply them in the lab and then reintroduce them or inject them into someones scalp.

But in our research we find that the younger hairs respond much better to these kinds of lab culturing methods than older hair. Theyre able preserve their younger hairs, so that when a treatment becomes available we can access these hairs.

The follicle banking service preserves hair at the cost of 2,500 a year for a 20-25 year period and Farjo already has female clients. However, most wont need to wait that long to move forward with replenishing their hair: Farjo predicts his clinic will be able to offer full stem cell regeneration treatment within 12 months.

Natalie, 45, from Hastings, finally chose to have a transplant last year after decades of trying over-the-counter treatment]s, tablets and hormone therapy.

Hair loss really impacted my life, both personally and professionally, she explains. I started to panic and worry what itd be like when I got even older and was constantly distressed about it to my husband. I was especially worried about whether Id have to wear a wig for the rest of my life. This was a very emotional experience for me, and I felt like I was running out of options.

Her transplant was successful, but within the next few years women will have less invasive options available to prevent their hair loss before it happens.

The rest is here:
Women suffer hair loss too - but there are hi-tech new solutions - inews

Aster Clinics: Elevating her health, beauty, and wellness – Gulf News

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On this International Womens Day, Aster Clinics celebrate the achievements of every woman and support them in their endeavours to make this world a better place by offering comprehensive care that elevates their health, beauty, and wellness

The 21st century witnessed women making giant strides in empowering themselves and taking centre stage in society. When we celebrate the achievements of women in making the world a better place, we should also realise there is much more to do.

Access to quality healthcare on time is still a concern for many women. According to statistics, about 44 per cent of women delay visiting a doctor until their symptoms worsen. These are serious concerns to be addressed and resolved.

In the UAE, Aster Clinics have been at the forefront of delivering quality care to women at an affordable cost. On this International Womens Day, when the world celebrates the achievements of women, Aster Clinics also commits to empowering women by elevating her health, beauty, and wellness.

Dr. Ahed Khazem, Specialist Dermatology/Cosmetology at Aster Clinic, Aswaaq Mall and Arabian Ranches

Elevating her health and wellness

A woman is the cornerstone of every family. Hence, her health is critical in determining the health of a family. The famous slogan Healthy Women, Healthy World summarises it all.

The health of women is different and unique from men, said Dr. Mehnaz Abdulla, Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aster Women Clinic, Al Qusais. Health or being healthy does not mean free from disease, said

Dr. Mehnaz. It embodies physical, mental and social well-being. As women play multiple active roles in their lives simultaneously, they often neglect their health in the service of family. Many women develop debilitating

Dr. Mehnaz Abdulla, Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aster Women Clinic, Al Qusais

and chronic conditions because they avoid preventive health checkups and treatments. We can prevent many of these conditions with proper care. Women need to undergo preventative healthcare steps at each stage of their life for early detection of medical problems and treatment.

As part of observing the special occasion for women, Aster Clinic also aims to spread awareness about PCOS and help women suffering from the condition.

PCOS is a hormonal disorder widely prevalent among women that leads to irregular periods, infertility, and increased levels of androgen, the male hormone, said Dr. Usha Sethi, Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aster Clinic, Tecom and Aswaaq Mall. Many patients with PCOS suffer from obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, mood disorders and can develop insulin resistance that over a period of time may lead on to diabetes This condition also makes it difficult to conceive.

Dr. Usha Sethi, Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aster Clinic, Tecom and Aswaaq Mall

Dr. Usha, said, One of the early signs of PCOS is experiencing menstrual problems such as irregular periods or not getting periods at all. These women may also experience heavy bleeding when they get their periods. The hormonal changes may cause frequent headaches and fatigue, and they might have difficulty falling asleep. Women experiencing these symptoms might consult a gynaecologist and make the right diagnosis and get the treatment.

Aster Clinics Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department offers comprehensive gynecology care with more than 40 specialist doctors who are efficient in dealing with all disorders that affect women. Some of the major services offered at the clinic are hormonal dysfunction management, irregular menstrual cycle management, management of endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS/PCOD, pelvic infection management, sexual dysfunction, aesthetic gynaecology, infertility treatment and much more.

To promote early screening checkups among women on International Womens Day, Aster Clinic has designed PCOS Screening Package starting from just Dh399.

To avail or know more about the Womens Health packages at Aster Clinic: Call 044 400 500.

Elevating her beauty

Many think hair loss only affects men. However, more than 50 per cent of women experience noticeable hair loss. The most common cause of hair loss in women is female-pattern hair loss (FPHL), affecting about one-third of susceptible women, irrespective of age.

There are many factors that lead to hair loss in women. Family history is one factor that plays a crucial role in hair loss. While many think androgenic hair loss only affects men. However, more than 40 per cent of women by the age of 50 experience noticeable hair loss and hair thining. female-pattern hair loss (FPHL), is the most common cause of hair loss in women, and is affecting about one-third of susceptible women, irrespective of age, and more than 40 per cent by the age of 50.

According to Dr. Ahed Khazem, Specialist Dermatology/Cosmetology at Aster Clinic, Aswaaq Mall and Arabian Ranches, emphasises the importance of distinguishing between FPHL and other causes of hair loss,

FPHL is a continuous condition leading to progressing hair thining if not treated well and is most important to diagnose early, as in some cases it starts as early as the age of 20. PRP treatment is a safe and effective treatment to be added to the management plan of FPHL, to help prevent further hair loss and promote new hair growth.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection promotes cell regeneration by utilising vital and necessary growth factors, says Dr. Ahed. PRP is created by separating platelets from a sample of a patients blood. It is then injected back into the patient in places that requires regeneration and treatment. Results from PRP injections begin to appear after a period of three to eight weeks. Achieving the complete results may require a period of one full year.

With the expertise of more than 25 specialist dermatologists across the UAE, Aster Clinics Aesthetic and Dermatology Department offers specialised treatments and solutions that focus on improving skin health. Aster offers a wide range of treatment solutions, including correcting skin tone and texture, anti-ageing, skin rejuvenation, and scar treatment. They also treat conditions like skin firming, wrinkles, mole removal, anti-pigmentation, laser hair reduction, skin discolouration and much more.

This Womens Month, we are offering PRP for hairfall starting from just Dh399 (1 session)and skin booster for just Dh899 (1 session).

To avail the services offered at the aesthetic department of Aster Clinics or to know more about the packages: Call 044 400 500.

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Aster Clinics: Elevating her health, beauty, and wellness - Gulf News