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What Exactly Is Activa Therapy |
Activa Therapy has been developed to combat the deterioration of body and spirit that Parkinson's disease causes over time.
Parkinson's disease is an insidious disease that slowly eats away at its victims. It produces tremors that would make even the strongest person cry out in pain. It is a disease that does not discriminate, and attacks it's victim's slowly over time. Through the wonders of technology, The Activa Therapy system can slow or reduce the symptoms dramatically.
For years, victims of Parkinson's disease have suffered with not only the physical aspect of the disease, but also psychologically and emotionally. As the disease progressed, the victim was often placed into a nursing home, or locked in their bedroom away from society.
The Activa Therapy System can give back some of the freedom that this disease takes away.
Medications have been developed to mask the symptoms and control the pain of Parkinson's disease but in the end, the victim is in so much pain that nothing seems to help. Some of the medications that are prescribed cause serious other medical problems such as dyskinesia. (An inability to control movement of certain parts of the body.)
New technology has been developed to safely treat the most severe tremors that a Parkinson's victim can have. With this new technology, a victim can recapture some of what they enjoyed doing.
The Activa Therapy System is breakthrough system that consists of a lead that is surgically planted in the brain of a Parkinson's victim. It contains four electrodes that are also surgically implanted in the brain. A connector is then run through the body, just under the skin, to a neurostimulator that is surgically implanted near the clavicle. The neurostimulator resembles a pacemaker with a battery. The neurostimulator can be adjusted to each patient's medical needs. Although the circuitry is microelectronic, it can deliver a jolt deep into the brain through the connector and electrodes.
A hand held device controls the neurostimulator so the patient can administer a treatment when he or she feels it is necessary. The device fits onto the stimulator that is attached at the clavicle to deliver the jolt.
Testing is done before the system is implanted in the patient. Medical personnel use a physician programmer, (a test of the Activa system) to set the correct limit to monitor the patient and find the right setting for each individual. The technician then sets the precise limits. Only then will the surgeon implant the Activa system into the Parkinson's victim.
It may take a little time to adjust to having this system, but all that have tried it have stated that they are leading more normal lives.
The Activa system controls the bradykinesia/akinesia and tremors that are associated with Parkinson's disease and can reduce the dyskinesia that the medicine often causes.
More and more physicians are recommending this system to their Parkinson's patients because the results are quite positive.
Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to your doctor for more information about the Activa Therapy System.
This article is Copyright © 2006, Heather Colman. Find more Activa Therapy resources at activa-center.info. |
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