Cancer can be scary but if diagnosed early enough it can be treated. Multiple Myeloma refers to a type of blood cancer. This causes plasma cells to multiply at a higher than normal rate. Plasma cells typically generate antibodies that help build immunity but in these cases, they release excessive amounts of immunoglobulin proteins into the blood and bones causing organ damage and weakened bones. Multiple myeloma treatment takes many forms depending on the extent of damage caused.
When it comes to treating cancer like this, the earlier the condition is diagnosed; the easier the Multiple myeloma treatment. Hence it is important to recognise the symptoms associated with multiple myeloma. In its early stages, this condition may not present any symptoms but as it worsens, it can cause bone pain, weakness and weight loss. It can also cause the development of purplish lumps under the skin called extramedullary plasmacytomas.
People suffering from conditions such as Solitary plasmacytoma or Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance have a high risk of suffering from multiple myeloma. The risk of suffering from this condition is also high is you are older than 65 years, an African American or have a family member who also suffers from it.
Multiple myeloma treatment is most effective in cases where the patient also suffers from anaemia, high levels of calcium, kidney problems or lytic bone lesions. Some of the most effective forms of treatment for this condition are:
Stem Cell Transplantation: The first step of this procedure involves harvesting stem cells from a donor or the patient himself and freezing them. The patient is them given high doses of chemotherapy to destroy cells in the bone marrow. The destroyed cells include both healthy cells and plasma cells. The harvested stem cells are then re-injected into the patient’s veins where they travel through the bone marrow and create new, health cells. This does not cure multiple myeloma but improves the patient’s quality of life and elongates it. One of the possible side effects to this form of treatment is an increased vulnerability to infections.
Chemotherapy: Like all other types of cancer, Multiple myeloma treatment also takes the form of chemotherapy. This form of treatment is very effective in cases where patients cannot be treated with stem cell transplantation. Chemotherap can also be combined with other drugs including that can help reduce its side effects.
Immunotherapy: This form of treatment is usually reserved for patients who cannot be effectively treated with other forms of treatment. It involves the use of antibodies that attack and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation therapy: Radiation involves treating patients with high energy beams such as X-rays. The beam is directed to parts of the body affected by cancer and kills the plasma cells thus reducing pain and strengthening the bones.
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Diagnosis and treatments of multiple sclerosis
Read moreThere are no specific diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. The general approach is to test for usual diseases that have similar symptoms and eliminate the likely conditions. A diagnosis is then arrived at by elimination of the common conditions that mimic MS. This method of diagnosis is often employed to diagnose difficult diseases and the technique is called differential diagnosis. It is very important to get a detailed clinical history. This helps the doctor to eliminate many diseases and concentrate on a few. A blood test is done to confirm the results help to avoid similar diseases. Specific markers of specific antibodies for MS in the blood is being developed. This help in diagnosis.
Another test is analyzing the spinal fluid for markers which are specific to different infections and illnesses producing similar symptoms like MS. The tests can also indicate abnormal antibodies associated with MS. The spinal fluid is tapped by inserting a needle into the spinal canal and drawing a small quantity of the fluid.
MRI is an advanced imaging technique using magnetic forces. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Often a contrast material in injected intravenously which helps to identify the lesions in the brain and on the spinal cord.
Evoked potential test, which records the signal the nerves produces on the application of stimuli. The stimuli can be an electrical impulse applied to the legs and the speed with it is transmitted is recorded by electrodes. Alternately it may be a moving visual pattern that is used.
These advanced tests are used in cases with peculiar symptoms or progressive disease. The more common MS with relapsing-remitting symptoms is fairly straightforward.
Treatment for MS involves treating the symptoms, checking the progress of the condition and managing the symptoms. Rare people has only very mild symptoms and do not warrant any treatment.
Medicines are prescribed to reduce inflammation and some can have side effects like hypertension, sleeplessness, mood swings and fluid retention. Medicines should be taken only on prescription by a specialist. Plasma exchange or plasmapheresis is also employed in some cases, in which the patient’s blood cells are separated from the plasma, mixed with a protein solution (albumin) and transfused.
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3 most inexpensive online trademark services
Read moreA trademark can be a name, tagline, or logo to give a unique identification to your product or business. Trademarks are a valuable part of the intellectual property owned by a business, which helps in distinguishing goods and services in the same business sector.
The cheapest way to get a trademark is to design and register one for yourself. It is recommended to get assistance when working with trademarks because a small error in registration and research can result in conflict from another party. There are online trademark search and registration services, which are cheaper alternatives to hiring a local trademark attorney, and can help you with efficient registration. Mentioned below are three online trademark services that are the cheapest ways to get a trademark.
LegalZoom
Established in 2001, the online trademark service is a reasonable alternative to hiring an attorney for your trademark. It allows you to choose from Basic and Complete coverage plans that are priced at $199 and $219 respectively. The complete coverage also provides color adjustment, digitization, and compilation of your trademark specimens, a feature that not every trademark service provides. LegalZoom is also highly rated due to its ease of use, and easy-to-understand questionnaires to gather necessary information. Moreover, it allows you to check the status online anytime, and provides assistance through call or email.TrademarkPlus
It is one of the most popular and cheapest ways to get a trademark for your business. Average Trademark search and registration packages range from $199 to $399 while TrademarkPlus charges between $49 and $149. The trademark service claims to process any trademark search within one business day of receiving application materials. TrademarkPlus helps in identifying similar trademarks that may cause conflict, thereby avoiding the likelihood of application rejection. Its trademark watching service helps protect your business by monitoring your trademark at the national, federal state, or international level. You’ll also get an alert if anyone attempts to use a similar mark.Trademark Engine
Another cheap way to get a trademark is to opt for Trademark Engine. It can be a good choice to trademark your intellectual property of your business. Its basic registration package starts from $99. The Standard Package includes Transfer/Assignment template and six months of trademark monitoring for $149. The Deluxe Package gives you a full year of trademark monitoring and 24-hour processing time for $199. Trademark Engine can also let you perform free trademark search of pending and even live trademarks. It also has its own learning center where it provides answers to various trademark and copyright related questions.