What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. Neurons normally generate electrochemical impulses that act on other neurons, glands, and muscles to produce human thoughts, feelings, and actions. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior, or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. During a seizure, neurons may fire as many as 500 times a second, much faster than normal. In some people, this happens only occasionally; for others, it may happen up to hundreds of times a day.
More than 2 million people in the United States -- about 1 in 100 -- have experienced an unprovoked seizure or been diagnosed with epilepsy. For about 80 percent of those diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with modern medicines and surgical techniques. However, about 25 to 30 percent of people with epilepsy will continue to experience seizures even with the best available treatment. Doctors call this situation intractable epilepsy. Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have epilepsy.
Epilepsy is not contagious and is not caused by mental illness or mental retardation. Some people with mental retardation may experience seizures, but seizures do not necessarily mean the person has or will develop mental impairment. Many people with epilepsy have normal or above-average intelligence. Famous people who are known or rumored to have had epilepsy include the Russian writer Dostoyevsky, the philosopher Socrates, the military general Napoleon, and the inventor of dynamite, Alfred Nobel, who established the Nobel Prize. Several Olympic medalists and other athletes also have had epilepsy. Seizures sometimes do cause brain damage, particularly if they are severe. However, most seizures do not seem to have a detrimental effect on the brain. Any changes that do occur are usually subtle, and it is often unclear whether these changes are caused by the seizures themselves or by the underlying problem that caused the seizures.
While epilepsy cannot currently be cured, for some people it does eventually go away. One study found that children with idiopathic epilepsy, or epilepsy with an unknown cause, had a 68 to 92 percent chance of becoming seizure-free by 20 years after their diagnosis. The odds of becoming seizure-free are not as good for adults or for children with severe epilepsy syndromes, but it is nonetheless possible that seizures may decrease or even stop over time. This is more likely if the epilepsy has been well-controlled by medication or if the person has had epilepsy surgery.
First Steps
At integra Medical Center, our main concern is that you are convinced that our Stem Cell Therapy is the best option to treat your condition. That is why, before scheduling your appointment, we will need you to complete the following steps:- Fill-out the Patient History Form
- Read the documentation that we have on our website or the files we send to your e-mail.
- Send the Patient History Form back to us.
- Schedule your complimentary call with Dr. Gonzalez.
Talk to Dr. Gonzalez
We want you to get all your questions answered before deciding on receiving our Stem Cell Therapy. That's why we want you to be well documented and write down your questions before the call. Also, we recommend researching other providers and clinics so you know that your are going to get the best treatment at the most affordable price.At this time the doctor will let you know the exact cost of the therapy based on your condition and information you provided in the Patient History Form.
Scheduling your Appointment
Once you decide IMC's Stem Cell Therapy is the best treatment for your condition, your Patient Advocate will schedule a tentative date for your treatment. Appointment dates will become final when the initial deposit is received, which is usually 30% of the full treatment cost. The remaining balance can be transferred no later than 2 days before your appointment date.Travel Arrangements
Your Patient Advocate will be there to assist you with any questions you may have regarding air travel, lodging, ground transportation and even tourist attractions near the clinic. Usually, patients choose to stay in one of the Rio Grande Valley's major cities, such as McAllen, Weslaco or Donna.
Depending on the treatment package that you choose, your stay and ground transportation may be included with the cost of therapy, so all you have to worry about is air transportation. Be sure to ask your Patient Advocate what's included in your package.
IMC's Stem Cell Therapy Protocol
This method is the result of many years of experience. It has been very effective in making a powerful impact on the conditions we work on at Integra Medical Center. The steps of the protocol are as follows:The whole process takes about 2 hours to complete and after the final evaluation the patient is released and can return to their hotel. Some patients even return to their homes on that same day and back to work the very next day!
Stem cell treatments provided by Integra Medical Center occur in Mexico and hence are outside the boundaries of the U.S. and therefore are not currently approved by the FDA.
While the stem cell debate continues, Integra Medical Center is working towards documenting scientific proof so that we may be able to conduct treatments within the U.S., but at this point in time, our patients must come to us.
Be warned, stem cell treatments are not a cure for any condition, disease or injury. The information contained in this IMC's written materials should not be considered medical advice. It is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only.
