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The Process of Cord Blood Collection

After the delivery of a baby, cord blood remains in the umbilical cord and placenta. This blood is a rich source of stem cells that can boost the immune system. During the cord blood storage process, umbilical blood is collected and all the immune cells present in it are cryogenically frozen for future medical usage. Banking your baby’s blood will be a new experience. Your concern regarding the complexity of the process is genuine. But to bring to your notice, banking is a seamless process causing no harm to the baby as well as the mother.

Processes involved in cord blood storage

The delivery is not at all affected by banking. The entire process of collection, procession, and cryopreservation is done by professional healthcare workers. The processes involved are as follows.

1.  Enroll yourself with a cord blood bank

The process of enrolment is free. If you enroll earlier and then later decide not to opt for blood banking, there will be no issues. Make sure to return the collection kit to the banking cell to avoid paying any charges. There are certain forms that you will have to fill before delivery, while some at the time of delivery. Inform your gynecologist about your decision of banking much before. Keep the collection kit carefully with your hospital bag.

2.  Collection process

Testing of maternal blood samples is done pre-delivery to eradicate any possibility of an infection. Cord blood is collected immediately after the delivery from the umbilical cord. The Healthcare provider also collects cord tissue after delivery of the placenta. The entire collection process is pain-free for the baby as well as the mother.

The healthcare provider clamps and cuts the umbilical cord. After proper cleaning, a needle is inserted to collect blood. The baby does not come in contact with the needle, ensuring a no-pain process for him. All efforts are made to collect as much blood as possible. After collecting the maximum possible cord blood, your gynecologist will cut a large segment of cord tissue. It will be collected in a collection cup after a thorough cleaning.

3.  Transportation of cord blood

A toll-free number of cells are provided on the collection kit that you receive. Within two hours of the delivery, make a call at that number. Someone will receive your call 24×7. Soon after the call, a courier will be arranged from the parents’ location to the blood bank. The bag containing the blood and cord tissue is sealed and your family’s name label is attached to it to avoid any replacement. The samples of maternal blood samples are also labeled. You will get a notification once your cord blood, cord tissue, and maternal blood samples reach the lab.

4.  Testing the umbilical blood

After 36 to 48 hours of cord blood storage, it is tested, processed, and cryogenically stored. Cord blood and tissues are tested for microbiological contamination. Specialized laboratory technologies are applied to maximize stem cells recovered from the blood. The banking cell stores the cord blood in situations to make sure to preserve all cell types and expand future medical help options. According to recent studies, a mix of stem cells stimulates teamwork with the body organs. This makes the regenerative medical process more effective. So, blood banks store the entire umbilical cord tissue to preserve the maximum possible types of cells.

5.  Preservation of cord blood

Cord blood and tissue are stored in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen at temperatures below -170 degrees Celsius. All cell types are preserved with extra protection against any feasible cross-contamination. A lot of research on possible medical treatments via cord blood is under process.

Keeping this fact in mind, banking blood these days also preserves cord blood’s residual plasma and red blood cells. These may prove to be beneficial in some treatments in the future. Make sure that the blood bank you choose for banking preserves additional samples for future benefits. After all, you have opted for cord blood banking for the medical benefits of your baby.

Facial Filler – Why They are a Popular Facial Skin Treatment Option

Environment, stress, and natural aging all contributing to the ever increasing lines and wrinkles on your face. What may seem like an uncontrollable process could indeed be prevented with the help of facial fillers NYC.

Facial fillers in NYC have become the preferred choice of facial treatment because they can reverse the common signs of aging. Wrinkles, fine lines, sunken areas, and even thin lips, fillers can work their magic no matter the region.

As one gets older, the elasticity of their skin decreases, which leads to sagging skin. The smile and laugh lines around noticeable around ones nose and mouth are the results of aging. Aging reduces the production of natural dermal moisturizers and volumizers, including hyaluronic acid, thus resulting in the visible signs of aging and loss of youthful-looking skin.

What role do facial fillers play?

Simply put, facial fillers restore the lost hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid powerfully binds to water. Therefore, when injected at the site, it hydrates, softens, and volumizes your skin, restoring your youthful and healthy look. Below listed are some of the benefits of facial fillers in NYC that have contributed to their increasing popularity as the preferred facial treatment.

1. Immediate and Consistent Results

On the route of dermal fillers, there is no dillydallying. One can notice an immediate transformation in their appearance transform after injecting dermal fillers. Furthermore, you can stop about the unending recovery time. Depending on the area, the facial filler treatment can be completed in mere 10 minutes. In fact, so well known is the speed and efficacy of a filler treatment that it is sometimes described as a “lunchtime facelift.”

The side effects experienced are minimal in nature, mild swelling, or redness at the site of injection, which subsides within a few hours or a day.

2. Beneficial for the Skin

Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in your body. Therefore, administering hyaluronic acid through facial fillers is a safe option that benefits your skin.

A natural feel with a natural component is an added reason for folks to shower their love on facial fillers in NYC.

3. Natural-Looking Plump Skin

No one wishes to stand out because of patchy, bulbous skin, the result of a shoddy facial filler. A good facial filler by qualified technicians will give you subtle and natural-looking results. People will marvel at your youthful skill, but will never be able to point out at your facial filler.

With age, your skin begins to lose collagen and fat, replacing your young, healthy-looking with a hollowed-out look and more blatantly obvious wrinkles. Facial fillers in NYC counteract these problems by making your skin plumper.

4. Boosts Self-confidence

In this aspect, facial fillers can be life-changing. People who have received lip fillers have time and again claimed that lip fillers have boosted their self-confidence.

5. Bid Farewell to Stubborn Scars

Touted as one of the biggest advantages of opting for facial fillers is the improvement in the appearance of scars. For someone who may have spent years applying makeup to hide unsightly scars, facial fillers are God-sent.

6. Facial Fillers Complement Botox

If you notice that some of the wrinkles on your face are particularly deep, especially those on your forehead and glabella (the space between your eyebrows), your aesthetician may suggest Botox treatment for you. At this point, you can rest assured because Botox complements facial fillers perfectly well. No need to worry about untoward consequences.

A combination of the two may help you delay or even avoid surgery, such as a facelift, down the road.

Still mulling over booking an appointment for facial fillers in NYC, fret not. You can begin by going for a comprehensive consultation with an experienced aesthetic practitioner. Discuss your aesthetic goals, skincare, and receive a thorough evaluation along with a customized plan to achieve the youthful skill that you have always wanted.

Can Invisalign Help to Treat Periodontal Disease?

We all want a beautiful smile and healthy teeth. However, sometimes misaligned teeth stand in the way.

Improper alignment of teeth not only affects its appearance but also makes it difficult to take proper care of your teeth. The bacteria and plaque buildup can also cause dental issues and can also result in a stained tooth.

People with severely misaligned teeth experience difficulty in chewing and biting food. The food particles get stuck between the crowded teeth and do not get removed with brushing and flossing.

Invisalign treatment at McLean proves to be a boon in such a case. They consist of a series of transparent trays that move your teeth slowly into the desired position.

Apart from other dental issues, misaligned teeth can also cause periodontal diseases. Hence, they need immediate correction with Invisalign treatment.

Can misaligned teeth cause periodontal diseases?

The major issue associated with the misaligned tooth is periodontal disease. Periodontal diseases or gum diseases are severe infections that can affect the soft gum tissues surrounding your teeth. The tissue erosion can cause periodontal pockets.

These pockets are spaces around your teeth under the gumline. They can capture and hold bacteria which causes deepening of these gaps even further. If left unattended, the infection can cause damages to the jaw bone under your teeth.

There could be many reasons for gum diseases, and misaligned teeth are one of them. Hence, improperly arranged teeth are a serious concern that requires treatment with traditional braces or Invisalign treatment to avoid periodontal diseases.

Why is Invisalign treatment more preferable over metal braces in case of periodontal diseases?

Periodontal diseases cannot be treated completely. However, good oral hygiene helps keep the issue in check.

Traditional braces are fixed and removed only by a dentist. Hence, once the treatment begins, you have to wear them throughout the day. This makes certain areas of your teeth difficult to reach.

The small food particles may get attached to the metal wires of the braces. Also, you cannot remove the braces while brushing. This makes it very difficult to clean your teeth and can lead to food and plaque buildup.

Patients with traditional braces usually experience gum inflammation and redness during their treatment.

Invisalign McLean treatment is a better alternative in such a case. The invisible trays can be removed during eating to avoid any food particles from getting trapped in them.

They also do not interfere with your dental cleaning regimen in any way. You can remove them during brushing and flossing to clean your teeth properly. You can also clean the aligners and place them back conveniently.

Hence, proper dental hygiene with regular cleaning of trays can prevent any bacteria buildup and gum infection.

Can you have Invisalign treatment if you have gum disease?

If you have periodontal diseases and misaligned teeth, you can choose to undergo treatment for both simultaneously. Most dentists are equipped to handle gum disease and Invisalign treatment at the same time.

The tray sits well above your gum line and is safe to use if you have periodontal issues. However, this requires prior consultation with your dentist. Your dentist will assess the situation, and in some cases, they may decide to treat the infection before straightening your teeth.

Severe gum infections can cause significant tissue erosion and damages to the jawbone. Since your teeth are socketed to the jawbone, any issues with the jawbone need to be corrected first.

Invisalign treatment moves your misaligned teeth in the desired place by creating pressure on them. If you have a severe infection, such pressure can cause more harm than good.

In such a case, Invisalign treatment or any other orthodontic treatment should be avoided until deemed fit by your dentist.

Hence, Invisalign treatment can help in the treatment of periodontal diseases. However, prior consultation with your dentist regarding your gum diseases is essential before starting the treatment.

Four Reasons Why to Choose a Pediatrician as an Urgent Care Pediatric

It is easy to panic when your child unexpectedly gets hurt or falls sick, and it is outside of regular business hours. With your regular pediatrician unavailable, your first instinct might be to rush to the emergency room at your nearest hospital for immediate medical care. However, remaining calm and having an established plan to handle emergencies will stand you in good stead. Unless it is a life-threatening emergency, it does not make sense to go to the ER and end up with high medical bills.

Instead, it might be a better idea to head for an urgent care pediatric office. If you do not already have one on your list, you can search online for “urgent care for pediatrics near me” and contact a reputable and experienced doctor closest to your location.

Choosing a pediatrician as an urgent care pediatric

There are four main reasons for choosing a pediatrician as an urgent care pediatric:

1. They are open to patient visits on short notice

You may not be able to see your regular pediatrician outside of their specified business hours or even get a same-day appointment for your child. However, you can conveniently do that in an urgent care pediatric clinic. You can phone them at any time, including on weekends and holidays, or turn up with your child at a moment’s notice. A friendly team will greet you and provide your child with the essential medical treatment.

2. They are experienced in treating children of all ages

The pediatrician at an urgent care pediatric clinic will have experience treating children of all ages, from infants to 18-year-olds, and that will make a difference in the treatment they provide. Your child will feel more comfortable being examined by someone competent and knowledgeable, and you will feel reassured too. Furthermore, the pediatrician will know which treatment will best serve to alleviate your child’s symptoms. It will be unrealistic to expect the same personalized care and attention in a chaotic emergency room at the hospital.

3. They have modern facilities and are affordable

When you search online for “urgent care for pediatrics near me,” it is advisable to find out about their facilities and medical equipment. You can even visit the premises and talk to the staff long before your child ever needs emergency care. Based on your findings, you can consider if you would like to go there in an urgent situation.

Fortunately, many urgent care pediatric clinics have clean facilities, the best available equipment, and well-trained, competent staff who knows how to provide high-level pediatric care to children. That can help to put you at ease and also make the visit less traumatic for your child. And the best thing is that whatever the treatment your child receives, the medical fee will be less than what you might have to pay in the ER at the hospital.

4. They offer fast and efficient services

If you take your child to the ER and the ailment turns out to be a low-priority one, you will have to wait for your turn until the doctor has finished with the more urgent cases. That can sometimes take hours, and, in the meantime, your child will be in a waiting room filled with sick people and at risk of catching a contagious disease. It could just be a recipe for disaster. A minor health issue could turn into something serious.

On the other hand, the pediatrician at the urgent care pediatric will see patients on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you arrive first, they will see your child almost immediately and be quick in their examination. They understand that children are often scared or overwhelmed in an emergency, and, so they will try to keep the visit as brief as possible.

In some cases, if the ailment is minor, the pediatrician might even suggest a phone or video consultation rather than an in-person visit. They will speak directly to your child, examine them remotely over the video call, and understand what the issue is. They will then advise a treatment plan and prescribe medication. That can usually suffice for many minor ailments like cuts, bruises, allergies, cold, fever, ear infection, diarrhea, or dehydration.

How Can I Get rid of a Fever Blister Fast?

Fever blisters are small fluid-filled blisters that appear around your mouth, lips, and tongue. They are also called cranked sores or mouth ulcers.

These blisters appear due to an infection with the herpes simplex virus type-1 and can cause pain, discomfort, and social awkwardness. The sores can also result in crusting and bleeding, which can cause embarrassment.

The infection with Herpes Simplex Virus cannot be cured, and the blisters take one to two weeks to clear up in a healthy individual. For many people, it can take longer, and the infection can spread to other areas as well.

Hence, it is essential to get rid of fever blisters fast, especially if you have a big event coming up. Let us learn more about fever blisters and how you can treat them quickly.

1. Recognize the early warning sign.

If you want to treat your fever blisters fast use fever blister medicine, you need to act as soon as you experience the first sign of the infection. Most people experience an itching, burning, or tingling sensation a day or a few hours before the first blister appears.

Start treating your blisters with natural remedies, topical cream, or oral medication as soon as you suspect cold sores.

2. Cold press

If you suspect an infection from HSV type-1, you can start the treatment with a cold press. Applying an ice cube to the tingling area can combat the outgrowth of blisters and also helps them heal quickly.

You can also apply a damp cloth to the cold sores to reduce redness and crusting. This eases the symptoms and enables faster healing of sores.

3. Topical medication

Topical medications for cold sores are available in the form of creams, gels, and ointment. They help reduce the growth of fever blisters and are generally available over the counter without a prescription. You can also order them online and keep them handy if you get infected by fever blisters multiple times in a year.

These topical medicines usually contain acyclovir or penciclovir. They control the outgrowth and improves the appearance of blisters. Using topical creams helps shorten the healing time for cold sores by a day.

The ointments need to be applied multiple times in a day within a gap of few hours. The sooner you start the process, the better it is. The medication can also help in relieving pain and crusting.

You should use topical creams for five to seven days to get rid of fever blisters quickly. Also, avoid using your hands to apply the ointment as it can spread the virus to other parts of the body. Use a cotton swab and dispose of it after each usage.

4. Oral medication

If you are experiencing recurring cold sores, you can choose oral pills for fever blisters as an alternative. Also, applying topical medications several times a day may get tedious and cumbersome.

Unlike topical medications, you need a prescription to get oral tablets for cold sores. Therefore, patients with recurring issues may keep pre-filled prescriptions or store the medicines for future usage.

The most common medicines include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valaciclovir. It does not have any side effects. However, a lower dose is advisable for people with kidney issues.

The antiviral attaches itself to the virus and deters its growth. It accelerates the healing process and also manages the symptoms of infection.

Based on your symptoms and their severity, your doctor may recommend suitable antivirals. You need to take these medicines once or twice for one to seven days. The doses of antivirals also depend on your immune system.

These are some of the means to treat your fever blisters and get rid of them faster. Time plays a crucial role in treating a cold sore. Hence the sooner you start, the better results you get.