CCSVI - Dangerous not to be Screened For - Urgent Surgical Procedure.
If you've heard about the condition CCSVI, then you will probably relate it to Multiple Sclerosis. The condition is related to MS because one man, Professor Paolo Zamboni, explored every available option to cure his wife, Elena, who was experiencing difficulties with her MS related symptoms.
Elena temporarily lost her eyesight and developed what she could only describe as violent attacks. She had balance problems and had difficulty walking. She was in fear that soon she would be wheelchair bound, unable to take care of herself.
Elena was one of her husband, Dr Paolo Zamboni's first ultrasound test patients. He found a complete blockage of the azygos vein in her central chest.
Over three years have gone by and she has been symptom-free. She can now walk briskly with no sign of disability. Paolo and Elena must be thrilled at the effectiveness of her treatment, but their joy will almost certainly be tainted, by the frustration they are enduring because of the delay in the treatment of others.
CCSVI as a complex vascular condition
Zamboni considers CCSVI, a complex vascular condition characterized by narrowed extra-cranial veins, causing a restriction to regular blood flow from the brain. He suggests that this restriction results in changes to the brain's blood flow patterns, which in turn will cause brain tissue injury and a degeneration of neurons.
In a larger scaled test he concluded that clinically Defined MS is strongly associated with CCSVI. This was something which had previously been undescribed. The condition was characterized by abnormal venous haemodynamics determined by extra-cranial multiple venous strictures of an origin unknown. The positioning of venous obstructions play an important role in clinical course of the illness.
The Condition, if Left Untreated Could Leave Dangerous Iron Deposits in the Brain
Zamboni found a degree of jugular vein blockage in MS patients. It is known that this could result in iron deposits in the brain. It is known that these iron deposits are dangerous. He decided to clear these blockages, as any experienced plumbers would do to fix a blockage problem. When this blockage was relieved, Zamboni's test patients generally saw a reduction in the number of attacks.
The Need for Immediate Attention
This newly found condition, known as CCSVI is being understated by many groups who claim to have the patients best interests at heart.
Surely CCSVI merits closer scrutiny, as it could lead to a better understanding on how to reduce the patients exposure to MS symptoms. It doesn't really matter at this point to argue that CCSVI is connected to MS symptoms, and just get down to clearing this dangerous blockage. Who knows? It might be linked to MS and prevent huge debilitating attacks.
New Technology helped bring CCSVI to Prominence
Zamboni found the jugular vein irregularity because he was using Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance venography technology, to see actual blockage in the jugular veins. It's only recently, the irregularity had been found and treated.
CCSVI has been found in a higher that normal level of MS sufferers. What has not been found is, how many of the MS population has this condition
The finding of the CCSVI condition, in itself, should be brought to the public attention. That MS patient's have a reasonable chance of displaying this condition, known as CCSVI. That those with these narrowing or complete blockage of the veins should be treated, regardless of whether it is connected to MS, because it is in the safety interests of the patient. We can only conclude that immediate scans of MS patients needs to be done.
The Surgical Procedure is Considered Routine
Dr Paolo zamboni proved that the operation was safe. He hinted at the possibility that this treatment could be neurologically effective.
Major Pharmaceutical companies have been unable to come up with a better idea. MS Drugs are expensive and don't come risk free.
If the treating of CCSVI can be done, and safely, why is this not being arranged on a mass scale, today?
On the evidence already provided and the sources they came from, patients can reasonably expect to be screened for CCSVI. If the condition is visible they should have access to surgical treatment to correct CCSVI and slow perfusion.
Before we even attempt to find a connection to MS, we should be making the scanning for, and subsequent treatment of CCSVI, a matter of urgency. Their are no valid arguments for not dealing with this, dangerous narrowing, or blockage to the jugular veins. This delay in action can only harm the patients, as such, should be treated immediately.
There is No Definitive Proof, MS is an Autoimmune Disease.
To date, it has been generally acknowledged that MS may be an autoimmune disease. If you look at past and current neurology books, you will see MS being referred to as autoimmune. Much learning, and thought process, has pointed to MS being an autoimmune disease. Most published studies on MS, go as far as assume MS is an autoimmune disease.
Other potential possibilities may be overlooked because they do not conform to the familiar teachings, that MS as an autoimmune condition. Most attempts at treating MS have come in the form of relatively ineffective drugs, many of which have serious side effects.
We could argue MS patients may suffer if their condition is treated as an autoimmune disease. Although MS have been treated with the view to it being autoimmune, it has not been proven conclusively. It would be very short sighted to ignore other possibilities.
Clash of Interests - Finding a Cure for MS
Teva's Innovative Research and Development has been granted approval for two innovative drugs: Copaxone (for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in the mid-1990s — now the world's best selling MS drug).
The MS drug industry is huge. Estimated at over $9 billion last year, and expected to rise steadily over the next decade. There are huge profits to be fought over, by the large pharmaceutical companies, who are living off the existence of MS. It can be safe to suggest that a non drug based solution could be catastrophic, in financial terms.
MS Society and Public Reaction
The Ms Society is heavily reliant on voluntary giving. Based on 2008 figures, donations and fund-raising accounted for 40% and 35% of total income.
They had successfully campaigned for access to NICE approved drugs and treatments.
MS Society Mission -
"To enable everyone affected by MS to live life to their full potential and secure the care and support they need until we ultimately find a cure for MS."
On a statement published on the 4th December 2009 directed to people interested in CCSVI and possible treatment.
"We are not convinced by the evidence that blockages to draining veins from the brain are specific to people with multiple sclerosis, or that this explains the cause of multiple sclerosis at any stage of the condition.
We are all agreed that people with multiple sclerosis are not likely to benefit by treatments that dilate blood vessels and consider these procedures to carry risks with no evidence for benefit.
The treatment for CCSVI is not available for patients with multiple sclerosis in the United Kingdom because there is no convincing evidence to suggest that it is safe or beneficial to people with MS."
Irresponsible Not To Remedy Known Abnormality (CCSVI Condition)
It seems irresponsible not to pursue the removal of this blockage to the jugular veins. An abnormally high % of people with clinically defined MS, have been screened, and found to have this narrowing or obstruction.
For now, we do not need to be arguing about whether or not CCSVI is linked to MS, we need to be screening for, and fixing the irregularity, and if it means conducting MS Surgery, known as the Liberation Treatment, so be it. If it proves to be beneficial to MS patients, even better. On the current evidence, should the screening of MS patients not be made a priority?
Initial CCSVI Findings May be the Tip of the Iceberg
CCSVI will open up new avenues of research including new therapies for MS.
I don't know why but I found myself looking at the effects of altitude sickness.
Altitude sickness, sometimes called mountain sickness, can result from a lack of oxygen at altitude known as hypoxia can cause fatigue for mountain climbers, skiers, pilots, and holiday makers.
It is not easy to determine who might be affected by altitude sickness, as no specific linking factors can be found, in relation to physical condition, age or gender that highlights susceptibility to the condition. The condition appears to strike randomly and the causes of altitude sickness, to date, are largely a mystery.
Could altitude aggravate the condition known as CCSVI?
Could having the condition known as CCSVI increase the risks for mountain climbers?
The Importance of Treating CCSVI, the Condition
CCSVI has major implications, MS related or not. There is growing evidence that MS patients have a higher that normal susceptibility for this condition.
If the patient is in a high risk category (Namely MS) of having CCSVI, a delay to the detection of CCSVI seems, a reckless, and dangerous course of action to take. The delayed treatment of MS patients who have CCSVI seems dangerous.
Categorizing CCSVI into a MS related condition can be done later. For now surgical procedures to liberate the blockage is a necessity. This condition has been found in a many of the screened MS patients. Is it so wrong to ask for mass screening of MS patients to be done on a mass scale. It may or may not cure them of their MS symptoms, but their is no point in delaying whether or not they have CCSVI.
CCSVI - A New Understanding into the Debilitating Illness?
This could be the beginning of a new understanding into MS and other unexplained illnesses.
This won't be achieved in our lifetime if the research of large profit motivated Pharmaceuticals are to be believed. The biggest fear in the industry is that a quick fix will be found. Their share prices rely heavily on the extended use of medications
How Big Pharma Has Invaded Your Life - Ted Twietmeyer
Remember this the next time you're ill -
"A patient cured is a customer lost."
Please concentrated on detecting and curing the condition known as CCSVI.
Please consider the mass screening of MS patients to detect CCSVI a matter of urgency.
Please consider the treatment of CCSVI, in patients known to have CCSVI.
The Benefits of CCSVI Treatment Outweigh the Negligent Lack of Action
In a highlighted "risk category" such as MS, the damage could cause a deterioration to the quality of lives, of the patient. MS is a degenerative disease and patients cannot wait until textbooks are re-written to reflect new advancements. This is happening now. This high risk category need to be scanned now. Those with CCSVI need to have access to this simple surgery now.
The benefits far outweigh the risks. If there is blocked or narrowed veins found, the safest course of action would be to open them up, and see what happens, if the safe treatment of CCSVI eliminates some of the symptoms, related to MS, then this needs further research.
There is no question CCSVI needs to be treated because, as left, it could be dangerous. New technology has made effective screening possible. This is a matter of urgency.
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