Scientists have discovered that certain brain areas responsible for facial movements may reorganize after Botox injection combined with facial exercises.

Bell´s palsy is a disorder that causes facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed due to trauma to the cranial nerve and sometimes associated with pregnancy or a virus infection. Until recently, its cause was unknown in most cases, but it has now been related to Lyme disease and Herpes simplex. This condition is not permanent but can strike anyone at anytime. Older people are more likely to suffer from Bell´s palsy although children can have this conditions as well but they tend to recover well from it. It was described by a Scottish surgeon Charles Bell, 200 years ago.

Researchers found that the injection of Botox significantly reduced facial drooping and improved control functions. These changes were associated with changes in brain activity in the affected motor cortex and in brain organization to adapt the portion of the brain controlling facial movements.

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/72508.php

Patients can find healthcare providers through the Internet at a fraction of the cost. This new trend called “Medical Tourism” has a dramatic impact on the economy of developing countries. The election to travel abroad for healthcare raises questions about the limitations of the
USA healthcare system. As Michael Moore pointed out in his latest movie SICKO, “Some of the procedures these patients are seeking are not available in the
United States”.

The most popular countries for Medical Tourism are Thailand, India and
Costa Rica. Dr.Bookman, Saint Joseph’s University Economist, pointed out that “the level of care patients receive is just as good, and sometimes better, than care offered in the
United States. Many of these individuals use this as an opportunity to vacation as well. Hospitals often offer courses and programs for families to take advantage of during their stay”.

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/76833.php

Medical tourism over the past decade has been caused by the rise in health -care costs and uninsured or underinsured Americans (almost 15 percent of the population are currently uninsured, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics from 2005). Among top destinations are Southeast Asia, Mexico, Costa Rica and
Thailand.

Medical tourism facilities, together with special health travel agents and some insurance plans are participating as well. A program of Health Net of California gives access to health care for their insured Latin participants for services in
Mexico. BlueCross/Blue Shield also offers medical treatment at
Bumrungrad International Hospital,
Bangkok, Thailand which gives medical attention to more than 400,000 patients every year.

The price savings on medical care can be outstanding. It is mentioned that a heart bypass in U.S.A. costs $ 130,000, but just $ 10,000 in India and $ 11.000 in Thailand or
Singapore. Hysterectomy costs about $20,000 in U.S.A. but $ 3,000 in
India.

The medical tourism companies help travelers find the hospital that provides the surgery they need.

Source: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/06/AR2007070600682.html