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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure that involves passing a carefully controlled small electric current through the brain to trigger a brief seizure. It causes changes in brain chemistry and aims to relieve severe psychiatric conditions.
ECT is usually performed when other treatments are unsuccessful. It is usually used to treat:
Treatment-resistant depression, which is a severe depression that does not improve with medications or other types of treatments.
Severe depression, especially when accompanied by psychosis (detachment from reality), a refusal to eat, or a desire to commit suicide.
Severe mania that can occur as parts of bipolar disorder, such as a state of intense euphoria, hyperactivity, agitation, impaired decision-making, and psychosis.
Agitation and aggression in individuals with dementia.
Catatonia, which is associated with schizophrenia, certain other psychiatric disorders, or medical illness.
Your doctor may also recommend ECT if you cannot tolerate medications or all other forms of therapy have not worked.
When computing the final cost of the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in United Kingdom, it's crucial to consider the multiple elements that factor into the total fee. The cost isn't exclusively limited to the procedure's price but involves the count of sessions needed, the fee for the anesthesiologist, costs for pre-surgery tests, charges for the facility, and the pricing for extra medicines to be used.
Getting a pricing quote from a preferred clinic is an ideal first step towards quantifying the cost, as they can give a more precise breakdown aligned to your personalized necessities and situations. While the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) might inflict substantial financial strain, it's important to evaluate the cost against the prospective advantages. Fast alleviation of severe symptoms, shortened hospital stays, and less use of health services owing to failed treatment trials, all contribute towards the overall cost-efficiency of this medical procedure.
At the beginning of an ECT, you will receive general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant to help prevent injury and minimize the seizure. Your doctor will place a blood pressure cuff around one of your ankles to stop the muscle relaxant medications from entering foot and entering the muscles there. This is done to enable your doctor to monitor seizure activity by watching for any movement on that foot. You may also be given oxygen through an oxygen mask and a mouth guard to help protect your tongue and teeth from injury. Then, your doctor will place electrode pads on your head. The electrode pads are connected to the ECT machine.
Once you are asleep, your muscles are relaxed, and the necessary equipment is in place, your doctor will press a button on the ECT machine to pass a small amount of electric current through the electrodes to your brain, which produces a seizure that lasts less than 60 seconds. Due to the anesthetic and muscle relaxant, you will not be aware of the seizure. The visible effects of the seizure will usually be limited to the movement of your foot if a blood pressure cuff is placed around your ankle.
Your doctor may use a test called an electroencephalogram (EEG) to record the electrical activity in your brain. The beginning of a seizure is signaled by sudden, increased activity on the EEG and a leveling off shows that the seizure is over.
ECT can be performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can leave the hospital on the same day. However, the length of your stay in United Kingdom while undergoing a Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is largely determined by your personal health state and the number of treatment sessions proposed by your healthcare provider. Treatment typically involves two to three sessions per week, accumulating to six to twelve sessions in total.
Commonly, you would be required to reside in the United Kingdom throughout the course of the treatment. The total duration not only factors in the treatment sessions but also the requisite rest time post-treatment, typically a couple of hours for the anesthesia effects to dissipate after each session. Moreover, you might need to consider post-treatment consultations for tracking progress and if required, revisions to the treatment plan. Because of these factors, you might want to plan on staying in the United Kingdom for several weeks. Yet, it's highly advised to confer about the specific timeframe and aftercare process with your healthcare professional to ensure a comprehensive understanding and effective treatment path.
Most people can return to their normal daily activities just a few hours after ECT. However, some people may be asked to avoid making important decisions, going back to work, or driving for one to two weeks following the last ECT treatment in a series. The recovery time until you can resume your activities generally depends on when confusion and memory loss after the procedure are resolved, so make sure to talk to your doctor about your specific recovery timeline.
Here are a few aftercare instructions you need to consider:
Your doctor may give you antidepressants to help decrease or prevent symptoms of depression. They may also give you medicine to help with headaches that you may experience after each treatment. Always make sure to take the medicine as directed.
There is a high chance that you will fall after ECT treatments. Ask someone to help you stand up or walk and keep an eye on you during your recovery period.
Research has shown that ECT is a highly effective therapy for several mental health conditions. Around 80% of patients with uncomplicated but severe depression experience substantial improvement after their treatments.
ECT is a highly misunderstood procedure because, in the past, the side effects can be severe. However, while ECT does have some side effects and risks, it is much safer today. The risks and side effects include confusion, memory loss, adverse reaction to anesthesia, increased blood pressure and heart rate, headache, nausea, and muscle ache.
Below are some of the alternatives to ECT:
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) involves using rapidly alternating magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas in the brain. It is often used to treat depression.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) was initially developed to treat seizure disorders, but it can also be used to treat depression. In this procedure, an electric pulse generator is implanted under your skin to stimulate the vagus nerve in the neck.
Prior to the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), your medical professional will provide you with comprehensive instructions relating to preparations, such as dietary guidelines and adjustments to your medication. A detailed psychiatric and medical examination will also be performed, encompassing various tests such as blood work, an ECG, and potentially a full physical evaluation, to confirm your physical health and suitability for the procedure. Furthermore, having a trustworthy support network is key to accompany you to the medical facility, offer emotional comfort, and assist in managing your aftercare.
Post the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), your condition will be closely observed in a recuperation area. You might feel befuddled, lose your sense of direction, or struggle with memory loss immediately, however, these reactions are short-term and usually disappear within an hour. Once your condition stabilizes, you can safely return home under the guardianship of another person as your cognitive and motor abilities might be momentarily affected.
Before ECT, you may have a certain mental health condition and experience severe symptoms that are thought to be life-threatening or they do not improve after other treatment options. After the treatment, you may notice an improvement in your symptoms, which may take around six weeks.
Generally, the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is considered safe, but as with all medical procedures, it has potential hazards. Typical side effects are headaches, muscular discomfort, queasiness, and upchucking, which usually diminish swiftly with rest and medication. More severe hazards include possible health complications like cardiac issues, predominantly in individuals with existing heart diseases. Moreover, some patients may exhibit temporary disorientation right after the procedure, but this usually resolves within an hour. They might also have difficulties recollecting events that happened shortly before the treatment or in the weeks or months leading up to the treatment.
Risks associated with the procedure are usually reduced through a comprehensive pre-procedure assessment, encompassing a detailed medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy comprising much of the British Isles. This Union is more than 300 years old and comprises four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It occupies all of the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern portion of the island of Ireland, and most of the remaining British Isles. The UK is an island nation but shares an open land border with Ireland. The UK has a population of 65 million people, the capital and largest city is London.
The United Kingdom welcomes an ever-increasing number of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) procedures. The government provides all British citizens free or low-cost care under the NHS, also known as the National Health System, leaving a small private sector for routine operations, which caters to people that do not want to wait in line for elective procedures or are not citizens or residents of the Islands.
Made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom is filled with vibrant cities and tranquil countryside.
The United Kingdom enjoys a temperate climate and has plenty of rain all year round. Tourists can visit any time of year as it does not experience extreme weather. There is a great variety of changeable weather, but the overall weather and seasons are generally the same throughout this sovereign country.
There are plenty of airports in the United Kingdom, but the busiest and the largest airport is the London Heathrow Airport. It is the second busiest airport in the world after Dubai Airport. The airport has international connections with almost every country around the globe, including countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and North America. It also serves domestic flights which provide an easy way to travel around the United Kingdom. There are budget airlines that offer a more affordable option for those who want to get around by plane.
The United Kingdom is very well connected by plane, train, and bus. The train is the most popular mode of transport and one of the most comfortable. Tickets can be booked online and it can be expensive, but most trains are equipped with air conditioning and sometimes Wi-Fi. There are two classes of train, the Standard Class and the First Class. Big cities and towns are usually connected by a regular bus service. The cost can be cheap, but the further you travel away from a city, the more expensive the cost. It is best to invest in an Oyster Card if you wish to travel by bus.
Taxis are available in most cities. There are two types of taxis; the metered taxis (painted in black) and private hire taxis (known as minicabs). The taxis should have a taxi-license displayed on the dashboard. The metered taxis can be hailed directly from the streets, while the minicabs have to be ordered via telephone. The minicabs are usually more affordable than the metered taxis because they operate on fixed prices and sometimes are even open to negotiation.
Citizens of the European Union can enter the United Kingdom without a visa. Additionally, British Nationals who are not European Union citizens and nationals of 56 countries can enter and stay for up to 180 days (90 days if they enter from the Republic of Ireland). Citizens of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE can obtain an online electronic visa waiver (EVW). Other nationals not listed in the visa-exempt for stays in the UK (including China and Russia) need to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country.