Fortunately, there are number of modern methods for treating fine lines. However, when it comes to treating deep wrinkles like marionette lines the answer isn’t always so simple. While techniques like lasers and peels often work well for other skin ailments, they are almost completely ineffective at treating deep wrinkles. Let’s take a look at what your options are:

Injectable Fillers
This is probably the most effective method we currently have. Doctors that specialize in cosmetic procedures can offer this to you. Unfortunately the price is a sticking point for many – costing up to several hundred dollars per injection. Because of the price, a lot of people forgo this technique even though it’s effective.

Plastic Surgery
A face lift may be able to help with diminishing the appearance of these deep lines, depending on their location. Unfortunately this is a very costly procedure and the results don’t always look natural. The other drawback is scarring. There will be surgical scars near the hair line and under your ears after you get a face lift. True, there are many scar remover creams on the market, but not even these can completely eliminate a surgical scar. So if you are going to undergo this procedure, be sure to consider these points first.

The truth of the matter is that not all plastic surgery is for cosmetic purposes. Revision rhinoplasty is a procedure that  millions of people every year undergo in order to fix nasal deformities; such as a deviated septum, a collapsed alar valve, or the removal of turbinates.

Deviated Septum
When the bone inside your is crooked and slanted to one side, not only is this aesthetically displeasing, but it often makes breathing difficult. During a reconstructive nose job, the plastic surgeon will attempt to straighten out this bone as much as possible in order for the patient to experience a more normal breathing pattern.

Collapsed Alar Valve
This is another instance where the patient’s breathing is greatly affected. The alar valve is basically the nostril flap of your nose. Sometimes, one of these will collapse. The end result is the patient only being able to breathe out of one side of his or her nose. When both sides collapse – which does happen – it could be a matter of life or death, as without corrective surgery the patient will only be able to breathe out of his or her mouth.

If you feel you may be suffering from one of these deformities, the first step would be to visit a plastic surgery message board or other online discussion forum to educate yourself further about revision rhinoplasty. After that, you will want to consult a board certified plastic surgeon if you plan on undergoing this operation.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a rather uncommon disorder that is characterized by numbness or weakness in the lower extremities, and without treatment, quickly leads to full body paralysis and death. The symptoms of this disorder are rather specific and with early diagnosis and treatment, the recovery rate is quite high.

What Causes Guillain-Barre?

The exact cause of this disorder is not known. It is very uncommon and usually appears after a bout with the stomach flu or respiratory infection. Approximately 60% of people diagnosed with this disorder have recently had an infection in their digestive tract or lungs. Affecting only one or two people out of every 100,000, this disorder requires hospitalization. There is no cure, but with early diagnosis and care, most people will fully recover.

What Are the Symptoms?

The primary symptom of this disorder is tingling and weakness in your hands and feet. The “pins and needles” feeling can progress up the extremities. While most people experience the most weakness and tingling within three weeks after the onset of symptoms, there are some severe cases where total paralysis can occur within a few hours.

Other symptoms include an unsteady walk, extreme lower back pain, inadequate bladder and bowel control, low blood pressure and heart rate, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms may appear over time or within hours.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome is critical in reducing the fatality rate. While it can be difficult to diagnose this condition in its early stages, the most common tests include a lumbar puncture, which is more commonly known as a spinal tap. Electromyography and other nerve tests can be used to determine how severe the weakness and tingling is and if it is progressing.

Treatment is usually completed in one of two ways. The first is plasmapheresis and the second is intravenous immunoglobulin. Plasmapheresis is the process of removing and replacing the plasma in the blood that contains the damaged antibodies. Intravenous immunoglobulin adds healthy antibodies from blood donors to decrease the symptoms and effects of the disorder. Both treatments are equally effective.

Prognosis

Recovery from this disorder can take several years in the most severe cases; however, most people are fully recovered within a year with proper treatment. The key is not to wait to see your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms, so that treatment may be started as soon as possible.