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Stem cells can be found in multiple locations within our body. Research has discovered the potential life saving importance of these cells, and are currently using them for treatment in a number of diseases. This article is to help the reader understand the two types of stem cells, where they come from and what diseases are currently being treated using the research and data collected from stem cell study.

Adult Stem Cells - these are cells considered undifferential, and are specialized, such as heart muscle, skin, and neuron cells. They are found within bone marrow, in cord blood, and in the circulatory blood system. These cells can renew and give rise to their own specific cell type (i.e. new muscle cells, new skin cells, etc.)

Embryonic Stem Cells - come directly from the cord blood of a newborn. These stem cells can give rise to nearly every cell within the body, and research has shown that they are long lasting and self-sustaining. The three known cells that can mature from the umbilical cord are white and red blood cells, and plasma.

The embryonic stem cells are unique to a child and their family, and are currently used in the treatment of multiple illnesses and diseases to replenish blood and bolster the immune system after treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. However, these unique stem cells may be given to another family, or individual, even if the type of blood is not a perfect match. This opens the door for treatment to many families, when an immediate member cannot.

Rich in stem cells, the umbilical cord blood holds great promise, since the cells are not yet developed and specialized, thus having the ability to give rise to cells immediately needed in the body. But, much study and research needs to be done to understand these cells. Many questions are yet unanswered, such as what triggers the stem cell to become a specific cell (such as white or red blood cell)? Can it be controlled? How can they sustain and renew themselves?

Although once discarded as normal procedure during birth, the umbilical cord blood is now being considered a treasure among waste. Already 45 different diseases and disorders are being treated using stem cells, with great potential for more as researchers delve into this precious source of embryo blood.

Currently, the bulk of the patients come to India for transvaginal tape from neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, other Asian countries, Africa and the Middle East. In many cases, the driver for cross border care is a question of quality of care than cost itself. The quality of care that India provides is simply not available in some of the neighboring countries. The second segment is the segment of patients sponsored by the governments in their respective countries such as Middle East and Africa. For those governments, it is relatively a cost-effective option compared to Europe or the US. Private patients (not sponsored) from these countries look at our country as value for money option vis a vis Europe and US. The market segment that the healthcare industry is targeting is the patient population from Europe and the US. There are several patients residing in UK and US, who are already using the services of hospitals in India for transvaginal tape, when they are on vacation etc.

It is a minimally invasive procedure for women who suffer from stress urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, walking, sitting, or standing). In this, the urinary bladder and urethra are repaired, strengthened and returned to its original position in the pelvis. If you are a woman suffering from stress urinary incontinence and do not plan on getting pregnant any more, then you are an ideal candidate for this surgery. It is a minimally invasive procedure to treat stress urinary incontinence in women. Its procedure may take about 30 - 40 minutes and is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation. A mesh tape is inserted through a small incision in the vagina and is positioned underneath the urethra. It is then pulled up through two tiny incisions in the skin's surface just above the pubic area. As it passes through several pelvic tissue layers, the friction of underlying tissues holds the tape in place like Velcro. Over time your body tissues will grow into the mesh and will permanently secure it. The surgeon will ask you to cough so that any necessary adjustments can be made right then and there. At the end of the procedure tape will be trimmed just under the skin's surface and the tiny incisions will be closed.

Benefits
In addition to the medical benefit from it, you will also experience a profound effect on the emotional well-being. The offensiveness from stress urinary incontinence can result in social alienation, ostrasization and immense emotional trauma. It can help you once again become part of the mainstream population and you will be able to socialize with confidence and without any fear of rejection.

Risks

Transient Vesicoureteral reflux and spasm of urinary bladder
Recurrence of problem
Urethral / Ureteral Stricture
Infection
Excessive bleeding
Injury to other organs e.g. ureter, urinary bladder
Thrombo-embolism

The countries do have an increasing population and the healthcare systems are on the verge of collapse. Even though it is economically viable for some of the governments to officially bless shipping of patients abroad, it is the political viability of such a decision that may need to be worked on. We may want to recognize that a strategy which works for attracting patients from Bangladesh or Britain etc, since the expectations and drivers are different. The industry think tank may want to recognize the diversity in the medical tourism patient population and devise niche strategies to tap into each of the segments. The Indian healthcare industry needs to examine the factors that have made these medical tourism destinations popular in India for transvaginal tape.

Parents who have an infant keep a diaper bag packed at all times. Parents of a child diagnosed with a chronic condition or newly diagnosed acute illness need to be equally prepared. Here are five things to keep packed in a tote for easy grabbing for that emergency room visit or unexpected hospital admission.

1. Keep a list of current medications and current medical history in your bag. When you are flustered in an emergency situation, you can easily forget to mention an important piece of information about your child, especially if your child is on chemotherapy or other intermittent medication. Write it down.

2. Keep a change purse with a roll of quarters and a few singles zipped into your tote bag. Emergencies tend to happen when you are low on cash in the wallet. A change purse with at least vending machine money will keep you prepared for that unexpected hospital admission.

3. Keep a sweater or sweatshirt for yourself. Hospitals are always cooler than you expect and nerves will make you shiver. It is the little things that make a difference and being comfortable eases your stress level.

4. Keep a favorite comfort stuffed toy or blanket for your child, a book, or other item that helps to distract your child during painful procedures like blood draws and exams. Keep an extra dose of Tylenol or other as needed medications your child may need on an intermittent basis. Children who need anti- nausea medications or seizure medications may need a dose if travel has lasted longer than expected or some other unforeseen circumstance occurs. Keep those medicines in a childproof container in your bag.

5. Keep a notebook with emergency phone numbers, notes from previous admissions, or any other information you may not always recall immediately. The notes you have made may make a difference in the immediate care of your child in an emergency.

Parents who have a small tote bag packed with these items can survive until family can bring other belongings for that unexpected hospital stay. Have the bag in the car to easily grab if and when it may be needed.

TUR bladder tumor in India indicates that thousands of medical tourists are coming here just because they believe that it has the best medical infrastructure as compared to other western countries but, at an affordable cost. With a large pool of highly trained doctors and low treatment cost, healthcare aims to replicate the Indian software sector's success built on acres of land the new sleek medical centers of excellence offer developed world treatment at developing world prices. A number of private hospitals also offer packages designed to attract wealthy foreign patients, with airport-to-hospital bed car service, in-room Internet access and private chefs.

Another trend is to combine surgery in India with a yoga holiday or trip to the world famous Taj Mahal. India's tourism industry is thriving due to an increase in foreign tourist's arrivals and greater than before travel by Indians to domestic and abroad destinations. The visitors are pouring in from all over the world: Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia. At the same time, the number of Indians traveling has also increased. Our country is probably the only country that offers various categories of tourism. These include history tourism, adventure tourism, medical tourism, spiritual tourism, beach tourism etc. Being an ancient country, it is a country of monuments. Just like the number, the variety is also varied in every sense. All in all these monuments spell the true colors of India and carry its very essence.

TUR bladder tumor is removal or resection of the urinary bladder tumor with the help of an endoscopic cutting device that is inserted into your urinary bladder via your urethra. If you have a cancerous or non-cancerous growth of the urinary bladder, that is small and is confined to the urinary bladder and has not spread to the surrounding structures, then you are an ideal candidate for it. It is performed under general anesthesia or spinal block with sedation. A cystoscope is inserted via the urethra up into the bladder. The bladder is filled with fluid so that it is easily visualized from inside. The prostate gland is examined; a surgical loop is inserted through the cystoscope to remove the portion of the enlarged prostate. A catheter is left in the bladder to allow for urine to flow easily for several days after the procedure. The entire procedure may take about one hour.

Benefits
It is considered to be a minimally invasive procedure and can be a treatment of choice for patients who are at high medical risk for anesthesia or a major operation such as radical cystectomy. This method of treatment has reduced risk of damage to the nerve bundles during the surgery resulting in incontinence or impotence neither should it effect in your sex drive.

Risks
- Infection (Urinary tract infection)
- Excessive bleeding
- Blood clots in urine
- Perforation of urethra or urinary bladder
- Incontinence (rare)
- Impotence (rare)
- Infertility (rare)

A recent trend has shown that people from developed countries are seeking TUR bladder tumor in India from the health professionals. This preferential shift is broadly termed as 'Medical Tourism'. The most important reason is the rising cost of medical care in developed countries. One wonders why people travel all the way to India, leaving behind the comfort of their superior technology. Well, it's the cost factor that is six to ten times less in the countries where these health tourists decide to go. In other places, such as USA, where people are covered under medical insurance, the cost of treatment is so high that the insurance companies charge a high premium from the insurance seeker.

According to a report, 40 million Americans do not have health insurance. Apart from this, private healthcare is too costly. Currently, medical tourists are traveling in large numbers to India. The country offers numerous options for tourism, sightseeing, shopping and exploration. Although these countries are currently the most popular choices for medical tourism, the industry is growing so rapidly that it is offering greater choice in healthcare tourism. It is expected that the destinations for TUR bladder tumor in India will grow with each passing day.