Five Questions About Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery You May Have Wondered About

Deep brain stimulation surgery, or DBS, is a treatment for many conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, there are many questions and queries that people wonder about.  One of which can be whether DBS is reversible. Here are eight questions about DBS that may help you address your curiosity. 

What is Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery?

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery, or DBS, is a neurosurgical procedure that uses electric currents to stimulate the brain. The system treats various conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, psychiatric disorders, and movement disorders. 

DBS is typically performed through a surgical procedure that involves connecting the leads with an insulated wire extension to a neurostimulator which is implanted under the person’s collarbone.  The surgery typically takes around two hours. Most patients experience mild pain following DBS surgery. However, some patients may experience more severe pain.

What are the side effects of DBS surgery?

There are many questions that patients and their families have after a DBS surgery. Questions such as, “are the side effects permanent?”, “Will I have any problems later in life?” or  “are there any long-term complications?” Unfortunately, the answers to these questions are not always clear.

It is important to remember that each person’s case is different, and the side effects of DBS surgery can vary from person to person. However, some common side effects of DBS surgery include the following:

• headaches
• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• feeling tired
• Anxiety
• Changes In Mood
• Changes In Sleep Patterns
• Changes In Appetite
• temporary changes in speech

Sometimes, these side effects can  be mild and go away independently. In other cases, they may be more severe and require treatment.

When Is The Good Time To Consider DBS?

There are different criteria based on your diagnosis and condition to determine whether DBS surgery is a good option for you. Some key factors that are considered for Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery are the age in combination with general health, a robust support system of friends and family, absence of dementia or an active psychiatric illness and realistic expectations for the outcomes of the surgery. 

What Are The Potential Benefits Of DBS Surgery?

Deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS) has a few potential benefits. These benefits can include the following:

• Improved Quality of Life
• Improved Memory
• Improvement in  Depression Relief
• Improvement in  Anxiety Relief
• Improved Brain Function
• Reduced Seizures
• Reduced Pain
• Reduced Brain Damage

What Are The Potential Post Surgery Negative outcomes?

Deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS) has become increasingly popular in recent years.  It is an effective treatment for various medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette’s syndrome. While DBS is a highly effective treatment, several concerns have been raised about its use. One of the most critical questions is whether DBS is over-medicalized. There are several potential risks associated with DBS. These include the risk of brain damage, the risk of infection, and the risk of adverse events. It is essential to weigh these risks against the benefits of DBS before deciding whether or not to have the surgery.

What are the potential risks of DBS surgery?

You should be aware of a few potential risks associated with DBS surgery. 

• One of these risks is that the implant needs  to be placed correctly. If not placed correctly, it  could lead to problems down the road.
• Another risk is that the implant may not work as intended, which could cause discomfort or even lead to seizures.

Considering DBS surgery, you must understand the risks to make an informed decision.

Conclusion

If you are considering deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS), you may wonder about the risks and benefits of DBS surgery, the possible side effects, the long-term impacts as well as the alternatives to DBS surgery. 

Other than that, there would be queries about the pre-operative preparations for DBS surgery, how it works, as well as the post-operative preparations for the surgery.

If you need deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS), contact Nanavati Max Hospital. They guarantee their patients with effective treatments, friendly behavior as well as modern infrastructure.

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