Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Turkey

About Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Turkey

Vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey (VNS) uses an implantable device to stimulate the vagus nerve in the neck. The electric impulse travels to your brain, where it’s dispersed to different parts to change the way brain cells work. The vagus nerve stimulator is a small implanted device that sends weak electrical signals along the vagus nerve to your brainstem, which then sends signals to certain areas in your brain. These signals prevent the electrical bursts in the brain that cause seizures.

Vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey is approved to treat difficult-to-control epilepsy, and depression and as a rehab aid for stroke. Experts have approved vagal nerve stimulation to treat epilepsy in patients 12 and older who have refractory partial epilepsy, and when other treatments have not worked. Also, it is being studied for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, migraine, and Alzheimer’s disease.

The vagus nerve is also known as the tenth cranial nerve. It is part of the autonomic nervous system, which controls functions of the body that you cannot voluntarily control, such as heart rate and digestion. There is one vagus nerve on each side of your body, running from your brainstem through your neck to your chest and abdomen so, VNS is sometimes called a “pacemaker for the brain.”

At Healthy Türkiye, our expert doctors perform vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey under general anesthesia. Patients usually spend a night in the hospital, though we can also do it as a same-day procedure. After the surgery, our neurologists program the settings of your pulse generator the frequency, amplitude, and width of the electrical impulses to match your individual needs and provide maximum relief of symptoms.

VNS in Turkey

Vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey is a type of neuromodulation, which is a treatment that alters the activity of nerves. The vagus nerve is one of 12 pairs of cranial nerves that originate in the brain. And it is part of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions.

The nerve passes through the neck as it travels between the chest and abdomen and the lower part of the brain. The nerve is connected to motor functions in the voice box, diaphragm, stomach, and heart and sensory functions in the ears and tongue, also it is connected to both motor and sensory functions in the sinuses and esophagus.

In Turkey, VNS involves the surgical implantation of a pacemaker-like device called a pulse generator in the chest. VNS device is slightly bigger than a silver dollar. It is connected to the left vagus nerve by a wire threaded underneath the skin. Then, the pulse generator is programmed to deliver electric current in continuous cycles. It stimulates the nerve for a set period of time, and it then pauses for several minutes before the next pulse is delivered.

Healthy Türkiye offers a highly-skilled, multidisciplinary medical team that includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, nurse coordinators, and rehabilitation specialists who provide a complete range of diagnostic and treatment options designed to provide patients from teens to adulthood with the highest standard of care.

Good Candidate for Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Turkey

You may not be a candidate for vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey if:

You’re pregnant

You have breathing problems, including asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other lung diseases and disorders.

You have active peptic ulcer disease.

You have insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

You have only one vagus nerve.

You have dysautonomias, which involves abnormal functioning of your autonomic nervous system.

You are receiving other forms of brain stimulation.

You have heart arrhythmias or other heart abnormalities.

You have a history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorders, or rapid cycling bipolar disorder.

You have had previous surgery to your left neck involving removing part of your vagus nerve.

Before VNS, you should report these conditions to your doctor and discuss together whether you are a good candidate.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Turkey for Epilepsy

Vagal nerve stimulation in Turkey is an effective treatment for epilepsy, particularly for patients who are not responding well enough to medication. Many patients who undergo VNS for the treatment of epilepsy find they can reduce the number of drugs they need to take to control their seizures, which decreases the side effects. The doctors may give you a magnet to place close to the pulse generator in your neck when you feel a seizure happening or are about to start, to thwart the seizure or make it less severe.

Vagal nerve stimulation can only reduce the frequency of seizures with epilepsy, it can’t cure it. Besides, the intensity of seizures when they do occur might also reduce. It can take a few months after the procedure is done before you notice a significant reduction in the frequency of your seizures. VNS is often used alongside anti-epileptic medications and is not intended to completely replace them.

In some people who have epilepsy, an increase in heart rate could be a symptom of an oncoming seizure. Newer models of vagal nerve stimulation in Turkey generators can detect an increase in heart rate and send pulses to the vagus nerve and this might prevent the seizure from happening.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Turkey for Stroke

In Turkey, vagal nerve stimulation is also increasingly being used alongside physical rehabilitation to improve movement in patients who have recently suffered a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury.

After experiencing a stroke, many survivor patients continue to suffer from persistent impaired upper limb function and weakness. Vagal nerve stimulation electrical pulses release neuromodulators in the brain that create or strengthen neural connections to enhance the relevance of physical therapy and improve upper limb function.

Pairing vagal nerve stimulation with rehabilitation can help stroke survivor patients regain their independence and improve their quality of life, months or even years after suffering from a stroke.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Turkey for Chronic Depression

Vagus nerve stimulation has been FDA-approved for people with chronic or recurrent depression who have failed to respond to four or more adequate treatments. Like electroconvulsive therapy, VNS is work by using electricity to influence the production of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Depression has been tied to an imbalance in these chemicals.

VNS should not be considered in patients presenting with acute suicidal thoughts or behavior, a history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorders, or a history of rapid cycling bipolar disorder.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Turkey for Migraine and Cluster Headache

Vagal nerve stimulation has been found to effectively treat chronic headaches like migraines and cluster headaches (excruciating attacks of daily pain in one side of the head, usually around the eye, and occurring for several weeks).

This non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment method decreases the likelihood of headaches. The device has been shown to significantly lower the number of cluster attacks per week, compared with patients using only their regular drugs. This is an exciting development for the cluster headache community because there are currently no other preventive treatment methods that have been FDA-approved or cleared for cluster headaches.

Prepare for Vagus Nerve Stimulator in Turkey

Before deciding to have the procedure, make sure you know what all of your other treatment choices are and that you and your doctor both feel that implanted vagus nerve stimulation is the best option for you. You should ask your doctor exactly what you should expect during surgery and after the pulse generator is in place.

You may need to stop taking certain drugs ahead of time, and your doctor may ask you not to eat the night before the procedure. . Your doctor may have you start taking antibiotics before this procedure to prevent infection.

Before surgery, your doctor will do a physical examination. You may need blood tests or other tests to make sure you don’t have any health concerns that might be a problem. may ask you to undergo imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound.

Surgery to implant the device can be done as an outpatient procedure but some surgeons might recommend that you stay overnight, though.

How Is Vagus Nerve Stimulation Performed in Turkey?

Vagal nerve stimulation is a painless system that is positioned inside the body. It is implanted surgically under a general anesthetic. It consists of a small electrical device connected to small electrical wires called electrodes.

The device is similar to a pacemaker and is placed under the left collarbone, while the electrodes are placed in the neck near the vagus nerve. Electrical impulses are sent through the electrodes to the vagus nerve. The settings are adjusted for each patient’s requirements.

The surgery requires 2 incisions. The battery-powered pulse generator is implanted under the skin near your left collarbone. A wire is threaded under your skin connecting the device to the left vagus nerve in your neck. The device is meant to be a permanent implant but can be removed if necessary for you.

The pulse generator is about the size of a stopwatch, and the lead wire is connected to the pulse generator and guided under your skin from your chest up to your neck, where it’s wrapped around the left vagus nerve through a second incision. The battery lasts for approximately 5-10 years, after which many patients choose to have repeat surgery to replace the battery.

If vagal nerve stimulation is used to treat seizures, then a small magnet can be passed over the system to activate the electrical signal. This may be used to dampen an oncoming seizure and is particularly useful if there is a warning aura or sensation before the fit or seizure occurs. Alternatively, the magnet can be used to shorten the duration of an ongoing seizure.

After Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Turkey

The pulse generator is turned on during a visit to your doctor a few weeks after surgery. Then it can be programmed to deliver electrical impulses to the vagus nerve at several durations, frequencies, and currents. Vagus nerve stimulation often starts at a low level and is gradually increased, depending on your symptoms and side effects.

Stimulation is programmed to turn on and off in specific cycles such as 30 seconds on, and 5 minutes off. You may have tingling sensations, slight neck pain, and temporary hoarseness when the nerve stimulation is on.

You’ll need to visit your doctor periodically to ensure the pulse generator is working correctly and that it hasn’t shifted out of position. You should check with your doctor before having any medical tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which might interfere with your device.

What Do I Need To Be Careful About If I Have VNS?

MRI scans: If a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is recommended for you, it’s important that everyone involved in the scan knows about your vagus nerve stimulation system. They can need to take precautions to carry out the scan safely.

Airport security scanners: Airport security scanners and metal detectors are not cause problems with your VNS, however, the makers of VNS say that to be safe, you should walk through airport scanners at a steady pace, and not linger in the area. Try to stay at least 40 centimeters away from the equipment. If this is not possible, you could tell the security staff about your vagus nerve stimulation and ask for a pat-down check instead. Airport staff should avoid using a handheld metal detector directly over your VNS system.

Other devices to be aware of: Being close to certain kinds of equipment can affect your generator. You can need advice from your doctor about whether it is safe for you to be where there are pacemaker warning signs. This is because the equipment that could affect a pacemaker could also affect your VNS generator. Stay at least 60 centimeters away from electronic article surveillance system tag deactivators found in shops. These are generally found in shop entrances. Tablet computers and their covers, hair clippers, vibrators, and loudspeakers can all have electromagnetic fields that you need to keep at least 20 centimeters or 8 inches away from your chest.

How Long Does The Vagus Nerve Stimulation Generator Last?

At some point, the generator will need replacing when the battery runs low, it can last between 1 and 16 years, depending on the model and settings used. Your doctor can tell when the battery is running down during your follow-up appointments. They will then arrange for a new generator to be fitted, this involves a small operation, which lasts less than an hour.

2024 Cost of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Turkey

All types of medical attention like vagus nerve stimulation are very affordable in Turkey. Many factors are also included in determining the cost of vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey. Your process with Healthy Türkiye will last from the time you decide to have a vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey until the time you are fully recovered even if you are back home. The exact VNS procedure cost in Turkey depends on the type of operation involved.

The cost of vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey does not demonstrate many variations in 2024. Compared to costs in developed countries like the United States or the UK, VNS costs in Turkey are relatively low. So, it’s no wonder patients from across the world visit Turkey for vagus nerve stimulation procedures. However, the price is not the only factor affecting choices. We suggest looking for hospitals that are safe and have VNS reviews on Google. When people decide to seek medical help for vagus nerve stimulation, they will not only have had low-cost procedures in Turkey, but also the safest and best treatment.

At clinics or hospitals contracted with Healthy Türkiye, patients will receive the best vagus nerve stimulation from specialist doctors in Turkey at affordable rates. Healthy Türkiye teams to provide medical attention VNS procedures and high-quality treatment to patients at a minimum cost. When you contact Healthy Türkiye assistants, you can get free information about the cost of vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey and what this cost covers.

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Why Is Vagus Nerve Stimulation Cheaper in Turkey?

One of the main considerations before traveling abroad for vagus nerve stimulation is the cost-effectiveness of the whole process. Many patients think that when they add flight tickets and hotel expenses to their VNS costs, it will become very expensive to travel, which is not true. Contrary to popular belief, round-trip flight tickets to Turkey for vagus nerve stimulation can be booked very affordably.

In this case, assuming you are staying in Turkey for your vagus nerve stimulation, your total travel expense of flight tickets and accommodation will only cost less than any other developed country, which is nothing compared to the amount that you are saving. The question “why is vagus nerve stimulation cheaper in Turkey?” is so common between patients or people simply curious about getting their medical treatment in Turkey. When it comes to vagus nerve stimulation prices in Turkey, there are 3 factors that allow cheaper prices:

The currency exchange is favorable for whoever looking for vagus nerve stimulation has a euro, dollar, or pound;

The lower cost of living and cheaper overall medical expenses such as vagus nerve stimulation;

For vagus nerve stimulation, incentives are given by the Turkish Government to medical clinics working with international clients;

All these factors allow for cheaper vagus nerve stimulation prices, but let’s be clear, these prices are cheaper for people with strong currencies (as we said, euro, dollar, Canadian dollar, pound, etc).

Every year, thousands of patients from all over the world come to Turkey to get vagus nerve stimulation. The success of the healthcare system has increased in recent years, especially for VNS. It’s easy to find well-educated and English-speaking medical professionals in Turkey for all kinds of medical treatment such as vagus nerve stimulation.

Why Choose Turkey for Vagus Nerve Stimulation?

Turkey is a common choice among international patients seeking advanced vagus nerve stimulation. Turkey’s health procedures are safe and effective operations with a high success rate like VNS. The increasing demand for high-quality vagus nerve stimulation at affordable prices has made Turkey a popular medical travel destination. In Turkey, vagus nerve stimulation is performed by highly experienced and trained doctors with the most advanced technology in the world. VNS is done in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and other major cities. The reasons for choosing vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey are as follows:

High-quality hospitals: Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals have dedicated vagus nerve stimulation units that are specially designed for patients. International and national strict protocols provide effective and successful VNS for patients in Turkey.

Qualified experts: The expert teams include nurses and specialist doctors, together to carry out VNS according to the patient’s needs. All the included doctors are highly experienced in performing vagus nerve stimulation.

Affordable price: The cost of vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey is affordable compared to Europe, the USA, the UK, Singapore, Australia, etc.

The high success rate: Highly experienced specialists, the best available technology, and stringently followed safety guidelines for post-operative care of the patient, resulting in a high success rate for vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey.

Is Vagus Nerve Stimulation Safe in Turkey?

Did you know Turkey is one of the most visited destinations for vagus nerve stimulation in the world? It is ranked one of the most visited tourist destinations for vagus nerve stimulation. Over the years it has also come to be a very popular medical tourism destination too with many tourists coming in for VNS. There are so many reasons why Turkey stands out as a leading destination for vagus nerve stimulation. Because Turkey is both safe and easy to travel to too with a regional airport hub and flight connections to pretty much everywhere, it is preferred for VNS.

The best hospitals in Turkey have experienced medical staff and specialists who have performed thousands of medical services such as vagus nerve stimulation. All procedures and coordination related to VNS are controlled by the Ministry of Health in accordance with the law. Over many years, the greatest progress in medicine has been observed in the field of vagus nerve stimulation. Turkey is known among foreign patients for its great opportunities in the area of vagus nerve stimulation.

To emphasize, besides the price itself, the key factor in selecting a destination for vagus nerve stimulation is certainly the standard of medical services, the hospital staff’s high expertise, hospitality, and the safety of the country.

All-Inclusive Package for Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Turkey

Healthy Türkiye offers all-inclusive packages for vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey at much lower prices. Extremely professional and experienced doctors and technicians carry out high-quality VNS. The cost of vagus nerve stimulation in European countries can be quite expensive, especially in the UK. Healthy Türkiye provides cheap all-inclusive packages for a long and short stay of VNS in Turkey. Because of many factors, we can provide you with many opportunities for your vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey.

The price of vagus nerve stimulation differs from other countries due to medical fees, staff labor prices, exchange rates, and market competition. You can save much more in VNS compared to other countries in Turkey. When you purchase a vagus nerve stimulation all-inclusive package with Healthy Türkiye our healthcare team will present hotels for you to choose from. In vagus nerve stimulation travel, you will have the price of your stay included in the all-inclusive package cost.

In Turkey, when you purchase vagus nerve stimulation all-inclusive packages through Healthy Türkiye, you will always receive VIP transfers. These are provided by Healthy Türkiye, which is contracted with highly qualified hospitals for vagus nerve stimulation in Turkey. Healthy Türkiye teams will organize everything about VNS for you and have you picked up from the airport and safely brought to your accommodation.

Once settled in the hotel, you will be transferred to and from the clinic or hospital for vagus nerve stimulation. After your VNS has been successfully completed, the transfer team will return you to the airport in time for your flight home. In Turkey, all packages of vagus nerve stimulation can be arranged upon request, which relaxes the minds of our patients.