NEPHROLOGY

Malignant Mesothelioma - The Most Dangerous Form of Cancer

2012-02-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

Diet Sodas Cause Weight Gain

2011-12-27T15:35:00.001-08:00

This is the second surprising thing that can make you leaner and get you pointed in the right direction.

Can the Sodas Cause to Weight Gain?

Why you should cut on drinking diet sodas? It's surprising to see how so many people are mislead into believing that diet sodas can help you lose weight.

The chances are you are not even aware of the fact that diet sodas will put additional weight on your body much faster than you lose even a single pound when drinking them. The truth is, drinking aspartame and chemicals loaded with sodas will never create health for you or your beloveds.

Want to take good care of your body and keep it in perfect health and shape? The first thing to do is cutting on diet sodas. There are many reasons why to do so but these two surprising facts will give enough evidences to do so.

1 Diet Sodas May Be Hard on the Kidneys

A new study shows that diet sodas can help you keep calories in check, but drinking two or more diet sodas a day may double your risk of declining kidney function.

During the lengthy study follow up was found a decrease by whopping 30% (!) in the kidney function in women who drank 2 or more diet sodas daily, the meaning is that they doubled their risk of kidney function decline. The results of the lengthy study where presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology in San Diego.

"Thirty percent is considered significant. That's especially true because most study participants had well preserved kidney function at the start of the study." Said Julie Lin, a staff physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MD, MPH and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

The recent statistics reveal that about 20 million Americans have some evidence of chronic kidney disease. It's of interest that in the last two decades the diagnosis of kidney disease has doubled.

So, can these evidences convince you to give up the diet sodas? Armed with a few substantial evidences of what soda drinking is doing to your health, hopefully you'll take another approach and start adding more clean water to your diet. Keep diet sodas as low as possible with a goal of never drinking them again.

2 The myth of artificial sweeteners and weight loss

Surprising? Diet sodas actually increase your body fat!

...Controversial? Could be but the fact is you just can't fool your body by aspartame and chemicals. Sorry, but that's the truth.

According to the recent study, people drinking diet sodas actually increased bodyfat compared to those who drank regular sugar sodas. Although artificial sweeteners are popular nowadays, many scientists agree that they could interact with our body's sense of sugar satisfaction.

There are researches carried out today to explore the possibility that artificial sweeteners confuse our taste buds and all those brain measures of satiety. The group of researchers of Sharon P. Fowler MPH from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio have recently completed compilations of data that provided surprising results.

S. Fowler and her team found a correlation between the daily consumption of multiple cans of all soft drinks and obesity. "What was surprising was when we looked at people only drinking diet soft drinks; their risk of obesity was even higher" [than that of those drinking regular soft drinks]" said S. Fowler.

It was amazing to discover that each can of diet soft drink consumed per day, increased the risk of obesity by whopping 41% (!). And to tell you a personal story, when I cut out the diet sodas my bodyfat drops like a rock in a pond of clear water.

Again... maybe it doesn't sounds as an earth shattering discovery but what's best for you and your body is: clean water A quart of pure water per 50 lbs of body weight a day will make wonders for your skin and for your body.

If the test isn't what you are used too then here's a free tip you can use: add a drop of lemon into the water before you drink. It's wonderful. Better yet, add a bit of herbal sweetener Stevia and make lemonade. It's delicious! So, drinking diet soda will never create health for you or anyone you know and love and the reasons listed above should be enough to help in realizing why you want to "come clean" and quit those sodas today.

Samuel Baron suffered the pangs of high blood pressure and finally chose natural ways to cure and control his own blood pressure only to experience positive results. Samuel wrote the special report * Natural_Treatment_for_Hypertension * based on his true experience. Read more insights and groundbreaking research into Natural Treatment for Hypertension at http://naturaltreatmentforhypertension.com/blog

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The FAQ's Of Medical Tourism

2011-12-27T15:34:00.001-08:00

Due to increasing medical rates and increasing bankruptcy rates as well, India has become one of the world's finest destinations for medical tourism. This is because of three things, the commitment to medical excellence, the advantage when it comes to pay and of course the awesome tourist attractions. Going in to medical tourism has been one of the biggest hits these past few months.

Come to think of it, most medical procedures and operations done in first world countries such as Japan, United States, Canada and even London are actually done in countries such as China, India and the Philippines. The usual medial tourism concept is for you to save money. Procedures such as transplants, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and even ophthalmology are obviously cheaper in these said countries. For example an appendectomy can cost up to $9,000 while an appendectomy done in the said countries can cost half the price!

These countries too have highly trained medical personnel. From the large and long pool of nurses to paramedics to doctors which are of course highly skilled and trained for their professions and whom also speak the English language fluently. First class treatments such as Rheumatology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Paediatric Neurology, Endocrinology, Gynaecology, Pulmonology, Paediatric Surgery, Urology, ENT, Paediatrics, Nephrology, Dermatology, Dentistry, Plastic Surgery, Psychiatry, General Medicine & General Surgery are available too.

One of the reasons people seek medical procedure in the said countries is because of the main reason of saving money. This is something very awesome for a person not having medical insurance. The cost of a medical procedure without insurance may triple which is something very hard for our bank accounts. Just by properly summing up all costs plus air fare, we can say that most medical tourism packages are cheaper in terms of taxes and services.

One better thing is that after your medical operation or procedure you may take a break and go after the tourism. Countries such as India have good cultures just like the Philippines and Indonesia having cultural diversity which is something very new to people living in Europe and North America. We may learn from these tourist attractions and we will never know, it may help us in our lives one day or the other.

How many benefits have we tackled? Almost three I think. These benefits do not end there. Countries such as India and the Philippines and Indonesia have these spiritual beliefs and herbal remedies. These things can also help us in the healing process. Checking out medical tourism packages [http://medical-tourismguide.com/] is the way to go if you ask me. Asking quotes from various medical tourism companies [http://medical-tourismguide.com/] will indeed make you save more money.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kim_Selorio

Multi-Marker Approach Used in Chronic Kidney Disease Research

2011-12-27T15:33:00.001-08:00

Researchers in the United States have revealed promising results after carrying out an investigation into the early detection of chronic kidney disease. A paper published this month in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology details how a panel of biomarkers might be able to play a role in helping doctors to identify patients who have an increased risk of renal disease - chronic kidney disease or microalbuminuria.

A selection of seven circulating biomarkers were used in the research including C-reactive protein, homocysteine, aldosterone, plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 1, fibrinogen, renin, B-type natriuretic peptide. It was led by Dr Caroline Fox of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, Massachusetts.

Tests were done on blood samples given by 2,345 individuals who attended the sixth Framlington Offspring Study examination between 1995 and 1998. The researchers were again in touch with these individuals after an average of nine and a half years and by this time 213 had developed chronic kidney disease while 186 had developed microalbuminuria. According to Dr Fox, the results of the follow-up showed that newer biomarkers may help to identify people who are at greater risk of developing microalbuminuria or chronic kidney disease up to 10 years before the clinical onset.

According to the research report, the biomarkers homocysteine and aldosterone were significantly associated with chronic kidney disease incidence, while log-transformed aldosterone, B-type natriuretic peptide and homocysteine were significantly associated with incident microalbuminuria. The tests revealed that there was an improvement in risk prediction when the biomarkers were used, shown by improvements in the c-statistics for chronic kidney disease and microalbuminuria and an increase in net risk re-classification of seven per cent.

Work is currently going on all over the world to increase knowledge of biomarkers and their ability to help identify the potential onset of diseases such as chronic kidney disease at an early stage. The research that has been ongoing in America represents just one project where biomarkers are taking a lead role, but similar research efforts are now happening all over the globe as organisations come to realise the importance of biomarkers, their untapped potential and the profound impact that they could have on the world of medical research.

The importance of conducting further biomarker research cannot be underestimated as this is the only way of building a larger biomarkers database and increasing knowledge and improving research techniques across the globe.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Francis

Re-Branding A Health Care Delivery Facility

2011-12-15T18:02:00.001-08:00

"Business problems are like mice - they go unnoticed until they start nibbling your cheese" - and that is when the alarms go off.

A tertiary care cardiac healthcare facility which had been functional for the last one decade and doing good business observed a static pattern in its revenue stream even though the hospital was having ninety percent occupancy (an impressive figure by the industry standards) - even with such high occupancy rates, the hospital was unable to scale up its revenues, which triggered the alarms for the management.

From the onset, the apparent problem was the static revenue stream in spite of average ninety percent occupancy - this symptom called for further probing, to diagnose the root cause.

On further analysis, a set of mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustible list was prepared which shed light on the problem...

Healthcare facility rebranding:

From a multi-speciality facility to a super speciality facility

Shift in the communication scheme

Upgradation of equipment and soft skills

Shift in the referral base

Optimum utilization of resources:

Streamlining the operational processes

Managing the accounts receivables

Healthcare facility rebranding :

On careful analysis of the hospital records, it was observed that the facility was running on ninety percent occupancy, but the majority of these cases were the low end general surgery/general medicine cases which blocked a hospital bed for the same many days as a high end surgery, but the returns were different - the remedial measures involved promoting the hospital as a super speciality centre, doing the high end work. The facility had excellent cardiac and nephrology infrastructure, which it never promoted and the general impression conveyed was of a hospital doing only routine medical work.

Promoting the superspecialities:

This calls for a special focus on the particular medical specialities for which we want the centre to be a super speciality centre - the medical specialists have to be promoted accordingly. They should be encouraged to participate in community programmes (via camps conducted outside the hospital) - this is an inexpensive medium for the specialists to reach out to the people and develop a rapport with the community at large; special CME (Continuous Medical Education) programmes should be conducted in the hospital facility and all referral physicians should be invited to attend - this enables a healthy interaction amongst the medical community and also showcasing the facilities of the hospital which generates trust amongst the referring doctors. The marketing collaterals used by the hospital should also be conveying the same message.

Streamlining the operational processes:

It was observed at another facility that eventhough the patient was discharged in the morning, yet the patient was able to leave the hospital only in the afternoon - because of a delay in the discharge summary and subsequent delay in the final bill, the hospital bed was blocked till afternoon and it generated no revenues for the facility. Streamlining the discharge process ensured a timely exit from the system and the hospital bed was free to allotted to a another patient.

Managing the accounts receivables:

A major portion of the clientele of the hospital are the corporate customers and insurance companies - their clients avail treatment on credit and the hospital receives payments after a specified number of days as maybe agreed upon.

Generally the hospital should send across all the bills on the month end to maintain its receivables cycle - but due to its internal processes not being in their proper place, the hospital was unable to send the entire receivables before the 10 th of the following month and then the corporate/insurance company would make payments, as per the days specified in the agreement from the date of receiving the bills. The hospital should ensure timely dispatch of bills to maintain its receivables cycle in order.

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Can Painkilling Drugs Be the Cause of Your Headaches?

2011-12-15T18:01:00.001-08:00

Many people believe that when they suffer from a headache all they have to do is take painkilling medicines and all will be well. Whether we're suffering from migraine headaches, tension headaches, or other kinds of pain, we've been told since we were young children to take pain pills to lessen the pain. On the other hand, is that the best tactic? Taking potentially dangerous or addictive painkillers?

The St. Louis University School of Medicine has done research that demonstrates that using painkillers appears "to be the primary factor in promoting the development of chronic pain." To put it a different way, the pain killing medications may be the origin of the pain instead of the cure for headache.

An associate professor of psychiatry at this school of medicine, Paul Duckro, states "The best thing a person with chronic headaches can do is get off the painkillers." He goes on to say that two-thirds of chronic headache sufferers were helped when they stopped taking their headache medicine.

The painkillers we're referring to are not little known or never-heard-of drugs, but the most accepted types you notice at the drug store. These include, but are not limited to ibuprofen (the pain-relieving element in Advil, Motrin IB, and Nuprin), acetaminophen (the painkilling ingredient in Tylenol), aspirin, and also stronger narcotic analgesics.

According to Duckro there is evidently a reliable point in a chronic sufferer's ingestion of painkillers when the headache becomes drug-caused. A chemical that is supposed to lessen pain becomes a main factor in manufacturing it. It's possible that these familiar drugs are hurting your chances of recovery from your long-time headaches.

As bad as it can be to feel an increase in pain as a result of taking pain killers, this is not the only fear. These very medicines may be responsible for other more serious health problems. There are about 125,000 cases of end-stage renal disease in the U.S. each year, and according to Dr. William Bennett, head of nephrology at Oregon Health Sciences University, pain killers may be responsible for as many as 20% of these cases.

And if that's not enough, ingesting these medications can also result in other disorders or symptoms. These include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain, lightheadedness, liver damage, kidney damage, internal hemorrhaging and countless other symptoms; even death.

All you have to do is read the label on an analgesic container to discover the many negative consequences possible from their ingestion. Or watch a TV commercial about any particular medicine. In TV commercials the possible negative side effects can take much longer to list than the drugs possible benefits.

If we take medication for our chronic migraine headaches, there is no guarantee that it will stop the pain. There is also no guarantee that the medication won't cause liver or kidney damage, bleeding in the stomach, nausea, vomiting, and a whole host of other conditions. Is it worth the risk? That's something you will have to decide for yourself.

Joshua Harding, D.C. has helped headache patients find pain relief for 25 years. He is a headache authority and enjoys helping others become pain free. He offers a free 10-part headache email mini course filled with new and unique methods that can help others put an end to their migraine headaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_G._Harding

Discovering the Links Between High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease

2011-12-15T18:00:00.001-08:00

Kidney disease or chronic kidney disease which is also known as chronic kidney failure, is a long lasting and irreversible condition that is caused by damage to the kidneys.

The kidneys carry out numerous important functions in the body such as filtering waste from the blood and regulating the blood flow. This is why chronic kidney disease or CKD as it can also be known, is a serious condition that has large implications on the body's functionality.

The most common cause of chronic kidney disease is damaged caused to the kidneys by other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Interestingly, the groups that are most likely to suffer from chronic kidney disease are the same groups of people that are most likely to suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension). For reasons not entirely understood, people of Afro-Caribbean and South Asian (India, Pakistan and Bangladeshi) origins are more likely to develop high blood pressure than other ethnic groups[1] and these are the same groups that are also most likely to develop chronic kidney disease.

Kidney disease often goes unnoticed for some time which is why 'World Kidney Day' aims to create awareness of kidney disease and related conditions. The World Kidney Day campaign is running in partnership with World Hypertension Day, which will be held on May 17.

According to Dr. George Mellotte, the President of the Nephrology Society kidney disease is a disease "multiplier" that causes death in many people with diabetes and hypertension and predicts the development of heart problems such as cardiac arrest or heart attack.

He said people found to have chronic kidney disease (CKD), regardless of whether they develop kidney failure, have at least tenfold greater risk of dying from cerebrovascular disease, perhipheral artery disease and heart failure. He also went on to say at least one in three patients over the age of 50 with hypertension has some degree of kidney disease.[2]

High blood pressure affects in the region of 16 million known sufferers in the UK, which equates to approximately one in three of the adult population. High blood pressure can be treated, or prevented, by making changes to your lifestyle, such as exercising more regularly and eating a healthier diet, and cutting back on alcohol consumption and by stopping smoking.

Controlling and monitoring high blood pressure can be assisted by owning a personal blood pressure monitor. Whilst blood pressure is measured during doctor's visits, it is often beneficial to monitor blood pressure in between appointments to give a more consistent and accurate reading. Home monitoring of blood pressure can help sufferers stick to their lifestyle changes by providing a visual reminder of their condition and give visual progress indicators.

Buying a blood pressure monitor can be very confusing for the individual as these pieces of kit that were once only used by professionals, come with supported by all sorts of numbers and technical terminology. The best advice to follow is that of the British Hypertension Society. The BHS have conducted studies on the leading blood pressure monitors and have compiled a recommendation list based upon the research findings of each.

Blood Pressure Monitors, Medical Plasters

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Kaduwanema

Nephrology and Dialysis For a PDA

2011-12-15T17:48:00.001-08:00

Saving Lives With A Pocket PC

Free medical downloads can be a real lifesaver for many people. For those dealing with diseases, using their pda to help monitor their health is one of the best and most useful benefits of the new pocket pc technology. For instance, a free medical download of nephrology and dialysis for a pda is an important tool for someone with kidney disease.

These types of medical downloads contain valuable information. A patient can track many important things on their ipaq, including office appointments and dialysis appointments, medications, and diet and exercise information. It is an opportunity to keep all their medical records in one place and easily accessible on their pda.

Most nephrology and dialysis downloads for pdas have a medical dictionary so that patients and people in the medical field can locate confusing medical words and phrases. Patients can uplink with their doctor's office and view test results, check in and receive updates, reminders and information about their disease.

Another valuable resource of these types of free medical downloads to a pocket pc is that many of them have a GPS system built in. If a patient misses an appointment, medical staff can locate them and rush emergency services to them immediately.

Those who need dialysis often have treatments on a daily or weekly basis. Using their ipaq to track these appointments is vital, and the convenience of a pocket pc puts this at their fingertips. Who knew that a palm pilot could find a use as a device to save lives?

Dan Ayala is webmaster and publisher of PDA-Review-Online.com, offering reviews on PDAs, Palm Pilots, Pocket PC's, software and accessories. PDA Review Online provides free information and recommendations for your online resources that you can download anytime or anywhere.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Ayala

Senior Nutrition: Tips for a Healthy Diet

2011-10-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

Nutrition Tips

Aging affects the body's ability to produce specific enzymes that help to digest and breakdown foods. Many seniors have problems chewing and swallowing, due to dentures and other physical challenges, explains Amanda Berthod, Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach. To ensure optimal absorption of nutrients, senior diets should focus on foods that are easy to chew, swallow and digest. The elderly should also be aware of the effects of medicines and supplements - as some can interfere with vitamin and mineral absorption.

With a higher risk for chronic disease, seniors should also avoid specific food additives, and increase intake of Anti-oxidants. Berthod recommends that family members encourage their loved ones to eliminate frozen foods and packaged meals from their diet - replacing them with whole foods that are high in antioxidants, such as berries, legumes and dark-colored vegetables.

The elderly often lose their senses, which means that they are less likely to taste certain flavors, like salt and sugar. As a result, they will often overuse these two items. Overuse of salt and sugar leads to serious health problems - such as type 2 diabetes and poor heart health - so remove the saltshaker from the table, encourage the use of herbs for flavor, and limit the amount of sugary treats available.

Unfortunately, many seniors also lack the resources necessary to purchase or attain healthy food sources, Berthod added. Fixed incomes and the lack of available transportation often leave those who are aging without means to shop frequently enough to maintain a nutritious diet. Utilize organizations such as meals on wheels or Project Angel Heart to help those in physical or financial need receive healthy, home-cooked meals.

Nutritional Guidelines

Eating right is a fundamental part of your loved one's overall wellness. The following nutritional guidelines are recommended by the USDA and the Health and Research Center of TUFTS University:

1. Proteins maintain and repair muscles, nails and skin and aid in recovery from injury. Poultry, meat, fish, lentils, nuts, seeds, eggs and cheese are healthy sources of protein. Seniors should eat two or more servings of protein per day.

2. Carbohydrates help internal organs to function properly, and maintain energy levels. Fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains are all great sources of carbohydrates. Seniors should consume six or more servings per day of whole grains, and three or more daily servings of dairy.

3. Fiber helps to maintain the dietary track, is proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and helps the body to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Fiber can be found in whole grain products, fruits, vegetables and beans. Seniors should consume three or more servings of bright-colored vegetables per day, and two or more daily servings of deep-colored fruit.

4. Healthy fats protect cells and help to maintain energy levels. These can be found in some fish, oils, nuts, and food fortified with omega-3 fatty acids. It's important to know the difference between healthy fats, and unhealthy fats and oils - which should be consumed sparingly.

5. Staying hydrated is essential to proper nutrition. Fluids help the body to digest food and maintain a normal temperature. Water is the best fluid for the body, but nutrients and antioxidants can also be found in green tea, and fruit and vegetable juices.

Homewatch CareGivers is the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service in-home care for people of all ages - including seniors, children, veterans, the chronically ill, and those recovering from medical procedures. We invite you to visit the Homewatch CareGivers website where you can read articles related to home health, Dementia Care Tips and home care news; or download PDF home care resources. From health care coordination and hospital discharge planning to home care transportation and daily living assistance, let our family of caregivers care for yours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leann_Reynolds

Is Your Elderly Loved One Meeting Their Nutritional Needs?

2011-10-09T21:44:00.001-07:00

Why Do Dietary Needs Change With Aging?

The American Dietetic Association estimates that women over age 50 need 1,600 to 1,800 calories per day and that older men need about 2,000 calories per day.

There are a number of differences for the elderly population when it comes to eating a nourishing diet:

1. As saliva production decreases, so does the ability to make stomach acid that easily digests our food. Dietary changes may be needed to ensure that nutrients are still being processed.

2. Senses deteriorate with age, including the ability to taste and smell. This can mean overuse of salt and sugar in some diets since the flavors are not as easily detected. Too much salt and sugar can lead to other health problems such as type 2 diabetes.

3. It's important to keep a stable body weight and not over or under eat. If the caloric intake is not adjusted for the decreased physical activity, then people easily put on weight and this can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and other illnesses. Not eating enough can lead to osteoporosis, memory loss and other conditions.

4. Eating alone can be depressing for some people, so they might often forgo preparing or eating meals for one.

5. Many medications can affect appetite and taste for certain foods. Always check with a medical professional to see if medicine may be affecting your diet.

Proper Hydration

Fluids help nutrients flow through the body and do their job. Hydration is an essential part of a healthy diet, and Dr. Remig points out that many older adults have a "decreased thirst mechanism" and may not realize that they are thirsty. In home caregivers, individuals and caregiver agencies should remind seniors to drink plenty of water with meals and throughout the day.

Proper Nutrition

Specific nutritional needs evolve as bodies age. For example, although 85-percent of adult bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys, older adults need more calcium and Vitamin D in their diets to maintain healthy bones.

A healthy diet should include protein from eggs, dairy, fish, meats and poultry; whole grains and other carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables; fiber; healthy fats that are found in fish, oil, nuts and foods fortified with omega-3 fatty acids.

Nutritional and Dietary Support

Many of the challenges to maintaining good nutritional habits for the elderly can be finding the right in home caregiver or caregiver agency to help with buying groceries and delivering groceries and meals.

Being able to drive to the supermarket, to afford groceries every week, and having an appetite are the biggest challenges for the elderly population. Other obstacles to a healthy diet for seniors can include illnesses such as Alzheimer's. People with Alzheimer's forget what their favorite foods are, that it's time to eat, and tend to like really sweet foods. Often the only way to get them to eat is to sweeten up foods, such as adding honey or brown sugar to a bowl or oatmeal with fruit and low-fat milk.

Homewatch CareGivers is the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service in-home care for people of all ages - including seniors, children, veterans, the chronically ill, and those recovering from medical procedures. We invite you to visit the Homewatch CareGivers website ( http://www.homewatchcaregivers.com ) where you can read articles related to home health, Dementia Care Tips and home care news; or download PDF home care resources. From health care coordination and hospital discharge planning to home care transportation and daily living assistance, let our family of caregivers care for yours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leann_Reynolds

Preventing Falls For Osteoporosis Patients

2011-10-09T21:43:00.001-07:00

How Common is Osteoperosis?

The numbers from the National Osteoporosis Foundation are staggering: 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 34 million have low bone mass; $25 billion is the estimated cost of osteoporosis-related fractures by 2025; 24 percent of hip fracture patients age 50 and over die within the year following their fracture.

"Sometimes these falls are not preventable," said Elizabeth Stein, a midwife and nurse in Manhattan, NY. Ms. Stein has many patients who suffer from osteoporosis. "Women fall because of osteoporosis-they break a bone and then they fall." For example, a hip bone breaks, then so does a wrist or arm when the person tries to break the fall. In the most serious cases, someone with osteoporosis can break bones just from sneezing or bumping into furniture.

Risk of Osteoporosis After 50

One of the main reasons that women have osteoporosis more than men (20 percent of those affected by osteoporosis are men, according the National Osteoporosis Foundation) is due to their loss of estrogen after menopause in their 50s. "Once you don't have estrogen, you start losing bone," said Ms. Stein. Women also tend to be smaller and have thinner bones than men.

Experts agree that weight-bearing exercise, as well as activities like yoga that can help with balance, are beneficial before developing osteoporosis, and recommend checking with a doctor if you already have the condition and want to start a new exercise regimen.
Osteoporosis Prevention and Care

A calcium-rich diet-especially when combined with Vitamin D-is also beneficial. Fruits and vegetables are also good for bone health. Habits such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and not exercising can lead to osteoporosis.

For those already coping with osteoporosis-either yourself or a loved one--there are home care resources and tips for how to prevent falls both inside and outside of the home:

1. Remove any tripping hazards such as loose rugs in the home.
2. Don't wear flips-flops or slippery socks. Choose low-heeled shoes with rubber soles for more solid footing.
3. Install grab bars in the shower or bathtub and next to the toilet. Make sure the bathtub mat does not slip and also consider a shower chair or bench.
4. Have railings on both sides of stairways.
5. Use bed rails for getting in and out of bed.
6. Wear clothing that fits properly and avoid items such as long skirts that can be tripped over, especially when going up or down stairs.
Protecting Aging Parents with Osteoporosis

A personal emergency response system is recommended if there is no in home caregiver for those living alone and suffering from osteoporosis. A cell phone or cordless phone that can be carried around in a pocket or fanny pack, is also advised so that even after a fall, someone can call for help.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation warns that some medications can also cause falls, as can some medical conditions such as low blood pressure. Just a few of the medications that can cause falls are sleeping pills, allergy medicines, blood pressure medicine and many more.

People with osteoporosis can still live healthy and active lives, all while decreasing their fall risks. Tai Chi is recommended for exercise because it does not include as much twisting and bending of the spine as other stretching activities, but it still helps with balance. Weight-bearing and muscle strengthening is also beneficial. Good balance depends in part on being able to see-such as the accurate height of a curb-and hear properly, so experts encourage people with osteoporosis to get both eyesight and hearing tested to also ensure proper balance.

For more information, visit The National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Homewatch CareGivers is the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service in-home care for people of all ages - including seniors, children, veterans, the chronically ill, and those recovering from medical procedures. We invite you to visit the Homewatch CareGivers website (http://www.homewatchcaregivers.com) where you can read articles related to home health, Dementia Care Tips and home care news; or download PDF home care resources. From health care coordination and hospital discharge planning to home care transportation and daily living assistance, let our family of caregivers care for yours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leann_Reynolds

Avoid Caregiver Burnout

2011-10-09T21:42:00.001-07:00

Caring for a Family Member

She scurries back into the house to spoon-feed one more before leaving for her part-time job. After wiping his hands and face, she kisses his nose, helps him into the car, buckles him in, and drives him to daycare. Hugging him, she promises, "I'll pick you up at lunchtime, Dad." With a vacant look in his eyes he asks, "But what about breakfast?"

Terry is one of the 54 million Americans caring for a family member. Over 40% of families who provide care for an elder have children at home under the age of eighteen. Seventy-five percent of caregivers are women. Part of the "sandwich generation," many will spend more years caring for a parent than they will raising a child. Not only are they ministering to their parents and children, many are caring for their children's children. From 1990-2000, the number of kids living with grandparents increased 30%.

The Personal Risks of Caregiving

Alarmingly, women who care for grandchildren have a 55% greater risk of heart disease. Caregivers of someone with a chronic illness have a 63% chance of dying early. It's no wonder caregivers often experience troublesome feelings such as depression, resentment, worry, helplessness, exhaustion, guilt, anger, and sadness with reversal of parent-child roles. But when caregivers care for themselves, these statistics and severe emotions can be drastically reduced.

Caregiving depletes a person not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. Because 25% of the world population is caring for someone, we all know a person in a caregiving role.

12 Tips for the Caregiver

Extend compassion and empathy first.
Encourage them to care for themselves as attentively as they do another.
Remind them to get regular checkups, to eat properly, exercise, and get adequate sleep.
Suggest they take time out for themselves and use relaxation or stress management techniques such as meditation, visualization, biofeedback and yoga.
Advise them to pay attention to their own feelings and emotions and to seek counseling and support groups if needed.
Listen.
Help them to stay actively involved with friends and hobbies.
Assist them in finding respite care so they can regularly take time for themselves.
Subscribe them to supportive caregiving periodicals and magazines and gift them with spiritual, inspirational, encouraging books.
Deliver a heat-and-eat meal.
Offer to sit with their loved one, even for 30 minutes, so they can take a bubble bath or a walk.
Tell them how much you admire them for all they are doing.

These small efforts to care for the caregiver create a win/win/win situation. Your relationship with the caregiver will flourish; the family member will receive care from a happier, healthier caregiver; and that caregiver will feel cared for, too-a much needed and overdue reward.

Homewatch CareGivers is the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service in-home care for people of all ages - including seniors, children, veterans, the chronically ill, and those recovering from medical procedures. We invite you to visit the Homewatch CareGivers website ( www.homewatchcaregivers.com ) where you can read articles related to home health, Dementia Care Tips and home care news; or download PDF home care resources. From health care coordination and hospital discharge planning to home care transportation and daily living assistance, let our family of caregivers care for yours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leann_Reynolds

Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease: Diagnosis at Age 38

2011-10-09T21:41:00.002-07:00

After a year of tests to identify the cause of his various symptoms, Mr. Glowienke said that the diagnosis was a double-edged sword. "On the one side, I was very relieved to put a name to it," he said. "On the other side, it was quite a shock."

During that year of testing, Mr. Glowienke said he asked one of his doctors if he could possibly have Parkinson's disease and was told, No, you're way too young.

Parkinson's Disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that affects muscle movement and it is chronic and progressive. People with any type of Parkinson's disease may have tremors, difficulty swallowing, memory loss, and other symptoms.

Young-Onset Parkinson's disease is essentially the same as Parkinson's disease, which typically is diagnosed around age 62. Like many Americans, Mr. Glowienke had only heard of young-onset Parkinson's before when celebrities such as boxer Muhammad Ali and actor Michael J. Fox went public with their own diagnoses -- which they both received in their 30s. Mr. Fox has not only become famous for his struggles with the disease, but also set up the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Mr. Glowienke and his wife Ann created the Focus on a Cure Foundation in Oswego, Illinois after he was diagnosed.

According to the National Parkinson Foundation, there are a few differences for those with Young-Onset Parkinson's disease versus those with Parkinson's disease. The disease progression is slower in Young-Onset Parkinson's and has a lower rate of dementia, but there is an increased rate of dystonia (sustained abnormal postures) and dyskinesias in response to L-DOPA treatment. At any age, the disease severity varies greatly between individuals.

The American Parkinson Disease Association has created the National Young Onset Center solely for the education and support of people diagnosed with the disorder at a relatively young age. Some of the issues for younger people go beyond just the physical symptoms and this organization provides resources to address things like maintaining employment, health, relationships (including those with very young children since people diagnosed in their 30s sometimes have children under age 10 to care for), insurance and much more.

Support for the Family Caregiver

Mr. Glowienke is now on disability from his job as a global marketing and training manager for a medical device company. "I was at the top of my game," he said. "And it took me a long time to get there." But it had become too difficult to travel, and with tremors increasing on his right side, Mr. Glowienke relies on his wife to manage his daily medications, drive him places, and even cut his steak for dinner. His 19 and 20-year old daughters are also able to help out.

With Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease the role of the in home caregiver is also flipped: instead of primarily adult children helping their aging parents, it is often spouses, siblings, and friends who may be of the same age as the patient.

The National Young Onset Center can also connect people who are going through the illness-either families and in home caregivers or those with the disease.

The needs of the caregiver vary greatly, depending on the current symptoms being experienced by the person diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson's disease. The National Parkinson Foundation offers personal stories of caregivers, an A-Z list for caregivers, links to local and home care resources, online discussion forums, and an online library of information about Parkinson's disease.

Homewatch CareGivers is the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service in-home care for people of all ages - including seniors, children, veterans, the chronically ill, and those recovering from medical procedures. We invite you to visit the Homewatch CareGivers website (http://www.homewatchcaregivers.com) where you can read articles related to home health, Dementia Care Tips and home care news; or download PDF home care resources. From health care coordination and hospital discharge planning to home care transportation and daily living assistance, let our family of caregivers care for yours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leann_Reynolds

Prolong Life and Reduce Suffering in Patients With Serious Illness Using Palliative Care

2011-10-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

Palliative Care and Home Care

"Most people who get palliative care are still in their own homes," said Dr. Porter Storey, executive vice president of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

According to Dr. Storey, in Europe, Canada, and Australia, all care is synonymous, but in the United States, palliative care is also used when people are still pursuing a cure for their illness. Because of U.S. government rules, hospice is limited to those with six months or less to live.

A recent study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine of 151 patients determined that of the 86% of surviving patients, "Patients assigned to early care had a better quality of life than did patients assigned to standard care." In addition, survival was longer in those who received early palliative care.

The New England Journal of Medicine study also stated that these care programs have the potential to reduce hospital expenditures-an important issue in a time of rising health care costs.

A Team Approach to Serious Illness

This kind of care is provided by a team of professionals-including doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, chaplains and others-who have received board certification specifically for care. The team works in conjunction with the patient, in home caregivers and other loved ones, as well as with the patient's own doctor.

Once you've decided to end the aggressive treatments and therapies, it's time for palliative care, said Alex Morrison, Homewatch Caregiver's field sales and support manager in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Morrison's parents died within 36 hours of one another in March. "It substantially improved their quality of life before dying, which gave me piece of mind during a very difficult time" he said of his choice to get them care.

Although Mr. Morrison's parents did not enter palliative care until near the end of their lives, he said it was the best way to eliminate additional suffering caused by bad medication interactions. Experts do recommend palliative care for patients soon after their diagnosis with a serious illness for this reason, among others.

Meeting a Range of Needs

Often people seek-out palliative care to deal with the physical pain of their illness and its treatment. At both AAHPM and The Center to Advance Palliative Care, there are stories of actual patients who had palliative care and how it benefited them or what they hoped to get from it.

These stories are about people with illnesses such as lung disease (the study written about in the New England Journal of Medicine focused on patients with newly diagnosed metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer), cancer, dementia, liver failure, heart disease and many more.

And while some of these are survivor stories, Dr. Storey said that people can and should seek out palliative care when they are not certain of the possible outcomes. "There are more and more medical treatments for people who are really sick," he said. "Lots of people are in this limbo and not ready for hospice." This is where a special kind of care comes in and has been developed to address the questions patients and their families may have about treatments, home care resources, and more.

Palliative care is now available in at least 70% of U.S. hospitals (those with over 300 beds), and a directory on the Center to Advance Palliative Care website, provides a list and links to those facilities.

Not only does palliative care assist patients with serious and life-threatening illness, but also their caregivers. "Families really don't know what to do," said Dr. Storey. "And they are concerned about what to do next."

Dr. Storey said that both hospice and palliative should be used sooner by patients and their loved ones. "Hospice is still a wonderful, wonderful service that people don't elect to use early enough. And hospice has the widest array of services in the home," he said. "It's not like palliative is a substitute for hospice. It's a marvelous support for the caregivers and should be used sooner."

Homewatch CareGivers is the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service in-home care for people of all ages - including seniors, children, veterans, the chronically ill, and those recovering from medical procedures. We invite you to visit the Homewatch CareGivers website (http://www.homewatchcaregivers.com) where you can read articles related to home health, Dementia Care Tips and home care news; or download PDF home care resources. From health care coordination and hospital discharge planning to home care transportation and daily living assistance, let our family of caregivers care for yours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leann_Reynolds

Dealing With Mom's Dementia: Corrections Don't Help

2011-10-09T21:40:00.001-07:00

Nothing in the picture is the same-I'm divorced, my dad passed away from brain cancer, and my mom has Alzheimer's. And that's how it is when we are dealing with someone with Alzheimer's-we cannot expect things to be the same.

No Turning Back

Yet many family members approach the person who is living with dementia as they used to be, or how they want them to be again. Lori, 52, emphasizes that it is important for caregivers of people with dementia to stop acting as if everything is OK, when it is not.

If they walk into their bedroom and cannot figure out where they are, a caregiver comes in and tries to explain it to them, she said. But there is no sense in arguing or trying to fix it because they cannot remember it and it will not come back to them later. In fact, correcting someone or brushing off their symptoms cannot reverse the dementia or rehabilitate them.

Difficult Diagnosis

Lori said that her now 83-year old mother has had Alzheimer's for 30 years, but was not diagnosed until the mid-1990s. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which damages and kills brain cells and results in memory lapses, disorientation, difficulty completing daily tasks such as getting dressed, and language difficulty. As it progresses, dementia takes away a person's ability to think and interact with the world.

Lori said that often people ask her if her mother can still remember her name. "It's one of their measures, and if she cannot remember then it's an excuse not to visit or converse," she said. We have to stop judging the person on the normal standard. Whether she knows my name or not is irrelevant. It's just like with a baby - we focus on what they can do instead of focusing on what is wrong.

Taking the Reigns

Learning to care for someone with Alzheimer's requires patience and dedication. Lori portrays her early caregiver self as too controlling and out of balance. "None of us are in control of this disease," she said. I was always the perfect one and my brothers realized that they couldn't meet my standards and then I was frustrated wondering why they weren't helping me.

With her mother now in the final stages of Alzheimer's, Lori said that just seeing her mother open her eyes makes for a good day because she can see that she is still connecting. "A battle as a caregiver is that you want that old person back," she said. We focus on the loss, and we don't even know that we are doing it. Once I realized I had this relationship with my Mom on a whole other level, I learned so much.

Personal Growth

Although her parents moved into a nursing home when Lori's father was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2001, Lori's role of family caregiver shaped that into a career to help others in the same situation.

I developed a tool called "Memory Chip", she said. This puts the focus on three things: are they happy, are they pain-free, are they safe? If you focus on those three things, then you are focused on the person and truly caring for them.

Homewatch CareGivers is the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service in-home care for people of all ages - including seniors, children, veterans, the chronically ill, and those recovering from medical procedures. We invite you to visit the Homewatch CareGivers website ( http://www.homewatchcaregivers.com ) where you can read articles related to home health, Dementia Care Tips and home care news; or download PDF home care resources. From health care coordination and hospital discharge planning to home care transportation and daily living assistance, let our family of caregivers care for yours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leann_Reynolds

The Effects of Inhalable Insulin

2011-10-09T21:35:00.000-07:00

Since the 1920s, diabetics have had to go through the hassle of daily insulin injections. During that time, German researchers tried to discover more accessible and safer methods for diabetics to get their insulin needs and focused on an inhalable form of insulin. Their ideas eventually lead to the core concept of Exubera by Pfizer.

Pfizer Incorporated, based in New York (NYSE: PFE), is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. It produces the number-one selling drug Lipitor (atorvastatin, used to lower blood cholesterol); the oral antifungal medication Diflucan (fluconazole), the long-acting antibiotic Zithromax (azithromycin), the well-known erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil citrate), and the anti inflammatory Celebrex (celecoxib) (also known as Celebra in some countries outside USA and Canada, mainly in South America).

Delivering Insulin by Inhalation Exubera is a type of inhalable insulin. It is administered through an inhaler, which sprays a form of human insulin into the lungs. Exubera works on similar principles as to how oxygen is absorbed. Oxygen flows into the lungs with a deep breath, makes contact with circulating blood, blood absorbs the oxygen, and is administered throughout the body. Exubera too is absorbed into the blood and regulates the amount of sugar within your blood. The inhaler is about the size of your hand when it is compacted, and about one foot long when it is being used. Some folks refer to it as a "bong".

The drug Exubera is a powdered insulin that is sprayed into the lungs. This insulin is derived in the lab by using recombinant DNA technology. This method involves the use of laboratory 'factory cells'. Scientists expose these cells to specific chemical signals that result in the mass production of insulin. Scientists produce in the insulin in this way because it is difficult to synthesize consistently and in high quantities. The insulin they recover from these cells is the basis for what is sprayed into your lungs. This is a very innovative method for producing biological substances in mass quantities.

Exubera works by going into the blood and regulating glucose levels. In a normal pancreas, insulin is produced when blood sugar levels get too high in the blood. In other words, insulin is used to regulate high levels of blood sugar and low levels of blood sugar. Those who would benefit from Exubera are those with type 1 diabetes because of their daily need for insulin. Exubera is different from other forms of insulin intake because it is taken through an inhaler instead of an injection. Human insulin, derived from recombinant DNA technology, is put inside an inhaler. Then, a blister surrounds the insulin, acting like a medicine capsule to safely deliver the insulin into the body. Some of the insulin is absorbed and degraded inside the lung and some of it is absorbed into the blood.

Exubera's Safety Concerns

Exubera may sound like the end to needles for Type 1 diabetes patients who have to administer insulin intravenously. However, there are many issues and ongoing concerns with this drug. The first and foremost concern with the drug is the controversial approval by the FDA. Exubera is the first protein sprayed into the lungs that has been approved by the FDA. There has been much criticism of the FDA since 2004, and Exubera only adds to the list. Approval by the FDA was questioned by critics because of inconclusive clinical trials. For example, the effect of Exubera on those who have been smoking for the past 6 months is very serious. Lungs of smokers have the tendency to absorb more insulin, thereby decreasing blood sugar at a higher rate. Therefore, smokers run a higher risk of hypoglycemia. Absorption rates are increased anywhere from 2 to 5 times higher of non-smokers.

Many users, after the FDA had already given their approval, have reported trouble breathing after inhalation. There has been recent scientific discussion on decreasing lung capacity and damaging lung tissue. Although the FDA has approved of Exubera, there are still clinical trials testing for the long term effects on lung tissue. Exubera has been known to be especially dangerous with those with underlying lung disease. It is difficult to characterize those with stable or unstable lung disease. Because Exubera is so heavily dependent on healthy lung function, and the difficulty to characterize the stability of one's lungs, Exubera runs the risk of overdosing many patients.

The National Institute of Health in the United Kingdom did not approve of Exubera. Their opinion on the matter was that Exubera "should not be recommended because it could not be proven to be more clinically or cost effective than existing treatments." Their reaction reflected that the use of Exubera did not better control blood sugar more accurately or consistently or at a more competitive price. In fact, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Exubera estimated Exubera to be about $60 a year more than insulin injections. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices has also shown concern about its prescription to users. The dosage of Exubera is not consistent with the units of traditional insulin injections. For example, Exubera is usually described in mg (milligrams) while insulin is described in units. This leaves room for error. Also, there is a non-linear relationship between mg and units of insulin. For example, 1mg is equivalent to 3 units of injected insulin. However, 3mg is not equivalent to 9 units of injected insulin. This non-corresponding relationship only increases the danger of dosage. This is a real danger because Exubera is oftentimes prescribed in addition to insulin injections.

FDA Fast Stamp of Approval

Critics believe the accuracy is nowhere close to the FDA's normal standards. The implications caused by lung disease, especially ones that are undetectable, create a risk for all users. This inaccuracy could have serious health risks. The only positive aspect of Exubera is that it is needle-free and may be less of a hassle during social situations. However, I do not think this is much of a positive aspect because if one were to use this inhaler in public, one should do it in a safe area such as a restroom. There are not many more locations you can use Exubera in that you can't also administer insulin intravenously. Also, the fact that it is more expensive puts Exubera in a worse position than before. Using Exubera requires routine trips to the doctor to ensure healthy lung function. These trips are not always covered by insurance companies, resulting in hidden fees and higher cost to the user. HMOs will likely not approve the costs of the Exubera treatments which are double the cost of insulin injections. Side effects for drugs are always an issue. The FDA generally decides if the health benefits outweigh the cost of side effects. Administering insulin with an injection has little side effects if the user is trained. Exubera, at the cost of compromising lung capacity and lung tissue damage, merely eliminates the user error.

At this point, it is remarkable how Exubera has been approved by the FDA. Upon closer inspection, there have been some controversial techniques of marketing the drug to the public. Dr. Edward Ryan, a Canadian Endocrinologist, commented on the convenience and efficiency of the drug, claiming that Exubera is "obviously an advantage...I would say the majority like it." Although this may appear wholesome, the Canadian Diabetes Association has found his research to be funded by Pfizer, the manufacturer and producer of Exubera.

The FDA has been under heavy criticism in the past few years. After knowingly allowing the drug Vioxx to stay in the market for four years, despite its proof of serious side effects, the FDA has come under careful scrutiny. The approval of Exubera has lead to ever closer investigations. Of the nine voting board members, three have been found to have consulted with or spoken with Pfizer. Which is more surprising is that the panel chairman has stock with Pfizer as well.

Should you use Exubera?

If you are considering Exubera, the best decision you can make is an informed one and of course talk to your doctor. Be aware that the side effects are much more serious than other FDA approved drugs and may be a large price to pay just to avoid insulin injections. Exubera is an alternate delivery method of insulin, nothing more. Remember, the FDA approval is not an indication of safety. It is an indication of research; be sure to know all of its effects on your body. Pfizer has pulled Exubera from the market, there are other similar products in the pipeline from competitors. Although inhalable insulin has been associated convenience with some diabetics, it should also be associated with consumer caution.

Mr. Sudeep Misra is a research associate for http://www.BlueSparrowMedical.com - Innovations in Diabetic Care. He is a senior undergraduate student in the bio-medical program at the University of California, Irvine. His research interests are in endocrinology and nephrology.

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Taking Your Blood Pressure Meds Can Improve Kidney Disease Outcomes

2011-10-09T21:34:00.001-07:00

You'd think it would be completely straightforward. Since one of the things that sometimes results from kidney disease is higher blood pressure, a kidney disease sufferer with hypertension problems would naturally take their medication. But a recent report has suggested that one-third of these patients actually don't maintain their blood pressure treatments.

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center have just published a report that describes this problem. They took two years' worth of data from 7,227 patients at the VA who had chronic kidney disease (CKD), and who also suffered from hypertension. And this was when they uncovered the astonishing fact that about thirty-three percent of these patients either didn't take their blood pressure medications, or had what was described as "poor medication adherence."

The consequence appears to be a twenty-three percent higher likelihood of a worse outcome for those CKD patients themselves, when it comes to the progression of the disease. Doctor Charuhas Thakar, associate professor at the university and chief of the renal division at the VA, points out that high blood pressure is "probably the most important modifiable risk factor in chronic kidney disease." This means that if patients are able to regulate their blood pressure and reduce the strain on the kidneys, they can do much better at improving their kidney health and, incidentally, lowering medical costs.

The report has just been published in the November 2nd online edition of the American Journal of Nephrology. Doctor Thakar points out that the results of this analysis need further confirmation, since all of this data came only from one place. But certainly this news suggests that people with CKD should not neglect their blood pressure medication if they suffer from hypertension.

(Further reading: UC Academic Health Center News Release, November 3, 2010)

Oankar Kundan is part of a medical family that practises a combination of western allopathic and eastern Ayurvedic medicine. For more information on treatment of kidney disease, visit Kundan Kidney Care ( http://www.kundankidneycare.com ) or follow the FreeKidneyInfo blog from that site.

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Simple Rules That Prevent the Development of Melanoma

2011-10-09T21:33:00.001-07:00

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. And in this case, prevention is still the key word. What rules do you have to respect during the summer to avoid the development of melanoma?

Melanoma occurs when melanocytes (skin cells responsible for pigment production) grow uncontrollably and invade other tissues. This type of cancer can be cured when detected early, but it is fatal when left to progress. It can occur anywhere on the body, the skin appears healthy, but with moles (nevi nevocelulari).

In men, appears frequently on the back, torso, head or neck. In women, melanoma often appears on the legs or trunk. Also, it is possible to occur in areas that are less or not exposed to sunlight: the palms or soles of the feet.

Therefore you must take precautions especially during the summer and be aware of the potential damage that may occur on the skin or changes that may be suffered by moles.

If you found one of these changes is recommended to make an appointment with a dermatologist to examine the suspected mole:

* Increasing mole or vertical surface;
* Color change
* Mismatch;
* Irregular edges;
* Ulceration or bleeding;
* Itching or burning sensation.

That does not mean we should scare of every mole, but if you noticed something and you want to relax is advisable to resort to expert advice.

What treatment options exist? There are two types of treatment of melanoma: surgical and medical. In general, the method of choice in the treatment of malignant melanoma is surgical excision which removes the entire tumor with a normal-looking tesur edge. If your doctor suspects that the tumor had invaded regional lymph nodes, they will be removed through surgery called a lymphadenectomy. Tissue samples are examined under a microscope by a pathologist to determine how advanced the cancer is.

According to experts, chemotherapy is used as additional therapy after surgical excision to increase the chance of healing and destruction of residual cancer cells and radiation therapy has limited value in the treatment of malignant melanoma because it is less sensitive to X rays

Simple rules!

1. Sun exposure should be progressive
2. Using broad-spectrum photoprotection creams (UVA and UVB). Apply it 30 minutes before you get them from the sun and reapply every 2 hours;
3. Choose casual clothes: pants, long sleeve shirts, wide brimmed hats and sunglasses;
4. Keep in mind your phototype that each have a different resistance to sunlight. Discover your phototype.
5. Deodorants, perfumes and cosmetics can cause allergic reactions in the sun, so the application of these products should be avoided;
6. If you follow a medical treatment is recommended to consult your doctor before you expose to the sun, because some medications increase sensitivity to light.

Ahmed Hady Nephrology specialist from Egypt, Hope i can help patients with my Medical tips

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How Placenta Stem Cell Treats Parkinson's Disease?

2011-10-09T21:32:00.001-07:00

There are many chronic diseases around which are considered to be incurable for ages. One of such diseases is known as Parkinson's. But now in today's world of medical advancements such diseases have also become treatable in an easy way. Parkinson's is a well known disease which is a chronic neurological disorder. It produces symptoms such as decreased dexterity, lack of motor coordination, Shaking stiff muscles, confusion, insomnia, memory loss and tremors etc. This disease has been considered incurable until now. With the introduction of the placenta stem cell technique this disease has become curable. Stem cells are those immature cells that have the tendency to develop in to other different types of cells that make up the human body. These cells may be kidney cells, liver cells or other 260 types of cells. These cells, by developing into other types of cells, replace the damaged or ill cells in those areas by the millions.

If we see a section of the human brain of a person suffering from this disease then we will find that certain lines are not present in it. Hence scientists believe that by injecting placenta stem cells in those areas where lines are missing, regeneration of the damaged cells will take place. As defined earlier, stem cells have the ability to adapt and develop into other forms of cells surrounding the area and hence can heal the damaged or injured area of that particular area in the body. After getting treatment, the patient finds his body relaxed, tremors go away and the patient walks with ease and comfort plus all the other symptoms of the disease are also reduced.

After the implementation of the placental stem cell these cells are dispersed onto adjacent tissues and become smooth. Then these cells differentiate into component cell types, which integrate with the targeted tissues or the organ. Placenta stem cells help in tissue formation. In this way new cells are formed in order to replace the damaged or ill cells and healing or curing of the organ takes place. In this way, the person suffering from chronic neurological disorder gets treated without any surgery or an operation. There are no risks or side effects.

Although it is a very safe and successful way of treating chronic diseases, its use is controversial. Some people think that it is not ethical and but they do not realize the baby has already been delivered safely. The controversy is based on ignorance and lack of education about how the cells are taken from the placenta of the mother after the baby has been delivered. But advocates of this treatment notify all the ways which tell that this treatment is ethical and completely safe in all ways and means. Apart from all these controversies, this technique is in use of treating various diseases and people are getting maximum benefits out of this medical technique.

Other diseases which can be cured with the help of this placenta stem cell technique are cerebral palsy, permanent cure for diabetes, HIV, kidney disorders, anti aging, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, retinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, cancer, dermatomyositis, hepatitis C, immune deficiency, migraines, spinal cord injuries, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, nephrology treatments, cochlear implants, depression, organ repair like liver and renal etc.

stem cell therapy
Placenta Stem Cell

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Y_Sara

What Is Tomosynthesis?

2011-10-09T21:31:00.001-07:00

Tomosynthesis is a method for producing images of slices through the body using a general radiographic X-ray system with a direct digital radiography detector. This is accomplished by obtaining a large number of image acquisitions across a range of projection angles of the X-ray tube. Currently, tomosynthesis is an optional add-on for suitable DR systems. The additional software controls the movement of the X-ray tube and the reconstruction of the images.

One of the disadvantages of planar imaging is that organs and structures overlying the region of interest are superimposed on the image, which can make interpretation more difficult. Tomosynthesis overcomes this by reducing the visibility of superimposed anatomical clutter in the image.

As the availability of digital flat panels increase, tomosynthesis is becoming a more practical option. A number of clinical applications of tomosynthesis have been described. These applications have been through early evaluation, though still in the optimization stage, and have yet to progress to full clinical trials.
Tomosynthesis images are produced by equipment used to acquire planar images.

Tomosynthesis acquires a series of planar images at different projection angles to produce image slices of the body. Tomography is a forerunner to tomosynthesis and so is explained here to help to understand tomosynthesis.

As with planar X-ray imaging, tomography uses the differences in attenuation between the tissues to form an image. However, while planar imaging acquires an image with the X-ray source and detector stationary, tomography uses a moving detector and source. They move with the center of rotation in the focal plane.

Information above and below the focal plane is blurred out in the resulting image. Therefore, the image contains predominantly information in the focal plane.
While tomography produces an image of a single slice through an object, tomosynthesis can produce many slices at different depths, from a single set of image acquisitions.

The acquisitions of discrete exposures, at different angles, as opposed to one long exposure in tomography, allows for the reconstruction parameters to be altered, in order to reconstruct slices with different focal planes.The maximum number of slices which can be reconstructed is limited by the number of discrete images acquired. Tomosynthesis produces images much like tomography, but the images are set at different cut heights as opposed to a single image.

Modern digital RF equipment with flat panel detector can be operated in tomosynthesis mode. In order for a flat panel detector system to undertake Tomosynthesis, it requires the following:

- Control of the smooth movement of the X-ray tube, at the required speed
- Rapid pulsing generator
- Modern fast flat-panel detector

There are significant advantages from an economic point of view for tomosynthesis as there is a reduction in the numbers of patients having CT, MRI or nuclear medicine scans.

Tomosythesis has advantages over the planar X-ray in the following applications:

- Chest imaging
- Mammography
- Orthopedics
- Brachytherapy
- Dental imaging
- Nephrology

Medwow.com offers used medical parts and systems for hospitals and clinics all around the world. To read more about Tomosynthesis please visit our medical portal medwow.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Windsor_Harris

Best Medical Care in Lagos, Nigeria

2011-09-18T18:02:00.003-07:00

Lagos is a port city located in South West corner of Nigeria. Because it is located besides the Atlantic Ocean, this city became the economic and financial capital of Nigeria. Not only that, Lagos possess beautiful beaches, lagoons, and creeks, making this city a popular tourist spot in the continent of Africa. With its huge population (it is the second most populous city in Africa) and many visitors, the government of Lagos and many private institutions spend large expenses to make sure that the medical care in this city is of World class standard. The following lists some of the best hospitals in Lagos that have good, professional, and English speaking staff.

Hygeia Nigeria runs Lagoon Hospitals in Apapa and Lagos. Their Lagos location is 11A Idejo Street, Victoria Island. Lagoon Hospitals offer a high level of comprehensive medical service that includes primary care, health assessment, specialist care and preventive health screening facilities. The hospital covers a wide range of medical services like internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, dermatology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, physiotherapy, cardiology, hematology and thoracic surgery. The hospital also runs an AIDS/HIV management program and also arranges evacuation of patients in case required even from foreign locations.

The Roding Medical Centre Limited was established in 1999 and provides quality medical services for women and children. The hospital is found at 29B Olabode George Street, Off Ajose Adeogun Street on Victoria Island, Lagos. Some of the services provided are: antenatal care, gynecology, IVF, ultrasound, immunization, pediatrics, Intensive Care Unit and comprehensive health screening. Additionally, they have a Well Baby Clinic, Well Woman Clinic and Well Man Clinic. The surgical theater has equipment for both open and endoscopic procedures.

The Reddington Hospital started as the Cardiac Center, but has since branched out to become a multi-discplinary hospital. It is now a comprehensive and state-of-art tertiary hospital that offers a solution to most healthcare problems. General surgery, orthopedics, trauma care, urology, nephrology, endocrinology, treatment for diabetes mellitus, radiology, ophthalmology, neurology, psychiatry and immunization are some of the services offered. The hospital also operates various clinics such as the Antenatal Clinic, Family Planning Clinic, Fertility Clinic, Dialysis Center and Cardiac Center. It also has Pediatric Intensive Care and Neonatal Intensive Care units. The cardiology department is still acclaimed.. The address and the telephone number are: 12, Idowu Martins Street (next to Mega Plaza), Victoria Island, Lagos 262 1234 (Emergency), 271 5340 - 9 (10 Lines).

Parkland Specialist Hospital offers services and treatment for a variety of medical services and the staff at the hospital is well trained and highly skilled. The hospital offers orthopedic surgery consultation, pediatric consultation, ENT surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, dental referrals, X-ray facilities, laboratory services, ECG facilities and ultrasound. Additionally, the hospital operates a twenty-four hour emergency services unit with a doctor in constant attendance.

Lagos University Teaching Hospital serves as an important center for imparting medical training as well as offering quality care of international standards. It is the largest medical university in Nigeria and concentrates on constant research and updating of medical facilities. The hospital supplies comprehensive, prompt and contemporary medical care to patients. The medical branches for which the hospital specializes are neurosurgery, hemodialysis, oncology, urology, maternal health, opthamology and pediatrics. It also offers education to patients about general hygiene and drug abuse. The contact numbers are 8713961, 8777845.

Before you travel or move abroad, make sure that you and your family have quality medical insurance. Let Good Neighbor Insurance help you find the right international medical insurance for your situation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_Gulleson

Type 2 Diabetes - The Herb Turmeric for Diabetic Nephropathy!

2011-09-18T18:02:00.001-07:00

Diabetic nephropathy is a disease that can result in kidney failure. Workers at the Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center in Iran looked at how the herb turmeric affected some of the molecules involved in kidney failure. According to research performed at the University of Pennsylvania, Transforming Growth Factor-beta, or TGF-beta, plays a role in causing damage to the kidneys when blood sugar levels are abnormally high. Interleukin-8, or IL-8, is associated with inflammation. Protein in the urine is one symptom of kidney disease.

The study, published last month in the Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology, included 40 people with diabetic nephropathy. Twenty were given one 500mg capsule of turmeric with each meal making a total of three doses per day. The other twenty received a placebo. After two months the blood levels of TGF-beta and IL-8, and urinary levels of IL-8 and protein decreased in those people receiving the turmeric capsules. It was therefore concluded the herb turmeric could be used as an addition to other therapy for those people with diabetic nephropathy.

Turmeric is made from the dried root of a plant called Curcuma longa. It is yellow and its flavor is described as similar to a combination of ginger and pepper. It is used in curries and in many recipes from India, Indonesia, Africa, the Middle East and the West Indies. For centuries it has been known that turmeric exhibits anti-inflammatory activity

You should be cooking with turmeric spice, which provides many active ingredients. Allrecipes.com recommends a recipe for Marrakesh vegetable curry that contains sweet potato, eggplant, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onions, carrots, olive oil, garlic, curry powder, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, garbanzo beans, almonds, zucchini, raisins, orange juice spinach and turmeric. Serve over brown rice for a healthful lunch.

Also from allrecipes comes a recipe for spinach, red lentil and bean curry that also includes tomato puree, yogurt (use the vegan kind), garam masala, turmeric, cumin, chile powder, olive oil, onion, garlic, ginger root, tomatoes and cilantro.

If you want a reputation for cooking really exotic foods, try North African spiced soup from grouprecipes.com. It calls for onion, potato, vegetable stock, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, carrots, celery, tomatoes, saffron, chickpeas, cilantro, lemon juice and pepper.

Homecooking.about.com has a recipe for daylily casserole with vegetable stock, kudzu or arrowroot, miso, garlic, turmeric, mint, tarragon, chili paste, artichokes, daylily shoots or scallions, tofu and walnuts.

Those are only a few examples of what is available on the internet and in cookbooks. Turmeric is not a substitute for regular medical care and the research of it's benefits has only just begun, but turmeric is found in many healthful vegan recipes, so why not try some?

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments

Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.

Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide

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Diet Sodas Cause Weight Gain

2011-09-18T18:01:00.001-07:00

This is the second surprising thing that can make you leaner and get you pointed in the right direction.

Can the Sodas Cause to Weight Gain?

Why you should cut on drinking diet sodas? It's surprising to see how so many people are mislead into believing that diet sodas can help you lose weight.

1 Diet Sodas May Be Hard on the Kidneys

A new study shows that diet sodas can help you keep calories in check, but drinking two or more diet sodas a day may double your risk of declining kidney function.

The recent statistics reveal that about 20 million Americans have some evidence of chronic kidney disease. It's of interest that in the last two decades the diagnosis of kidney disease has doubled.

2 The myth of artificial sweeteners and weight loss

Surprising? Diet sodas actually increase your body fat!

...Controversial? Could be but the fact is you just can't fool your body by aspartame and chemicals. Sorry, but that's the truth.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samuel_Baron

Well-Known Tertiary Medical Centers in Philippine Medical Tourism

2011-09-18T18:00:00.001-07:00

A lot of countries all over the world vie to be the top service provider of medical tourism. Asia, for example, has a number of countries competing for that top spot. Philippine medical tourism integrators know the value of this sector, that's why they work so hard to provide world-class medical services to their foreign customers. The country's major tertiary medical centers are involved in medical tourism and are now providing these medical services to individuals from all over the world.

1. Asian Hospital and Medical Center. Hotel or hospital? People who manage Asian Hospital and Medical Center say it is both because it brings together exceptional healthcare with comforts that are up to par with the best 5-star hotels within the city. Moreover, the medical center is partnered with the major hotels in the area to supply quality accommodation for their patients. The medical center is found in the southern part of Metro Manila, which happens to be easily accessible to and from the airport terminal.

2. Capitol Medical Center. This is found in the northern section of Metro Manila and this hospital is known as one of the best in the country. The physicians working in this hospital concentrate on diverse healthcare fields, including hematology, obstetrics and gynecology, dentistry, and psychiatry. When it comes to medical tourism, Asian hospitals including those based in the northern section of Metro Manila are known to be the best.

3. Makati Medical Center. This is among the well-known tertiary hospitals in the city which is positioned right in the center of the Makati Central Business District. This is one of the Philippine medical tourism service providers that boast of a strategic position.

Makati Medical Center provides standard medical services, and also complicated medical procedures which are not offered by other medical centers within the city. Moreover, it offers top-of-the-line private rooms for those who carry out surgical procedures in this hospital.

4. St. Frances Cabrini. This one is found right at one of the southernmost provinces in Luzon. Although it is found in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, the spot is just a few kilometers away from the south of Metro Manila.

Clients suffering from cancer can come to this hospital for treatment as it features its own cancer institute. Various medical services, including nephrology, endocrinology, geriatrics, and sport medicine, can be found here.

5. The Medical City. This tertiary hospital that provides excellent Philippine medical tourism services is found in the central business district of Pasig City, where many hotels and companies are headquartered. It has its own cancer, cardiovascular, and wellness centers. Patients in search of treatment for cancer, eye conditions, and stroke can visit this hospital for treatment. Moreover, it also has a network of clinics everywhere in the city that folks can visit. This is one of the country's top providers of quality healthcare in this country's medical tourism. Asian hospitals like these combine compassionate care and the most advanced technology to help their patients.

People used to go another country for the reason that want to see famous sites and get a taste of the local lifestyle. Right now, however, tourism is not limited to staying at a hotel, visiting the beach, or eating local food. Medical tourism has changed all that as more countries are providing this service to people who would rather have quality, yet affordable medical treatment in another country.

The author is the owner of a travel agency and knows how medical tourism can help people who need quality healthcare. Visit the best online sources for medical tourism Asia if you want to find out more about this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Agassi_Andrew

What Is A Stem Cell Therapy Medical Tour All About?

2011-09-18T17:59:00.003-07:00

Today's world is the world of the latest technology and advancements. People have advanced a lot in all fields of life. Medical science is one of these fields. There have been many diseases which were fatal for the human race in the past but in today's world all these disease are curable. Some of these diseases include small pox, tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases and further more there is a never ending list of such diseases which were fatal in the past but are now easily being treated. With every passing day, we hear about new concepts given by the doctors and medical scientists for the treatment of diseases. One of the recent concepts is the medical tour.

Let us first see what is stem cell therapy? It is a new concept for the treatment of chronic diseases. It involves extraction of the stem cells in a legal, safe and ethically acceptable way from a newly born after the birth. They are preferred because their cells are too young and have the ability to adapt to all the tissues of the body. They have the ability to replace the damaged tissues within the body without any kind of negative effects.

Medical tour is a term which refers to the visit to other countries for the sake of medical treatment of the people. In case there is a treatment for some disease which is banned in your country then you can visit other countries to get treated. Moreover if you are not satisfied with the medical services in your country then once again you can visit other countries for this purpose. Hence combining two different terms i.e. stem cell therapy and medical tourism, we get a new idea known as stem cell therapy medical tour.

Let us see what types of diseases usually come under the banner of this therapy. There are treatments available for joint replacements, pediatrics, organ transplant e.g. liver and renal, urology, laser vision, neurosurgery, cardiology, dental surgery, stem cell therapy, stem cell treatment, nephrology, cochlear implants etc. These treatments are available with all sorts of medical care along with pick treatments, psychiatry and handicapped caring. They are providing services related to funeral as well. Staff members of these hospitals are very friendly. All these types of destinations are nearby or connected to international airports too.

Such stem cell therapy medical tour provides complete research processes and it arranges tickets to get back to the home place hale and hearty. Facilitators of medical tourism perform all tasks in a very responsible manner. One of the reasons why stem cell therapy has gained popularity is that it does not offer solution for one or two diseases but it has treatment for several illnesses and different medical conditions.

It is all thanks to this new and developed process that people can see amazing things going around them. It includes implantation of wind pipes in weeks prepared in labs, childhood blindness being cured, relief from cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, permanent cure for diabetes etc.

stem cell therapy medical tour
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Poonam_Pandey