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Spinal Decompression Centers

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:14:58 +0000

Spinal decompression centers are places where patients with degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, protruded disks, foraminal stenosis, sciatica, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, lower back pain, and post surgical back pain are treated. Spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment that is painless and free from side effects. Decompression therapy is safe, effective and often affordable.

Before making a diagnosis, the physicians at these centers analyze the patients medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. To decide on the appropriate treatment, several tests including orthopedic and neurological examination are performed on the patient. For making a more accurate diagnosis, imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans may also be advised. The doctor then determines the treatment plan and the number of sessions required for the patient to get relief from the symptoms of dysfunction. When the therapy concludes, the therapists may advise cardiovascular protocols, neuromuscular protocols, diet therapy, and exercises to improve the mobility, strength and to avoid further injury.

During the spinal decompression process, a distraction force is applied to the spine to remove pressure from the compressed discs and nerves. The negative pressure formed at some point in decompression therapy will cause the herniated areas to retract back to the normal disc space, and allow oxygen and blood to flow into the affected areas. This would speed up the healing process. It has been seen that this treatment is effective in treating the pain associated with the bulging or degeneration of discs. Patients who underwent this treatment have been able to return to their normal lifestyle. Spinal decompression centers will have licensed medical practitioners including spinal decompression therapists, chiropractors, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, pain management specialists and neurologists. Most health centers make use of the latest technologies and equipment to provide spinal decompression services. Spinal decompression therapy, when performed safely and with clinical expertise, will highly enhance the treatment results and lead to a more rapid recovery.

Spinal Decompression Centers is a post from: Health

Studies Indicate Black Mold Can Impact your Health: Health Effects and What you Can Do to Lessen Them

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:50:27 +0000

Mold is a fungus growth, which begins with a minute spore. Toxic black molds can be found anywhere a dark and damp environment allows them to grow. Spores can be breathed in, absorbed through the skin or ingested on our food. Young children, senior citizens and anyone with immune deficiencies caused by disease, chemotherapy, etc are particularly vulnerable to grave illness following exposure to microbial contamination.

Laboratory studies in animals and at the cellular level offer supporting data for the direct toxicity of fungal spores and mycotoxins in mammalian lungs (University of Connecticut Health Center Report in 2004). A health study by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health links adult-onset asthma to workplace mold exposure. And in 1997, the Centers for Disease Control announced an apparent link between mold contamination in homes and cases of infant pulmonary hemorrhage.

Other common effects from molds are pneumonitis, upper respiratory problems, sinusitis, dry cough, skin rashes, stomach upset, headaches, disorientation and bloody noses. Severe exposure can lead to internal bleeding, kidney and liver failure and pulmonary emphysema. There are numerous reasons for the rising occurrence of mold and mildew in our homes, one of which is the federal regulations pertaining to energy conservation call for new construction methods and materials, meaning that homes dont breathe as freely as before, trapping moisture vapors inside the building. As a result, mold remediation and prevention have become hot topics in both the health and building industries.

What are we supposed to believe and what should our next move be to defend our families, and ourselves with all the media exposure to toxic mold in the last year or so? First, we must take this threat seriously. If you see mold in your home, get it tested as soon as you can. Get your home tested if you have a family member with an unexplained illness, respiratory irritation, rash, etc that seems to get better when they are away from home.

Controlling Mold Growth and Exposure

The way to control indoor mold growth is to limit dampness, there is no realistic way to get rid of absolutely all mold and spores from the indoor environment

There are air purifiers and cleaners on the market that claim to help lessen quantities of mold spores in the air, do your homework, these might also be of help

Reduce indoor humidity to prevent mold growth by: using air-conditioners and de-humidifiers, and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, cleaning and dishwashing

Clean and dry any wet or damp building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth

Use water and detergent to clean mold off hard surfaces, and dry completely

Do not install carpeting where there is a continuous moisture problem

Remedy as soon as possible, any moisture or leakage problems in your home

Article By Adam OConnor, Keep Your Home Free of Mold

Studies Indicate Black Mold Can Impact your Health: Health Effects and What you Can Do to Lessen Them is a post from: Health

Do You Really Need A College Health Insurance Plan

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:32:34 +0000

When you are finally done with your high school education, there is no doubt that you’ll be enrolling into a college. Many times when a child reaches the age of 20, they are no longer covered by their parents’ insurance and this can lead to a troubling situation if they are not working and just strictly going to college. However, many colleges offer health insurance plans. Whether one of these insurance plans are right for you or not takes a lot of deliberation.
College health insurance benefits are going to vary from campus to campus. Although many people think that they are free, this is not true. While there is usually no charge for an office visit and routine checkups, the student will have to pay for lab work and other specialist type of visits. Benefits will usually pay completely for only types of covered services at the campus health center. In the event that you have to see an outside doctor then the student’s coverage can drop up to 70% and run the risk of being required to pay a high deductible.
If you have a pre-existing condition, then you may have a problem with getting treatment at the college health center. Having a pre-existing illness or disability does not mean that you will be disqualified for obtaining a college health insurance plan, but you may not be able to get treatment for that pre-existing illness. This can lead to a number of problems if a new problem arises and is a product of a pre-existing illness.
All plans are different, so be sure you find out everything you can about your college’s plan. Be sure to check if you or your child will be covered during summer break when students are not taking classes. This is important because you don’t want to have an accident and find out that the insurance becomes inactive when they are not in class. Many colleges have coverage during summer break, but some do not.
Make sure you understand the plan. Is it an HMO, or can the member use any provider they want? This is just as important because you want to know where you can go in the event of an emergency, and there is nothing worse than finding out after the fact that you will be stuck with paying the full amount for a medical bill.
There really is no definitive answer as to whether you should or shouldn’t commit to getting college health insurance. Be sure that you understand your plan fully so that no problems can arise in the event of an emergency. While it is not free insurance, it surely will save you money in the event of an accident or illness.

Do You Really Need A College Health Insurance Plan is a post from: Health

How Canceling Kidscare Could Hurt Az Public Health

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:19:09 +0000

Public health advocates are warning about the consequences of a plan to eliminate funding for Arizona’s KidsCare, the state health program covering 47,000 children of the working poor. Gov. Jan Brewer proposed the move to deal with Arizona’s $5-billion budget deficit. Critics argue uninsured low-income families would then have only two options: take their children to overwhelmed community clinics or to hospital emergency rooms.Among the other programs facing cuts is Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) Administration, Arizona’s Medicaid agency. Tara Plese, director of government and media relations for the Arizona Association of Community Health Care Centers, says that means several clinics around the state may have to close for lack of revenue.”It wouldn’t be in all communities, and it may just be that some of the services that some of these clinics now provide like dentistry or pharmacy, would be the first cut.”If parents have no other health care option for their children except emergency rooms, Plese says everyone who does have insurance will pick up the tab as costs are passed on through higher prices.Like community health centers, emergency rooms are required by federal law to treat everyone regardless of ability to pay. But, she says the costs must still be covered somehow.”With the hospitals, when you get all the uncompensated care coming through your ER, then you are going to have to find some way to make up for that cost, and it’s going to go back on the commercial insurers.”The public’s health will also suffer if thousands of kids, especially six-to-nine year-olds, are left without coverage, she adds.”That’s an age where they’re getting another set of immunizations, they’re more prone to being sick because they’re in school, they’re getting sick, other children are getting sick, and it’s a time when they probably visit doctors with more frequency.”Arizona’s KidsCare program began in 1998, at a time when many employers were either dropping employee health coverage or sharply boosting premiums. State dollars for Kidscare are matched three-to-one by the federal government.

How Canceling Kidscare Could Hurt Az Public Health is a post from: Health

Health Care Management Employs Effective Leaders

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:02:40 +0000

Health care management is important in a growing field focused on medicine with diverse players and places. Health assistance management is devoted to making the best use of these talented professional people and important places. Health management works with a wide array of health professionals including physicians and manages important places including hospitals. There are so many advances in medical science and the research done by medical experts that health management is devoted to the wisest use of the services of these people and places.
Health protection staffing is a growing field that serves an important role in the effective and efficient use of medical resources. Health staffing duties are growing as are the positions that are available. Those interested in a career in health staffing will find that there are numerous opportunities in this field. Those interested in these careers will also find that the work is interesting and rewarding. The people working in health development take a leadership role in working to make sure that the resources available are used properly. They are in charge of making sure that the people in need of health assistance get proper treatment and that they are treated efficiently and effectively in comfortable surroundings.
Health Care Management Employs Efficient Managers
Those people working in health care management will work in hospitals and other medical care facilities. These people will work in clinics and in offices that specialize in health insurance. Others will work in nursing homes and public health centers. Some people will work at university research centers where the personnel work to find better treatments for the population. The workers will serve as hospital managers, research managers and nursing home administrators. The salaries are good because the work is demanding and important.
The dedicated people in medical care services will find numerous jobs as this important field becomes more important all of the time. The workers in this field play an important role in diverse locales. Some of the people work in the offices of successful physicians while others work in large institutions with thousands of patients. These workers make sure that all of the clients in a medical provider establishment get the proper care, and the medical professional does not have to worry about the accounts receivable part of the business. Some of these talented professionals will be intimately involved in a medical institution while others will be far removed from the medical care facilities.

Health Care Management Employs Effective Leaders is a post from: Health

Travel Health and Yellow Fever

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:37:50 +0000

The recent massive increase in business and recreational travel outside of the UK, has led to the need for dedicated Travel Health Centers. This is because a considerable proportion of travelers end up with a Health problem ranging from Diarrhoea to Malaria or Yellow Fever. Most of the Health problems contracted through traveling are preventable through appropriate Travel Health advice, precautionary measures and Vaccinations

Globetrotters Travel Clinics are one stop shops for all of your Travel Health needs. We are dedicated to providing quality Travel Health advice and services, as well as premium Travel Health Products.

With vaccine preventable illnesses accounting for only a small proportion of Health problems whilst abroad, at Globetrotters we give individuals, business travellers and students the advice and information they need to stay healthy both whilst overseas and on their return.

Our Services:

Private, specialist suggestions, personalized to your accurate journey and health wants, whether you are travelling on business or for happiness.

The full range of travel vaccines, at all times in supply. (We keep large supplies of all vaccines, to care for our travellers from the effects of periodic vaccine shortages).

Yellow FeverYellow Fever vaccination – we are an certified centre.

The latest malaria medication and advice: – backed up by a wealth of experience in caring for travellers bounce for the world’s mainly inhospitable spaces.

Up-to-the-minute news and information about malaria, health risks and outbreaks around the world.

Customised medical kits and other recommended health-related products.

Maximum convenience: consultation via prior arrangement.

Call-out team available: ideal for groups, corporate travellers, and families.

All in our own, fully-resourced, multidisciplinary medical centre.

At Globetrotters we offer a personal service provided by experienced travel health nurses, we are accredited yellow fever centers and offer full pre and post travel health screenings as well as all available travel vaccinations.

Author Detail :

This article has been provided courtesy of Global Travel Clinics – http://www.globetrotterstravelclinics.com/ the one stop shop for all of your Travel HealthTravel Health needs.

Travel Health and Yellow Fever is a post from: Health

Free Health Insurance for College Student – is it Essential to Have College Health Insurance?

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:09:56 +0000

Now that you have finally completed your high school education and are now pursuing your dreams by attending college, there are a few things that you need to ponder over other than just worrying about studies. One such thing is the aspect of health insurance. All this while beginning from your childhood till you reached 20 years of age, you were covered under the health insurance of your parents and will no longer be covered under it. This will be a difficulty as you are not working now as you are in college. So, how do you tackle this problem? You need to consider taking up a college health insurance plan. But, make sure to go over the details of the plan to ensure that the plan is best for you.

The benefits provided through college health insurance plans vary from one institute to the other. Although the popular belief is that many wrongly assume that these services are for free. Although consultations and checkup will not be charged in anyway, the individual has to bear expenses like lab tests or consulting a specialist. If services are availed at the health center of the college, the insurance will usually cover the expenses and nothing is paid by the student. But, if a specialist outside the campus is consulted, the coverage goes down and a high deductible is usually necessary.

If the student suffers from any preexisting problems, these are not covered if treated even at the college campus health center. Although treatment can be availed, the expenses need to be borne by the student themselves. It also poses way for fresh trouble as any illness that arises as a complication of the preexisting illness is also not covered by the college health insurance plan.

Since college health insurance plans can vary from one campus to the other, it is best to thoroughly learn about the benefits provided by your college health insurance plan. Check if the insurance plan provides coverage during your holidays when the college is not functioning and classes are not on. This needs to be checked as any mishap or illness during your holidays might not get coverage as your college health insurance may not be active during this period. While some plans provide coverage during this period, others might not.

Also, check about the details provided with the plan. See if the plan belongs to HMO type or you can just visit any physician under the plan? This is important to keep in mind for you to seek proper care in case of any medical emergency because if you have to visit a physician or hospital within a prescribed network you will be in trouble if you visit someone outside the given network.

Although it is debated on both sides about the essentiality of a college student opting for college health insurance, there is no ultimate answer. But, if you are planning on taking up one, it is best to thoroughly understand every benefit and detail about the plan so that you will not be in for a surprise when any emergency arises. While the insurance does not come free of cost, it will definitely be useful in case of any medical expenses due to an unexpected illness or a mishap.

Free Health Insurance for College Student – is it Essential to Have College Health Insurance? is a post from: Health

Health Club Memberships – Good for You

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:23:11 +0000

Giant neon lighted billboards of men showing their abs; women in their skimpiest swim wear proudly displaying their curvaceous bodies; full page newspaper and prime time TV ads extolling the advantages of being fit. The fitness fever is raging!
People want to lose the love handles, the beer bellies and the ego deflating unwanted fat. Various weight loss diets have comeand left, the latest exercise equiment has been raved about but the popularity of fitness clubs is still gaining ground. Membership in a health center is increasing and is is now at an all time high. The American Sports Data projected that by year 2030, the health club membership will steadily rise from 35 million to 70 million.
Flashing a health club membership card seems to be a status symbol. After all fees to become a member, especially to posh health clubs, can be quite expensive. Additionally, it is a sign that the member is aware of the health hazards of not staying physically active. Getting a health club membership card means that the person is aware of the need to exercise and desires to be physically fit to prevent coronary heart diseases, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes as well as various cancers that are commonly associated with being overweight.
Naturally, an exercise regimen can be done at home. Why then do people join health club? First off is the motivation that the environment of the health clubs provides. Exercising alone can be tough. Being surrounded by friends and other people who have the same goal is motivating. Fitness centers are staffed with certified trainers and health card staff who will guide members on the proper techniques of exercising minus the risks of incurring injuries. Personal trainers will custom design programs that will suit a members particular needs. Most health clubs have nutritionists and dieticians who will recommend the correct diet that will speed up the realization of the weight loss goal.
A membership card will give you access to various types of exercise equipment as well as other amenities like saunas and institutional sized swimming pools, tennis courts and running tracks. Since health clubs are well maintained facilities it will always be the right temperature to do the stretching, the weight lifting and all the other exercises needed to lose weight and to tone the muscles.
Health club membership does have several downsides too. For one, membership can be pretty expensive. The location of the fitness club counts a lot too. Chances are membership in a fitness club that is not easily accessible would be wasted money as the member would find excuses not to go. The same thing is true with a fitness club that is too crowded or one that has unfriendly or invisible staff. A new member just starting on a program needs to be guided by professionals. In some cases though, in house trainers have many customers and getting their attention is quite hard.
Health clubs do have pros and cons. It would be up to the prospective member to choose the right club that would suit his needs.

Health Club Memberships Good for You is a post from: Health

Substance Abuse And Addiction Disorder: A True Mental Health Story

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:48:09 +0000

In 2003, “Amylin,” a young mother in rural Tennessee, was very addicted to methamphetamine. After she started manufacturing it at home to maintain her addiction, she lost custody of her children. The loss of her children drove her deeper into despair and more meth use which ended up resulting in a prison sentence and permanent damage to her heart. Because of meth, Amylin ended up losing everything, including her freedom, her children, her job, and her health. However, because of Amylin’s will to change and the work of her area community mental health center to provide evidence-based treatments, everything was not lost forever.After a 2-year prison stay, Amylin was released and entered a local drug court where she was sentenced to a 90-day inpatient treatment program. Following her inpatient treatment she was mandated by the court to continue her treatment in an intensive outpatient program. Amylin was referred to the methamphetamine evidence-based treatment and healing (METH) program at a community mental health center in Tullahoma, TN. Made possible by a federal SAMHSA grant, the METH program provided comprehensive, evidence-based and community-based treatment services for adults who abused meth and other emerging drugs as well as helped increase community awareness and education concerning prevalence, risks and effective treatments through outreach activities. The METH program, following the Matrix Model, gave services to each participant for 16 weeks, includes 3 group sessions a week & individual therapy. It taught participants effective strategies for treating meth addiction and techniques to help them remain drug free after the program was completed.Amylin entered treatment in December of 2006 and, without missing a session, successfully completed the program in early April 2007. A key lesson that Amylin learned was how to recognize her triggers to use methamphetamine. Amylin stated, “This program helped me learn ways to recognize triggers and how to properly deal with them. I know that when I think about using or crave meth I need to talk to someone, ‘play the tape forward’ and think about the consequences of using, or go to meetings.” The METH program helped Amylin realize that she could no longer interact with people using drugs or go to places where drugs were being used: “I know now that I can’t go to ‘those’ places with old friends and the METH Program gave me alternatives to be aware of.”From her first-hand experience Amylin now educates everyone that she meets about the effects of drugs and alcohol. She routinely participates in panel discussions at the community mental health center, telling people new to recovery her powerful story about the consequences of drug use. Through her volunteer work she has made a positive impact not only in her own life, but in the lives of other program participants and the therapists. The strategies she has learned from the program have helped her overcome her addiction and remain drug-free. Because Amylin has changed her lifestyle and now has tools to use to deal with her addiction, she is employed, has regained full custody of her children and has remained drug and alcohol free for 49 months. Additionally, her health has improved because she now takes daily heart medication and routinely sees her cardiologist. This past spring, Amylin successfully completed drug court with no drug court sanctions In August 2008 she completed her entire sentence and is no longer on probation. Amylin’s story is a story of courage and hope, reminding us that recovery is always possible even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Substance Abuse And Addiction Disorder: A True Mental Health Story is a post from: Health

Aunt Marthas Community Center Receives Free Rx Assistance

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:39:05 +0000

ACRX announced the re-release of the American Consultants Rx community service project of where arrangements have been made to donate over 20 million ACRX discount prescription cards throughout the country. One of the main locations in the Danville, IL area that received an initial donation of ACIRX free prescription cards, is Aunt Marthas Community Health Center. Call 217-442-8780 for further information and a free card while supplies last. The ACIRX discount cards are to be given to anyone in need of help in defraying the high cost of prescription drugs.

Due to the rising costs, unstable economics, and the mounting cost of prescriptions, American Consultants Rx Inc. (ACRX) a.k.a (ACIRX) an Atlanta based company was born in 2004. The ACRX discount prescription card program was created and over 3 million discount prescription cards were donated to the community across the country free of charge between 2004-2005.

The ACRX cards will offer discounts of name brand drugs of up to 40% off and up to 60% off of generic drugs. They also possess no eligibility requirements, no forms to fill out, or expiration date as well .One card will take care of a whole family. Also note that the ACRX cards will come to your organization already pre-activated .The cards are good at over 50k stores from Walgreen, Wal mart, Eckerd’s, Kmart, Kroger, Publix, and many more. Any one can use these cards but we are focusing on those who are uninsured, underinsured, or on Medicare.

ACRX made arrangements online for the ACRX card to be available at ACIRX org site where it can be downloaded as well. This arrangement has been made to allow organizations an avenue to continue assisting their clients in the community until they receive their orders of the ACRX cards. We made it possible for future request to be made from online as well. We also developed a unique marketplace at 2spendless com site where you can also click on the ACIRX blue banner and download your free discount prescription card as well as find other key discounts.

With a backorder of over 40 million cards ACRX is working diligently to assist as many people and organizations as possible. ACRX will be working over the next few months to fulfill as many backorders as possible. It should be noted that while many other organizations and companies place a cost on their money saving cards, we do not believe a cost should be applied, just to assist our fellow Americans. ACRX states that it will continue to strive to assist those in need.

Aunt Marthas Community Center Receives Free Rx Assistance is a post from: Health