Health Specialist

Archive for February, 2010

According to The National Pain Foundation, pain accounts for 80 percent of all physician visits, yet sufferers are often shuffled from one health care provider to another without relief.

“Pain patients wrongly believe that pain is something they must accept as part of their lives – that it’s associated with their injury, that it’s part of their disease or that it’s a natural part of growing older,” said Dr. Robert L. Tiso of the New York Pain Center. “What they need to realize is that pain isn’t something they have to accept. They can find relief with proper pain management.”

Pain physicians recommend patients take control of their pain by researching pain and pain management options and by seeking a referral to a pain specialist who knows how to treat pain effectively.

Pain physicians focus on the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of persons in pain. Some pain physicians work with one therapy while others are multidisciplinary and offer a number of different treatments, which range from medication management to advanced therapies like spinal cord stimulation.

Several resources are available to help patients find a pain physician and learn about treatment options.

Once patients have identified a pain physician, they can take several steps to prepare for their visit:

* Check to see that the pain provider is in your insurance network.

* Find out if the pain clinic requires a referral.

* Visit www.paintyourpain .com to create and print a “map” of your pain.

* Gather your medical records for your visit.

“The best advice I have for other pain suffers is to seek specialized help,” said Michelle Revello, a chronic pain sufferer who was treated effectively by a pain management specialist. “We all call in expert help for trivial household inconveniences like a leaky sink. We should all do the same for our bodies.”

Fertility clinics are a boon for individuals who are having trouble in conceiving naturally. These clinics offer a variety of effective infertility treatments to the frustrated couples who have now accepted their infertility problems as their fate.

Among popular treatments, in vitro fertilization has been a popular choice among most partners. In this surgical procedure, the patient’s (woman partner) oocytes are retrieved and combined with a man’s sperm in vitro i.e. in the laboratory. The resulting embryo is retrieved and implanted back in the woman’s uterus. Most infertility clinics have a success rate between 20 to 30 percent. So, before trying for this treatment, always seek expert medical advice from surgeons.

Fertility clinics also offer other treatment methods. One method is the Tubal Embryo Transfer or TET. The procedure involves retrieving the patient’s eggs, fertilizing them in the lab with her partner’s sperm and then transplanting the resulting embryo to her fallopian tubes a couple of days after the fertilization procedure. This treatment option is available in some of the best infertility clinics in many countries. But, the treatment must be selected only by those women patients who did not suffer any tubal damage or any other uterus problems.

If you are also looking for a fertility clinic, you must keep certain criteria in mind.

1) When selecting a fertility clinic, you should check out the success rates of the medical surgeon. This would assure you of a safe surgery.

2) You must check the Infertility clinics for sophisticated medical equipment and up-to-date techniques in use.

3) While there are a wide range of treatments and facilities provided by infertility clinics, seeking the expert advice from a fertility specialist should be considered before selecting the suitable infertility solution.

In the end, whether it is in vitro fertilization or TET, the fertility clinics must have state-of-the-art equipment and expert medical professionals to provide these treatments. They should also have the expertise in diagnosing secondary and unexplained fertility problems. The fertility clinic should also offer expert consultation on primary and secondary infertility problems.

Almost half of the nearly 5 trillion dollars in medical and health care related activities can be accounted for in the US. It is obvious that our country has well trained professionals, outstanding technology and a vast array of medication designed to address health concerns. Yet, why is medical care so costly and problematic for so many individuals to receive?

The Growth of Medical Care

For most of the worlds more developed countries the medical field is one of their largest industries. If you count the money generated by medication sales, diagnostics, nursing homes, hospitals, physicians, and other ancillary activities it is quite easy to see why the medical industry accounts for 10-20% of a country’s gross production.

In the US alone there are nearly 800,000 medical doctors, more than 5000 hospitals and millions of health care workers. One of every dozen US citizens works in health care now and this number is expected to grow. Still there are not enough workers and facilities to handle the 20 million outpatients that are currently being seen every day. This staggering amount of outpatient visits does not include the average daily count of 4 -5 million hospitalized patients.

The vast, complex health care industry in the United States is one that attracts people from around the globe. Switzerland and Germany both have large medical industries, but these countries run their health care differently from the US. Could it be possible that our nation’s health care will soon be undergoing a radical type of change?

Answers are Difficult to Find

Is the answer to the current health care dilemma as simple as nationalizing health care for all? Will this possibility only make the situation worse? How will the medical resources be allocated among the various segments of our society? These are only a few of the questions that are waiting to be answered.

Controversial Topic

Today medical health has become a controversial subject among many groups of citizens. There is talk of overhauling the medical system as we now know it. We are also hearing predictions that the government will try to restructure the nation’s health care system. Although much of this rhetoric has been publicized for a number of years it seems that people are becoming more polarized by the possible changes that are now constantly making headlines.

The Senior Citizens Have their own Concerns

The elderly population in the US is keeping a close eye on what is being proposed because health care and medication issues are of great concern to them.  Medical and insurance coverage for people 65 and older have undergone many changes since the 1980s. Most senior citizens are very vocal about their displeasure with the way Medicare is addressing the problems, and they are also worried about what the future might hold. The costs of health care and medication needs are extremely high for senior citizens as a whole. Every year they are fearful of having their benefits cut even further, and now they have new worries regarding medical care.

Groups at Risk

It has been just a few short weeks since Governor Sara Palin galvanized many citizens with her predictions and comments about “death panels” and nationalized health care. While there were many people who rallied around her statements, the mere possibility of such radical notions began sending shock waves through the nation. This was particularly unnerving to a large percentage of our elderly population. It was also causing concern among advocates for the poor and disabled. Even parents and caretakers of people with physical and mental challenges were becoming alarmed, and feeling threatened.

Future Allocation of Health Care Resources?

Could it be possible that Medical professionals would possibly agree to form commissions that would allocate health care resources to those they deemed most deserving? This thought was both frightening and “Orwellian” in prospect. A careful review showed that there was no written documentation that actually stated such possibilities, but this did not alleviate the fear and worry of many ordinary citizens.  Just the idea that access to hospitalization or medication needs might one day be restricted was enough to generate small scale panic in many communities across the nation.

Problems, Problems, Problems

Medical concerns, health care and affordable medication plans are major sources of worry for everyone today. Insurance coverage is very expensive. There is a growing trend among companies to provide less employee and family benefits in order to cut costs. In some cases this is making it difficult for employees to participate in the insurance plans being offered by their employers. However a growing number of families are too cash strapped to afford health insurance premiums on their own. This is creating a “Catch 22″ type of environment with people unable to afford the cost of becoming sick as well as the cost of being insured.

The Answer is Cooperation

It is hard to know where the main problems are within the health industry. Some people want to find fault with the high paid physicians and medical specialists and others point the finger of blame at hospitals that seem to be pulling in billions of dollars annually, yet are constantly complaining having too little money. Malpractice lawyers, government regulations and insurance companies have also played a part in today’s health care woes. The answer is not going to be easy to find, and every group associated with the medical industry will need to step up to the plate and help out.

A majority of men and women from the ages of 55-74 report they are satisfied with their lives and are currently in good health. While periods of depression may occur among seniors, it is important to remember that it is not a normal part of aging.

Depression is the most common mental health concern for older adults, affecting between 15 to 20 percent of older adults living in the community. It is not a normal part of aging. Symptoms such as decreased energy, poor sleep and preoccupation with health problems should be viewed as possible symptoms of a treatable illness and are NOT a result of the aging process.

Treatment for depression works, yet too many people remain undiagnosed and untreated because they don’t recognize the signs and symptoms of depression.

Mental health specialists generally agree on the following definition of major depression:

Symptoms persist for two weeks or longer People either have depressed moods or seem unable to enjoy life. Major depression should be considered if four of the following seven criteria are present: A change in sleeping habits (more or less than usual) A change in eating habits or weigh Low energy or fatigue Trouble concentrating Feeling worthless or excessively guilty Marked restlessness or slowed-down movements Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression can be defined as an imbalance of brain chemicals triggered by stress and life events, including biological, psychological and social factors.

Depression is NOT a character or personality flaw.

Many of the signs of depression may also indicate other problems or medical conditions – It is important to consult with a doctor to determine if your symptoms indicate depression or another medical condition.

Depression is often difficult to recognize among the senior population and it tends to be under diagnosed. Living with depression not only prevents older adult from fully enjoying their lives but it puts a strain upon their health, which can lead to other medical concerns. It is also very difficult for their caregivers and places a strain on their health as well.

What we do know is that there is no one cause for depression- every individual is unique in what may cause their depression, and what may trigger a depressive episode. Some possible causes and risk factors include genetics and family history, brain chemistry, personality, major illness, medications & alcohol, and life events. Risk factors for serious depression, particularly in older adults, may include loss and bereavement, lack of social support, isolation, living in poverty, being a caregiver, and abuse.

Having depression could also increase the risk of suicide among older adults, particularly in older males. According to the CDC, seniors account for more than 16% of all suicide deaths. Older adults who are over the age of 60 are far more likely to have a higher risk rate of suicide than younger people. If you feel that a friend or a loved one is suicidal, encourage them to seek out help either from a doctor, friend, crisis centre or, mental health agency.

Some things to keep in mind:

Keep a positive attitude. Remember that slowing down does not mean you have to come to a complete stop. Chances are you will still be able to do almost all the things you used to; you may just need to take a little more time and learn to pace yourself. See your family doctor regularly. He/she can, then, deal with any changes or symptoms that require medical attention. Be careful about your medications. As you get older, they may begin to interact differently with other drugs and to affect you differently than before. Make sure your doctor knows about all your medications, even those prescribed by another doctor. Take responsibility for your own health. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor questions; some do not offer explanations unless asked.

Depression is a serious disorder that is treatable. In addition, dealing with an individual who is suffering from depression or at risk of suicide can be absolutely overwhelming for a caregiver. Although the caregiver is providing care and assistance to their loved ones they must also look after their own emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

While all of us may feel sad from time to time, sadness is not depression and it is important to remember that depression is not a normal part of aging.

About eldercaring.ca

Elder Caring Inc. http://www.eldercaring.ca is a group of experts with backgrounds in Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Gerontology. As working professionals in the field, all of our team members have many years of experience in working with the disabled, the elderly, and their families. The company has team members and representatives across Canada.

While the title Doctor holds a particular image within our language, there are actually over sixty different specialties in the field of medicine that can hold that designation.
The most familiar image of a doctor is the family general practitioner. He is the health care provider that will know the most about you as he is the first line of defense against the ailments and diseases that may assault your well being. The general practitioner in many ways must be more highly trained and educated than many of his counterparts, as he must be able to recognize a much wider range of problems. It is the general practitioner’s job to treat the routine problems that his patients suffer from and to be able to direct them to the best specialists for more intensive care of critical ailments.
On a par with the general practitioner, the emergency medical doctor must be familiar with all the fields of medicine as well as trauma pathology. When seconds count in the treatment of accident injuries, the trauma doctor must be able to identify unrelated conditions that may require modifications in the emergency treatment a patient may require. It is because the student doctor needs to learn first-hand how many medical disciplines are interrelated that much of their residency time is spent aiding trauma doctors in emergency rooms.
The surgeon is required to have an intimate and comprehensive knowledge of the internal operation of the human body. This exacting field of medical practice is designed to physically fix a problem and repair damaged areas. Surgery requires even more study time than general medicine as it also requires knowledge of the interconnectivity of every body process that could be affected by physical intrusion into the flesh. While the anesthesiologist is the doctor that directly oversees the medication that relieves pain and keeps a patient alive during surgery, the surgeon must also be aware of the process and its affect on his patient.
Some doctors specialize in the creation of life and will dedicate themselves to learning the arts of obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics. These doctors make special study of how children are formed, how to help them come safely and healthily into the world and keep them well as they grow from infancy to maturity. They are specially trained to understand the diseases and ailments that can affect not only the mothers but obtain a full knowledge of diseases that directly attack the young.
Doctors of psychology and psychiatry specialize in the subtle but occasionally debilitating problems that occur in the mind of their patients. While the psychologist is trained more in how though processes can affect health, the psychiatrist must study body processes in relation to how chemical treatments work as their special field uses drugs and other physical treatments to affect a cure.
Once a doctor’s general training is done, many continue on with training for specific parts of the body. An ophthalmologist for example, will learn all there is to know about the eyes and its specific characteristics and illnesses. A pathologist or radiologist will learn the techniques and machines used to investigate and identify the underlying sources of illness and sometimes even discover a medical problem before it has had the chance to cause major damage to an individual.
Whatever specialty a doctor works in, knowledge of the whole body is essential as the physical self is an integrated unit. No doctor stands alone in his field but relies on knowledge of all the varieties of medicine in order to give the best possible treatment to those in need.-