Wednesday, July 31, 2013

What To Expect From A Physiotherapist

Physiotherapy is a process used in treating a variety of physical problems, such as pain in the neck, back or extremities, limitations caused by certain neurological conditions and various limitations following surgery. Many of these conditions are caused by joint misalignment and muscle weakness, imbalance or tightness, especially as we grow older.

What physiotherapy can do for you

In most cases, this kind of treatment is designed to begin by reducing the patients' pain and swelling. After that, the goal is to increase their flexibility, strength and endurance, based on their physical condition, which will enable them to perform their normal daily activities and tasks. Following treatment, you may experience slight swelling or soreness, and you should mention this to your physiotherapist, who will make necessary adjustments in future sessions. In addition, since this process is ongoing, the risk of any injury or problem resulting from having physiotherapy is virtually nonexistent.

What you can expect

To start, your therapist will complete a physical examination and review your medical history. Based on your symptoms or diagnosis, they will probably want to evaluate your strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, posture, respiration and heart rate. They may also want to observe how you rise from a prone position and the way in which you walk, as well as how you position yourself when performing certain activities. At that point, your physiotherapist will help you to determine the goals for your treatment and begin planning for it.

Note that your treatment sessions will vary, based on the progress you are making and the symptoms you exhibit. Generally speaking, each session consists of a warm-up period, followed by exercises to strengthen or stretch the area being treated, based on the patient's needs. When the situation calls for it, therapists also perform manual therapy, such as working on the body's soft tissue, mobilizing or stretching the joints, and using electrical stimulation and mechanical traction to control the patient's pain.

Your physiotherapist will also determine if you need any special equipment, including crutches, splints or special footwear, as part of your treatment. If equipment is called for, they can either tell you how to obtain it or order it for you.

Note that along with the specialized treatment you will receive, your therapist will probably make some recommendation regarding your general health, such as maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) or exercising regularly to the extent that you can. These professionals often take a holistic approach to dealing with medical problems, along with providing treatment for a patient's specific illness or injury.

Learning what you should do

It is also likely that education will be an essential part of your treatment. For example, your therapist may provide instruction regarding correct body mechanics, using special equipment when that is required, and following an exercise program at home to hasten your recovery. They will also check periodically to see how well you are developing the skills you need to accomplish the goals of your treatment.

Monday, July 29, 2013

How Prosthetics Can Change Your Life

Prosthetics are devices that are designed to replace a missing body part with an artificial one. The body part is replaced through amputation surgery. The surgery itself affects people differently depending on their age, activity level and the actual reason for the surgery. For many people who get an amputation, they cannot help but wonder how they will live the rest of their life with an artificial body part. For people who have suffered from infection of the limbs, they often come to the conclusion that an artificial body part is a better option than trying to treat the infection and feel more pain in the process. After months go by, the decision to amputate can represent a return to a better quality of life. While it is natural for a person to feel inferior about their body, once they realize that prosthetics can lead to a fulfilling lifestyle, those fears tend to diminish.

If you are considering a prosthesis, you should set some realistic goals about how you want to live your life after the surgery and be willing to modify them accordingly. If you're an active person who enjoys running a biking, it is certainly realistic to return to these activities with a prosthesis, but there needs to be an adjustment period. You'll find that the device will give you solid mobility and comfort, but you may need to modify how you live your active life. If you're willing to adapt to life's new challenges, you'll do well with any kind of prosthetics.

The good news is that you can be fitted around a week after the amputation for a prosthesis. During the adjustment period, you'll have to learn how to balance yourself with the new device. If you were a person with high level of activity prior to the surgery, you may find that adjusting to the device is a little easier. However, if that is not the case, see if you have family members who are willing to help. Ask them to make the effort to attend appointments with you and understand how the device is placed on and off the body. If they bring an optimistic attitude to the experience, it can go a long way to adjusting to the new challenge while understanding that you can still have a wonderful, fulfilling life.

Remember, just because you have needed to have a limb replaced, there is no reason to feel inferior. It is possible to return to the normal function of moving around, and once the person sees first hand that it can be done, the fear evaporates. Soon, you can return to your work and leisure environments and succeed just like before. Over time, the prosthesis will begin to feel normal and the period of acceptance begins. Just knowing that you can maintain such a high quality of life with the device will eliminate any hint of feeling inferior to everyone else. The opportunity to live a regular life exists with prosthetics, so don't hesitate to take the next step.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Getting Healthy - Exercises and Diets You Need

More than anything else, your health is what you need most, or so people say. I'd say that's true as well. If you aren't healthy, your life will most likely be miserable. In an environment such as the one we live in today, it's getting increasingly difficult to get and remain healthy. There are bad foods, bad lifestyles all around you no matter where you look. How can you be healthy in such a case?

It starts with your approach. You have to practice a lot of discipline and control if you want to avoid fast food. Fast food - as unhealthy as it is - is available everywhere and that contributes to its popularity. Since your diet is very important, it is imperative that you pay attention to it. Unfortunately, many don't.

You may look into getting some help from a dietician too, especially for some guidance as to what to eat and when. You can find a number of plans on the web to help you out too. Of course, they aren't going to help you do anything - if you need some diet ideas though, they can be great. Unless it's absolutely severe, I won't really go for a dietician but if it is, I won't hesitate either. It might be expensive but spending on your health is absolutely worth it.

Other than your diet, you need to exercise regularly too. That, too, is very rare and thus, most people you see around are unfit in one way or the other. Being active and exercising every day - or even every other day - will help you keep your body in shape. Exercises coupled with good diets are the best way to get healthy.

Being healthy from the outside doesn't matter as much as being mentally healthy does. More often than not, it means an organized life - one that isn't chaotic. Meditation can also help. Meditation, it is believed, can be really helpful. There is scientific backing, too. Getting plenty of sleep and drinking ample water is also important. The smallest things, those that you won't even think of, matter more than anything.

It might be a herculean task for you but not impossible. You will need to do more than just diets and exercises. You need to be very patient and persistent. Being healthy won't be easy. You need to be persistent, as I said, and can't cut corners.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Wearing Support Stockings After Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery is an invasive procedure that involves removing the damaged joint and inserting an artificial knee joint in its place. Afterwards, most patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery are told by their doctors to wear compression stockings. Compression garments are meant to improve blood flow in the part of the body where they're worn. When it comes to knee replacement surgery, thigh-high support stockings are worn daily during recovery to assist in improved circulation.

Purpose
After knee replacement surgery, patients must stay off their feet for a few days, although foot, ankle and leg motion exercises are recommended to assist in stimulating blood flow. The compression stockings are used to improve blood circulation and minimize the risks of blood clots. They also help to keep swelling down. The patient's orthopedist or surgeon can recommend the proper size and type of support socks, including how long and how often they should be worn. Incisions may run about six inches to a foot long and will be sutured or stapled shut. The patient wears a dressing over the wound until it heals. The compression stockings can be worn over the wound dressing.

Duration
Recovery from knee replacement surgery lasts several weeks to several months. Within a few days of surgery, patients will learn from a physical therapist how to move their new joint and begin a program for standing and walking. Most patients are released from the hospital once they are able to get in and out of bed and walk with the assistance of crutches. The stockings should be worn for longer periods of time in the beginning, with the patient following the doctor's recommendations on how long to take them off and when to keep them on. After a time, they will only be worn during the daytime, and eventually may not be needed, depending on the individual.

Style
Support Stockings after knee replacement surgery typically pull up to the thigh. There are support knee-highs and waist-high styles also available, but due to the location of the surgical site, the blood flow is not normal at the knee and must be stimulated.

Changes in Time
The early days of compression hosiery began with thick white stockings with bold seams running down the back of the legs. They were often toeless, made of a rubber blend and smelled funny. Today's compression stockings come in white, beige and black. The seams and toes are optional and the material is more likely made of a nylon blend. While some brands still use rubber components, it is more likely a small percentage of silicone rubber in a weave with nylon and other stretchy fabrics. While some patients find their feet smell funny, it is often when they are cooped up in shoes or slippers that don't breathe. Lotion on the feet or powder in the shoes will help to alleviate foot odor.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Improving Digestion Naturally: A Look at Probiotics

Admittedly, the term probiotics doesn't seem all that appealing; it sounds dangerously close to "antibiotics," a type of medication that brings to mind particularly nasty illnesses, such as pneumonia and sinus infections. Not to mention that antibiotics carry along a wide range of unpleasant side effects; users have been known to experience everything from dizziness to rashes to diarrhea. Despite this unfortunate association, research indicates that probiotics can be very beneficial to your digestive system, and can even negate some of the unintended consequences of antibiotics.

The Purpose of Probiotics

First, a little bit of background information on probiotics. Like many words in the English language, "probiotics" can trace its routes to the cradle of Western Civilization - ancient Greece. The prefix "pro" stands for "promoting," whereas the "biotics" part translates into "life."

From this point on, the exact definition of probiotics gets a bit murky, with different organizations offering up their own take on the subject. For clarity's sake, we'll go with the description provided by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, which defines probiotics as follows:

"[probiotics are] live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host."

You read that right; probiotics are living, microscopic things. Not only that, but they are also a type of bacteria to boot. Your body is no stranger to bacteria - it's hard to see how it could be, given that there are several pounds worth of bacteria floating around in your skin, nose and intestines.

But wait a minute - aren't bacteria bad? Don't they cause a seemingly endless number of diseases, some of which are life-threatening? If there's so much bacteria swimming inside our bodies, shouldn't we all be struggling just to stay alive?

This situation actually makes sense when you realize that not all bacteria are inherently bad; to the contrary, our body needs a certain amount of bacteria to function properly. This "friendly" type of bacteria play a prominent role in our digestive system, as it breaks down food into smaller pieces, allowing the body to extract valuable nutrients from its meals. In addition to aiding the body's digestive process, friendly bacteria also attack and destroy harmful forms of bacteria.

For the most part, probiotics are a type of healthy bacteria. Like other friendly bacteria inside the gut, probiotics are tasked with purging various enemies from the digestive tract and utilizing passing food. As you can imagine, an insufficient amount of probiotic bacteria leads to a number of health complications. When this scenario does occur, both the body's digestive tract and its immune system become vulnerable to allergic reactions, autoimmune disorders and infections.

Probiotics Under the Microscope

In recent years, a niche market for probiotic supplements has emerged, with several products claiming to boost probiotic bacteria in the body. Not to be outdone, a number of foods have been heavily marketed based on their probiotic properties. Given that most people know very little about probiotics, it's understandable that some consumers might wonder about the effectiveness of such products.

Medical researchers have pondered this very question, and have conducted numerous studies to determine if probiotics live up to their billing. A large compilation of probiotics studies were examined by Yale University faculty in 2011. After reviewing the complete body of research, the Ivy League experts concluded that probiotics could be useful in treating the following conditions:

  • Childhood diarrhea
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis, an infection that causes inflammation of the intestines. This condition occurs mostly in infants
  • Preventing diarrhea and infectious diarrhea caused by antibiotics
  • Preventing pouchitis, a type of intestinal inflammation that can develop after intestinal surgery
  • Eczema (a type of skin disorder that leads to rashes, dry skin and blisters) caused by an allergic reaction to cow's milk
  • Strengthening the immune system

The Yale team added that probiotics might also prove effecting against the conditions listed below, though they cautioned that more researched is needed to confirm these benefits:

  • Certain symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
  • Vaginitis
  • Diarrhea caused by C. difficile bacteria
  • Crohn's disease

Adding Probiotics to Your Diet

Given that the value of probiotics has been extolled by numerous studies, it would likely prove beneficial to work them into your daily diet. As mentioned above, there are several probiotic supplements available to consumers at popular drug store chains. Shoppers looking for probiotics in foods and beverages also have many options:

Yogurt - By far the most well-known food source of probiotics is yogurt. This diary product contains lactobacillus or bifidobacteria, two types of good bacteria that can starve off diarrhea, gas, bloating and cramping (don't feel bad if you struggle pronouncing these bacteria; together, their names add up to thirteen syllables!)

Sourdough Bread - The next time you go shopping, you might to consider picking up some sourdough bread. Sourdough bread features lactobacilli, which has been linked to smoother digestive patterns.

Sauerkraut - You've probably heard of sauerkraut, though you might not know what it actually is. This German dish consists solely of shredded cabbage and salt; both ingredients are placed into a jar, and the salt facilitates the formation of bacteria. In turn, these bacteria produce acid, giving sauerkraut its distinctive tangy taste.

In its unpasteurized form, sauerkraut contains three notable probiotics - leuconostoc, pediococcus, and lactobacillus. If you have concerns about eating sauerkraut which has not been pasteurized, bring the issue up with your doctor.

Bananas - Another food with a tongue-twisting type of probiotic are bananas. In this case, the helpful bacteria are called fructooligosaccharide. Fructooligosaccharide, which spurs the formation of healthy bacteria while allowing the body to absorb greater amounts of calcium.

Other Foods With Probiotics:

  • Kefir
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Pickles
  • Hummus
  • Cottage Cheese

Thursday, July 25, 2013

How to Seek Pectoral Augmentation Doctors

Finding pectoral augmentation doctors is probably a little more difficult that finding those who do breast implants for women. They are similar in nature, but it is important to find a doctor that does this specific work if that is what you want to have done. It will take some research, but you should be able to find what you are seeking.

If you have a flat chest with larger arm muscles, you might be frustrated. Not everyone can build their pecs as they would like. If you have been lifting for a while, and you just cannot seem to build this area, then you might want to look into pectoral augmentation doctors.

You will want to consider a few practitioners to make sure that you are getting the service that you desire. Some things to consider before choosing one are his or her specific experience at this procedure, reputation, customer service and affordability.

Specific experience is an essential qualification to consider before hiring pectoral augmentation doctors. You do not want to hire someone who has only worked with women, because that is a different procedure. Those with experience exclusively in facelifts will not help either. Specific experience is a necessity.

Before choosing among the various practitioners in this field, you should make sure that you find one that has a good reputation. Reputation is very important because it tells you what other people's experiences have been. Something that is not exactly reputation but goes along with it is looking at before and after photos. Doing so will help you to see what other people have encountered with this procedure.

Customer service is something else that should be considered. You can probably have free consultations at the offices of various pectoral augmentation doctors. When you arrive, you will likely speak with a receptionist. She should be cordial. The waiting area and restroom should be clean, and if you must wait for a while, then they should at least offer a television in the waiting area with something more than paid broadcasting. Ideally, they would also have wireless internet.

Affordability is something that you probably put to the back of your mind as you are thinking about having a procedure done. It is something to consider, because this procedure will not be covered by insurance. Make sure that you talk to the pectoral augmentation doctors about how much monthly payments are, so that you will know what you will be able to afford.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

What Are the Signs of a Heart Attack?

Myocardial Infarction Symptoms

Acute myocardial infarction is a common condition of the heart. This health condition is commonly called a heart attack. During a heart attack, blood supply is interrupted by plaque blockages inside the organ. This causes an oxygen shortage in the body that can lead to death. There are several signs of an impending cardiac arrest. The symptoms may occur suddenly for some patients. However, many patients begin having signs hours or days before the attack begins. Understanding the various signs is vital to provide immediate treatment. Men and women may experience anxiety, sweating, palpitations, vomiting, fatigue, indigestion and difficulties breathing. Individuals may have pain in the neck, left arm or chest. A large percentage of heart attack victims have no signs or symptoms.

Smoking and Obesity

Obesity and smoking are two major risk factors that lead to cardiac arrest. Victims of heart attack often never exercise, and consume high fat foods. The fats contained in many fast-foods and processed ingredients stick to the artery walls in the form of plaque. This is the plaque that breaks away causing the blockage of blood flow. Exercise assists in decreasing body weight while lowering cholesterol levels. Individuals who consume a diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean meats are thinner. Exercising three times a week for less than an hour can also help maintain a normal body weight. Smoking and secondhand smoke are also indicated as a risk factor for having a myocardial infarction.

Additional Risk Factors

As an individual grows older, they are more likely to experience a cardiac arrest. High blood pressure is common in individuals who have cardiac arrest. High blood pressure or hypertension makes the heart work harder to circulate blood throughout the body. Individuals with hypertension often have morning headaches, tinnitus, blurred vision and vertigo. A patient may also have other health conditions such as thyroid or kidney disease that cause hypertension. Controlling high blood pressure with medication, exercise and diet can reduce the risks of cardiac arrest. Both forms of diabetes mellitus can also increase the chances of having a cardiac arrest. Patients must monitor glucose levels while eating a proper diet and exercising. Additional risk factors for having a heart attack include the use of oral contraceptives, air pollution and alcohol abuse.

Imperative Emergency Procedures

A physician in an emergency room will immediately examine an individual who is displaying heart attack symptoms. Calling an emergency phone number for the assistance of emergency medical technicians is imperative. Do not attempt to drive to the hospital. Most individuals assume that a cardiac arrest causes pain in the chest. This symptom does not occur in all patients. Every second matters during a heart attack. Women often have different symptoms with a heart attack. A woman may think the symptoms indicate influenza or a virus. More men survive heart attacks because they seek emergency medical treatment immediately. An individual having a heart attack can also chew an aspirin while waiting for an ambulance.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Lifestyle Changes That Can Help You Live Better

Are you somebody who is constantly worried about things? Are you not enjoying life lately? Do you want to live your life to the fullest? Do the above questions sound familiar? If the answer to that question is yes, then don't be surprised to note that you are not the only one who is pondering on those questions.

Since we are living in a fast paced world today, we are all hunting for ways to make our lives better. We seem to be trying to find out better methods to make full use of our lives. When you see your neighbor or friend driving a high end car or living in a luxurious house, you too wished that you drove a high end car or owned a luxurious house.

Don't you get that feeling deep down inside? Well, it is completely normal to feel that way because it shows your desire to excel in life. But, what you don't realize is that you become blinded with your desire to such a huge extend that you fail to live in your present.

You tend to start living in the future, forgoing your present. What you need at the moment is to make a few lifestyle changes so that you don't ruin your present life by living in the future that of course doesn't exist at the moment.

Here are few simple lifestyle changes that can immensely help you live your life in a better way.

Start reading

Those of you, who don't have the habit of reading books, would want to start reading from today. If you are someone who has plenty of time in hand would want to spend time reading magazines or motivational books. If you notice, your friends or neighbors regularly subscribe to magazines or books on a monthly or weekly basis.

They do that because they like getting occupied doing something useful. Reading books not only helps you improve your knowledge on something, but it brings new ideas. Those of you, who are recuperating from an illness or who are retired would very much benefit from reading books.

If you have a computer with internet connection at home, then you can download free e-books and read them too.

Do regular exercise

The best part about exercising is not that it keeps your body healthy, but it helps you overcome depression. Yes, having a healthy body is vital for everyone, but at the same time, it is crucial that you are mentally free from your worries and tensions. Exercising can help you achieve that.

Not to mention the fact that regular exercising can help prevent diseases like heart ailments, diabetes and arthritis from occurring.

Cut out negative people in your life

If you are lately experiencing some difficulties in life like loss of someone close, lack of money or having health problems, then it would be best for you to cut out negative people from your life once for all. As it is, you are unhappy with your current situation and that last thing that you need is someone pulling you further down.

While it is quite hard to always remain cheerful, you can easily let go of people who are affecting your life in a negative manner. Instead you would want to remain close to people who encourage you. This point got to be on the top of your New Year resolution list this year.

As you can see, it is not that hard to make few simple lifestyle changes. You just need some determination and motivation to change your old lifestyle habits with new ones. Remember to stop living in the future and enjoy your present. There is no point pondering on what is going to come.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Finding a Salon That Will Help You Get the Look That You Want

Having a good hair stylist is important to many men and women. There is wide range of stylists out there, so it is important, as you are searching, that you find one that will be willing to give you what you want in a hair style. A salon that will do this needs to also be clean, have a good atmosphere, and be affordable to you.

Hair stylists would likely admit that in some ways they are artists. This being the case, you as the one getting your hair done are about to be their art project. This is a big deal. Although every artist is not possessive of his or her piece of art, this can be the case. This can be good, or it can be bad. If you have a possessive stylist you can run into a few problems. He or she may do what they want to do and not listen to what you want. This is a definite negative that should cause you to look elsewhere. Another aspect of this might come up if you ever need to get your hair done elsewhere because of something unforeseen. If your hair stylist treats you poorly and is jealous after this instance, then this is another reason to look elsewhere for a stylist. Find a stylist that takes his or her art seriously, does the style you want, and is willing to accept it when you need to make an appointment with someone else once in a while.

A clean salon is another consideration. It is important to find one that cleans up between clients. You do not want to walk through someone else's hair and have someone else's hair stuck all over your pants. You also will not want their germs. During the flu season, germs spread quickly. The stylist you use should sanitize the chair, dryer chair, and washing chair between clients. He or she should also never come to work sick. Many clients at salons are elderly and could die from getting the flu.

The atmosphere of the salon you choose is also something to consider. Some might have a spa-like atmosphere, while others might be more like a barbershop. It will really depend on your preference what you will like. Whatever it is that you like however, look for that in the one that you choose.

You should also look for a salon that is affordable. Some might charge exorbitant prices because of the location, and this is to be expected. If you cannot afford that, then you might have to drive to a neighboring town. Just make sure that you find one that you can afford well enough to leave a decent tip.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

My Doctor Says I Have AMD - What's That? And Is It Dangerous?

In previous articles we have talked about AMD - Age Related Macular Degeneration.

It would now be a good idea, I think, to investigate the causes.

  • Why do people get AMD?
  • Are there any common factors to take into consideration?
  • "What chances do I have of contracting AMD?"

So let's examine that together shall we?

Here are some of the common factors:

Family history

Without doubt, as in my own case, this is something that can be inherited through the DNA. So if you know of someone else in your family who have had problems with age related macular degeneration then it would pay you to make an early visit to the doctor for a diagnosis, and to do so on a regular basis for checkups.

Age

As this is called "age related" macular degeneration it's pretty obvious that age is a major contributory factor.

Some statistics indicate that in your 50s there is possibly a 2% chance of having AMD but by the age of 75 this is nearly 30%. So make sure that in your annual checkup you include or ask for eye tests, mentioning that you have a relative who has had AMD.

Race

For some unknown reason AMD is more frequent in blue-eyed Caucasians than any other race.

Smoking

Without doubt smoking can be a contributory factor to AMD. Research has shown that if you are a smoker you have 2 to 3 times as much chance of contracting AMD as a non-smoker. And the more you smoke the quicker it takes effect!

Food

As with many other diseases, nutrition, or lack of it, can have a very powerful effect on your likelihood of suffering from this.

A diet high in cholesterol is a recipe for disaster in anyone's book and if you have a proclivity to macular degeneration this will certainly accentuate it.

Lack of exercise

Inactivity and the associated obesity will heighten the progression of macular degeneration if you should contract it.

Ultraviolet light

Recent research has suggested that exposure to sunlight and in particular ultraviolet light can make one more sensitive to the onset of AMD.

Please note that research into these areas mentioned above is not complete and although I'm expressing the general view of many experts in the area I cannot with any certainty vouch for 100% accuracy and would not want you to get overly worried if any of the above factors apply to you..

I can only stress over and over and over again that if you are in a risk group you should have regular eye checkups.

So much for the causes.

What can we do to alleviate the onset and the progression of AMD?

We will leave that to another article.

Friday, July 19, 2013

12 Muscle Building, Fitness and Diet Myths

MYTH 1 >>Weight Training Turns Women Into Men.

TRUTH: This myth is particularly common because women worry that lifting weights will bulk them up If you were to look at 1 pound of fat, and 1 pound of muscle side by side, you would notice how much smaller the muscle is even though it's the same weight.

Which blows another myth out of the water, muscle is heavier than fat 1lb of muscle will always weigh the same as 1lb of fat.

Meaning, the more muscle you have on your body, the less space you will take up.

Women can not bulk up using heavy weights. Ladies have too much estrogen in their hormone makeup. Yes, heavier weights build muscle and strength, but most women aren't lifting anything so heavy that we are at risk of looking like the Incredible Hulk. Plus, muscle is the secret to a revved up metabolism, as it burns more calories than more fat, even when you're sitting on the sofa or at your desk.

So the trend for women to lift lower weights and do higher reps then men is irresponsible information. Without chemical assistance, women cannot achieve extraordinary muscle growth. Because women's testosterone is lower, they likely won't be able to lift as much weight as men, but the typical three-pound lady dumbbells won't work because the resistance is too low to create change in the muscle.

If women aren't supposed to have muscles, why have them? The definition of "manly" differs from one individual to another, but we all have a different body structure. Some women have more feminine lines, others more androgynous. Wide hip bones and narrow shoulders are typical female shapes, but that doesn't mean an athletic woman is less feminine. Our society forms our ideals; you choose what you find attractive.

What makes athletic women bulky is more-than-average muscle mass combined with "excess" body fat. If you couple weight training with a smart diet, you'll be much smaller than you'd expect.

Bottom line, strength training will help you lose weight faster and keep it off in the long run. If you also do cardio, it'll help you retain muscle as you drop fat, as well as prevent your metabolism from slowing.

MYTH 2>>I can spot-reduce my problem areas

TRUTH: Spot-reduction is not possible unless you go for surgery. Without it, your body will draw fat from different regions at different rates depending on your genetic makeup. Instead of focusing on one area, spend your time doing full-body workouts that blast calories.

This is the same for six packs or flat belly.

You can do crunches till you pass out, and you still might not get a six-pack. Save yourself the wasted time and probable back pain -- the best way to get a six-pack involves making better dietary choices and doing high-intensity interval training.

Everybody is born with abdominal muscles. You just need to lose fat to make them stand out.

MYTH 3>>Carbs are the Enemy

TRUTH: The only way to lose the right amount of weight is by adopting a balanced diet that supports your goal, training with weights, and doing some cardio. Your program should include all of these aspects long enough to see a difference.

Diet, weights, and cardio-the holy trinity of fitness!

If you want to gain muscle, you're going to need carbs. If you take them out completely, you'll burn more body fat during training perhaps, but you can't keep it up for long. Carbs are fuel for intense workouts, fats are not.

The macronutrients needed for a well rounded nutritional program are carbs, protein and fat. All three of these are necessary and have important functions within the body. I am not going to go into complete detail here as a complete breakdown of macronutrients and their function is extremely lengthy and would be better suited in an article on nutrition which I will write at another time.

The best way to phrase this myth would be - Which carbs are you eating and when?" Whole grains, legumes, vegetables and minimally processed grains are all good examples of the carbs that you can eat frequently

MYTH 4>>Running Is the Only Way to Lose Weight

TRUTH: Your fitness success depends upon your goal. If you want to be able to run 10 miles without breaking a sweat, then yes, you'll have to run.

If your goal is fat loss or muscle gain, the most effective way to lose weight is to include both cardio and weights in your routine.

Weight training is what keeps us upright, aligned and strong. Raising the arches of our feet, strengthening our pelvic floor, and keeping our head from falling forward are the ultimate goals in preventing our bodies from collapsing as we age. Weight training strengthens tendons and ligaments as well as creates good bone density. While cardio can help with bone density and is an essential part of keeping your heart strong, it doesn't keep your body in alignment and strengthen your key postural muscles. Keep the balance and be sure weight training and cardio are in your repertoire.

MYTH 5>>The best time to exercise is early in the morning.

TRUTH: Unless you are a professional athlete training two to three times a day, then there is no one best time to exercise.

The best time is the time that appeals to you and fits into your schedule.

Listening to your body and knowing when you perform the best will help you decide if, in fact, mornings, afternoons or evening workouts are your time of power. Energy and attitude are keys in having great workouts. So learn your body clock, and try to hit the gym when you feel the strongest.

MYTH 6>>No pain, no gain.

TRUTH: A sign of a good workout is results, not soreness. Some localized muscular soreness that dissipates over a couple days can indicate that you worked hard. To increase muscle and develop endurance you may need to experience a slight level

of discomfort, but that's not pain. "No pain, no gain" is no good when it comes to developing a lifelong fitness plan.

Soreness is inflammation and the chemical response to inflammation. The only yardstick by which you need to measure progress is that of your goal. Judge your workout by what happens during that workout.

MYTH 7>>The best way to lose weight is to drastically cut calories

TRUTH: Our bodies are smarter than we think,When we eat too little, our body believes that it's starving so our metabolism slows down and holds onto fat as a potential energy source.

When some people try diets more than 90 percent of all people who lose weight by dieting gain it back.

Dieting for a quick fix is different from changing your eating habits

Eating healthy means developing a new mind set. The real trick to losing weight is a lifelong pattern of moderate exercise.

MYTH 8>>If you want to lose fat, avoid fat

TRUTH: Fats are necessary to maintain healthy hormone levels and make use of vitamins. Without it, you'll create a terrible environment for muscle growth. Fats also help you regulate your appetite. A carb-and-protein-only diet can make any fat-loss or muscle-build goal almost impossible to reach.

Healthy fats, such as Avocados, nuts, peanut butter, olive oil are "clean" and can help you lose weight are an important part of your diet, but having even a 100 percent clean diet doesn't mean you'll lose weight. You can be overweight and eat nothing but "clean" food.

MYTH 9>>You Can Eat What You Want If You Train Hard

TRUTH:You can't out train a bad diet.To burn fat, you need to expend more calories than your body uses. You can't hope to sit around and eat hamburgers all day and expect a few sessions a week to make you thinner. That's just silly.

MYTH 10>>The more you sweat, the more fat you lose

TRUTH: Sweat has nothing to do with intensity; it's your body's way of getting rid of heat. Fat is oxidized inside your body, and it is not going to vaporize because you're sweating!

MYTH 11>> Fruit is a healthy snack that can't make you fat

TRUTH: We eat food because it gives us nutrients and fuel, but any kind of food, no matter how healthy, can make you gain weight. Fruit has a lot of easily accessible carbs. When you provide your body with easily accessible carbs, you're basically telling it to stop burning body fat for fuel. Also, fruit's sugar is mainly fructose, which is stored in the liver instead of in the muscles. It's also true that filling yourself with high-calorie fruit means you won't achieve your fat-loss goal.

Vegetables have more minerals, vitamins, and even more anti-cancer properties than fruit. The difference between the two food groups is the calorie content. In general, vegetables have fewer calories than fruit.

MYTH 12>> You can't gain muscle after 40

TRUTH: Age does bring wear and tear, but at 40 you're still a training baby unless you've been a competitive professional athlete since you were a teenager. The reason metabolism slows down as we get older is a combination of lower hormone levels and less athletic activity. You can build muscle at any age. As long as you're challenging your muscles and feeding them the proper nutrients, your body will respond. As you age, building muscle gets more challenging.

But like anything else, if you do your best, you'll get good results.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Sound Tips for Patients to Manage the Emergency Room Situations

Emergency can strike at any time without a call. You may find yourself in an emergency situation at some point of time in your life and struggling to get back to life in the emergency room of any hospital. Make sure that you prepare yourself mentally about the condition of the emergency room in the hospital. Calling 9-1-1 and landing directly into the emergency room is a terrifying proposition for many. The technique to manage yourself while in hospital's emergency room needs some preparation.

When the emergency staff of the hospital lifts you from the accident site and your situation is serious enough, it is better to remain quiet and calm. Ambulance services have an experienced staff comprising the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who have the necessary training to meet all the eventualities. Instead of creating any panic situation in the ambulance, you should let the emergency staff take care of you.

In a situation where you think that you don't really need any immediate emergency, you have the time to look around and search for the emergency service that will meet your expectations. In this way, you will be able to locate the hospital within your area with a well-equipped emergency room.

There are some countries where by the very legislation; the EMTs would transfer you to the hospital which they think is the best one for you. EMTs usually have the information regarding which hospitals would accept the emergency patients and which ones won't. If the EMTs inform you that a particular hospital is not accepting any emergency patients, and still you want to be admitted in the same hospital, the best proposition would be to call your family physician who is affiliated to that particular hospital. Affiliated physicians always have a bed or two reserved for their patients, and you can use this facility.

If any family member is coming along with you, ask him/her to inform the ER doctor who is on the duty at that point of time about your condition and arrival. This would keep the ER doctor fully prepared.

After Arriving in the Emergency Room:

Your first job should be to provide complete details about your medical history to the ER doctor. Do not conceal anything as far as your medical history is concerned. You should have clear idea about the drugs that suit you. You should also provide the ER staff your blood type and other relevant information that may turn out to be instrumental and lifesaving at that moment.

If you are in a state of consciousness and can talk easily, it would be better to keep asking general questions to the ER staff. In this way, you develop high levels of interaction with the ER staff, and this is absolutely necessary.

Finally thank the ER staff who worked against the time to save your life.

All of the above-discussed options will keep you cool and managed during the time of medical emergency.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Physical Therapy for Knee Replacement - What Patients Should Expect

When you have had a knee replacement, you have not only experienced major surgery, you have completely redone an important part of your physical make up, replacing what is natural with plastic and metal. You should expect this to require many months of recovery and up to a year before your new knee feels completely comfortable. Physical therapy will begin in the hospital on the very day you have surgery. Your leg may be placed in a continuous passive motion machine which will gently move the leg for 4 to 6 hours a day, each day that you are in the hospital. Physical therapy will start on the day after your surgery.

By the time you are released from the hospital, depending on how well you are coping post-surgically, you should be able to walk with the assistance of a walker or crutches, as long as the surface is even, go up 2 or 3 stairs, be able to extend your knee full and be able to bend it at a 90 degree angle. Your physical therapist will teach you to go upstairs leading off with your unaffected leg and go down stairs by leading off with the leg you had surgery on. Remember during the time that you are having physical therapy for knee replacement, it is important that while you do the exercises to improve your knee daily, it is just as important that you do not try to rush the return of your daily routine.

It's important to remember that during healing you not use a pillow under your knee while laying down or sitting to avoid the knee staying in that bent position. Swelling will be common and can be treated by elevating your ankle and knee above your heart and using ice packs. Creams like Ben Gay which are used as analgesics should not be used on your knee. The greatest physical therapy for knee replacement patients is walking. When appropriate, biking and swimming are also encouraged, usually 4-6 weeks after surgery, making sure to take care how you enter and exit a pool or use the bike. Stationary bikes should have no resistance on the pedals.

While physical therapy for knee replacement recover may continue on for several months, other activities can be slowly added back into your schedule. After six weeks, normal physical relations with your partner may resume. If you play golf, this may be resumed after 12 weeks, but activities that cause excessive stress and can wear out a replaced knee quickly include football, jogging, jumping, and other jarring activities that may loosen the hardware. As each knee may only be operated on twice with this type of surgery, it's very important to follow the instructions of your doctors and physical therapists carefully.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Patients Lifts Can Ease The Strain For Caregivers

If you care of someone who has limited mobility issues then you will know how much strain the constant lifting can put not just on your own body, but also on the patient. However, with the help of a patient lift, you can make moving your patient much safer and more comfortable for you both. There are various types of lifts available which can suit a variety of different personal needs, but perhaps the most versatile for use in the patient's own home is a clever mobile patient lift.

Mobile Lifting Equipment

Mobile lifts can be used to transport a patient who is immobile without causing pain or risking damage to the caretaker's back. One situation in where it could be useful is for lifting a patient from bed into their wheelchair. These lifts can even be hired from medical supply stores if it is only for short period of time which is perfect for patients who are only immobilized on a temporary basis perhaps following injury or surgery. However, even if you need to buy the equipment, you will find that it is affordable and will be worthwhile over time.

Hydraulic and Electric Lifts For More Power

In some cases, a mobile one may in fact not be sufficient. When you need additional power, you can opt for a hydraulic patient lift which many caregivers find so much more convenient because they are easy to operate with a minimal amount of effort. Hydraulic patient lifts are among the most affordable permanent lifts on the market. Another popular type of patient lift are electric models. Both electric and hydraulic lifts can ease the burden placed on caregivers when it comes to moving patients to other rooms, but the best option will be largely dependent on the patients own physical needs.

Research Your Lift Options

When it comes to making like easier for disabled people and those who care for them, it is so important to make sure that you get the right products. When thinking about purchasing a patient lift, it will be worth making the effort to research the various types that are available to you in order to make sure that you are choosing the most appropriate option for your own situation. Having the most appropriate patient lift at your disposal will make your life much easier whether you are on the patient or the caregiver end of the situation.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Safety and Efficacy of Foam Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy was described (as presently used) by a Spanish surgeon nearly 20 years ago. It has been in common use in the UK for over 10 years. Some doubts have been cast on the safety of this procedure since a small proportion of patients experience visual disturbance following treatment and a very small number of severe neurological events have arisen. Fortunately, complete resolution of all of these neurological symptoms occurred within 2-4 weeks of the onset. Should this cause us concern? In fact, a considerable research effort has been put in to answering this point.

The French Phlebological Society have studied a series of patients who suffered visual disturbance following sclerotherapy. All patients were investigated by a neurologist and in every case he concluded that the visual disturbance was part of migraine. It is common for people with migraine to suffer an aura (usually a visual disturbance) if they are exposed to a triggering factor which might include foods such as chocolate or cheese. Sclerotherapy appears to act in much the same way. The visual disturbance is of short duration in these patients and resolves completely, usually within an hour or two.

Examination of published medical reports shows that stroke has been known to occur in a very tiny number of patients following almost any varicose vein treatment, including surgery and laser ablation of varicose veins. Millions of patients worldwide have received foam sclerotherapy and there is no evidence to show that this treatment is any more risky than other techniques.

A recent paper in the Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons studied the frequency of deep vein thrombosis after varicose vein operations performed in the NHS. The risk of DVT was the same for surgery, laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation and foam sclerotherapy. The only deaths which were reported were in the surgical group.

The safety and efficacy of foam sclerotherapy has been studied carefully by the medicines regulator in the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulator Agency (MHRA). They have now issued a licence for the use of Fibrovein foam to treat varicose veins. This is not a step that is taken lightly and has been supported by much research and evidence of safety. Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy has also been approved for use in the UK by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Foam sclerotherapy is therefore a licensed treatment in the UK of established safety and efficacy.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Four Treatments a Med Spa Can Provide

A med spa is more than just a salon, and it is definitely more than a massage location. Rather, it is a destination you can visit to transform the way your body looks and feels. Everyone has those problem areas they wish they could fix. However, not everyone wants to or can have plastic surgery to make it happen. At these spas, though, you can get a better result. You can stop in for a treatment that is going to transform the way you look and feel about yourself. Though each facility is different, most of them offer services such as the following.

Laser Hair Removal

One of the best reasons to visit the med spa is to finally get the laser hair removal you want. If you hate to shave and hate to buy package after package of razors, it may be time to consider having a permanent solution. You'll be able to get the permanent, hairless skin you long for, and you can do it at one of these easy-to-find spas. Though you will need to have the treatment several times for total results, it is well worth it for many people.

Chemical Peels

Is your skin suffering from the signs of aging? Perhaps the sun has done a great deal of damage to it. You may be dealing with dull-looking skin. No matter what the problem is, it is a very good idea to turn to a med spa for help. A chemical peel will help to remove the very outer layer of the skin. This does not damage your skin, but encourages your immune system to get to work creating new cells. These new cells look younger and are healthier. A chemical peel can help to give you more youthful looking skin.

Microdermabrasion

A less invasive method to the chemical peel is microdermabrasion. This treatment can be the perfect way for you to get youthful looking skin. It works using lasers that will remove the outer layer of your skin. It can help with scarring from acne, sunspots or aged-looking skin. In many ways, this treatment can be incredibly effective.

Body Contouring

If you have areas of your body that need a little help, turn to a med spa. These facilities can offer treatments such as VelaShape, which use lasers to help contour the shape of the body in a very safe way. A specialized treatment can be very effective.

What can a med spa do for you? If you are unsure, all you need to do is to talk to a professional at one of them to find out how they can change your body.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

HGH Clinics and Doctors - For the Right HGH Treatment at the Right Time

HGH deficiency and getting lower levels in the Growth hormones can have several severe drastic effects over your health. In this case, you need to get your hormones restored before they cause more lasting damage to your body. The problem that lies here is that how will you know whether your disease is even related to HGH or not.

It so happens that some diseases that one presumes to be related to HGH later on turn out to be pretty messed up after the consumption of the HGH medications. A simple example could be the case of cancer in which the human growth hormone medication is never advised by the HGH clinics and doctors. This is so because the hormones that are responsible for the growth and replication of the body cells are the Growth Hormones. These hormones will likely end up replicating the cancer cells in the body of the patient and that could be catastrophic for him.

HGH therapy is known to cure a lot of HGH related illnesses and syndromes. These are very common but before you go for any kind of HGH treatment you should visit the HGH clinics and doctors to get your problem diagnosed.

What will be the next step?

After you are aware of the fact that your problem is actually related to HGH deficiency then it would be a crucial measure to start thinking of the therapies that can ensure all the possible results you require of them.

HGH therapy can be a great solution to your problem if you consider the right package. In other words, it means that the advantages and the expenses should be considered well enough before going for the treatment. The treatments as well as the HGH clinics and doctors can be very dangerous to your budget condition and the prices can even reach up to 1000 dollars per session. On the other hand if you gain back your previous health and feel fit and fine after the sessions, the money spent won't matter much to you.

What you should know before getting HGH therapy

Choosing the perfect HGH therapy for your condition is a huge task and you can go awfully wrong and can cause heavy damage to your health. You cannot have the HGH therapy unless you understand your condition well enough. The first thing would be to analyze your daily routine and activities and how they affect your condition and the appropriate HGH therapy would be recommended to you by the HGH doctor. Understand the following tips carefully to achieve the perfect treatment for your case.

Getting the IGF-1 levels for your system

Don't be baffled by the complex term IGF-1. It is simply very useful Growth Hormone that is the cause of majority of your body functions like cells metabolism. As far as the IGF-1 levels are considered you won't need to be worried because that will be taken care of by your HGH clinics and doctors. The levels remain pretty constant every time so there is no complicated method of knowing them. This is a very useful test that will help you know what the deficiency of this hormone is as a percentage of the normal level. This may be evaluated in terms of weight of the patients and other symptoms in the patients like chronic exhaustion and certain pregnancy issues in the case of women patients.

Know your Daily routine

The lifestyle you own is checked to see the ways you are getting affected by the loss of HGH in your body. In other words, you need to analyze each and every aspect of your body starting from your diet to your exercise routines. Then you even need to change and adjust your habits of work out and meals as per the HGH therapy recommendations so that the therapy is done properly. The will to change and the desire to live healthily is one factor that can assist in the treatment and can bring about miracles in such cases.

Go for the tests

This is the most important part of the HGH diagnosis especially there where the patient might think he has low HGH levels but the truth is something else. You need to test how well you sleep and how your muscles actually feel after exercises and workouts. You may aloes need to check your memory and see if there are any blank periods that you don't remember. These are certain minute stuff that can be a cause of HGH deficiency.

All the above symptoms are to be monitored by you but the decision will be made by your HGH doctor or physician. He will know better how the levels have dropped and what the causes of your HGH deficiency were. Based on this decision your doctor will prescribe the right medication for HGH. The analysis results and certain medical tests will help your doctor in rectifying the source of the disease and what plan of action should be followed next to make you feel healthy again.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Eating for Healthy Weight Loss

Today, I want to address eating for weight loss. In general, I will tell you a little about what seems to work for me and something I tried that certainly did not.

Most of us know that the entire process of losing weight really is about the calories. The problem is that so many of the foods we like, or at least the foods I like, are loaded with calories. The food itself is not necessarily the killer, but the way it is prepared and combined with other foods and ingredients is what increases the calories and makes it taste like a meal from grandma's.

There are two problems with this; one, if you eat that 3,000 calorie breakfast with biscuits and gravy and bacon and all the rest, you are done for the day. Not to mention, you haven't done much to help your circulatory system. So, by two or three in the afternoon when the hunger pangs hit, what are you to do? Drink water and exercise if you want to lose the weight. Oh, and after you exercise, you will be starving until you get your next "fix" at breakfast. I've been through this one and I can tell you straight up that it's not the way to go; two, if you reduce the portions, but keep eating the same high fat, high calorie foods spread out over the day, you won't derive the amount of energy you need to function properly. The portion size has to almost be reduced to nothing more than a nibble. And don't expect to get any thank you notes from your heart, either.

So, what to do? Well, you can eat nothing but fruits and veggies that are designed for optimum energy and health, which for most people weening themselves off of a good plate of nachos will be almost impossible to stick with for an extended period of time. Or you can do the old combo trick. This is basically what I am doing to gradually make the switch to healthier eating.

For me, going "cold turkey" away from all of my favorite high fat, high calorie southern foods was as appealing as licking the underside of a used lawnmower. So, I decided to start with something I like, fruit, for breakfast. Then, for lunch, I might reward myself a little by eating, say, half of a hamburger with no fries. I substitute the fries with a vegetable or two. Then for dinner, I use variations of the same strategy as for lunch except I leave out bread of any kind here. A snack for me is usually some kind of fruit. I carry on this way, exercising at least 30 minutes a day, four or more days a week.

Now, to keep myself totally in check so that I don't wind up in the news as some poor soul who flips out and holds up a restaurant just for the food, I take one day every three weeks and eat whatever I want, assuming I've been a good boy and I am gradually reaching my weight goal. However, I make sure to do this on an exercise day and never on a rest day.Over time, I hope to consume more fruits and vegetables and less bread and dairy, which are the two things I crave the most.Eating for weight loss doesn't necessarily have to be some dietary form of water-boarding. It just takes a commitment to make small, valuable changes. And reward yourself occasionally It helps you to stick with the program. Just remember that the whole process takes time, so don't get frustrated. Hang in there and good things will happen!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D From the Sun?

Vitamin D comes in many forms, but is difficult to find in food or drink, so sunshine or supplements are the easiest ways to get it. Now that we are deep into the winter months it seems you can only find sun in a few remote parts of the country! Vitamin D is unique because it can be ingested or synthesized from sun exposure. Unfortunately, there are many things that prevent its absorption, so here's some information to help you decide if you are getting your appropriate dose from the sun or need to take a supplement.

Sunscreen

For those of us trying to avoid skin cancer, this is a tough one. Believe it or not, you reduce your vitamin D intake from the sun when you protect your skin with sunscreen. Most dermatologists would recommend you wear sunscreen and take a vitamin rather than risk the harmful rays of the sun.

Smog or Clouds

Live in a sunny city like LA or Houston and think you get all the Vitamin D you need? Think again, if you live in a polluted area, smog can block enough of the sun's rays to cause a vitamin D deficiency. Additionally, the intensity of UVB rays are reduced by clouds, so a cloudy day means less vitamin D from the sun!

Windows

No, you can't take a seat by the window and hope to absorb your daily vitamin D. Just as clouds and smog block those rays, so does a window. It's truly sad because when it is freezing out in the winter, this would be such a pleasant way to take in your D. Alas, this is not an option.

Latitude

Sadly, if you live north of the 42-degree latitude (some say 37-degree, but far north is the important part), you'll have trouble getting enough sun exposure from November through February.

Age

It's not fair, but the older you get, the more vitamin D you need. As you age, your skin does not produce vitamin D as efficiently as when you were younger.

How much do I need?

If you get your vitamin D from the sun, light skinned people need 10 to 20 minutes of sun exposure daily while dark skinned people need a whopping 90-120 minutes daily. If you have decided vitamins are your route, an average person needs about 600 IU's (International Units) daily but it changes as you age so see this chart to find your basic needs.

Which supplement do I take?

Vitamin D3 is considered a great source of vitamin D. With all the above hindering most of us from getting our vitamin D from the sun, vitamins are likely the best option. Vitamin D aids in the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth, assists neuromuscular and immune system functions and may help to reduce inflammation! So go do some vitamin shopping and find yourself some ingestible sunshine!

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

What Is Hospital Management?

Hospital management is a broad area that relates to management of all aspects of a hospital. It may be termed as the pivot that coordinates all elements of a hospital, ranging from patient care to record keeping to taking care of items like the inventory of medicines to physical cleanliness. Thus, a hospital management professional has to be overseeing each and every element of the hospital.

Coordination -the soul of hospital management
In healthcare settings other than hospitals; a very great deal of coordination may not be required. However, with hospitals being the providers of high-tech healthcare that they are; a host of facilities and features need to be integrated and synchronized. This calls for a high degree of adaptation of technology. Technology has facilitated functions to an extent that could not be imagined in the earlier generation.

Specialties and sub-specialties
For this reason, many sub-categories of hospital management are specializations in themselves. There will be different people handling each area or department of the hospital. A person adept in intensive care, for instance, will be taking care only of this department. Or, a specialist in inventory management will be the sole in-charge of medical supplies. This is the actual way in which most hospitals function, although generally a management professional is trained to handle each of these areas and puts the knowledge of each of these into practice from time to time.

Versatile professionals
During their academic training and internships; most hospital management professionals are exposed to all these functions. Their work is generally rotated and shuffled from one area to another. They usually carry out functions within the allotted department for a fixed period of time, after which they are shifted to other areas. Over the lifespan of an entire career, a hospital management professional would have worked in just about every area of management.

Technology and non-technology
Hospital management staff works under strict rules of accountability and enforceability. The various functions in the hospital have to be coordinated very smoothly if the hospital has to be efficient. Although technology can help these professionals in a few areas; they need to use their skills intuitively on many occasions, without having to use technology. A couple of examples of this kind of function that come to mind are care and public relations with suppliers. Here, technology has no part to play, and it is the human element that matters more than anything else.

Strong backend
Ensuring that all aspects of the hospital are kept up-to-date is the most important requirement of hospital management. Just as how the true test of the effectiveness of technology is in how less intrusive it is for the user; in hospital management too, there should be no external trace of the work that has gone inside. If the hospital has to appear to be a healthcare entity in which everything is spic and span; the primary responsibility for ensuring this belongs to those in charge of management.

Monday, July 8, 2013

What You Really Need to Know About Organic and Conventional Produce - Part 2

Unfortunately, in today's world it appears we all take a chance with our health to some degree when we consume conventional fruits and vegetables and even organic produce, which might not be as safe as many of us have been led to believe.

Nutrient Studies

Below are two significant studies carried out on organic and conventional produce, with regards to compared nutrient values, with the Stanford study also looking at the chemical contamination of produce.

Stanford University USA 2012

A new study from the Stanford University in the US has concluded quote: "The review yielded scant evidence that conventional foods posed greater health risks than organic products. While researchers found that organic produce had a 30% lower risk of pesticide contamination than conventional fruits and vegetables, organic foods are not necessarily 100 % free of pesticides. Two studies of children consuming organic and conventional diets did find lower levels of pesticide residues in the urine of children on organic diets, though the significance of these findings on child health is unclear.(1)

No consistent differences were seen in the vitamin content of organic products, and only one nutrient - phosphorus - was significantly higher in organic versus conventionally grown produce (and the researchers note that because few people have phosphorous deficiency, this has little clinical significance)".(1)

The fact that any of the organic produce would have even just a 30% lower risk of pesticide contamination, compared to the conventional produce, would be enough to make many people wonder if buying organic is truly safe. Further to this, Smith-Spangler, who was connected with the study said [quote]: "What I learned is there's a lot of variation between farming practices. It appears there are a lot of different factors that are important in predicting nutritional quality and harms". (1) Again, the importance of knowing where your fruits and vegetables come from and how they are produced (organic or conventional) must always be a priority, if at all possible when you do your shopping.

European studies 2007

In 2007, scientists from Poland, France and Great Britain, examined organic apples, peaches, potatoes and carrots and discovered that there were greater concentrations of vitamin C and other chemicals that protect against heart attacks and cancer than produce that was non-organic. They also found that organic tomatoes had more vitamin C, flavonoids and beta-carotene. (2)

The French part of the study looked at organic peaches and found that the content of polyphenol was higher at harvest and concluded that organic production had positive effects on both the taste and quality of the produce. Similar results were also seen by researchers from the Warsaw Agriculture University with organic tomatoes. (2)

"This research shows there are benefits," said Dr Kirsten Brandt of Newcastle University, which led the research. "The reason why it's such a grey area is because it's extremely difficult to measure the health benefit in any food, but we can say that if you eat 400g of fruit and vegetables per day you would get 20 per cent more nutrients in organic food." (2)

Conclusions

Even though some studies appear to show that the difference in nutrient content between organic and non-organic can be quite small, (1), it must be stressed that crop production under the organic umbrella can differ greatly from industrialised-like farming methods right down to small holdings/large gardens with owners able to pay closer attention to the quality of the produce (including taste), rather than simply focusing on quantity.

If a good organic source can be located then there is no reason why the nutrient content should not be significantly more than what would normally be able to be attained with buying conventionally grown produce.

Take into consideration all the other wider benefits that organic farming has to offer us (see 'The benefits of organic agriculture in a nut shell' in part 1 of this article) and it becomes abundantly clear as to where our money should be spent, whenever possible. The study, detailed in part 1 of this article (3) showing higher than recommended pesticide levels in young children underlines the serious situation we face and not just with conventional grown produce, but also organic (4,5,6) Even though it appears to be significantly less of an issue; a 30% lower risk of pesticide contamination (1) it definitely does not equate to organic produce as being 'chemical free, which it is believed to be by many consumers.

So when buying organic, make sure to ask about how the produce was grown, what type of fertilisers and/or pesticides were used if any, what general practices does the farmer/grower follow? They should be more than happy to share with you their practices as we have always found ourselves when visiting organic produce markets both in the US and Britain.

So our recommendations would be:

  • Buy organic whenever you can.
  • If at all possible grow your own.
  • Inform yourself about produce growing practices and ask the growers the relevant questions such as: "What fertilisers and pesticides, if any do you use?"
  • Use 'Veg wash' or grapefruit seed extract, which are supposed to help remove pesticide residues, if you need to.
  • Minimizing your risk exposure to chemical residues must be a priority as there aren't safe levels of toxic chemicals, even if government bodies tell us differently.

Bibliography

(1) Are Organic Foods Safer or Healthier Than Conventional Alternatives?: A Systematic Review. Published in: Annals of Internal Medicine 4 September 2012, Vol. 157. No. 5

(2) http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/its-not-just-a-fad-organic-food-is-better-for-you-say-scientists-443086.html

(3) http://www.ehjournal.net/content/11/1/83/abstract

(4) Panov, A., S. Dikalov, N. Shalbuyeva, G. Taylor, T. Sherer and J. T. Greenamyre. 2005. Rotenone model of Parkinson disease: multiple brain mitochondria dysfunctions after short term systemic rotenone intoxication. J. Biol. Chem. 280: 42026-42035

(5) Marking, L. L. and T. D. Bills. 1976. Toxicity of rotenone to fish in standardized laboratory tests. U. S. Dept. Interior, No. 72. 11 pp.

(6) Lotter, D. (2003). "Organic Agriculture". Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 21

Sunday, July 7, 2013

What Is Morgellons Disease - And How Can I Get Rid Of It?

People deal with "itchy skin" all the time, and they assume that this itchy skin has simple explanations; perhaps their explanation for itchy skin is that they are allergic to something they have come in contact with, or that the weather at the time is making their skin dry and itchy. But one of the big causes of itchy skin - the sort of constantly itchy skin that causes severe discomfort, as if something is crawling over your skin and forcing you to chase it with your deep-digging nails - is something called Morgellons Disease.

What is Morgellons Disease, exactly? Well, essentially (as gross as it sounds!), Morgellons Disease is a skin parasite, and once you have been subjected to it on your body, it can be extremely difficult to make it go away; you can end up leaving this disease behind you in the places you sit, and even in the places you walk, so that "getting rid of it" becomes no simple task, as each time you get rid of it, you will find that it tends to come right back.

Of course, having skin that constantly itches is bad enough, but Morgellons Disease can get even worse than the itchy skin itself. Those who deal with this affliction over a long period of time may end up discovering that they are also dealing with joint pains, constant fatigue, brain fog, and fibromyalgia; even early symptoms can stretch beyond simple "itchy skin" to non-healing lesions, cotton-like balls or fibers in the lesions, strawberry-red specs in the skin, and body temperatures that range from 95 to 97 degrees!

The good news, however, is that you actually can get rid of Morgellons Disease - and getting rid of it is not quite as difficult or as "impossible" as some people make it out to be, as long as you make sure you are taking the right approach. Basically, you will need to follow a number of steps to get rid of Morgellons, starting with disinfecting your surroundings (your rugs, your furniture, your floors, bedding, and clothing), and continuing to bathing with the right products and using skin treatments that provide relief for dealing with itchy skin. And finally, you are going to need to learn about the King Diet - which will boost nutrients your body needs in order to fight this terrible affliction!

Killing the skin parasites that cause Morgellons is not quite an "easy as 1, 2, 3" task, but it is easier than many people realize, as long as you learn about the steps you must take - and start taking them yourself.

Hopefully, this is something you will never have to face yourself - but if it becomes something you have to deal with, or if it is something you are dealing with currently, know that there is a solution, and research in the right places will lead you to relief from that itchy skin at last!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Ways To Find A Doctor When Moving To A New Area

If you need to find a doctor in a new area, it might be a little stressful. It could be especially so if you have to consider insurance as well as specialists. However, these issues do not have to stress you out. There are ways to move without too much trouble when it comes to finding the right doctors and specialists. Begin with your current doctors, and go from there.

As you look for the right doctors for your family as you make a move, you will want to speak with your present doctors. Most likely they will have some connections somewhere that will help you to get with doctors that work for you. At your next appointment, make sure to bring up your move, and hopefully your doctors will get right on helping you locate some in your new area. Even though they will probably miss you, they will likely be willing to help you.

If you talk to your doctors, and they do not actually know of any doctors in the area where you are moving, then you will want to go another route. If you go online often, then you are probably familiar with searching. Try to search for a website that helps people find a doctor when they need one and where. This can include specialists of any kind.

Once you locate a variety of doctors and specialists in the area where you are moving, bring the list back to your current doctors. Ask each of your doctors about those on the list. They may or may not be familiar with them. Make sure to have fax numbers and addresses so that you can have your current doctors fax or mail medical records to the new doctors. This will save you a great deal of trouble from a distance.

Once you find a doctor or more than one, you will feel much more secure with your move. It is so helpful to have technology today that can enable people to move across the country when they need to do so.

If you are concerned about an upcoming move and wondering how you will handle the logistics. Do not worry, doctors are very helpful as is the internet in helping you get in contact with those who will be willing to help you. Take the time today to begin your search. The sooner you get everything in order, the better you will feel about your upcoming move.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Consider Coolsculpting As a Non-Invasive Method for Fat Removal

If you are sick and tired of having excess fat in your thighs, buttocks, or belly region, there are options. Some fat is just stubborn and will not go away with exercise or dieting. When you have this problem, it can be very frustrating. Sometimes the only thing that will take it away is plastic surgery. Liposuction specifically is one way that you can get rid of unwanted fat.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure. If you are looking for a non-surgical procedure, then you might consider Coolsculpting. It is a new technology that gives you the results of liposuction without the recovery period.

Coolsculpting is a newly developed technology that was discovered by students and doctors at Harvard University. When fat in the body is chilled to cold temperatures, it causes the fat to go away over a period of months due to the natural metabolic processes of the body. The technology is made to only trigger the fat so that no other part of the body is touched by the process.

If it sounds strange to you, it is really not a strange process at all. The way it works is actually a lot like how your body burns off fat naturally. In this case, it is burning off fat in specific areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. If you are afraid to try something new, it is important to remember that everything was new once. Today there are many safeguards that will protect you.

Coolsculpting is a great option for those who do not want to take time off of work for a surgical procedure. With this technology, you should be able to go back to work the next day. It is a very non-invasive procedure. Even though complications are always a possibility, it is not likely something you will need to be concerned with.

Before choosing to go through with this procedure, you should take the time to interview a few doctors that specialize in this technology. Most will offer a free consultation. At the consultation you can learn about the procedure, find out the cost, and also decide whether you feel you can trust the doctor. It is beneficial to find a board certified plastic surgeon. It is hard with just one visit to decide which surgeon is best, but you should be able to compare and contrast between the few that you visit, and choose one.

Once you decide that Coolsculpting is right for you and you choose a plastic surgeon, you will need to consider when you can have it done. It will take a few months to get results, so if you are doing this for a wedding or something else where you need to be thinner, make sure to plan it out about four months in advance so that you can get the full results.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Discover 6 Fast Weight Loss Secrets for Losing Weight and Torching Calories

Doctors agree that waist and belly fat measurements play a pivotal role when it comes to adressing your health. The measure of how healthy your weight is with respect to your height is called the body mass index (BMI). Losing weight has therefore never played a more important role for your safe health.

By carrying around a large amount of unhealthy belly fat as compared to fat around your bottom and thighs makes you a serious candidate for developing type 2 diabetes, heart problems, cancer of the breast, colon and prostrate. Obesity causes many thousands of wasted premature death every year and reduces life expectancy by an average of 9 precious years. By following a scientifically proven weight loss diet plan and performing smarter fitness exercises obesity problems can be quickly addressed.

It is recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity every week. This is calculated as half an hour a day for 5 days. You benefit by reducing your stress, sweating-out toxins and pumping up your heart rate. The health benefits of physical activity are really truly endless. Some of the great benefits are lower risk of heart problems, diabetes, better control of your weight, stronger bones, mental alertness and the addition of precious years to your life.

The following successful losing weight secret tips have proven to be very effective for fast weight loss and to rapidly get rid of belly fat. People who are obese are likely to need more physical activity than the minimum sets of repetitions in order to substantially burn belly fat tissue and lose weight quick. To achieve the best possible results in an ideal fat burning system, a sensible weight loss diet is a must.

For anyone including mums with kids at home with not much spare-time these 6 fast weight loss exercises can be perfect. Don't forget to do some warm-up exercises like stretching and jabbing to get your heart pumping causing you sweat a little. Remember to cool down at the end of the fitness exercises.

1. Rope Skipping

Rope skipping fitness exercise has shown to rapidly tourch calories in a short time. You can burn approximately 200 calories with 20 minutes of skipping. When combined with other proven weight loss exercises you will end up losing weight from all over your body. The benefits of rope skipping are increased stamina, stronger heart, strong bones and much more. You will need to invest in a comfortable pair of trainers and start skipping.

2. Hill Walking

Your body has become adapted to normal unchallenged weight loss exercises like normal day to day walking. Since incline walking is different to normal walking, it challanges the muscles at the back of your legs and bottom which warms-up encouraging you to burn more calories. Fitness exercises like hill walking, elevated treadmill walking and steps can all be grouped together as excellent types of incline walking. Walk quicker and rapidly burn more calories and fat.

3. Dancing

Fitness exercises like energetic dancing are not only performed in clubs. Dancing can be done anywhere- do it in the lounge, kitchen, outside, anywhere you want. Select some latin type music like salsa and perform some energetic moves. You will find yourself out of breath and rapidly burning fat the fun way without even feeling tired. This has got to be the absolute fun way to losing weight and look good on the dance floor as well.

4. Resistance Workout

Resistance training helps you build lean muscles. Lean muscles burn more fat and positively increases your metabolism. When combined with some cardio fitness exercises, you will find that your fat burning furnace gets really ramped-up. To get the most benefits from these weight loss exercises perform the resistance weight loss exercises first and then the cardio training afterwards to get fast weight loss results.

5. Move Your Body

Get up and move your body. Looking at hours of TV and snacking on unhealthy food is not recommended. Don't be lazy, get up, walk around, do some fitness exercises during the ads and so on. When you add it up, you will be amazed by the amount of calories you have burnt to successfully burn belly fat. It will also help with your digestion and as a result helps you to sleep better. You wake up feeling energised and alert.

6. Swimming

Many people find this to be one of their favourite weight loss exercises. This can be a fun calorie burning exercise for the entire family. Swimming can be your ideal exercise if you have mobility restrictions and knee problems. You will find that these type of fitness exercises puts little strain on your joints and burn vast amount of calories the fun way.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

3 Ways To Improve Your Eyesight Without Glasses

When it comes to the way the human eye works, many people have no clue as to what comprises the visual spectrum. In fact, many just assume that you are dealt with certain cards and if you can't see 20/20 you need glasses and that's it. If that sounds like something that you've thought in the past and are wearing corrective lenses today, there's hope for a brighter future. You can change the way you see and in as little as 3 months time you can throw away your glasses forever. This sounds like an amazing thing, but there are some that are skeptical. The truth of the matter is simple, there are ways that you can improve eyesight without glasses and see clearly for a lifetime. The following are 3 ways to improve your vision today.

Eye Exercises - You can utilize a variety of eye exercises that will strengthen the ocular muscles and help put together a more solid connect to the nerve endings in the eyeball. By working on this within 15 minutes a day for 30 days, you are guaranteed to see well. Given enough time you will see perfectly without the aid of anything corrective. This might sound surprising, but it's 100% true, you can in fact regain your confidence and show the world your eyes without the need of glass.

Avoid Doctors and Optometrist's Negativity - When you go get your eyes checked, don't believe the hype. Often times you are told that you need glasses and you just follow along. You have to remember that these medical professionals are in the business of selling you on the need for lenses so that you have to pay a great deal of money and keep them in business. Instead of letting them tell you about the eye, look for information like that found in the eBook: Vision Without Glasses. A little information will help you stay away from negative diagnosis and help you get perfect visual health.

Use Your Own Glasses - If you are already wearing glasses to see, you'll be able to use them in a different way to improve your eyesight. It's a matter of using them properly and not the way you might think, as a way to strengthen the ocular nerves and muscles to improve the way you see until it's 20/20. This is a complicated task but you can learn how to do it through reading Vision Without Glasses.

If you're not truly convinced that you can throw away your glasses in a matter of months, that's OK. However, you will not gain access to knowing how to see again. Seeing is believing and there is a lot of truth to the notion that you can improve your visualizations with simple exercise, information on how to use your glasses, and other methods that target the eyeball instead of outside forces. Changing your perception costs nothing, and will help you see the world again without having to pay hundreds of dollars for new glasses every year and best of all, you will not have any more degeneration.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Celiac Disease: A Brief Overview of a Troubling Condition

Some of the frustrating illnesses seem to feature the same traits: there is no known cause, no known cure and a seemingly endless list of symptoms. One such condition that meets all three criteria is celiac disease, a digestive disorder that impacts approximately 1 in 100 Americans. While there is no way to rid the body of celiac disease, a diet that eliminates certain foods can markedly improve the lives of those struggling with this condition.

History and Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Though celiac disease is still unknown by many people, this condition is hardly a newcomer; the earliest descriptions of the disease date back to the second century A.D. The disease quickly gained a nasty reputation, causing wide variety of symptoms in those unlucky enough to develop it. A list of this condition's many symptoms is shown below:

  • Abdominal Pain
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Constipation
  • Indigestion
  • Reduced Appetite
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Stools that are bloody or extremely foul-smelling, or that float
  • Noticeable weight loss

These symptoms alone would make celiac disease an imposing foe, but the above list only refers to gastrointestinal problems caused by this disease. After celiac disease has firmly entrenched itself inside the gut, a patient might also begin to suffer from the following maladies:

  • Busing upon minimal contact with external objects
  • Depression/Anxiety
  • Delayed growth in children
  • Hair Loss
  • Itchy Skin
  • Missed menstrual periods
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Muscle cramps and joint pain
  • Nosebleeds
  • Seizures
  • Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
  • Unexplained short height

As alluded to earlier, medical science still does not have a definitive answer as to the causes of celiac disease. Researchers believe that there could be several factors that contribute to the appearance of this condition, including the presence of certain genes, a diet heavy in gluten and significant emotional stress. One recent theory holds that two specific chemical signals, known as interleukin 15 and retinoic acid, might cause celiac disease to develop inside the patient. This idea is not without merit - a recent study found that celiac patients contained high amounts of both chemicals in their intestines.

While researches have yet to pinpoint the root causes of celiac disease, it has long been known that one particular substance causes the rapid appearance of this condition's symptoms. Gluten, a protein composite that gives dough its elastic nature, triggers numerous digestive problems in patients with celiac disease. In these individuals, the immune system overreacts to the presence of gluten by inflicting damage on the small intestine, preventing this organ from properly absorbing key nutrients. This disruption of the small intestine's routine operations can have a chain-reaction effect on the rest of the body, as the brain, bones, liver and other crucial body parts can easily become significantly undernourished. It is this cause-and-effect relationship that explains celiac disease's wide range of symptoms.

Healthy Diets for Celiac Disease Patients

Not surprisingly, the consumption of gluten is explicitly verboten for celiac patients. The problem with maintaining a gluten-free diet, however, is the widespread presence of gluten. Gluten is found in all foods containing wheat, barley, rye and triticale. In addition, wheat can also appear on food labels under the names bulgur, durum flour, farina, graham flour, kamut, semolina and spelt.

This effectively makes gluten a fairly difficult substance to drop cold turkey, as numerous foods include at least one of these ingredients. Doctors usually encourage celiac patients to remove the following foods from their diet due to their gluten content.

  • Beer
  • Breads
  • Cakes and pies
  • Candies
  • Cereals
  • Cookies and crackers
  • Croutons
  • French fries
  • Gravies
  • Imitation meat or seafood
  • Matzo
  • Pastas
  • Processed luncheon meats
  • Salad dressings
  • Sauces, including soy sauce
  • Seasoned rice mixes
  • Seasoned snack foods, such as potato and tortilla chips
  • Self-basting poultry
  • Soups and soup bases
  • Vegetables in sauce

It bears mentioning that some food producers make "gluten-free" versions of the above products, rendering them safe for celiac patients.

In lieu of gluten-heavy products, individuals with celiac disease are urged to craft a well-balanced diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables, of course, always make for excellent choices. With regards to dairy products, celiac patients might consider taking a break from consuming items like milk, cheese and butter. This is especially true if a patient has experienced lactose intolerance; once the gluten-free diet has been established, patients can slowly reintroduce diary products back into their meals. Any diary items with gluten, such as flavored milks or certain kinds of cheese, should be entirely avoided.

Fresh meats, poultry and fish are also acceptable, provided they have not been marinated, breaded or coated with butter. Celiac patients can also enjoy nuts, beans and seeds, as long as they are eaten in their natural state without additives. People with celiac disease can also eat numerous types of grains and starches without ill effect. This list of gluten alternatives is shown below:

  • Amaranth
  • Arrowroot
  • Buckwheat
  • Corn and cornmeal
  • Flax
  • Gluten-free flours (rice, soy, corn, potato, bean)
  • Hominy (corn)
  • Millet
  • Quinoa
  • Rice
  • Sorghum
  • Soy
  • Tapioca
  • Teff

Though modern medicine has not yet found a cure for celiac disease, people afflicted by this lifelong digestive condition can greatly alleviate their symptoms through sound dieting decisions. By eliminating their intake of gluten, celiac patients can lead healthy lives with relatively few medical problems.

Monday, July 1, 2013

After Hours Clinic and Their Services

An after hours clinic is a medical center that offers a variety of services that cater to individuals who may need these during times when other centers and hospitals may be closed or inaccessible due to time constraints. The goal of these types of places is to cater specifically to people in certain areas who may need medical attention and help during times when doctors are not readily available or times when emergency services are necessary. Although, not all of these places encourage walk in patients, it is possible to do so especially when there are not a lot of people in line for the medical professional.

Services

One of the primary services that an after hours clinic may offer people is a consultation and an examination. Many individuals go to these centers if their primary care physician is not immediately available due to the time of day or limitations due to emergency needs. Some people go to these places when they have fevers or ailments that are not necessarily life threatening but need medical attention just the same. The patients might need a prescription for medicines or recommendations from the doctor regarding how to treat and address their ailments. Doctors who find the patients in need of specific attention that only hospital emergency rooms can offer will recommend that the patient go to the nearest hospital for this. They will not attempt to treat any disease or sickness which they feel is beyond their capacity as an after hours clinic. Another service that can be found in these centers is treatment of small cuts and wounds that the patient needs to be attended to. Since small cuts and lacerations do not actually need to be brought to busy emergency rooms, the staff and professional who work in these clinics can easily treat them and at the same time issue the necessary immunizations or vaccinations to prevent any other diseases and conditions from developing.

Treatment for falls and sprains can also be offered here although broken bones may be dependent on the capacity of the center. Not all of the centers that are outside of hospitals can offer treatment and surgery to treat broken bones. Other services offered here are immunizations and vaccinations for different kinds of conditions, especially for travelling and pediatrics. A lot of travelers are advised to get immunizations and vaccinations when they visit countries that may expose them to diseases and ailments that are not easily found in the United States of America. Children are also in need of on time vaccinations and immunizations based on their age and their need. The absence of their pediatrician can prompt the parents to bring their child to an after-hours clinic for the necessary vaccine or immunization due during this time.

It is best to bring the necessary documentation and identifications that may be asked for by the medical staff in the center. Knowing the medical history of the patient or one's own is also useful when consulting a doctor in the after-hours clinic.