Massage Treatments For Cellulite Removal

Massage has proven to be a highly successful treatment against cellulite.

Cellulite forms when the subcutaneous mass of fat cells pushes up against the connective tissue and appears at the surface of the skin as dimples and lumps, commonly known as orange peel. Although we still don't know what exactly causes cellulite -- possibly a hormonal imbalance or poor diet -- we do know a few methods proven to reduce, if not remove cellulite completely. One method is cellulite massage, a non-invasive, effective technique that, in time, can help smooth away the lumps and bumps on your thighs, stomach or arms. Does this Spark an idea?

Types of Cellulite Massage

In essence, massage helps with lymphatic drainage, intensifies blood circulation and oxygenation in the affected areas and releases the fluids and toxins in the body. It also stretches and relaxes the connective tissues, breaks up the fatty deposits, and smooths and tones the skin. There are three kinds of cellulite massage treatments: First is the massage that you can perform at home with your bare hands or with the help of the machine designed for home use. If this is not your thing, you can have a massage-trained therapist perform the treatment, while you can relax and enjoy the pampering. A third option is the mechanical therapy conducted in beauty clinics.

DIY Cellulite Massage

If you're looking for a cost-effective treatment, the most accessible method is doing cellulite massage on yourself at home, at least once a day, preferably using an anti-cellulite cream and your bare hands. However, it is often less effective than the other treatment options, since you may become tired after a short while or find it difficult to adequately massage hard-to-reach areas. To perform the massage yourself, moisturize the skin well and alternate long, sweeping strokes with circular motions with your palm and fingers. Finally, gently pinch the skin and pull it away from the body.

Massage Machines for Home Use

There are also cellulite machines available in the market for home use. They run with the same technology as the ones in beauty salons or non-surgical clinics but are smaller and less powerful. Most are handheld massagers using motorized rollers, active air suction, deep heat and vibro massage that help firm and tone the areas of your body affected by cellulite. They come in handy, especially if you have cellulite in hard-to-reach places, such as the back of the thighs, or if you want to speed up the process.

Cellulite Massage in Beauty Salons

Many spas and beauty salons offer machines combining mechanical and vacuum massage with laser or radio wave therapy considered effective in the fight against cellulite. The most well known, Endermologie, Velasmooth and TriActive, give a gentle and pleasant deep tissue massage that is said to be more effective than a home massage. The downside is the high prices of these treatments. Have massage sessions twice a week for at least six to eight weeks, followed by maintenance sessions once a month for an indefinite period of time. For those looking for relaxation and pampering, a trained therapist can perform the cellulite massage in a beauty clinic or in your own home. The therapist will use various massage techniques to smooth the skin, break the fatty deposits and firm your body.

Cellulite Creams

For faster and more visible massage results, use an anti-cellulite cream. They utilize ingredients such as caffeine or Aminophylline, which specifically target the fat deposits underneath the skin and improve the health of the outer skin. To prepare your own homemade cream, here are a few ingredients you should use: juniper berry to help decrease excessive fluids in the body, grapefruit to remove toxins, rosemary for skin toning, cypress and germanium to boost the body's circulation and coffee grounds to help reduce the lumps and bumps.

Results

It can take several weeks to see results, and you will need to be consistent in your therapy to make the gains permanent. Whatever type of massage you're choosing, it is essential to continue maintenance sessions indefinitely. For the best results, massage alone is not enough. A healthy diet and hydration coupled with cardio and resistance training are vital in your fight against cellulite, especially in problem areas such as stomach and thighs.

What Are The Causes Of Headaches & Tongue Spasms

Headaches and tongue spasms can seriously affect your day.

Headaches and tongue spasms can seriously affect those that suffer them, causing pain and discomfort and making it difficult to perform every day tasks. There are many causes of headaches and tongue spasms, and some of these are connected to one another. Some headaches and tongue spasms can be prevented, while some cannot.

Tongue Spasm

Tongue spasms may be oromandibular dystonia (OMD). OMD makes the tongue move in all directions and may make it difficult or even impossible to swallow. OMD may be caused by cerebral palsy, encephalitis (or swelling of the brain), side effects of some drugs, hepatic encephalopathy (a liver disease) and Hunter's chorea (a generative nerve disorder).

Muscle Cramps

Tongue spasms may also be caused by cramps. The tongue is a large muscle, and is so subject to cramping, which refers to an involuntary contraction of a muscle. If the tongue is subject to cramps, it may feel constricted and bulging. Cramps have many causes, including alcohol use, dehydration, an under-active thyroid, kidney failure and may also be a side effect caused by certain drugs.

Tension Headache

There are two primary forms of headache: tension and migraine. Tension headaches spread across the whole forehead and are often caused by tight, contracted muscles in the jaw and neck. This means that a headache could be caused by the strain on the jaw caused by tongue spasms. Tension headaches can also be a symptom of other problems, such as stress, depression and anxiety. Lack of sleep, hunger, alcohol and drug use, caffeine withdrawal and sweets such as chocolate can all cause tension headaches.

Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches usually occur with other symptoms such as blurry vision. They are caused by abnormal brain activity that is caused by such factors as stress, lack of sleep, loud noises and diet. Migraines are relatively common and usually strike people between the ages of 10 and 46 the most.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches usually attack one side of the head, and may also be accompanied by a blocked nose. Cluster headaches can last anywhere from a week to a year. Cluster headaches may be caused by a sudden release of histamines or serotonin in the body. This release may be triggered by high altitudes, bright light and heat.

Considerations

You should talk to your doctor if you experience a headache or tongue spasms for more than a few days.

What Is Involved In Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Shoulder replacement surgery can reduce pain and increase flexibility.

Shoulder replacement surgery can help relieve pain and help patients move better, making daily activities easier. Surgery is not usually considered until noninvasive treatments, such as medication and physically therapy, have failed to control pain adequately.

Reasons

Patients with various forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, may need shoulder replacement surgery. Severe rotator cuff injuries and failed previous shoulder replacements are other common reasons for the procedure, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Before Surgery

About two weeks before surgery, patients should stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, and most arthritis medications as these can thin the blood and cause excessive bleeding during surgery. Some patients may take antibiotics before the procedure to reduce the risk of infection.

Procedure

Shoulder replacement surgeries are done under general anesthesia. The surgeon replaces the top part of the upper arm bone with a metal piece that is shaped like a ball at the end that fits into the shoulder socket. Sometimes, the shoulder socket itself is capped with metal or plastic.

Risks

The most common risks associated with shoulder replacement surgery are reaction to the anesthesia, infection of the surgical site, and instability or stiffness in the new joint. In rare cases, blood clots and nerve injury can occur.

Recovery

Most patients stay in the hospital for one to three days following shoulder replacement surgery. The wound must be kept clean and dry upon returning home. Physical rehabilitation with a therapist starts a few days after surgery and can continue for weeks or months. Exercises build slowly to increase range of motion and strength in the new shoulder.

What To Eat After A Sleeve Gastrectomy

A sleeve gastrectomy requires a drastic change to your diet and your lifestyle. According to obesityhelp.com, the procedure restricts the size of the stomach by 85 percent or more, so tailoring your eating habits will help you lose weight and stay healthy by emphasizing nutrient-rich foods---lean protein, vegetables and fruits, and whole grains. While the initial phase of your post-surgery diet will consist only of liquids, you'll gradually work up to soft foods and eventually will be able to eat solid food again.

In the hospital

After the sleeve gastrectomy procedure, your doctor will restrict your diet to clear, sugar-free liquids for two to four meals. You can have about 3 ounces per hour of water, tea, broth, sugar-free gelatin or uncarbonated sports drinks, according to the Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Program. For the rest of your hospital stay, a diet of pureed foods that are low in fat and sugar is typical---pureed meats, vegetables and fruits, including mashed potatoes and applesauce.

Soft Diet

After discharge, your diet will change to accommodate your new lifestyle. The Cornell program recommends staying on a soft diet for three to four weeks. Soft, poached eggs, low-fat cottage cheese, sugar-free pudding, oatmeal, grits and applesauce are all fine to eat during that period. Meats and cooked vegetables should be pulsed in a blender until soft.

The amounts of food you can eat after the sleeve gastrectomy are still limited---between ¼ and ½ cup of bread and cereal, fruit and vegetables. Proteins are limited to ½ to ¾ cup per day, while dairy intake should stay between ¾ and 1 cup of milk, cheese or yogurt. Drink at least six to eight 8-ounce cups of water, unsweetened juice or sugar-free drinks.

Solid Diet

Based on your success with the soft diet, you can begin experimenting with solid foods. Lean proteins, vegetables and fruits, and whole grains should be staples of this diet. Avoid foods that are high in fat or sugar. The Cornell program advises that the solid diet will be different for everyone: Some foods won't agree with you and will need to be removed from your diet.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bilateral Tmj

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located near the ear and is a part of the jaw that allows the mouth to move while you talk and eat. Disorders of the TMJ can develop as a result of stress, injury or structural problems of your jaw and mouth and can be treated with lifestyle changes, pain relievers and dental devices such as mouth guards. According to the National Library of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of bilateral TMJ include pain and difficulty with movement of your jaw.

Pain

Pain in and around your jaw, especially right after you yawn, smile, chew food or open your mouth widely is a symptom of bilateral TMJ.

Sensitivity

Your teeth may become sensitive as a result of TMJ, due to an increase in the amount of force exerted when your teeth come together while chewing.

Jaw Dysfunction

As a result of bilateral TMJ, you may be unable to fully open your mouth or have a limited range of side-to-side movement of your jaw.

Orthodontic Changes

TMJ may cause teeth to shift in position, which can cause your bite to become misaligned and lead to excessive wear and potential breakage of your teeth.

Difficulty Eating

You may experience difficulty eating certain types of foods, such as fibrous vegetables or fruits that require thorough chewing, as well as tough meats and sticky foods such as taffy.

Effects

You may experience weight loss as a result of bilateral TMJ, due to an inability to chew and digest nutritious foods.

New York Health Insurance Guide

New York offers health insurance programs for families, children and the disabled.

The state of New York offers numerous health insurance programs for residents who cannot afford coverage or do not have access to employer-based plans. The state provides coverage for individuals, families, children and people with special needs, such as HIV/AIDS and disabilities. New York health insurance programs require candidates to meet income limits, and benefits and costs may vary, depending on the plan for which a resident qualifies.

Medicaid

The New York Department of Health administers the Medicaid program in the state of New York. It provides health care benefits for low-income New Yorkers, typically at no cost to participants. The program has different income limits for different categories of applicants, which can include single people, families, disabled people and senior citizens 65 years old and older. Medicaid provides comprehensive coverage, which can include hospitalization, nursing home care, dental care, physician services, prenatal care, psychiatric services and emergency care.

Family Health Plus

The Family Health Plus program, administered by the New York Department of Health, provides medical coverage for adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who exceed Medicaid income limits. FHP benefits can include preventive care, prescription drug coverage, primary care and hospitalization. The state offers FHP benefits through managed care providers throughout New York, such as Health First, United Healthcare and Amerigroup Community Care. The FHP program does not include deductibles, but certain services may require co-payments. FHP coverage can include physician services, emergency care, dental services, family planning and vision care.

Child Health Plus

Qualified children under 19 years of age can receive medical coverage through the Child Health Plus program, administered by the New York Department of Health. CHP provides coverage for children from families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid benefits. Certain children in the lowest household income categories receive free coverage, but coverage for children in families with higher incomes requires monthly premiums. CHP benefits can include well-child services, vision care, immunizations, physician services, hospitalization, mental health care and laboratory services.

Healthy New York

The New York State Insurance Department sponsors the Healthy New York program, which provides medical coverage for employed uninsured individuals, small businesses and sole proprietors. Each eligibility category has its own qualification guidelines. The state administers the program in 62 counties through health maintenance organization plans offered by companies such as Aetna Health, Univera and HealthNow New York. The cost of Healthy New York coverage can vary, depending on the county in which a participant lives and the HMO plan provider. Healthy New York requires participants to pay deductibles and co-payments, and benefits can include maternity care, prescription drug coverage, emergency care and inpatient hospitalization.

HIV Uninsured Care

The New York Department of Health offers four programs for uninsured and under-insured residents with HIV/AIDS. Coverage under the HIV/AIDS programs can include free medications, primary care, outpatient hospital care, laboratory services and home health care. Certain programs may help pay the premiums of individuals who have private insurance or may provide additional benefits for patients who have Medicaid coverage with spend-down requirements. All four HIV/AIDS programs share the same enrollment process and candidates need only submit a single application.

Regaining Weight After Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery can promote significant and lasting weight loss in severely obese individuals unable to achieve or maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. For many individuals, this surgery has a significant impact on their overall health and avoiding the potential for early death.

Gastric Bypass Surgery (GBS)

During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach pouch is surgically reduced to the size of a walnut or small egg, and portions of the small intestine are bypassed. Patients can expect to lose 50 to 80 percent of their excess weight, with significant loss seen during the first year.

A second GBS is not usually performed because of a higher rate of complications such as infection, bleeding or problems in the gastrointestinal tract. If weight is regained, it needs to be lost by reducing caloric intake and increasing physical activity. The success of surgery depends on your commitment to a healthy diet and regular exercise program.

Food Choices

Snacking can lead to weight gain. Many GBS individuals admit to eating high-carbohydrate processed food, including pretzels, chips, trail mix, crackers, cookies, cakes, granola, butter, mayonnaise and smoothies. Even though granola and trail mix are considered to be healthy foods, gastric bypass patients have a low tolerance for nuts, seeds and raisins. These foods also are high in hidden sugars.

Weight Gain

Most GBS patients will experience some weight gain after the bulk of their post-surgery loss. However, the majority of these individuals begin to gain weight because they consume too many high-calorie foods and beverages and don't exercise on a regular basis. Many engage in "grazing," a term used to describe eating food all day long, resulting in a high-caloric intake.

Patients also may begin to gain weight back 3 to 5 years after their GBS surgery, because the size of their stomach pouch has slowly expanded, allowing it to hold more and more food. It is believed, however, that eating the wrong foods is more of a threat than the expanded stomach. To retain weight loss, a patient should eat foods that provide the vitamins, minerals and nutrients the body needs.

Support

Regaining weight after gastric bypass surgery is an emotional and physical setback. To counter the weight gain, a patient needs to analyze and identify what is causing the relapse. To help patients through this difficult period, the GBS center has counselors who provide assistance and guidance for weight gain. Other options include support groups, online forums, one-on-one counseling and talking to peers.

Lifestyle Changes

The success of GBS surgery depends on your willingness to adopt lifelong healthy eating and exercise habits. Individuals who follow the guidelines commit to a healthy lifestyle to avoid weight increase. Unfortunately, many regain the lost weight because the factors that caused them to gain weight in the first place have not been adequately addressed.

Information About Minnesotacare Insurance

Understanding MinnesotaCare insurance

MinnesotaCare is a publicly sponsored health insurance program. It provides health insurance to working families who lack access to affordable coverage and don't qualify for Medicaid. MinnesotaCare program generally relies on state-funded assistance to cover more Minnesotans, but receives some federal funding. The program serves approximately 107,000 adults and children in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the program. It's also responsible for determining eligibility for the program--a function it also shares with county human services agencies for some enrollees. In addition, certain counties also have elected to manage MinnesotaCare cases for enrollees in their communities.

Income Qualifications

To be eligible for MinnesotaCare, you must be a resident of Minnesota, lack access to health coverage and meet specific income requirements. Income limits for adults with children can't exceed 275 percent of the federal poverty level, and adults without children can't go above 250 percent of the federal poverty level as of 2010. Currently, the income for parents, legal guardians, foster parents and relative caretakers can't exceed $50,000. Assuming federal approval is granted, the annual income gap is set to increase to $57,500 on July 1, 2010.

Asset Limits

Enrollees of MinnesotaCare also must meet other requirements before they're eligible for coverage. For instance, individuals can have no more than $10,000 in total net assets, and a family of two or more can't have more than $20,000 in total net assets to qualify. Only expectant mothers and children are excused from the asset limit.

Lack of Access to Employer-Sponsored Coverage

Enrollees also must not have access to an employer-sponsored health insurance plan that pays 50 percent or more toward their employees' coverage. Workers also must be without employer-sponsored coverage for at least 18 months before they're permitted to apply or reapply for MinnesotaCare benefits. Only, in certain cases, are children excluded from this requirement. Enrollees must also not be covered through any other plan or program for a minimum of four months before applying or renewing enrollment.

Benefits

Enrollees are entitled to different benefits depending on who they are. For example, pregnant women and children up to age 21 are eligible for a comprehensive set of benefits and don't have to pay co-pays for services. While the benefits for parents and childless adults cover most services, this group must a pay co-payment to receive them.

Program Funding

Federal and state dollars are used to fund MinnesotaCare. In addition, plan enrollees also pay a premium to participate. The premium rate is determined using a sliding payment scale, which takes family size and income into consideration. On average, the monthly premium for adults is about $18 and some children are covered for $4 a month. A 1.5 percent tax is also levied on hospitals and other health providers, which also goes toward the cost of MinnesotaCare.

Selfhypnosis & Weight Loss

Self-Hypnosis & Weight Loss

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report as much as 66 percent of the United States population is classified as overweight or obese. And while there are medical conditions that contribute to weight gain, excessive eating is often used as a coping mechanism to deal with stress. Self-hypnosis is a non-medical approach to weight loss that uses the power of suggestion to change behaviors connected to compulsive eating.

Self Hypnosis

The practice of self-hypnosis involves getting the mind and body in a relaxed state. A state of total relaxation allows suggestions, or directives to take root in the subconscious mind. This is called the body's relaxation response. Participants use a focal point like counting backwards as a means of clearing the mind, while deep breathing and muscle relaxation work to calm the body. These conditions allow for a highly focused frame of mind in which carefully crafted suggestions can be received and acted upon in the waking state.

The Creative Process

When using self-hypnosis, the power of suggestion comes to life within the creative environment of the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is where creative ideas are formed. When unhindered by the logical, analytical processes that take place in the conscious mind, thoughts and ideas that enter the subconscious can be acted upon. The relaxation response works to shut down the conscious mind which allows the subconscious to work with any suggestions that are made. A person is left with a heightened state of awareness that can be directed toward a desired goal or outcome. Once the subconscious mind receives a weight loss directive, it will seek out ways to comply with the desired goal. Weight loss suggestions or directives would fall along the lines of committing to eating healthy, eating in moderation or eating a certain number of calories per day.

Alpha Waves

The electrical activity within the brain moves according to a certain frequency, or wavelength during your normal waking state. This frequency is made up of beta waves, which is the wavelength where logical, analytical thought takes place. Self hypnosis practices slow brain frequencies down to the alpha wave state. This is the state we enter before falling asleep. The alpha wave state allows for access to the subconscious awareness. The relaxation response occurs when alpha wave activity is reached. The mind is then able to receive any suggestions regarding weight loss as a direct order.

Visualization

Visualization is a self-hypnosis technique used to present suggestions to the mind once it enters the alpha wave state. The suggestion is made in the form of a visual image. You visualize yourself slimmer or eating healthy foods in smaller portions. Attaching an emotional feeling to the image further intensifies the effect of the message on the subconscious mind. In addition to visualizing yourself slimmer you add the emotion of feeling confident or feeling full after eating a small portioned meal. The overall effect of this process reprograms the subconscious mind, which in turn overrides the usual habits carried out in conscious, waking life.

Considerations

As of yet, self- hypnosis has not been medically validated as an effective solution for weight loss. The techniques used are based on theories that cannot be verified because of the abstract nature of the mind. Using self-hypnosis techniques in addition to a regular program of diet and exercise can further improve the likelihood that progress will be made. Other techniques combine hypnosis techniques with cognitive behavioral therapy to address the conscious thought processes that may contribute to overeating habits.

What Is Career Banding

Skill-based career banding improves employee involvement.

Companies have had career banding or broadbanding as a compensation program option since the late 1980s. Career banding sets salary ranges or "bands" by job families, each of which carries an assigned competency level. It shifts focus from the job to the job holder, thereby encouraging employee development and instilling a "performance culture" throughout the organization.

Origin

Career banding grew from the need for a more flexible compensation program that would contribute to business objectives and reduce administrative costs. Traditional pay plans attach importance to where a job falls in the organization's hierarchy. Career banding transfers that importance to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) needed to perform a particular job. This emphasis on employee development results in a more skilled workforce and increased productivity. Also, lateral career moves under career banding become more attractive from a cross-training, career-growth perspective, enabling the company to better use existing talent.

Structure

According to the University of North Carolina Office of Human Resources, career banding assigns all positions to a job family representing a "general field of work." Each job family has "branches," which then are categorized by roles or classes. At the university, information technology (IT) is a job family with two branches--systems and support. IT systems contains the role or class of analyst, IT support, technician.

Competencies

Career banding uses three competency levels, each assigned a pay range usually based on prevailing market rates: contributing (entry-level), journey (experienced) and advanced (expert). Employees' pay reflects the extent to which they demonstrate these competencies. As they acquire more skills, they move to a band with a higher pay range.

Evaluation

Department managers and supervisors use a three-point scale when evaluating an employee's competency: "1" for "demonstrating," "2" for "applied" and "3" for "broadly applied." Standards are set to ensure uniformity throughout the organization. Evaluations then form the basis for employee training and identifying career path choices.

Weight Loss Tips For People With Lap Bands

Lap band surgery is the least restrictive form of weight loss surgery and an effective method of weight loss if you have over 100 pounds of weight to lose. Most clinics and insurance companies require that you be at least 100 pounds over your healthy weight to be eligible for the surgery unless you have health issues such as diabetes or a heart condition that could improve with weight loss. In those cases, they may allow the surgery if you have less than 100 pounds to lose. Either way, the process, and the post-operative care, is the same.

Eating

Some people find that they can still eat anything after surgery but others find that they are restricted. Some common restrictions you may experience are any meat you have to cut with a knife and fork, white meat chicken or turkey and any seafood that is overly dry or rubbery. These are more likely to get stuck in the band than ground meats, dark meat poultry and tender seafood.

Doughy soft breads like rolls, white bread, muffins, bagels and pizza are more likely to get stuck in the band. Stick with crispy, crunchy breads like well-toasted wheat bread, pita chips, bagel chips, breadsticks, and crackers. Avoid popcorn.

Fruits and vegetables are fine but avoid tough, stringy parts like asparagus stems or the white membranes of citrus fruit. Avoid dried fruits.

Stews and soups are a good choice, especially in the beginning of your weight loss program.

Use low fat condiments like BBQ sauce, ketchup or mustard to lubricate dry foods.

Take tiny bites and chew each bite thoroughly. It should be mushy before you swallow.

Add new foods to your diet slowly to be sure you can tolerate them.

Eat protein foods first to make sure you get plenty of protein. Because you won't be able to eat much, save the carbohydrates for filler.

Avoid overeating. Overeating can cause the pouch created by the band to stretch and may cause vomiting. It may also cause the band to slip, requiring surgical repairs.

Read food labels carefully to make sure you are not consuming empty calories.

Don't deprive yourself. A small bite or two of a special treat will help you fend off the cravings that lead to binge eating. Allow yourself a special treat once a week.

Eat mindfully. Set the table, sit down with family and focus on enjoying your meal. Do not eat in front of the television or at your desk while working.

You can still eat out. Just ask for a box with your meal and immediately put the food you won't be eating out of sight. Take it home and enjoy it for another meal.

Ask the waiter if you can have a child's portion or a senior portion, both of which are smaller.

Don't eat fried foods.

Exercise

Begin slowly. Start with 10 to 15 minutes of exercise two or three times a week and increase as you feel comfortable.

Exercises done in water are good because the water helps support your weight, your joints don't experience as much impact and you get added benefit from the resistance of the water. Swimming, walking in water or mild water aerobics are all good choices.

If your knees, hips, feet and ankles can handle it, increase your walking. Find ways to add more steps to your day. Use a pedometer as a way to measure this.

There are many good low impact fitness tapes, including some you can do seated. These are a good way to get your exercise in at home.

Try yoga for flexibility and strength building.

Other Tips

Take the supplements your physician prescribes.

Drink at least 48 ounces of noncaloric fluids every day. Do not drink fluids with your meals because this will cause the pouch to stretch.

Drinking with your meals can also cause the food to expand in the pouch causing band slippage, which requires surgery.

Avoid carbonation and caffeine. The bubbles in carbonated drinks take up space in your pouch and reduce the amount of fluids you can consume. Caffeine is a diuretic and causes fluid loss.

Avoid straws because you also take in air while drinking with them.

Weigh yourself weekly. This is important so you can catch any weight gains early.

Find a good tailor to alter your clothes as you lose weight, so you don't have to buy a new wardrobe every few weeks.

Look for clothing that wraps and can be adjusted to your changing shape.

Choose clothes with as few seams as possible because they are easier to alter.

Avoid pregnancy for at least 24 months after surgery. While your body is losing weight, a pregnancy would be dangerous for you and could be disastrous for your baby.

Join a support group of other people who have had the surgery or are planning to have it. You can learn from the others and further support your own resolve.

If you've used food to cope with emotional issues, consider seeing a therapist to help you find other ways to cope.

Keep an item of clothing, such as jeans or sweatpants, that you wore at your heaviest as a reminder of where you were and how far you've come. If you start to gain, pull them out to remind you of why you had the surgery and did all that work.

Weight Loss & Excess Skin

According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 133.6 million Americans are either overweight or obese. Some people only needed to lose a few extra pounds, while others have a significant amount of weight to lose. It is a good feeling to accomplish a weight loss goal and most people are satisfied when they lose weight. One problem with losing a significant amount of weight is loose skin on the body.

Significance

According to the Texas Medical Center, when a person loses more than 100 lbs., she tends to have a large amount of skin left over that sags. This not only looks unsightly, but it can also be a nuisance. It can negatively affect self-confidence after a person has worked so hard to get rid of extra weight.

Prevention/Solution

There are three ways to deal with excess skin, according to EMedicineHealth. The first way is to let the skin naturally return to how it used to be. This is the most natural process to get rid of the problem. The second way is to build muscle, which will help fill out the body and the extra skin on it. The final way is to get cosmetic surgery to remove the areas of excess skin in just a few simple procedures.

Time Frame

According to 24Medica, the time it takes to for excess skin to disappear or improve, varies with each option. If a person chooses to let his skin naturally fix itself, it can take over a year before he sees adequate improvement. For those who opt to build muscles, it can take a few weeks to a few months to see skin being pulled tighter around their body. Finally, if a individual chooses cosmetic surgery, then the results will be immediate and a person will need a few days to a few weeks to heal from the procedure.

Considerations

When someone is losing weight, EMedicineHealth recommends she lose roughly 2 lbs. a week. That is a safe and steady amount. The slower the weight loss process, the less likelihood there is for excess skin. Those that typically are unhappy with the saggy skin have lost a considerable amount of weight in a relatively short period of time. That makes it difficult for the body to adapt and for skin to slowly contract.

Warning

Since a person can be often impatient, he often opts for the cosmetic surgery option, so that he can have instant results. According to 24Medica, surgery is not without its share of drawbacks, such as scarring, uneven skin contouring, and it can be quite expensive. Building muscle to fill out skin also has a drawback that may turn off some people, and that it will result in weight gain. Muscle will add mass to the body, albeit healthy mass, but some people may not desire that after working hard to shed excess weight.

Mole Remover Cream

Mole Remover Cream

Mole removal creams are generally sold over the counter and contain active ingredients that can dissolve moles in just a few weeks. However, the safety and effectiveness of these creams has been hotly contested in the medical community.

Identification

Most mole removal creams are plant-based, with most being made from unknown, less potent plant varieties. However, some, such as Dermatend, are made with the sap of a bloodroot plant and are fairly potent.

Considerations

It is important to ensure that your mole is benign before applying mole removal cream to treat it. If it has ragged edges or changes in color, or you are simply unsure if it is cancerous or not, see a doctor before pursuing over-the-counter removal methods.

Process

The cream must be applied directly onto the mole for the best chance of removal success. Even applying it slightly off or around the mole means the mole may dissolve, but could grow back even bigger.

Warning

Mole remover creams can irritate the skin around the mole, so take great care to apply only as much cream as needed and only directly on the mole, not around it.

Benefits

The benefits of using a mole remover cream are that there is no surgical treatment needed, little chance of scarring and an average success rate of 95 percent for most moles.

Side Effects Of Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid surgery is typically performed on patients with thyroid nodules that are both cancerous and benign, goiters (or large thyroid gland) and overactive thyroid glands, known as hyperthyroid. A biopsy or lumpectomy removes a small portion of the thyroid gland. A lobectomy will remove half of the gland. A total thyroidectomy removes the entire thyroid gland.

Bleeding

Bleeding is the main complication that surgeons are concerned with following a thyroid operation. Bleeding can cause respiratory distress and is the main cause of death after this type of procedure.

Nerve Damage

Some patients have permanent or temporary hoarseness, or problems projecting the volume of their voice following thyroid surgery. Damage to the laryngeal nerve during surgery can also cause difficulties swallowing.

Parathyroid Damage

Patients with invasive tumors and lymph node complications are at an increased risk for developing hypoparathyroidism. The parathyroid glands control calcium production.

Hypothyroid

If the purpose of your surgery was to treat thyroid cancer, you may become hypothyroid following your surgery. Thyroid hormone therapy is a common treatment for this condition.

Inexperienced Surgeon

There are negative side effects and complications in only about 2 percent of thyroid surgeries performed by a surgeon with little experience with this procedure. Prior to surgery, it is important to find a surgeon who had special training in this area of medicine. (To find a surgeon near you, see Resources section of this article.)

Texas Medicaid Income Qualifications

Texas Medicaid Income Qualifications

Only Texas residents may qualify for state Medicaid. The individual may be a citizen or qualified alien and must qualify with low income and low resources. Texas Medicaid follows or exceeds federal guidelines to provide needy families, children, pregnant women, elderly, disabled and other protected groups with necessary medical care.

Identifying Income

Income is anything received in cash or in kind convertible to food or shelter. Texas Medicaid counts income in the month of receipt. Income is earned or unearned, and cash or in-kind. Income may be fixed or variable and does not include taxes withheld from wages. Income becomes a resource in the month after receipt. Texas does not count social services and medical services as income.

Resources

Resources for Medicaid purposes must total no more than $2,000, but like SSI, not all resources count. A home and lot, car, burial plot and small burial insurance, household goods and furniture are some of the items not counted. Texas counts cash, stocks, bonds, bank accounts and assets of value as resources.

Automatic Qualification

Supplemental Security Income or SSI is a federal program run by Social Security. Individuals who receive SSI who otherwise qualify for Medicaid as Texas residents can qualify for Medicaid based on SS qualification. Temporary Aid to Needy Families recipients who are Texas residents can qualify for Texas Medicaid as well. Mothers receiving Medicaid at birth automatically receive 12 months of coverage for the child. These groups automatically qualify for Medicaid.

Nursing Home and Medicaid Buy-In

Actual income cannot exceed $2,022 a month for nursing home Medicaid approval. There is a Medicaid buy-in program that requires countable income to be less than $2,257 a month. This is 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Medicaid buy-in works for disabled individuals and requires premium payments based on unearned and earned income.

Pregnant Women and Children

Medicaid eligibility in Texas applies to pregnant women with income up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. Texas also recognizes "medically needy" pregnant women and children whose income exceeds the Medicaid limits. This group becomes Medicaid eligible if medical expenses exceed the spend down limit, calculated by subtracting income from a medically needy income limit for family of that size. Minor children in foster care usually qualify for Medicaid as well.

Children's Medicaid

Maximum monthly income limits for children's Medicaid depend on the age of the child. For children ages 1 to 5, the family of four can earn $2,444 a month, but for children 6 to 18, the income maximum for a family of four is $1,838. Families whose income is too high for Medicaid often qualify for Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP.

Tools For Weaving

A loom is the most essential tool needed for weaving.

Weaving involves the combination of two or more materials, often fiber, by interlacing them at right angles into a systematic and durable web. It's considered an ancient textile art that arose early in our civilization. Tools and weaving techniques are passed down from generation to generation and differ slightly among cultures. Interestingly, even with advancements in technology, tools for weaving haven't changed much, as a large amount of the world's weaving is still done by hand.

Loom

The loom is the most common tool associated with weaving. Looms come in multiple sizes and varieties depending on the purpose for which they are being used. A loom is a large framework over which threads of fiber, such as yarn, wool, or silk, are stretched and then systematically interwoven to create cloth. Alternatively, a loom is a framework that allows you to implement a variety of techniques to waft and warp strands of fiber into simple or complex fabrics.

Warping Reel and Spool Rack

Warping is the vertical interlacing of fiber and is the dominant face in woven cloth. A warping reel provides precise control of the dimensions of the finished fabric. Spool racks allow you to keep your fibers organized while you are weaving. They also prevent any kinking or unwanted knots as they keep each thread of fiber separated from any other threads while being fed into the loom.

Shuttles

A weft is the horizontal alignment of thread that runs perpendicularly to the warp. Shuttles bind the weft after it has been woven through the warp. They are necessary tools because they prevent the warp and weft fibers from unwanted tangling.

Lap Band Health Risks

With so many different alternatives to weight loss, people look for the best possible option to fit their needs. The lap band surgical weight loss system may work well for some patients, but not all. Deciding if this treatment is best for you is the first step. The lap band system requires patients to commit to an overall lifestyle change before and after surgery, which includes changing your eating patterns and exercising more frequently. But first, there are many complications, risks, and harmful effects that you should consider prior to surgery.

Is This Option Best for Me?

The lap band weight loss system may not be the best option for individuals who are experiencing some of the following: heart or lung disease, ulcers, Crohn's disease, an autoimmune connective tissue disease, scleroderma, bleeding in the stomach or esophagus, hypertension, cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis, or are frequent users of alcohol or drugs. It is also not recommended for people who cannot endure pain from an implanted device, cannot follow nutritional guidelines that comply with the lap band procedure, are allergic to materials in the lap band, pregnant, and under 18 years of age.

General Risks

The lap band system has general risks that are involved with the surgical procedure. These risks may increase for those who are extremely overweight. Some of the risks are as followed: death (it can occur during the operation, afterwards, or as a result of the operation), and a gastric perforation (a tear in the stomach wall). Patients can also regain the weight they've lost, and experience side effects from medications involved in the procedure. Age increases risks associated with surgery, and risks can arise from a foreign object being planted inside of your stomach.

Complications

Most individuals experience complications after surgery which may include: vomiting, nausea, constipation, dehydration, heart burn, diarrhea, anemia, abdominal pain, hernia, fever, chest pains, abnormal stools, spleen injury, ulceration, gastritis (irritated stomach tissue), twisting of the stomach pouch, stomach pouch enlargements, discomfort from a lap band that's too tight, discomfort from the improper placement of the band and regurgitation. Sometimes bands can erode in the patient's stomach causing extreme distress.

Wedding Dj Checklist

Before hiring a DJ, ask to see a sample playlist and look for songs you enjoy.

Planning your wedding music and working with a DJ may seem daunting in light of all the other things on your mind when planning your wedding. Create a checklist of these essential steps and tasks to help you keep everything straight for yourself and the DJ.

Decide Whats Music You Want

If you're having a small, less formal wedding, consider providing your own music on an iPod. You still need to plan ahead, providing a variety of jazz, pop-rock and classical music for the events. You also need to make sure you test out your playlist before the big day. The upside to using an iPod instead of a DJ or band is that it's cheap, you'll only hear the songs you want and you can use the iPod as a jukebox for guests. The cons include not being able to change song transitions, and you may not want to encourage the participatory element if you have certain songs in mind. You might also want to hire a band for the rehearsal dinner, reception or after-party and to save the DJ for the dancing, or vice-versa.

Choose Your DJ

When choosing a DJ, ask for a tape of a public performance or ask to attend a dress rehearsal. If this isn't available, ask for a sample playlist and look for songs you'd enjoy. Ask for references from past weddings and celebrations or ask your friends and family if they have anyone they'd recommend. Before you agree to hiring a DJ, agree on any specifically requested songs, do-not play lists and other requests.

Create Song Lists

Whether your decide on a DJ the entire celebration or portions of your wedding, put down your song options (and narrow them down later) on paper. Organize them by ceremony, reception and dance sections. For the ceremony, include a prelude song to play while your guests enter, the processional song for the court and bride's entrances, any ceremony or religious music and a recessional. Though you may not have a DJ for the ceremony, the list is still good practice. For the reception and dance, include a playlist for a cocktail hour (if applicable), dinner, couple's first dance, bride and father dance, groom and mother dance, guests' first dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss and any general dance requests.

Address the Technical Issues

If your reception and dance take place in a private home or outside, find out about local statutes on noise permits. You may need to obtain one, or at least notify the neighbors, if your dance goes on after the curfew time.

Address electrical issues beforehand. Keep the caterer and DJ on different circuits. Also seat guests with hearing aids, pacemakers and other such devices away from the speakers and DJ equipment so the frequencies don't interfere with their functioning.

Job Duties Of A Surgical Tech

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for surgical techs or technicians will increase by 24 percent over the next two decades, resulting in 21,000 new jobs.

Operating Room Set-Up

Before surgery begins, surgical techs ready the operating room by placing all necessary utensils, instruments and equipment within convenient reach of those who will use them during the procedure.

Pre-Procedure Patient Care

Before a procedure, surgical techs assist surgeons by cleaning and shaving the area of the patient that will be operated upon. Then, techs escort the patient to the operating room and get her in position for the procedure.

Early Surgery

Once a patient is in place, the surgical tech checks his vital signs, such as heartbeat, blood pressure, body temperature and reflexes. The tech looks over the patient's medical records for allergies or conditions the attending physician needs to know. The tech assists members of the surgical team with their masks, scrubs and gloves as necessary.

During Surgery

Surgical techs assist the medical room team in any way that is requested. This might include passing instruments, operating equipment, and handling biopsies and tissue samples.

After Surgery

After the procedure, the surgical tech will help the patient to her room, then return to the operating room to clean it. The tech is responsible for sterilizing instruments and returning equipment to its proper place.

Spay Operation Complications

Is spay surgery safe for your pet?

Spay operations are used to prevent reproduction from female canines and felines. During a spay operation, the reproductive organs of the female animal including the uterus and ovaries, are completely removed from the pet. Though it is widely recognized that spaying your pet not only prevents the birth of unwanted offspring but offers a number of other benefits as well, there are some spay operation complications that pet owners need to be aware of. According to Laura J. Sanborn, M.S., there is significant evidence that indicates spaying can have adverse health effects that should be considered.

Anesthetic Complication

As with any type of surgery that involves your pet being administered anesthesia, there is the risk that your pet will have an adverse reaction to such medication. Fortunately, blood work taken prior to the surgery will generally detect problems that could cause an anesthetic complication. Both canines and felines are susceptible to anesthetic complication.

Post-Operative Wound Infection

Post-operative infection to the incision site is a common spay complication and often occurs from improper care of the surgical site. Following your veterinarians post-operative instructions will help to reduce the risk of infection as will follow up visits with the vet to ensure the wound is healing properly. Cats spend a great deal of time grooming themselves and after surgery it is common for them to frequently attempt to cleanse their surgical site. Excessive licking to the wound may create a damp, moist environment that is open to bacterial growth and infection.

Internal Infection

Canine spay surgery increases the risk of the dog experiencing future internal infections such as vaginal dermatitis, vaginitis and recurrent urinary tract infections.

Bone Cancer

When canine spay surgery is performed before 1 year of age, the risk of bone cancer (osteosarcoma) is significantly increased. This form is cancer is often fatal and is experienced more often in larger breeds of dogs.

Urinary Incontinence

Between 4 and 20 percent of female dogs that receive a spay operation will develop urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is the involuntary release of urine; however, this condition can often be treated by medication.

Obesity

After canine spay surgery, female dogs are 1.6 to 2 times more likely to become obese than those not spayed. Felines are also at an increased risk for obesity once they are spayed. Since obesity can lead to a number of other health problems, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen for your spayed pet.

Internal Bleeding

Cats and dogs that are active following a feline spay operation may be at risk for developing internal bleeding from ligatures or internal sutures slipping off of blood vessels. Though this is a rather rare occurrence, it is important to monitor your pet to ensure they allow time for internal healing before becoming highly active.

Recovery From Diverticulitis Surgery

Diverticulitis surgery may be needed if you have abnormal bleeding, repeated attacks of diverticulitis or as prevention for colon cancer. It involves removing a diseased section of the large intestine and reconnecting the healthy sections of the colon; it is usually performed under general anesthesia.

When to Have Surgery

Surgery for diverticulitis may be needed depending on the severity of your symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for milder symptoms.

Hospitalization

The surgery will be performed in a hospital. After surgery, most people stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days. During this time, you'll need extra rest and fluids to heal.

Antibiotics

When you go home from the hospital, you will need to continue taking antibiotics for around a mont that your doctor prescribes to kill bacteria that causedinfection. Most patients take these antibiotics for around a month or so.

Avoid Certain Foods

Your doctor will give you a list of foods to avoid temporarily. For most people, these include whole grains, vegetables and fruits. This is so your colon doesn't have to work too hard to process the food you eat.

Symptoms Improve

As symptoms improve, you may resume your normal activities. This includes eating high-fiber foods as a part of your diet. Symptoms generally improve within a week after surgery.

Personalized Unique Luxury Gifts

If money isn't a concern, give a friend or loved one the gift of luxury. Choose unique high-end items featuring quality fabrics and materials. Splurge on well-made pieces and ornate designs. Add a personalized touch by engraving, monogramming or etching the gift. Choose items that reflect the gift recipient's favorite colors, patterns and hobbies.

Crystal-studded Picture Frame

Delight a friend or loved one with an elegant crystal-studded picture frame. Choose a silver or gold metal frame trimmed with clear or multi-colored Swarovski crystals. You can also choose a high-quality wood frame embedded with crystals. For a personal touch, engrave the frame with a special message, such as "I love you," or with the gift-recipient's name. Fill the frame with a sentimental photo of the two of you prior to presenting the gift.

Monogrammed Cashmere Blanket

Give a warm cashmere blanket. Choose a throw blanket in the gift recipient's favorite color, or in a shade to coordinate with her home decor. If you are unsure of what hue to choose, stick with a sophisticated neutral shade such as chocolate brown, creamy ecru or blush pink. Have one corner of the blanket monogrammed with the recipient's initials.

Wine Decanter Set

Present a family member with a personalized crystal wine decanter and matching glasses. For a luxurious touch, choose a set made of European lead-free crystal featuring hand-cut patterns. Have the decanter and glasses etched with the recipient's initials for a sophisticated look. The set will make an elegant addition to a home bar. Complete the gift with a bottle of wine or chardonnay.

Engraved Gold Locket

Surprise a loved one with an engraved gold heart-shaped locket. Choose an 18-karat gold locket and matching chain for a luxurious gift. Have the front of the locket engraved with the loved one's name or a thoughtful message. Fill each side of the locket with pictures featuring the two of you in meaningful moments.

Personlized Picnic Basket

Gift a couple with a romantic top-of-the-line picnic basket. Choose a hand-woven willow basket featuring a linen lining. Engrave the leather strap with the couple's first names or their last. Fill the basket with high-quality china or ceramic plates, crystal glasses and sterling silver cutlery. Include a soft blanket on which the couple can sit and eat.

Medical Financial Assistance Grants

Medical financial assistance grants help people who cannot afford medical care.

For the 46.3 million Americans without health insurance, it can be very difficult to afford medical care. Even those with insurance may have trouble affording all the co-pays if they have a serious health condition that requires extensive treatment. Medical financial assistance grants help pay for treatment not covered by insurance. A number of organizations and foundations offer grants that cover everything from medical care for children to cancer treatments to pain medications.

American Kidney Fund

The American Kidney Fund offers several grants for patients with kidney disease, including grants to help pay health insurance premiums and grants to help pay for treatment-related expenses that insurance does not cover, like the cost of over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, and durable medical equipment.

American Kidney Fund

6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010

Rockville, MD 20852

800-638-8299

kidneyfund.org

Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund

The Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund helps cancer patients between the ages of 18 and 40 pay for things like home health care and insurance co-pays, as well as helping with practical expenses like rent and utilities. The Fund's website reports that the typical grant is about $600.

Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund

24152 Lyons Ave., #157

Santa Clarita, CA 91321

661-310-7940

bmcf.net

The CAIR Project

The CAIR Project provides funding to women in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington that need help paying for an abortion. Eligibility is based on self-reported financial need. The CAIR Project website provides information about similar grants available in other states.

The CAIR Project

PO Box 17121

Seattle, WA 98127

888-644-CAIR

cairproject.org

Cancer Care

Cancer Care offers a number of grants for medical assistance, including grants to help cover chemotherapy and other medications for breast-cancer patients, and grants to help pay for home care and pain medication for other cancer patients. Applicants must provide information about their income, savings, and expenses.

Cancer Care

275 Seventh Ave., Floor 22

New York, NY 10001

1-800-813-HOPE (4673)

cancercare.org

United Healthcare Children's Foundation

The United Healthcare Children's Foundation makes grants to families with children whose medical needs are not covered by their commercial health insurance plans. Only children covered by commercial health insurance plans are eligible for these grants. Those covered by government sponsored plans like Medicaid will not qualify. Families must meet certain income guidelines to obtain grants.

United Healthcare Children's Foundation

MN012-S286

PO BOX 41

Minneapolis, MN 55440-0041

952-992-4459

uhccf.orgc

VNS Therapy Access Program

The VNS Therapy Access Program provides free VNS (vagus nerve stimulation) systems for epileptic patients who do not have insurance coverage for these devices and cannot afford to pay out of pocket for them. The program only provides the devices; patients must arrange and pay for their own doctors to surgically implant them.

VNS Therapy Access Program

Cyberonics, Inc.

100 Cyberonics Blvd.

Houston, TX 77058-9798

877-610-1180

vnstherapy.com/epilepsy/patient

What Does A Slipped Lapband Look Like

A slipped Lap-Band shows up on an X-ray.

A Lap-Band is an adjustable silicone band that is placed around the stomach to limit the amount of food a patient can eat in order to facilitate weight loss. Sometimes, however, the band slips out of place. More often, when doctors say a patient has a slipped Lap-Band, what they really mean is that the stomach has slipped up above the band.

External Appearance

A slipped Lap-Band cannot be seen on the outside of the body. The patient's abdomen appears normal even when the band has slipped.

Internal Appearance

If you could look inside the patient's abdomen, you would see a bulge above the band if the band had slipped. You might also see that the band had become twisted.

Anterior Slippage

Anterior Lap-Band slippage occurs when the front part of the stomach slips up over the band. Then the bulge would be seen at the front of the stomach.

Posterior Slippage

Posterior Lap-Band slippage occurs when the back part of the stomach slips up over the band. Then the bulge would be seen at the back of the stomach. Posterior slippage does not occur very often these days, though, because of the surgical techniques now used. It was more common in the 1990s.

Looking for a Slipped Band

To look for a slipped Lap-Band, doctors use an upper GI series X-ray. The patient drinks a barium solution while X-rays are taken and the slipped band shows up on the X-ray.

Infection From Venipuncture

Venipuncture is the removal of blood from a vein in the arm, hand, wrist or ankle with a syringe, Vacutainer tube or winged infusion set. Infection at the injection site is rare, but you should know what to look for, avoid it and what steps to take if it occurs.

Venipuncture Hygiene

When you go to a hospital, lab or doctor's office and have blood drawn for testing, there should be very clean conditions. The equipment should be sterilized and surfaces cleaned with alcohol or a commercial medical cleaner. Every needle should come out of a sealed package and screwed on to a new flange, and all Vacutainers that are vacuum-sealed to draw blood should be checked for expiration date. If all this is done correctly, there should be no way for the procedure to cause an infection at the injection site.

Hematomas

If you look at the injection site and see a small raised bump that is dark bluish in color, this is not an infection, it is a hematoma. Sometimes when blood is drawn, the needle size might be too small or a vein starts to collapse a bit and blood rushes to the site and gathers where the needle was inserted. A hematoma is like a bruise and needs no further medical attention; it will go away on its own in a few days.

Bruising

You may get bruising at the site of a needle injection. It can be very large, seeming to cover the entire inside of your elbow. It might be tender to the touch or even painful. But it is not an infection and it will go away on its own.

Redness, Swelling and Fever

Even with the best medical practices you can still contract an infection at the site of injection. Small particles of dirt or pathogens can get in and cause redness, swelling and fever. Make sure your phlebotomist cleans the area with alcohol before injection. If you do see redness and swelling at the site, first try topical antibacterial ointment. It's available over the counter at pharmacies and grocery stores. If you don't see improvement, or if you have a fever of over 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit or above, see a medical professional. You may need oral antibiotics or antibiotics by injection.

Avoiding Venipuncture Infections

Make sure the area where you are having your blood drawn is clean and sanitary. Ask your phlebotomist if she is using a new needle and to make sure the Vacutainers are not expired. Never accept a used needle, even if it has been cleaned or autoclaved. There is no contemporary medical need to reuse needles. After the blood draw, a band-aid should be applied; if not, ask for one. This will help prevent infection.

Preop Procedures For Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery changes the layout of the digestive system, which reduces the amount of food a patient can eat, according to the Mayo Clinic. Surgeons perform this surgery to reduce the risk of obesity related health issues in patients. Pre-op (pre-operation) procedures for gastric bypass surgery are focused on making sure the patient is physically and psychologically ready for this procedure.

Preparing for Surgery

Once your gastric bypass surgery date has been set, a doctor will conduct a chest x-ray and run blood work to ensure you're ready for surgery, according to Baylor College of Medicine. This usually takes place about a week before your surgery date.

When meeting with your surgeon, the surgeon will determine if you need medical approval from a specialist such as a cardiologist if you have other health issues. The doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes, such as starting or increasing physical activity, discontinuing any use of cigarettes and starting a low-fat and low-calorie diet, according to the Mayo Clinic. Making these changes before surgery will make the transition much easier.

Meeting with a Dietitian

Before surgery, you'll need to meet with a dietitian to discuss what to expect after surgery. Diet plays a large role in allowing the staples in your stomach to heal. After surgery, you'll consume clear liquids for the first few days. After those liquids are tolerated well, you can start introducing semi-solids, such as broth, juice without added sugar, milk and sugar free Jell-O.

Once your body tolerates semi-solids, you can introduce pureed foods, such as ground up lean cuts of meat, fish, egg whites, yogurt, soft vegetables and fruits, according to the Mayo Clinic. Soft solid foods (without pureeing) can be introduced a few weeks after surgery (cooked vegetables, soft meats, and fresh fruit).

A couple months after surgery, you can start consuming regular solid foods. However, avoid foods such as popcorn and dried fruits during this time, which are difficult for the stomach to digest because of their crunchy texture.

Meeting with a Psychologist

Before surgery a doctor will refer you to a psychologist for an evaluation. The psychologist will ensure that surgery is the best option and help you prepare for the benefits and risks of gastric bypass surgery. If the psychologist doesn't believe you are psychologically ready for surgery, it may be postponed.

Nerve Pain Cure

Your body will not function properly if the nerves are not healthy and working properly. If you have experienced nerve damage as a result of injury or illness, you may be experiencing nerve pain, or neuralgia.

Disease

Disease accounts for a high number of people experiencing peripheral nerve pain. Those suffering from cancer, diabetes and autoimmune diseases are most susceptible to nerve damage. Those suffering from cancer may experience nerve pain for a number of reasons, such as a tumor pushing against a nerve or treatments such as chemotherapy that damage cells. For a cancer patient, curing nerve pain depends on the type of cancer and where you may be in treatment. For diabetics, controlling your insulin and keeping your diabetes under control is the best way to stop nerve damage. For those with autoimmune diseases, the best cure is pain management. This may be narcotic medications, anticonvulsants or antispasticity agents. Nerve blockers that prevent pain from being sensed by the brain are also used. If your symptoms are new, you should consult with your doctor immediately to determine the proper course of action.

Musculo-Skeletal Issues

You may experience nerve pain as a result of a musculo-skeletal issue. These include herniated discs in the spinal column, tendinitis in the elbow or wrist or other injury placing pressure on a nerve. These injuries can lead to permanent nerve damage, but it is often only a temporary issue if skeletal alignment is accomplished and the injury treated quickly. While you may take pain medication to reduce pain, numbness and tingling at the onset of the problems, you should find many of the symptoms going away shortly after you release the pressure on the nerve.

Toxins

Drugs and poisons can damage your nervous system. This includes narcotics, chemotherapy, lead, arsenic, or mercury. If a person receives treatment promptly it is possible that the nerve damage will not be permanent. Quick action is the cure when dealing with poisons and toxins. If the nerve damage is not completely repairable, your doctor may look at medications and nerve blockers to help alleviate and control your pain.

Graft and Transfer

In some instances where the body is unable to regenerate the nerve, a surgeon may reconnect the nerve endings. This can fill gaps to restore nerve function via a nerve graft. A nerve transfer is another possibility where nerve fibers from a different part of the body can be taken to replace damaged nerves.

What To Expect After Gallbladder Surgery

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse about 500,000 people have gallbladder surgery, known as cholecystecotomy, each year in the U.S.

Gallbladder removal may cause diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe gas and blood clots. These side effects typically subside shortly after the surgical procedure.

Constipation

After aa cholecystecotomy bile can no longer be stored in the gallbladder and instead flows directly from the liver into the small intestine. Patients may experience temporary constipation immediately following gall bladder surgery. Difficulties associated with elimination are due primarily to anesthesia and post-operative pain medication.

Diarrhea

Unlike short-lived constipation, diarrhea may continue for many years after surgery. The Mayo Clinic found the development of diarrhea in as many as one in three people who underwent a cholecystecotomy, or as few as one out of 100.

The reason for the onset of diarrhea following removal of the gallbladder is unclear, but it may be due to an increase in bile acids entering the large intestine. The acids mimic the effects of a laxative.

Controlling Diarrhea

Consult your physician for diarrhea treatments, including anti-diarrheal medications and medicines that inhibit absorption of bile acids, such as aluminum hydroxide.

Limit dairy products, greasy foods, sweets and caffeine which exacerbate the condition.

Blood Clots

There is a risk of blood clots following gall bladder surgery. Preventive measures include wearing pressure stockings made with tight elastic to keep blood from collecting in the legs and causing clots.

For added protection, patients may be fitted with pneumatic boots or leggings placed over pressure stockings and connected to an air pump. The pump tightens and loosens different parts of the boot, helping push blood back up the heart.

What Does Term Life Insurance Mean

Life insurance is one of the most important types of financial products available for protecting families from financial hardship. Life insurance policies give financial compensation to the beneficiaries of the policyholder if he happens to die. The death of a breadwinner or caregiver can result in great financial hardship for a family; life insurance is a way to mitigate the hardship caused by death.

Basics

Term life insurance is a type of life insurance that lasts for a predetermined duration or term. For instance, if a 30-year-old worker buys a 20-year term life insurance policy, the worker's beneficiaries would receive money if the worker died before age 50. Term life insurance is an alternative to permanent life insurance policies, which last until the time of death. Term policies can come in many different durations, such as five-year, 10-year, 20-year and 30-year policies.

Benefits

Term life insurance offers several notable benefits. According to State Farm, term life insurance was developed to provide temporary life insurance benefits on a limited budget. The cost of term life insurance may be lower than permanent insurance, since there is no guarantee that the policyholder will receive a benefit. After an agreement is signed, the insurance company cannot end your coverage if you continue to make your premium payments on time.

Drawbacks

Term life insurance has a few drawbacks with respect to other life insurance options. If you do not die during the term of the policy, your beneficiaries will not receive any compensation from the policy. The cost of the premiums may change over time depending on the terms of the insurance contract. In addition, if you reach the end of a term life insurance policy, it may be costly to get a new policy.

Considerations

Term life insurance offers a way for consumers to apply life insurance coverage to the most productive years of life. If a worker dies in her 30s or 40s, she will have missed out on many years of potential income. Older workers are more likely to have grown children and substantial savings, as well as fewer years of work ahead of them so they may not want to pay for life insurance. Term life insurance lets consumers choose which years of life they want to protect with insurance coverage instead of committing to a permanent plan.

Preoperative Nursing Care For Total Knee Replacement

In a total knee replacement surgery, the damaged cartilage and bone is removed and replaced with a metal and plastic knee. Preoperative nursing care prepares the patient for the surgery as well as what to expect afterward.

Physical Assessment

The physical assessment ensures the patient is able to handle anesthesia for an extended period of time. Make sure the patient is free of fever and illness that could cause complications.

Health History

The nurse goes over the patient's past health history to identify possible postoperative concerns. For example, smoking can adversely affect the rate of bone recovery.

Education

The best time to give postoperative instructions is before the surgery, when the patient is more alert. These instructions include breathing exercises, administering of pain medications and prevention of blood clots.

Anxiety

Assess the patient for anxiety. Make sure he understands the procedure, ask if he has any questions and explain what will be done for his pain after the procedure.

Body Prep

Part of a nurse's responsibility is to make sure the knee and surrounding leg is clean and shaved if requested by the doctor. The nurse may also start the IV line to be used during and after the surgery.

Surgical Technology

Surgical technologists assist other members of the surgical team.

Surgical technology is a medical profession in which members are trained to assist surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists and other operating room staff members before, during and after surgical procedures. Surgical technologists contribute significantly to the delivery of optimum surgical patient care.

Job Description

Surgical technologists set up instruments, assemble and check equipment, and prep patients for surgery. During procedures, they assist by passing instruments, holding or adjusting equipment to enhance the surgeon's visibility, cutting sutures and caring for any patient specimens that may have been collected. When surgery is complete, they deliver patients to the recovery room and clean and restock the operating room in preparation for the next procedure.

Work Environment

Operating rooms are cool, clean, quiet and well lit. The nature of the work requires that surgical technicians not be offended by certain sights, smells and materials. Exposure to infectious diseases is possible. The position requires long hours of standing and a high degree of manual dexterity.

Education

Surgical technology programs last from nine to 24 months and result in a certificate, diploma or associate degree. The programs consist of both classroom study and supervised clinical practice. Graduates obtain certification by passing a national competency examination.

Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for surgical technologists in 2008 was $38,740. Compensation is influenced by numerous factors including geographic location, education, experience and work shift.

Job Opportunities

Most surgical technologists work in hospitals. Positions are also available in outpatient surgical centers and physicians' and dentists' offices.

Jamaica Tourist Dangers

Jamaica is a developing nation with over 2.6 million people as of 2009.

Jamaica is a popular Caribbean destination that attracts tourists from all over the world. Its powdery sand beaches and warm, turquoise water make this place hard to resist. As with any international travel, there are dangers that tourist must be aware of before venturing off. Theft, local drug use and sexual assaults are a few dangers that tourists need to know about.

Sexual Assult

According to the US Embassy, in 2009 several reports of sexual assaults were made by American citizens, including two cases that allegedly happened at tourist resorts. The use of date rape drugs, such as Rohypnol, has become more common at clubs and private parties. Avoid suspicious and secluded situations. Always maintain a watchful eye and never go out alone. If you find yourself in a threatening situation, don't be afraid to ask for help. Contact the US Embassy and the local police to report any crimes or suspicious activity.

Illegal Drugs

Marijuana -- also referred to as "Ganja" -- is ever present in Jamaica. Even though it is everywhere, it is still illegal, and US citizens should not buy, sell, take or hold this drug under any circumstances. Doing so could lead to a citation or even incarceration in Jamaica. There are street peddlers everywhere and it seems that almost everyone that you come in contact with may offer it-- cab driver or tour guide . If you're approached by peddler, a firm "No thank you" should get your point across. Don't entertain the subject or even act remotely interested. Just decline and keep walking.

Theft

No one wants to become a victim of theft while in Jamaica, but it is a concern for good reason. The U.S. Embassy advises it staff to avoid inner-city areas of Kingston, and it also cautions American citizens to not use public buses. They are overcrowded -- the perfect vehicle for crimes such as theft. Necessary precautions to avoid becoming a victim of theft include keeping your doors locked and windows up while in a vehicle. Women's handbags should be zipped closed and strapped around the body so it is held close. Men should carry their wallets in the front of their pockets and never carry large amounts of cash. Leave your expensive jewelry at home, or keep it locked up in your hotel room safe out of plain view if you do decide to bring them.

Nerve Damage Due To Spine Compression

According to Merck Medical Library, ongoing spinal compression can destroy nerve pathways. If you experience symptoms, contact your doctor. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can limit or prevent permanent damage.

Symptoms

Nerve damage can cause muscle spasms, numbness and pain. Bowel and bladder control may be lost. Paralysis develops when nerves are so damaged that signals cannot be transmitted.

Types

According to the Mayo Clinic, both traumatic spinal injuries, with fractures and dislocations, and non-traumatic spinal injuries associated with arthritis, inflammation or infection, can cause spinal compression with nerve damage.

Tests

The doctor performs basic neurological tests in the office. X-rays and MRIs may be ordered to locate points of compression.

Therapy

The doctor may prescribe spinal decompression therapy using traction. Occupational therapy may also be prescribed to help you learn new ways of performing daily tasks.

Medication

The doctor may prescribe steroids to fight inflammation and reduce progressive nerve damage. Medications to ease pain and muscle spasms may also be prescribed.

Surgery

Spinal surgery removing bone fragments and ruptured disks might be necessary. The doctor may suggest you undergo a laminectomy to remove bone from the spinal canal to ease pressure on the spinal cord.

Severe Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux is a condition characterized by the back flow (reflux) of the stomach contents into your esophagus. The esophagus, or food pipe, is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Also called gastroesophageal reflux disease, acid reflux causes a number of symptoms that range from mild to severe. Outlined below are some of the severe symptoms of acid reflux.

Severe Heartburn

As acid reflux disease progresses, you can suffer from persistent, severe heartburn. Heartburn occurs when the gastric acid in the refluxed stomach contents comes into contact with the unprotected cell wall of the esophagus. This causes a warm, painful, burning sensation in the chest, which usually radiates upward.

Chest Pain

Acid reflux can cause severe pain in the chest, which is localized behind the sternum (breastbone). This is noncardiac chest pain that can often be so severe it is misdiagnosed as a symptom of a heart condition.

Regurgitation

In serious cases of acid reflux, undigested food and stomach acids are regurgitated up the esophagus and backwash into the mouth. This symptom most commonly occurs shortly after you have had a meal. Regurgitated stomach fluids can enter the windpipe, causing wheezing and other asthma-like symptoms.

Difficulty Swallowing

Continued exposure of the esophagus to stomach fluids can cause inflammation and scarring of the esophageal lining. Over time, this reflux-induced inflammation constricts the esophagus, which can cause difficulty swallowing. It may also cause a feeling there is a lump in the throat.

Throat Damage

In addition to damaging the esophagus, the gastric acid in the refluxed stomach fluids can damage the throat and larynx. This damage results in symptoms that include persistent sore throat, chronic coughing, wheezing and nocturnal choking. Damage to the larynx tends to cause hoarseness and even laryngitis.

Tooth Erosion

When stomach contents are regurgitated into the mouth, the gastric acids soften and erode the tooth enamel, exposing the tooth's inner dentin layer. This dental erosion, in turn, causes symptoms such as tooth discoloration, heat and cold sensitivity and even tooth loss. It also may cause mouth sores over time.

Prostate Cancer & Swedish Research Surgery Vs Radiation

Radiation therapy may be the best treatment for prostate cancer.

Between 1974 and 1994, Swedish researchers reported that death rates due to prostate cancer in the Swiss were the highest in the world, including 30 percent higher than in the U.S. At the same time, the number of prostate cancer cases among the Swiss population is about half of those in other countries. Consequently, the medical community is studying this phenomenon and weighing the benefits and risks of surgery versus radiation.

Surgery Versus Radiation

Swedish men have the highest rates of death due to prostate cancer.

After a study found that men are confused about what is an effective treatment for prostate cancer because urologists tend to recommend surgery and radiologists vouch for radiation therapy, Cleveland Clinic researchers examined the differences between surgery and radiation in patients over an eight-year period. Initially they found that surgery patients had a 2 percent advantage over radiation patients, but further study revealed that older techniques used in radiation therapy skewed the results. When they employed modern techniques and higher radiation dosages, surgery and external beam radiotherapy were equally effective.

Swedish Research

In 2007, Swedish researchers published the results of a long-term study comparing different prostate cancer treatments. The study found that after 10 years, men who had prostate surgery had an 83 percent survival rate while those who underwent radiation had a 74 percent rate of survival. However, this study occurred in the same time period in which Cleveland Clinic scientists found differing dosages of radiation in use.

Side Effects

A study published in the March 2008 issue of "The New England Journal of Medicine" took a look at the side effects associated with surgery, brachytherapy and conventional radiation treatment of prostate cancer. Brachytherapy is the implantation of radioactive pellets or seeds into a prostate to kill cancer cells. No one procedure stood out as the best or worst in terms of side effects, which can include urination problems, bowel movements and erectile dysfunction. About 13 percent of the wives of men who underwent brachytherapy reported erectile issues. In addition, 22 percent of spouses of men who underwent traditional radiation treatment and 44 percent of the surgery group reported erectile dysfunction concerns, while 15 percent of the surgery patients experienced urinary incontinence and between 6 and 10 percent of both the traditional radiation and brachytherapy patients reported incontinence. When pain and increased urinary frequency were included in side effects, about 18 percent of the men who used brachytherapy had moderate or negative results one year after treatment. Eleven percent of traditional radiation patients and 7 percent of surgical patients reported problems with pain or frequency of urination.

Radiation in Recurrence Treatment

A 20-year study published in the 2009 issues of "Radiotherapy" and "Oncology" found few complications and side effects associated with radiotherapy in prostate cancer recurrence. According to the study, radiation can eradicate recurrent cancer in patients who have had their prostate removed, and there is a narrow window of time in which external beam radiation can save lives. No other therapy has been shown to be effective in such cases of prostate cancer recurrence, the researchers said. The study began in 1987, and researchers say advances in radiotherapy likely have lowered the rate of side effects even more today.

Watching and Waiting

New Swedish research published in the 2010 "Journal of the American Cancer Society" found that even without any treatment, only 3 percent of men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer died within 10 years. Today’s improved prostate cancer screening means that many such cancers are found before they develop into a life-threatening disease. Still, radiation and surgery risk in these cases outweigh their benefits. The Swedish study reviewed death rates among 6,800 men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. About 20 percent of the men whose doctors used the "watchful waiting" approach died within eight years, but this number was no different, researchers said, than death rates among the general population. Less than 3 percent of those men actually died from prostate cancer, and those who died were typically in poor health beforehand.

Recovery Time For Kidney Stone Surgery

Recovery Time for Kidney Stone Surgery

Medical advances have made the need for surgery less common in combating kidney stones. If the stones won't pass by themselves, urologists often try bursting the stones with sound waves through a non-invasive procedure called lipotripsy. But when lipotripsy fails, a surgical procedure is sometimes the only way to get rid of the painful intruders. Recovery time varies depending on the type of procedure.

Deciding Factors

A urologist may decide on surgery if the patient is in extreme pain, the stones are blocking urine flow, the stones are causing a urinary tract infection, the danger of tissue damage is present or if the stones are simply too large to pass. Before any determination is made, the patient will undergo a battery of tests to see exactly where the stones are. The urologist then meets with the patient to discuss the various options for removing the stones.

Types

With percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery, the surgeon removes the stones through a small incision in the back. Ureteroscopic surgery is recommended for stones lodged in the lower ureter. For this procedure, the surgeon uses a ureteroscope to pull the stone from the ureter. Parathyroid surgery is performed with a radio-guided probe to remove a benign tumor on a parathyroid gland. Such tumors can produce excess calcium and form stones. In rare cases, the surgeon must open the kidney to remove the stone.

Risks

As with any surgery, there are risks with kidney-stone surgery. The first involves the anesthesia. While most patients have no problems with it, there are some possible side effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, they include temporary mental confusion, lung infections, stroke, heart attack and death. A torn ureter during ureteroscopic surgery is another concern with stone surgery. Patients are also checked for continuous bleeding following any type of stone removal procedure.

Recovery Time

Minimally invasive surgery has a shorter recovery time than open kidney surgery. For example, patients undergoing ureteroscopic surgery can expect a full recovery in a couple of days. Recovery time for percutaneous nephrolithotomy is about one to two weeks. Parathyroid surgery patients usually recover in one day. The normal recovery time for open kidney stone surgery is about six weeks. The urologist will go over the recovery process with the patient before the surgery.

Stents

Some kidney-stone patients must contend with a stent in the ureter during recovery. The stent is a tube in which the urine flows while the ureter heals. Wearing a stent can be an unpleasant experience. According to emedtv.com, patients may experience an increase in urination, an increased urge to urinate and back pain and discomfort while urinating with the stent. The urologist removes the stent on an outpatient basis a few days after surgery.

Medical Grants For Surgery

Surgery

Grants are given to organizations or individuals to fund surgical procedures. In order to receive a surgery grant, the patient must lack sufficient money to pay for it because of a natural disaster or other hardship. Usually, you must write a proposal or fill out an application for a medical grant.

Significance

Medical grants for surgery are lifesavers, because in many cases, they do in fact allow doctors to perform procedures that save the lives of patients who otherwise could not have afforded them.

Time Frame

Patience is required when applying for a surgery grant. If the surgery can be put off for a while, it most likely will be. The grant process is involved and includes writing the proposal, submitting it, and much discussion and revision. It can take weeks or months before the grant is approved.

Benefits

Medical grants not only make lifesaving or life-changing surgery possible, they also increase business for doctors, hospitals and medical clinics, which in turn creates jobs. Often people who require the surgery are not working because of their conditions. The surgery allows them to get back in the workforce.

Deciding Factors

Medical grants are given in full or fund only a portion of the cost of the surgery. The funding level depends on the income of the patient and how much the surgery costs. Another major consideration is the importance of the surgery.

Geography

Medical grants are given out more frequently in areas where prosperous jobs are scarce and there is high unemployment, such as in big cities and rural areas, for example, in parts of West Virginia and New Mexico. These populations have a greater need for financial aid for medical and health care.

What Type Of Doctor Performs Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a last-ditch procedure to help obese people lose weight.

Bariatric surgery, which is a last-ditch procedure to help obese people shed weight, is performed by a bariatric surgeon in a local hospital. Bariatric surgeons determine if their patients qualify for weight loss surgery, and if they do, the doctors perform any one of the types of procedures available.

Identification

Bariatric surgery is performed when there is no other way for a person to lose weight. There are different types of bariatric surgery, and three of the most common are gastric bypass surgery, lap-band surgery and the gastric sleeve procedure.

Types

In gastric bypass surgery, a surgeon reduces the amount of food an individual can ingest by separating one part of the stomach from the other. Lap-band surgery uses a silicone rubber band to block off a part of the stomach so that the remainder is smaller. Both of these procedures are a type of restrictive surgery.

Other Types

Gastric bypass surgery involves using a laparoscopic tool that is introduced through small incisions in the body so that it is possible to view an individual's insides on a screen. Other types of bariatric surgeries are vertical banded gastroplasty and biliopancreatic diversion.

Before Surgery

Bariatric surgeons counsel their patients before the procedure to discuss treatments, expectations and any other concerns a patient may have.

After Surgery

After surgery, bariatric surgeons help their patients adapt to their new weight. They recommend diet adjustments and advise their patients when they are ready to begin exercising.