Into the Mercy - A Happy Death

In our family, we have had a devotion to the Holy Souls in Purgatory as part of our celebration of the liturgical year. We save memorial cards and display them on the family altar during November to remind us to pray for our own dear departed. This fall, I was very grateful that our understanding of the Communion of Saints prepared us for the addition of a new card, with the image of the Divine Mercy of Jesus. It is for my mother, Eleanor.

Last spring we would never have dreamed that Mom, actively working for a crisis pregnancy center at 74 would, in four short months, be taken from us and drawn up into the mercy of God. The words "stage four inoperable cancer" made my heart seize in fear, when my father spoke them over the phone, and I stumbled outside, numbly searching for the words to talk to God. That my seven year old found the words for me is a story I told here. For weeks, in the first drowsy moments as I awoke each day, the knowledge that Mom was dying hit my stomach like a sucker punch, and preoccupation with her condition robbed my attention all day long.

I was functioning on autopilot; much of my emotional energy was focused in praying for a miracle for Mom. Just as all medical efforts to save her life were exhausted, a dear friend told me that she felt that God wanted us to know He was calling Mom home, and to let her go gently, wrapped in our love. Those words brought to mind the ironic sense of joy the Little Flower felt the first time she coughed blood into a handkerchief and felt the Jesus calling her to Him. She was 74. We began to understand that God calls each soul at the right time to attain their eternal salvation, and vowed to accept His timing no matter how abrupt it seemed.

I brought the girls to see Mom as often as possible, flinching inwardly each time I noticed signs of her diminishing health, yet she seemed to grow spiritually even as her physical strength waned. On weekends, there were rows of seats around her hospital bed, full of friends and family eager to be in her company, as Mom would make each visitor feel loved. Nurses and fellow patients were drawn to her gentle spirit and she was visited by half a dozen priests, who anointed her, heard her confessions, gave her Holy Communion, and asked for her prayers. She would offer her suffering for those she loved and took time to see all those who wanted to visit her, no matter how tired she was.

She struggled to eat to keep up her waning strength, though each swallow was painful. Her left arm, bruised by the IV's had indentations from her wooden rosary beads, which she kept, wrapped around her arm. Dad was constantly at her side, sleeping in a chair in the hospital and on a bed next to her at home, tending to her needs round the clock, and keeping her company when fear gripped her in the dark of night. Soon it became necessary to call my brother, a nurse, to help Dad care for Mom at home, and he spent her last months patiently nursing the one who cradled him for his first years.

Living four hours away could have filled me with anxiety that somehow I would miss being with Mom in her final moments, however, my experience of God's mercy told me that I would know when it was time to say goodbye. During the final days when her celestine blue eyes could no longer see, my family took turns stroking her hair and caressing her. We told her we loved her, and we were trusting her to God's mercy as we prayed the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. On the morning of her last day on earth, a married couple, her longtime friends, brought her Holy Communion with a reading on not being afraid to return to the Heavenly Father. Mom received a tiny fragment of the Host, which contained the entire body and blood, soul and divinity of her Lord Jesus.

When her last breath was upon her, Mom reached up to Dad, to caress his face and say farewell, then her beautiful blue eyes closed to this world to open in the next. It was just before three o'clock on Friday afternoon. Though we could barely speak the words through our emotion, we prayed with the Divine Mercy Chaplet as we sent Mom into the Mercy of God.

Walking your children through the rituals of a wake and burial can be a daunting task, yet the dozens of mourners who embraced us reminded us of the beautiful life Mom had lived, and we were comforted by the stories we heard from those who remembered Mom reaching out with love to them. However, the best was yet to come. A family member, who had been estranged from his faith, had his two children baptized two days after Mom's death. We knew that as part of the Communion of Saints, Mom was looking down with joy as three children entered God's family, because of her prayers. Her funeral Mass was an embrace of love. Our tearstained eyes were astonished to see a full church; family and friends had come from 14 states to pray with us, and rejoice in the gift she had been to our family.

At her graveside service, my daughters huddled together and sang the Salve Regina to entrust the soul of their grandmother to the sweet embrace of Our Lady and the tender mercy of her Son.

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

International Medical Insurance - Stay Safe When You Travel

Everyday you can go about your business with the peace of mind of knowing that you are covered. When life throws something unexpected your way, your medical insurance has you covered. But what about when you leave the safety of your country's soil? If you are traveling abroad and not covered by your regular health insurance, international medical insurance can help you fill the gaps.

Most regular insurance plans do not cover you when you are overseas. In all the excitement of planning our trips, we often fail to think about the fact that, if some unforeseen medical emergency were to occur, we have no coverage. You would be at the mercy of a foreign country's healthcare system, which may not provide the adequate care or payment solutions that you need.

Getting Traveler's Insurance

The first step in planning for your medical needs overseas is to look at your regular insurance policy. It will tell you all the specifics about what is covered and what is not covered. Most plans have some limited coverage options for travelers built in. For example, there may be coverage for life-threatening illnesses or serious accidents. Look at your plan carefully and see what is already offered.

If there is some coverage that you lack in your regular plan, you can sometimes get short-term coverage for your trip. Your insurance company can attach what is called a "rider" to your current policy, extending coverage for the specific times you will be traveling.

If they can't cover you, or if you aren't happy with the coverage options, you can also take out a supplemental insurance policy from another company to cover your visit. This might be especially handy if you will be away from your home country for a long trip. Coverage from your company may be hard to get for more than a week or two.

How Much Will It Cost?

Rates vary among different companies and for different lengths of time. Different carriers will also get different rates. Some countries will carry higher insurance policies than others. For example, a country where there are certain risks may be harder to insure. It also depends on the healthcare structure of the country.

You will also be asked if you will be engaging in any risky behavior overseas. This would include extreme sports such as mountain climbing or deep sea diving. These activities carry high risks and are hard to insure, but some companies offer special supplemental package deals for extreme sports travelers.

Coverage Options

Depending on where you are heading and what you are doing, you may want to consider some different options with your coverage. For example, you may want coverage for medical supplies. If you are going to a remote area and may need to provide your own First Aid, you can get covered for this.

Another possible option is evacuation. Nobody wants to think about something terrible happening when they are overseas, but there are sometimes emergencies. Evacuation insurance [http://www.medicalhealthinsuranceguide.org/Long_Term_Health_Insurance/] will cover the costs of getting you to a safe place.

Billing options also vary. Some companies will expect you to pay everything out of pocket, and they will reimburse you later. This is an important issue, because you need to make sure you have the cash on hand to pay. In some countries, medical attention may be denied until the bill is paid.

International Medical Insurance Tips

Your insurance company will issue you an ID card and you should keep it with you at all times. It may be more important than the money you are carrying.

There are several international organizations that provide emergency help for international travelers. These include Medex and SOS. There is also the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT), which offers free services.

When you are traveling, it is important that you have the same peace of mind you would have at home. Look at your insurance policy's international medical insurance coverage and pick the best option for you.

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

When to Suspect Doctor Negligence

It is important to note that when mistakes in health care arise, they generally have little or no effect on the patient whatsoever. Indeed, even though avenues of increased communication and disclosure between Doctor and patient have been forged in recent years, mot patients won't even be aware that a mistake has occurred. The other side of the coin can equate to deliberate harm and these thankfully rare occurrences have been well documented in a series of high profile cases.

The ground in between these two opposing ends of a complicated spectrum arises from incidents where Doctors looking after a patient essentially failed to do their very best. From the perspective of a Doctor, the reasons behind mistakes can be easily explained. Anyone can make a mistake particularly when working under pressure. Although gross negligence is totally indefensible, it is also worth remembering that medical ailments don't always follow the textbook example.

Sometimes, a Doctor may not have sufficient background information regarding the patient or may have simply overlooked something trivial. And like the rest of us, Doctors may have underlying personal difficulties that slip into their professional capacities. We're all only human, after all.

The difference with a Doctor is that the results can have far more serious repercussions than a man who fails to wash a car properly or a baker that burns his bread. When things do go wrong in the medical word, patients and their families will find it hard to accept that human error is a fact of life. When you place yourself at the mercy of the medical world, you tend to have an expectation for only the highest standards.

When things do go wrong, it is necessary to ask what you wish to achieve by pursuing the matter. In most cases, mistakes are small enough to be mended by a genuine apology or a reasonable explanation.

From the medical perspective, there is a tendency for defensiveness and a group siege mentality, particularly if the patient and his family are considering a claim for compensation.

Medical cases are notoriously long affairs that are frequently difficult to win with vast expenditure. Not only do you have to prove that the Doctor was negligent, but there has to be evidence that harm was caused as a result of a Doctors actions.

Courts tend to lean towards the protection of the heath care service and winning a claim will always be difficult.

There will always be cases, however, where a court will look more closely at things especially in the event of a death that may have led to a child losing a parent or the patient needing continual and expensive medical treatment.

If you suspect medical negligence, talk it through with the Doctor first. If you're still unhappy, follow the relevant chain of command as far as the complaints manager at your local health authority.

If you still feel dissatisfied, seek a full independent medical review and talk to the medical ombudsman to see if you may have sufficient ground for filing a claim for compensation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Evelyn_E._Cole

Help Your Poor Health and Medical Problems With Acai Berry Pills

Are you always in and out of the hospital for various ailments that rob you off of your hard-earned dollars?

Do you spend hundreds for laboratory works, prescriptions and endless therapies that leave you feeling sicker than ever?

Well, it would probably be good for you to know that you are not the only one suffering from the same situation. And yes, I'm one of those people you can relate to.

Being in the mercy of nurses and doctors is one life-changing experience. It makes you want to be in full charge of your life right away! With acai berry as a wonder remedy, you definitely can!

And yes, that's exactly what I did! I tried acai berry pills and now I feel a lot better than before. In fact, I've never been in this vibrant mood in ages! Of course they will help you lose a great deal of weight, but they offer so much more.

And the best news is, you can be on your way to healthier you right now too...!

Below are some benefits that accompany acai berry pills. Why bother waiting for a miracle when you can experience them now!

This tiny Brazilian berry actually does a lot to improve your mood. Say farewell to your manic-depressive episodes and embrace a more emotionally healthy you!

Experience lesser problems with sleeping and finally get the rest you deserve each and every night!

Acai has now been shown to help reduce the pain that comes with sore joints and many types of arthritis.

Leading research also shows that acai can help people with heart conditions, anxiety disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, weak immune systems, impotence and low libido, and many more medical and health related issues.

Warning: it may be wise to get samples first. As they say, its better to try it out than to be sorry later!

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

A New Medical Breakthrough May Be the Answer to India's HIV Woes

Here's some good news. The final onslaught in the war against the HIV may come with shortening the Window Period or the latent-- deceptive period of the disease- when even +ve appears -ve.

Stimulating Maximal Antibody Response Tube - SMARTube -- a simple, yet revolutionary breakthrough in medical technology in the process of being imported for the first time in India may prove to be the ultimate weapon for early warning and detection of HIV & HCV infections in human beings, months before any other known test or diagnostic method.

According to Dr N K Gupta-an internationally reputed NRI doctor, vascular biologist, motivational speaker and President, Society for Medicare - an India based Ngo in the field of medical education, awareness and capacity building to save human lives, Smartube will not only revolutionise the detection of HIV and HCV in India but also help in saving millions of lives.

"It may just be the Smart Solution or Smart Weapon India needs to fight off the smart invaders -- the lethal HIV & HCV virus who are masters in the art of camoflage, deception and hidden combat after silently crippling the defenders - inside the human body", says Dr Gupta.

Truly with close to anywhere between 2.4 - 5.7 million HIV+ve people & 165,000 reported AIDS cases -- 4,000,000 Men, 1,600,000 Women & 1,20,000 children -- already living with HIV, in addition to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) which accounts for one-fourth of all cases of chronic liver disease causing 1.5 -2 million deaths in Indian Homes-- INDIA cannot be left at the mercy of HIV/AIDS - HCV.

The dangers due to this are fairly apparent as some 550,000 HIV patients have already developed AIDS and another 300,000 a year will develop AIDS over the next 15-20 years. Also as per World Bank estimates India already has 2 million children - the largest number AIDS orphans in the world-who are expected to double in next five years.

The smartest part of the story is that SMARTube not only ensures earlier, better and complete detection of HIV/HCV just a week after exposure but also enables the detection of those patients who were who were infected, but otherwise might would have gone undetected at that testing time. In doing so SMARTube promises to be a cost effective method that increases the SENSITIVITY and SPECIFICITY of other known HIV & HCV detection tests-with very little additional training or cost input.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) more than 25% of HIV+ve people in USA are unaware of their HIV status. Healthy in appearance and feeling fine-- they do not receive proper care and unknowingly pass the HIV virus to others. The trend worldwide, including India is that many people are blissfully unaware of their HIV- HCV + ve status and continue infect others while leading normal lives simply because-

o They do not have any visible or apparent symptoms of HIV/AIDS - HCV

o They never felt the need to get tested

o It is not a fashionable for people to get HIV - HCV tests done, even once a lifetime

o Stigma attached with going for a HIV test (what will people say!), unless unavoidable

Even otherwise, less than 1 % population of India get themseleves tested for HIV-HCV even once in the lifetime and worst still upto 27 % HIV infected people remain undiagnosed.

As things stand today, if a person tests negative for HIV or HCV - it doesn't mean that he/she is not infected. On the contrary he/she might be in the most contagious stage of the infection. Such a person could well infect as many as 50 -100 others before actually testing positive - months later. This is due to the "Window Period".

To understand how this window period affects us... we have to first understand how our body responds to infections and virus attacks ... Take for instance the Human body is made up of about a 100 million cells. Just one teaspoon of blood contains about 25 billion red blood cells. The immune system is the body's main line defender against infection and illness. It recognizes the body's cells and tries to get rid of anything unfamiliar. It destroys parasites and germs - bacteria and viruses but can sometimes cause problems by attacking unmatched blood or organs donated by another person.

In case of most infections, the immune system sees the foreign invaders and starts producing antibodies against them. Usually it takes 5-7 days for the antibodies to develop after the infection. Antibodies help out in detecting any infection in the blood, before the liver or lungs are affected.

A vast army of defender cells comprising of 1000 million different types of white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow every day. Some of these cells, called macrophages, constantly patrol the body, destroying germs as soon as they enter. This is the 'natural' or inborn immunity. But if an infection begins to take hold, the body fights back with even more powerful T- and B-cells which give us acquired immunity, so that the germ can not make us ill again.

However, with HIV and HCV, the most devastating and chronic infection--it could take weeks or up to many months to see any antibodies in the blood. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks the immune system, disarming the body's defenses against infections and cancers. As a result even germs that cause minor illnesses in healthy people can make people with AIDS very ill.

AIDS is a medical condition. People develop AIDS because HIV has damaged their natural defenses against disease. HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that infects the cells that make up the human body and replicates i.e. makes new copies of itself within those cells. HIV can be passed from one person to another through contact with the body fluids of an HIV infected or HIV+ person. The only reliable way to tell whether someone has HIV is through blood tests, which can detect the infection -- a few weeks after the virus first entered the body.

Like all viruses, HIV cannot grow or reproduce on its own. In order to make new copies of itself it must infect the cells of a living organism. With time HIV+ve persons may become ill more and more often. Several years after the infection, the number of immune system cells left in the body drops below a particular point. At this point a person may be said to have progressed from HIV to AIDS. Generally when someone has one or more of these infections and a low number of T cells, he or she is said to be suffering from AIDS. Different countries have different parameters for defining the stage at which a HIV+ve person is said to have AIDS.

Different viruses attack different parts of the body - some attack the skin, others the lungs...even common cold is caused by a virus. What makes HIV --dangerous is that it attacks the immune system particularly a special type of immune system cell known as a CD4 lymphocyte- that normally gets rid of the viruses. HIV is a smart virus that tricks and evades the body's defenses. Once the HIV virus takes hold, the immune system can never fully get rid of it.

Most of the HIV -HCV detction tests available today like the Elisa including rapid tests and home test kits- depend on detecting the volume of antibodies in the blood instead of the virus itself. However in case of both HIV and HCV it can take weeks or months after infection before antibodies against are produced and detected. This infected yet serum-negative period is called the "window period". This is a period when even HIV - HCV infected people will be considered non-infected simply because they have not yet produced or developed detectable levels of antibodies in their blood.

As long as there are no antibodies, these patients are diagnosed as non-infected. This is called the window period - the time between infection and the detection of antibodies-- that's where Smartube comes in.

The window period of HIV and HCV infection is a major concern for the governments, health authorities and professionals, blood banks, vaccine and drug developers all over the world, as many infected individuals test negative for HIV or HCV antibodies, and are thus misdiagnosed. Shortening the window period actually holds the key to saving millions of lives, billions of dollars, untold human resources, suffering, and deaths.

A simple process, called Stimmunology, for stimulating the antibody production in-vitro in the blood sample, prior to testing it for HIV (and/or HCV) antibodies, has been developed, to solve the window period. This has been implemented in the SMARTube HIV & HCV, which enables the detection of HIV and HCV infections (during the window period) by overcoming, in vitro, the specific immune suppression exerted by the virus, and which is the cause for the window period.

This process involves placing 1ml of blood sample inside the SMARTube for a 3-5 day incubation period, leading to the formation of HIV and/or HCV antibodies in detectable levels in all those infected, including those in the window period.

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

Choose the Best Hospitals to Work For in Miami

Looking for Hospital job in Miami? This might be the right place for you to find all the necessary information leading to successful and satisfying job.

Seeking for suitable job in the Hospital area can be complex, yet rewarding if knowing what to look for. Advices about the top hospitals in Miami, and the job offers for each of them as follows:

Baptist Hospital claims to be the area's largest private employer. It is the largest faith-based, not-for-profit health care organization in the region, with an outstanding reputation for medical and service excellence. They include outpatient diagnostic and urgent care facilities, as well as surgical facilities and health care services.

Aventura Hospital Medical Center. They say that "Because of you, great things are happening". You want to be a part of this statement? They will thank you for your interest. They are a brand new, technologically advanced facility and a new attitude which core is in the hearts and minds of their team. Embracing equal employment practices, they invite you to visit them and to see if this is the right place for you.

Broward General Medical Center is one of the ten largest public healthcare systems in the nation. They will support all your needs as their employee. Their vision is to provide world class health care to all they serve, and you can contribute a lot if you decide that Broward is the right place for you.

At Cedars Medical Center - University of Miami Hospital, they are committed to providing employees with a competitive and comprehensive benefits package. Some of these benefits are of no cost, and they start immediately upon employment. The benefits can be tailored to meet an employee's particular needs. Something what you don't find so often. They also offer a fantastic retirement and savings plan. All together, a good place to start your medical career.

Coral Gables Hospital's mission is to be recognized for the passion of their people who provide quality, innovative care to the patient who they serve in the community. They focus on leadership, growth and philanthropy. Not very common, yet provocative to experience first-hand if interested.

Jackson South Community Hospital is currently a 199-bed acute care hospital located in south Miami-Dade County. Under construction for another 157,000 square feet. They have state-of-the-art technology and leading-edge treatments and services. From maternity, rehabilitation, robotic technology, bariatric surgery, breast and wound care, they have something for everybody interested in career there.

Doctors Hospital at Coral Gables is a facility that provides high-quality medical care since 1949. Doctor's hospital is recognized for its services in orthopedics, neurosurgery, sports medicine, general surgery, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery and women's health. They offer a variety of opportunities and rewarding experiences.

Continuously, Jackson Memorial Hospital is ranked in U.S News & World report among the "Best Hospitals in America" They offer a wide range of services for the patients and opportunities for the future candidates. The home to Ryder Trauma Center - the only adult and pediatric Level 1 trauma center in Miami-Dade County, is recognized for its patient care, education and research.

Kendall Medical Center says that they provide the best possible care and have the best possible people. Challenging enough to check. Variety of Specialty services and opportunities for job seekers.

Memorial Healthcare System has earned many prestigious awards as Top 100 hospitals, Consumer Choice Award, Best Run Hospital and many more. They provide safe, cost-effective, patient-and-family centered care, regardless of one's ability to pay, with the goal of improving the health of the community it serves. They will do this by becoming a world class model for safety, quality, service and efficiency. Enough reasons to be in the top ten hospitals in Miami when looking for a job.

Don't forget the many other excellent choices when looking for hospital job in Miami. Mercy Hospital (Miami), Miami Children's Hospital, Mount Sinai medical Center & Miami Heart Institute, North Ridge Medical Center, Plantation general Hospital, South Miami Hospital, University Hospital and Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital and many more.

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

Scrubs Fashion From Your Favorite Medical Television Shows

Flipping through the channels these days you will find handsome actors and actresses alike dressed in hospital scrubs on nearly all of the major networks. Television and the movies certainly have inspired many a fashion trend, which in recent years has extended to the fictitious hospital staff of hospital shows from Scrubs to ER to Grey's Anatomy. These men and women play parts inspired by real-life medical professionals who save lives every day. They also set the trend for medical scrub fashion. It might not be the red carpet, but it certainly is another sort of stage where fashion and function met on a regular basis.

Grey's Anatomy scrubs are designed to keep up with the ever-changing schedule of surgeons. While the television show follows surgeons at the fictitious Seattle Grace Mercy Hospital West, located in Seattle, Washington the scrub fashion on the show showcased a diverse color base to meet the specific needs of different sexes and body types of the cast. There are many more scrub fashion trends to look for on upcoming episodes, as the show has been renewed for a 7th season.

It would be impossible to mention Grey's Anatomy without mentioning Katherine Heigl scrubs. Not only is Katherine Heigl one of the shows stars, with a 2007 Emmy under her belt for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in her role as Izzie; but she always looks professional and put together regardless of the on-screen drama. Her medical fashion sense is a mix of classic and fun and change of pace from her red-carpet glamour.

The all all-star cast of NBC's hit television show Scrubs just completed its ninth and final season. Featuring cast members in a wide-range of medical scrubs, this show focused on the men and women employed at the new Sacred Heart Hospital on the Winston University Campus. While other medical shows focused on drama, Scrubs address the challenges and stresses of a busy hospital by making viewers laugh. Its cast also represented a more diverse employee base within any given hospital, with janitors and chef surgeons all sharing screen time.

Another classic American medical drama that recently closed its doors to viewers was ER, created by acclaimed novelist Michael Crichton. Not only did this show help launch the careers of George Clooney, Anthony Edwards and Julianna Marguliles, it showcased scrub trends for medical professionals in the Chicago area, where cold weather creates unique challenges. Second only to Law and Order, ER is the longest running show on NBC and certainly inspired many other hospitals dramas that followed.

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

Patient Choice in Medicine is More Important Than You Might Think

The world of healthcare can be a daunting experience, especially for patients who have never needed medical attention before. UK citizens are lucky to have such a comprehensive and all encompassing health care system but it's easy to forget your rights as a patient when you're at the mercy of long waiting lists and staff shortages. Patients who choose private medical care are far more in control of the care they receive than their NHS counterparts, making patient choice much more important than you might think.

Should you need to see a specialist or undergo a ground-breaking operation, the chances are this kind of care won't be available on your doorstep. With this in mind, many NHS patients have to travel to receive their treatment and are at the mercy of being told where they can and can't be treated with no say in the matter. Private medical patients enjoy the right to choose where they are treated. Not only this but patients can also choose when they are treated which means healthcare fits in around their lives rather than vice versa.

Once patients are receiving medical care there's also very little choice as to the type of accommodation available. NHS patients often have to use communal bathrooms and have little privacy or space for visitors. Patients with medical cover needn't experience this however as there is much greater choice that means the majority of patients are treated in their own private room with en-suite facilities. Furthermore, private patients have more space and more flexible visiting hours so family and friends have even more opportunities to check up on the patient.

Finally, patient choice not only extends to where, when and how you are treated but also to who treats you. While NHS patients have little opportunity to choose consultants or surgeons, private patients can request a certain individual treats them based on a recommendation or personal preference. This level of patient choice means healthcare is no longer a case of roulette and instead something the patients themselves are in control of.

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

You Can Control Your Healthcare Costs With the Right Information

One of the issues we all have to face eventually is the rising cost of healthcare. During our recent presidential election, many promises had been made, so we will see shortly if anything actually will be done to help lower the costs. We have all heard these promises before about how the healthcare system is broken and some political office wannabe is going to jump in and fix it.

As I turned 50 a short while ago, this is becoming a major factor in my life. For those of you younger than I, you probably had the same feeling of invincibility that I once had and healthcare issues are the farthest thing from your mind. For those of you over my age, the prospect of healthcare costs somehow becoming affordable is a pipe dream.

Recently, I have discovered a great resource available to everyone that can help. The web site is a wonderful wealth of information to anyone with concerns on healthcare costs. You can lookup current costs for surgeries, office visits, hospital room charges and many other medical costs to find out if you are being charged a fair amount for these medical services.

I quickly discovered that these medical costs are NOT set in stone and I am NOT at the mercy of the medical billing department. These costs are completely negotiable, just like looking for the best deal on an automobile or a television set. You can take control of these costs upfront before a medical procedure is done and set the price for that procedure.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D._Goossens

New Fad - Scrubs While Off Duty

Media has a great influence to society and when it comes to the medical world, media is still of vital value especially that people nowadays are very much into the medical realm. Shows and programs on TV about nurses, doctors, and all about this stuff have flaunted and keep on growing. To name a few, you have ER, the ever famous House, MD, the controversial Grey's Anatomy, sought after Scrubs, and the hit show Mercy. Not to mention several movies that were released for the past 5 years that in one way or the other has a subject about medicine or featuring main characters that are either doctors or nurses.

Many from among the lines of this profession somehow refute the credibility and accuracy of the accounts of those shown on TV and the movies. Some say that not every nurse would certainly date a doctor or would end up having an affair to or marry a doctor. The lax portrayals of some of the characters in the show especially in the emergency room do not exactly resemble what it is in reality. However, there is one thing that both the practitioner and normal viewer have to agree - these people shown on TV and movies all wear medical scrubs and uniforms and they wear it excellently with great consideration on fashion.

The question now is can these scrubs and uniforms be worn even when you are not on duty? Katie Sparks has some ideas that you can use about mixing medical scrubs and uniforms more than how you use it the conventional way. A scrub with a jacket on or over a rugged jeans and boots is just a glimpse of what Katie has shared in Scrubs Magazine.

Katie started out with Taylor Schilling's uniform. Taylor's playing Veronica Callahan in the medical drama Mercy. Katie suggested that Taylor's legs would be more emphasized with a navy blue scrub pants and a pair of brown biker boots. Atop, she could be well dressed with white v-neck shirt. As an accent, a leather jacket is just the right apparel to be partnered with the whole package.

For a rather curvy and full body nurse like Sonia Jimenez (Jamie Lee Kirchner), Katie recommends a tailored scrub pants with a scoop neck sweater atop. Sonia's curves according to Katie could be emphasized more with her wearing street clothes and scrubs.

The sexy nurse Chloe Payne (Michelle Trachtenberg) would look good in a v-neck floral short sleeve top. A good tailored scrub pants is just the best partner she can wear with the floral top. To top everything, a good jacket would simply be amazing.

No one could ever be compared to Angel Garcia's hunk body for a busy nurse. Angel played by Guillermo Diaz is not your ordinary nurse. Katie's preference of clothes for Angel ranges from the normal to extraordinary. From the usual burgundy scrubs that he normally use going to the hospital, Katie added a few accents of navy pea coat that will even add to this guy's hip. "He could take off his hoodie and wear a worn button down shirt with his t-shirt and scrubs and look great," Katie expressed.

Ordinarily, nursing scrubs and uniforms would somehow not the best clothes you might want to show off in public especially if you are off duty. But who says that scrubs can never be hip? Try a little of experimentation of your nursing scrubs and uniforms and see what would best fit you.

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

Metatarsal Fractures in Elite Soccer Players

An England World Cup preparation would not be complete without one of its star players suffering from a metatarsal fracture, only weeks before the start of the tournament! David Beckham was the first victim of the much dreaded injury in 2002, and in 2006, Wayne Rooney topped most of the newspapers with the same injury. This time, it was John Terry's turn, or so we feared. Thankfully things weren't as bad as they originally seemed, and John Terry will still be present in South Africa, leading England's defense.

So what exactly is a broken metatarsal and why do we seem to hear so much about it these days more than we ever have done in the past?

Before we identify why, let us take a closer look at the metatarsal bones first.

The bones between the ankle and the toes are called the metatarsal bones. The first metatarsal is located on the inside of the foot, and connects the ankle with the big toe, whereas the fifth metatarsal bone is located on the outside of the foot and connects the ankle with the little toe.

The two main functions of the feet are to propel and to support. The metatarsals play a major role in these two functions. By acting like a rigid lever to aid propulsion, they manage to increase our efficiency whilst walking or running. Additionally, they act like a flexible structure to aid and support balance to cope with uneven ground.

The second, third and fourth and fifth metatarsal bones are usually injured as a result of a prolonged period of overuse, creating something we call a stress fracture. A stress fracture is an incomplete fracture in the bone. It could be described as a very small sliver or crack in the bone. These types of fractures are also known as "hairline fractures". These kinds of fractures are common with athletes, soldiers, and ballet dancers.

Another common cause for metatarsal fractures is direct trauma i.e. a direct kick to the sole of the opponent's boot. This typically affects the first metatarsal bone.

One of the reason why the foot is so susceptible to fractures is that is very few muscles and fat protecting the foot from any impact.

The initial therapy with a broken metatarsal bone is to rest it, absolutely no exercise for 4 to 8 weeks. The recovery time of the injury is determined by the extent of the damage and which of the five metatarsal bones is affected.

Walking boots or shoes with very stiff soles may be advised for the player to wear in order to protect the fracture while it heals. If the fracture was caused by overuse and not by direct trauma, the athlete's training habits, equipment and running technique should all be investigated and possibly adapted.

Putting a time scale on the recovery of a stress fracture is very difficult as the following examples of recovery time's show. Michael Owen, broke his fifth metatarsal in 2006, was predicted to return in 6 to 8 weeks, but finally made his return 17 weeks later. Steven Gerrard broke his fifth metatarsal in 2004, again was predicted to return to football 6 to 8 weeks later, but eventually returned after 10 weeks. David Beckham broke his second metatarsal in 2002, was predicted to return 6 weeks later, and stepped back on the pitch after 7. David Nugent broke his fifth metatarsal in 2006, and returned 6 weeks later. He claims that his speedy recovery all came down to drinking lots of milk!

Dr Mark S. Myerson, M.D. a renowned expert in foot and ankle reconstruction at the Mercy Medical centre in Baltimore, Maryland, United States thinks that one the reasons for these fractures in Football players is the fact that many football players are bowed legged and have a chronically unstable or loose ankles. This puts an abnormal amount of strain on especially the fifth metatarsal, increasing the chance of a stress fracture.

Other suggestions explaining why we tend to see more metatarsal fractures these days than we have in the past included: an increase in the number of games played at the top level, an increase in training intensity, or even the training that a lot of teams do on artificial surfaces, which has a higher impact on the body.

Additionally, the pitches seem to be a bit harder these days than what they used to be due to their drainage. Grass pitches are often sand-based to improve drainage. The watering of these pitches increases their speed, but does not improve their hardness.

Players themselves are fitter, faster and stronger than they used to be. Again, this increases the forces that feet have to deal with.

Finally, some specialists argue that today's boots are lighter and less supportive and protective than they were in the past.

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

Warning Signs by C J Lyon

Are the strange symptoms that Amanda Mason is undergoing a real illness or just the result of too much work and not enough rest? Amanda is trying to convince herself that the symptoms are the result of overwork and an overactive imagination. The medical center has just admitted a girl who although awake is unable to respond verbally. Her symptoms are much the same as a couple of other girls previously admitted who passed away. Although Dr. Lucas Stone, the treating physician on these cases has searched for answers Dr. Stone could not find the cause of the problem.

While Amanda is trying to keep up with her work and ignore her symptoms her roommate Gina Freeman is fighting her own demons. Gina had a bad experience while riding with an ambulance team and is now is struggling with trying to force herself back on the streets or give up medicine altogether.

When a great-grandmother comes into the ER with her grandson, it becomes obvious to Dr. Lydia Fiore that the couple is homeless. Reminded of her own childhood when her mother was forced to live on the streets with Lydia by her side, Lydia promises the woman to watch out for her grandson which is strictly against the hospital rules. Then we have Nora who is trying her best to do her job while recovering from a bad relationship. Nora objects to Lydia's agreeing to watch out for the little boy.

In spite of their differences the group works together to try and help figure out what the three women who have come into the emergency room showing the same symptoms might have in common in the hopes of helping Dr. Stone come up with a plan of treatment in time to save the girl lying in the hospital in a coma. Even though still in denial, Amanda is experiencing more and more of the symptoms and trying to keep them secret from her friends and coworkers.

Warning Signs offers a very exciting peek into the lives of the Doctors, nurses and medical students at Pittsburgh's Angels of Mercy Medical Center. I enjoyed the book and if you want an inside peak at the world inside a hospital this is the book for you. I haven't read Lifelines but I do intend to read this previous book by C. J. Lyons.

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

The Do's and Don'ts of Visiting Loved Ones in the Hospital

A hospital's main concern is to keep its patients safe and healthy. If you have a loved one in the hospital, this is also your top priority. However, when you visit your loved one in the hospital, you may unknowingly bring harm to them or to other patients. Surprisingly, one of hospitals' biggest safety hazards is visitors who potentially produce problems to the patients. Here are a few do's and don'ts when visiting your loved one in the hospital.

First, if possible, ask the patient's permission before you visit them. While some patients greatly enjoy visits from friends and family, others may not feel well enough for a visit, or would otherwise like to be visited in their home. Keep their needs and wants before yours, and extend the courtesy of asking permission to visit the patient.

Secondly, wash your hands or sanitize them before touching the patient or give them something you've been touching. Germs and infections can exist on many surfaces, and you can never be too careful in not spreading them. Along with keeping them healthy, don't enter the hospital if you aren't feeling well or already sick, especially if you are contagious. Don't take the risk of making the patient sicker than they already are.

Thirdly, don't expect the patient to entertain you. They may prefer to sleep and rest rather than carry on a conversation. Watch for signs and hints that they are tired or weary. Along with this, only stay for a short period of time. It's better to visit more frequently but only for a half hour or hour at the most each time.

By following these few do's and don'ts, you can do your part to ensure the physical, mental, and emotional health of your loved one. They will greatly appreciate your courtesy and sympathy as they heal and become healthy again.

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

Frederick Maryland's a Mission of Mercy Free Health Care Clinic

"Healing Through Love"

A Mission of Mercy is a nonprofit organization with the purpose of helping those who are in need but do not have the means to fulfill those needs for themselves. A team of licensed active and retired medical professionals help provide these needs. Free medical and dental services, along with prescription medications have become available to the uninsured working, homeless, and those who have found themselves in economic troubles, all through this compassionate organization. The mission seeks to help those in need by providing free basic healthcare by "healing through love."

Many volunteer administrative, healthcare, and hospitality workers help fulfill the needs of many, no matter what race, color, creed, national origin or religion. The nonprofit organization, A Mission of Mercy, was founded in 1994 by pharmacist, Gianna Talone-Sullivan. Sullivan, who for many years was a clinical pharmacist in Arizona, felt a strong calling which was asking her to help the sick and hurt. The group helps many disadvantaged people in Arizona, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas through their traveling medication clinic. This mobile doctor's office has thirteen clinics located in those four states.

The funds that support this miraculous foundation are all the result of private donations from thoughtful individuals just looking to help. The care that the patients receive is that in which resembles a real medical setting. The services are provided through a continuous care system, not just emergency and screening services. The traveling doctor's office is equipped to diagnose and treat conditions ranging from acute to serve illnesses working with; the head, ears, eyes, nose, throat, neck, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, skin conditions, glandular, and psychiatric problems. The foundation also prescribes up to 225 different types of prescription medications, which are also free to the foundations patients.

The volunteer organization provides a large range of free medical options available to the uninsured and underinsured including; surgery, lab tests, and x-rays, in consultation with some hospitals, private providers and specialists in their areas. The group also provides dental care, which for now are in the Maryland and Pennsylvania clinics only. The services that are provided through the dental section of the foundation are; extractions, fillings, dental exams and x-rays, and to instruct patients on proper dental hygiene. A Mission of Mercy's dental program is fully mobile; operating with everything a traditional dental office would have including; their portable treatment chair, x-ray machine, light, high-speed autoclave, and many sets of instruments, hand tools, compressor, and a electric generator.

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

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