makyo'ss blog

Why retail based health clinics are here to stay

2009-03-24T21:04:00.000-07:00

by Sharon Ruth Hil

Several months ago I had my first experience with a Retail Based Medical Clinic, also known as an In Store Health Clinic. I merely popped in CVS to buy a pack of gum, noticed the flu shot sign and followed the directional arrow to the rear of the store where the small clinic area was arranged. The efficiency of registering myself in the computer system and the speed with which I received treatment was very impressive. I did make a mental note that I was just there to get a simple flu shot and not a more complex service. Then I went back to the office and convinced two co-workers to do the same over the course of the remaining workweek. Our employee insurance benefit covered the expense of the flu shot entirely.

Towards the end of last month I came down with the "crud". Since I didn't want to take time off of work I decided I would visit The Little Clinic in Kroger that Saturday. The check-in process wasn't quite as efficient as CVS in that I filled out a paper form prior to being seen by the Nurse Practitioner and when I was seen she keyed in all the information while posing several important questions. At the time we were into flu season full force and there was quite a line, including those sent over by the busy local hospital emergency room. However, the Nurse Practitioner did not let this rattle her and she took here time with me in order to be thorough. I felt "like death" that day but again walked away with a very positive experience.

I began to ponder the whole aspect of these Retail Based Medical Clinics. In their industry they are known as Convenient Care Clinics having their own association with the most stringent healthcare standards. I have done the research and discovered so many interesting facts and benefits pertaining to these clinics and the governing association.

The very effective model for these small clinics, located in busy retail based stores with adjacent pharmacy and usually staffed by a well educated Nurse Practitioner, maximizes efficiency by offering a limited menu of basic services. A typical roster of services includes treatment for flu, pink eye, sore throat, allergies, immunizations, and school physicals. These same services are affordable for self pay individuals and cost between about twenty five percent less than the same service at a physicians office and thirty to eighty percent less than an emergency room or urgent care facility while at the same time taking some of the pressure off of local emergency rooms. Further, most insurance plans are accepted with the standard co-payment.

No appointment necessary for these clinics with many open seven days a week and extended hours available for increased flexibility. Clinics must comply with all state and local health regulations, offer a variety of referrals to other health care providers, and can even forward patient records to the primary physician to be included in the patients file. In the event a Nurse Practitioner require assistance with a diagnosis he or she is in direct phone contact with an on call physician

Make no mistake, Retail Based Medical Clinics is a growth industry of about 1500 clinics in the United States that is here to stay given the convenience, shortage of primary care physicians, and high number of uninsured citizens with limited financial access to health care. I am not alone in reporting a positive experience as some studies gauge the quality of care at about ninety percent.

Learn more about this author, Sharon Ruth Hill.
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Correlation between medical conditions and dental health

2009-03-09T20:48:00.000-07:00

by Lisa Fillers

It is rather easy for the experienced dentist, hygeinist, or dental staff to see the correlation between medical conditions and dental health. Over the years of working in a dental practice they see patient after patient who come in with high blood pressure, diabetes, and other medical problems as well as healthy patients. Healthy patients, in general, have far fewer dental health problems. The longer a patient has had a medical condition, the greater degree of dental health problems they have.

All patients of a dental practice must complete a medical history form. It is required so the dentist and staff can be alerted to the need for premedication prior to dental procedures. During my years in the medical field I saw a great many patients with the same medical condition that also had the same type of dental health issue. Listed below are some commonly seen medical conditions among patients with a lot of dental health issues.

LUNG DISEASE

Lung disease can affect a patient's overall health in multiple ways. Most lung disease patients have been smokers at some time in their life and a large percentage of them were considered heavy smokers. Smokers eventually lose their teeth. Smoking increases the amount of bacteria in a person's mouth by aiding it in growing. Decaying food and bacteria form plaque and plaque causes cavities and gum disease. When gum disease is present in the mouth, any continued smoking makes the gums raw and irritatated. It also increases the swelling of the pockets in the gum around the teeth caused by gum disease. Gum disease causes the gums to recede, exposing portions of the teeth that were not meant to be exposed. It weakens the jaw bone structure, as well, that holds the teeth in place and the patient's teeth can literally fall out of their mouth.

Lung disease, asthma, and other chronic respiratory problems can cause black line teeth in patients who were born to a parent with goiters or a family history of goiters. These patients have a higher than normal amount of iron and other minerals in their body and constantly produce mucous. The mucous carries the minerals into the mouth where they combine with the bacteria in decaying food, forming the dark plaque around the neck of the tooth at the gum line.

Lung disease patients have a supressed immune system and the weakness of their immune system make them more susceptible to all infections. Infection can occur at sites with bleeding gums or any dental trauma causing

a scrape or cut in the mouth.

DIABETES

Diabetes can cause tooth decay, gum disease, infection, delay in healing, fungal infections, salivary gland dysfunction, and impairment of taste. Patients can suffer from any of these dental health problems if their diabetes is not kept well under control. High glucose levels found in the saliva of uncontrolled diabetic patients cause faster deterioation of the teeth and gum disease in diabetic patients with poor dental hygeine. Uncontrolled diabetes also weakens the immune system and makes the patient more susceptible to infection.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure causes constriction of the arteries which can decrease blood flow vital for healthy teeth. Repeated constriction of blood flow to a tooth can cause the pulp of the tooth to die. This results in the need for a crown, or cap, to be placed on the tooth or can result in total loss of the tooth. Medications used to treat high blood pressure cause xerostoma, dry mouth, which causes a higher incidence of tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and halitosis.

Medications for high blood pressure can interact with pain medications prescribed by a dentist. Patients who have fluid retention due to high blood pressure or diabetes may also suffer adverse effects. It is imperative your dentist is told immediately should you develop high blood pressure or diabetes.

HEART DISEASE

Heart disease can lead to gum disease and loss of teeth. This is true of non-smokers as well as smokers.

Heart disease which has caused artificial valves to be placed, heart transplants patients with a valve problem, a history of endocarditis and certain congential heart defects can cause bacterial endocarditis. This is a serious infection which can occur in these patients when they have dental procedures done if they have not been premedicated prior to the procedure. All patients need to be truthful in completing their medical history.

Hardening of the arteries causes the patient to have to take blood thinners such as Warfarin, which is a generic form of Coumadin. Any blood thinner causes the dentist to be extremely cautious during dental procedures due to the patient bleeding more freely.

GERDS

Acid Reflux Disease and other gastrointestinal problems cause a higher rate of tooth decay and tooth loss due to the patient regurgitating acidic bile. The bile not only eats away the esophogus over time, but also eats away the enamel on the patient's teeth. Once the protective enamel is damaged, cavities begin to form and the tooth pulp can eventually die. Any chronic stomach condition can cause severe halitosis.

EPILEPSY

Patients who suffer from Epilepsy or epileptic type seizures are usually prescribed Dilantin, which can cause gingival hyperplasia. This is a drug induced gingival overgrowth. Organ transplant patients on Cyclosporine and high blood pressure patients or any heart patient using calcium channel blockers can also suffer from gingival hyperplasia.

There are other medical conditions which can cause dental health problems but these are the most common seen. In general, any systemic medical condition can be a source of dental health problems itself or through the medication required to treat the condition.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Fillers.

Poetry: The clinic

2009-03-06T20:50:00.000-08:00

by crow messenger

She stepped on the bus
alone
Holding her fear
beside the hurt in her heart.

The clinic felt cold
as she unsnapped snaps
un-fastened hooks
pulling a white sheet across her.

Fists clenched and eyes closed
she remembered the words,
the faces that smiled;
we're here for you,
as she
felt the pain
alone.

She walked to the bus stop
holding the burdon
of alone
beside the pain
growing like the cancer
inside her.

wondering which was worse.

Learn more about this author, crow messenger.

Correlation between medical conditions and dental health

2009-02-25T20:11:00.001-08:00

by Lisa Fillers

LUNG DISEASE

a scrape or cut in the mouth.

DIABETES

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

HEART DISEASE

Heart disease can lead to gum disease and loss of teeth. This is true of non-smokers as well as smokers.

GERDS

EPILEPSY

Learn more about this author, Lisa Fillers.

The problems with nationalized health care

2009-02-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

by Kouell Health

National health care for all! It will not happen in my lifetime. There are too many special interest groups who lobby Congress to make money, not spend it. Congress membership is also split 50/50 between the Republicans and the Democrats, and both parties are 180 degrees apart as to how to solve this health care crisis.

The conservative Republican party wants market forces to solve this crisis and the liberal Democrats wants to have government and the people to pay for health care for the needy. The health care issue will never get resolved in this country because there will never be bipartisanship, enough Dems (The Left) and Republicans (The Right) in the middle to form a majority to pass a national health care program.

But, I have a solution that will work if the people really want it. It will require a coordinated effort from the Medical and Insurance industries, supported by the current social insurance programs, Medicare and Medicaid. Stay tuned.

Learn more about this author, Kouell Health.

2009-02-19T20:16:00.000-08:00

How to insure your horse

2009-02-19T20:11:00.000-08:00

"Only insure your horse, if you could not afford to replace him," a trainer once told me. Actually, this has turned out to be pretty good advice.

For many years, we did carry insurance for our horses. As our herd grew, however, this became prohibitively expensive.

WHAT SORTS OF POLICIES ARE AVAILABLE?

Horses may be insured against mortality (death by accident or illness), specified perils (fire, lightning or transportation damages), reproductive hazards and infertility, theft, and loss-of-use (disability). Loss-of-use is difficult to prove, and this coverage can be quite costly.

WHAT'S YOUR HORSE WORTH?

If your horse is worth a lot of money (as in, more than $10,000), then it may be worthwhile to purchase insurance to cover life or loss. If you paid $1,000 or less for your horse, then you may opt out of insurance. (This does not diminish the amount of love you have for your equine companion!)

Of course, an equine insurance premium is generally based on the value of a horse. Other factors include the horse's age, location and intended uses. Jumpers and eventers are costlier to insure than dressage horses. Horses who travel to shows may have higher premiums as well.

WHAT ABOUT FOALS?

In some cases, breeders will opt for in-utero insurance. This may cover stillbirths or even hazards of multiple conceptions (i.e., twins). Live foal insurance is another possibility, although many stallion owners offer rebreeding as a recourse.

Several insurance companies refuse to insure foals. Others offer limited policies, which change monthly, as the foal grows.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE SEVERAL HORSES?

If you have several horses, the insurance premiums can add up quite quickly. It's important to weigh the odds and determine whether the output is worth it.

WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR YOUR HORSE?

Major medical insurance can be quite costly for horses. For example, coverage for a 10-year-old horse could be $500 or more per year. This does not cover shots, worming, joint injections, or other routine-classified procedures. Most policies will not cover x-rays, ultrasounds, or other diagnostics. Shock-wave therapy, equine massage, and chiropractice care are usually excluded as well.

Basically, major medical insurance protects the owner from massive surgical or hospitalization expenses.

In other words, if your horse should suddenly require colic surgery, you would be glad to have medical insurance. If your horse came up lame, your insurance coverage would be irrelevant.

READ POLICIES CAREFULLY.

Detailed exclusions apply to virtually all equine insurance policies. For example, will your insurance compensate you, if your horse dies from a snakebite or eating a poisonous plant? Can you file a claim for an injury he suffers during a foxhunt?

A wise horse owner will consider all possibilities before signing a contract. If you have any questions, ask your insurance carrier upfront.

Learn more about this author, Linda Ann Nickerson.

The problems with nationalized health care

2009-02-18T20:43:00.000-08:00

The problems with nationalized health care

by Kouell Health

Learn more about this author, Kouell Health.

How to use a neti pot

2009-02-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

by Sri Harsha

Sinus problem is the most common problem we see around these days. With the increasing pollutants and chemical substances in the air we take in, it is no surprise we face sinus problems. It is reported that sinus is one of the major reasons for people to consult doctors.

As with every other health problem, sinus too has some alternative health remedies. But the best alternative medical remedy for sinus is Neti pot which is being used on a large scale by many people. Neti means nose cleaning. Since the major reason for sinus is the intake of pollutants, they get trapped in the nose. So, cleaning them off relieves you from the problem instantly.

These neti pots were originated in India. There were reports of using neti pots in Hindu mythology. This slowly developed as a health remedy in India and later many countries started using these pots. Now, it has become a common thing used by many people from the United States and the United Kingdom. The best thing about a neti pot is that it is cost effective and easy to use. Besides this, it gives instant relief and shows immediate improvement in the problem.

As the name suggests, a neti pot looks more like a pot but it has a spout at one side to allow water to flow through it, besides having a opening at the top. The pot is a small pot and it holds only less amount water and this water is enough to clean the nose once. Generally, ceramic and plastic pots are available but more people use plastic pots as they are light weight and are very easy to hold.

First you have to clean the neti pot well. Now you have to fill the pitcher with lukewarm water. You can directly fill the pot with water through the opening at the top.

Add 1/3 teaspoon of salt to the water and mix it wall so that the salt dissolves in the water. You can use a spoon for this.

Bend your head to one side(preferably left) and by keeping your gaze downwards, place the spout in your right(opposite side of the direction in which your head is bent). See to the fact that the spout is well placed in your nostril and it doesn't allow any leakage.

Breath through your mouth by opening it a little bit. Breath continuously to allow air to pass freely and to avoid any accidental entering of water into the mouth.

Now lift the pot a bit so that the water flows into your nostril. Since your right nostril is above the left one in the bent state, the water flows to the left nostril and slowly drains out. It takes few seconds for the water to flow from right nostril to left nostril and to get out of the left nostril.

To make the water not to flow on a dry floor making it wet, you can stand near a sink or you can do this process in bath room alternatively.

Learn to do this process in a single direction everyday rather than changing the directions. Changing the direction often may confuse you and the water may get into your mouth unexpectedly.

Learn more about this author, Sri Harsha.

Is cupping an effective treatment?

2009-02-17T19:53:00.000-08:00

by.James Mcconnell.

Is cupping an effective treatment?
Cupping - Effective Treatment or Not?

Cupping, Hijama, Buhwang . . . Effective Treatment or Not?

Known by many names, practiced by many cultures, cupping is an ancient practice that is quickly gaining much attention in the West. The dangers arises when capitalistic influences driven by the profit motivated medical industry encroach on ancient, conservative, proven, holistic treatments that were entrusted to healers, not businessmen. We are now in an age controlled by the Medical Mafia. No matter if treatments are termed conventional or alternative, buyer beware.

Cupping is performed by placing suction cups, using one of several techniques, upon optimal points on the body. Some heat the interior of the cups using kerosene soaked cotton balls or cone shaped paper and others use special cups designed to pump air out after the cups are placed on the skin. We prefer the heat method as it promotes greater sterilization.

In what is commonly called wet cupping, the first cups are left on the optimal points for several minutes until a pinkish red bump or hickey is formed on the skin. Cups are removed and then nineteen small tiny incisions, normally with a sterile single edge raiser blade, are made on the skin uniformly dispersed within the raised circle or bump. The newly prepared suction cups are replaced on the same spot and blood is extracted into the cup normally no more than an ounce or so of blood.

Blood extracted from cupping contains no living blood cells. This is truly an amazing phenomenon and perhaps the single best reason to support cupping as an effective preventative procedure.

Benefits of Hijama - Why it Works

The cardiovascular system is made up of the heart and all of the blood and lymphatic vessels in the body. The heart acts as a pump to drive the blood; a complex fluid made up of digested food materials, respiratory gasses (oxygen being carried in, carbon dioxide being carried out), and protective and regulatory chemicals through the approximately 60,000 miles of vessels in the body.

More than 90 percent of Americans live in jeopardy of having a serious illness relating to the circulatory system. The human and financial cost of cardiovascular disease in the U.S. is astronomical. Every year, approximately 1.5 million Americans have a heart attack, 300,000 of whom die before receiving medical attention.

Cupping (Hijama) does not heal your body or have a direct effect on

problems. Cupping cleans the bodies' cardiovascular system so disease never has a chance to develop. Where disease already exists, cupping cleans the system to help the system better fight and recover from the disease. It is very foolish to wait till this point. Cupping is best utilized as a preventative maintenance for your body. In short, it better enables your body to heal itself - No drugs, no expensive treatment or therapy and above all, no operations.

Cupping removes dead blood cells from the cardiovascular system. It is a bit like getting your radiator flushed. It should be done before your car overheats and the damage is done. Practitioners who emphasize cupping as a cure are like auto mechanics who claim flushing your radiator will cure your cracked engine block. Of course, your radiator should be flushed, but if it were properly maintained no damage would have resulted to your engine. Fortunately the body, unlike an engine block can often repair itself. In the case of some ailments and conditions cupping, if applied soon after the event, can have a very positive effect, especially with problems directly related to the cardiovascular system such as stroke and heart failure. Nonetheless, it is always better to use cupping as a maintenance and preventative procedure.

While cupping is a relatively easy procedure to perform and to learn, who performs it is nevertheless an important consideration. When cupping is to performed is often not considered by practitioners who seek to profit from their services. Many times cupping charges are calculated at a per cup charge, so the tendency to over cup is very real.

The technique we recommend can easily be described as the most conservative approach to Hijama or Cupping as commonly called in the West. The technique incorporated is a very old healing art sanctioned by Prophets and utilized by healers over the centuries.

By healers, we mean individuals "authorized" by real masters who focus on the spiritual, physical and mental wellbeing of the human being seeking assistance. Morality and spiritual enlightenment were of the utmost importance in the consideration of whom to authorize with this honored trust. Not solely mental capacity or prowess.

As long as the Master is alive, students of this art are sent to the Master to be authorized. Authorization is not simply asserting technical proficiency. It is something much higher - way beyond a persons mental capacity. These concepts and

can only be understood in the heart - in the realm of spiritual knowledge. They must be sanctioned and activated by someone who has successfully achieved these understandings from their master. Claiming to be a master does not make it so. The mind can not decipher between a real master and a fraud. Certainty comes only when the heart judges, not the mind.

Cupping Charges

Money historically was offered to these healers out of respect, not by demand. It was a good and honorable charity bringing with it an amount of protection and healing in and of itself. An understanding that has almost completely vanished from today's money driven world. Inconspicuously, money concealed in an envelope or small gift was presented to the healer after the procedure - with full manners and respect and with an intention to provide a charitable reward. This action actually boosts or empowers the overall effectiveness of the treatment. Intention, respect, good manners and charity alters healing energy. The rewards from money well spent by someone spiritually higher than yourself, falls back on you. The closer your contribution is to something of real substance, such as gold, silver, or even a sheep, the more spiritual weight that contribution carries. Paper money, while acceptable, is less favorable. Checks and credit cards are negative in that your contribution is!
no longer inconspicuous. Real charity is not tax deductible.

Optimal Times For Cupping

Just as the moon affects the tide of the ocean, it affects the human body. Therefore, cupping should be performed on odd days of the lunar calendar when the forces of the moons pull assist in removing the dead blood cells.

It should also be done in the second half of the lunar month. The 17th, 19th, 21st and 23rd days are the best for cupping.

Moderate climate is also important, not to hot and not to cold. When the flowers start to blossom and nature begins it's magical renewal, it is time for Cupping. Cupping may also be performed in the early fall, before the first frost.

Conditions & Dangers

Cupping can be dangerous if not performed properly. Aggressive treatments on several different parts of the body are to be avoided. Treatment performed outside of the optimal odd lunar calendar, last half of the lunar month, on spring and fall days is not recommended except in emergency situations only.

When the procedure is performed correctly and follow-up directions observed, there is very little risk involved

with cupping. One out of every twenty-five people may experience some light headedness and some may even faint. This is normally the result of not having followed the preliminary restrictions or possibly due to weakness from an oncoming cold or flu. The real danger is falling and hitting your head as we always perform cupping in the seated position. With proper monitoring this danger is greatly minimized. Any signs of dizziness or cold sweat should be reported immediately.

Persons interested in Cupping need to abstain from sexual intercourse 48 hours before the treatment is scheduled.

The day of the procedure you should avoid food and drink, especially dairy products. One cup of Non-acidic herbal tea is permitted to help waken.

A warm shower should be taken as close to the time of the procedure as practical.
The tendency to become tired after cupping and want to rest is common but resting must be avoided for at least the first few hours after the procedure. This is why we schedule all cupping in the morning to avoid people from resting soon after the procedure and to make the fasting easier. Inactivity can result in the promotion of blood clotting, which is why resting is highly discouraged. In fact a half hour to one hour walk is recommended. This danger is extremely rare but nonetheless possible. Especially if falling asleep after the procedure.

Red marks from the cupping normally fade within a few days, depending on skin type.

The small shallow incisions necessary to extract the dead blood cells may take a few weeks to heal. In some cases faint tiny lines of scarring may persist.

For more information on cupping run a google search with keywords "Traditional Cupping Hijama".

Learn more about this author, James Mcconnell.

Tentang aku

2009-02-16T21:04:00.000-08:00

Nama aku sastriono
aku sudah menikah di karuniai anak dua
anak aku yang pertama perempuan dan yang kedua laki-laki