Archive for the 'General Health' Category...
Filed under General Health
Hoodia gordonii is a cactus like plant that is native to the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. Indigenous hunters have used it for thousands of years to ward off hunger during long nomadic hunting treks. In the last decade, Hoodia extract has grown in popularity in the west as an appetite suppressant and to promote weight loss.
Hoodia gordonii is a cactus like plant that is native to the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. The San Bushmen of that region have used it for thousands of years to ward off hunger during long nomadic hunting treks. In the last decade, Hoodia extract has grown in popularity in the west as an appetite suppressant and to promote weight loss.
Hoodia works by releasing a chemical compound that tricks the brain into believing that food has been consumed. Clinical trials conducted on obese subjects showed that caloric intake was reduced by about 1,000 calories a day. This is a substantial decrease considering the average caloric intake is about 2,600 calories for men and 1,900 for woman.
There are many options available if you are interested in giving Hoodia a try. Be sure to read the reviews at Hoodia Balance Reviews and Hoodia Gordonii Plus Reviews for details on the two most popular Hoodia products on the market today.
Filed under General Health
Lasik (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a corrective surgical procedure intended to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. The procedure involves creating a thin flap on the eye and then folding the flap so that the tissue underneath can be remodeled with a laser. Over the last two decades, Lasik Eye Surgery has become increasingly popular as more and more ophthalmologists offer the surgery and as word of mouth spreads. Lasik is not for everyone though, and as with any surgical procedure there are risks involved.
Most complications are short term and can be eliminated with proper treatment. These may include dry eyes, headaches, subconjunctival hemorrhaging, glares, floaters, or halos. To help reduce the chances of complications, be sure to be truthful with your Lasik Surgeon about your complete medical history. Lasik is not right for everyone and there are some conditions that may disqualify you from the procedure.
The incidents of post-operative complications due to Lasik surgery that are unresolved after 6 months are estimated at 3 to 6%. Many of the complaints aimed at Lasik are not due to actual surgical complications but in the unrealistic expectations of the patients. It is important that both patients and doctors are realistic about the end results. That is why it is very important to be engaged in the process and do your own research when considering Lasik.
Filed under General Health
Medicaid is an entitlement program that was created to provide medical assistance to individuals or families with low income. Unlike Medicare, which is funded entirely by the federal government, Medicaid is jointly funded by both federal and state governments. Each state has its own program but all states must follow federal eligibility requirements. There are many Medicaid eligibility categories that provide medical insurance for children, pregnant women, parents of eligible children, seniors and people with disabilities.
Since the cost of treating severe migraine headaches can be prohibitive, many low income individuals apply for Medicaid to ease the burden. Medicaid reimbursements are always paid directly to the provider of medical services rather than to the individual that is covered. Many classes of prescription drugs can be covered by Medicaid assuming that one meets the necessary requirements.
The first step to check for eligibility is to apply for Medicaid online. This process also outlines the eligibility requirements that must be met. Once you have applied and provided proof of income, you will receive a Medicaid identification card that can be presented to doctors or pharmacies in order to receive your benefits. Often the Medicaid benefit will cover 60-80% of the cost of many prescription medications.
Filed under General Health
Thermogenics are dietary supplements used to stimulate the bodies burning of fat. By increasing the body’s metabolism of adipose tissue, heat is generated. Thermogenic drugs include ephedra, capsicum, ginger, and caffeine.
Capsicum – Capsicum is the name that refers to plants in the nightshade family. Derivatives and extracts from these plants are often used as an herbal remedy for weight loss, headaches, arthritis, and a host of other illnesses.
Ginger – Ginger has been used for centuries to aid digestion and topically to relieve muscle pain. It is also used as a decongestant for sinusitis.
Ephedra Fat Burners – Botanical Ephedra, or ma-huang, is one of the most popular dietary supplements sold in the US. Ephedra is a natural source of the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Many products used for weight loss and to enhance athletic performance contain these alkaloids. The synthetic form is also used in over the counter decongestants and cold medicines. Studies have shown a statistically significant increase in weight loss when used in just a short period of time and many believe that Ephedra is one of the best fat burners to use.
Caffeine – Caffeine is used in a variety of drugs and is found in everyday products such as tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Like Ephedra, it is a natural alkaloid and acts as a stimulant and diuretic.
Filed under General Health
It is no secret that being overweight can lead to a variety of health problems. Often, these problems can inevitably result in an increased frequency of migraine headaches. Changing your diet and engaging in regular exercise are great tried and true methods to shed those pounds but often it is difficult to bring about these drastic changes in lifestyle. Frequently, those with weight problems choose to use dietary supplements as a shortcut to help them loose the weight.
One of the most popular new quick weight loss drugs is Clenbuterol, which is prescribed in some countries for asthma and bronchial disorders. In recent years, it has gained popularity as a weight loss drug due to its ability to induce the body to rapidly burn fat. In reality, body builders have known about its properties for decades and it is most frequently used by female body builders since it does not have the same masculinizing effects as anabolic steroids.
Like any weight loss drug, it is not for everyone. You should always check with a physician before making drastic changes in diet or lifestyle.
If you decide to buy Clenbuterol online, that you should make sure that you can provide a prescription from a doctor. Also, make sure that you are aware of potential side effects.
For more information about Clenbuterol weight loss, and how to properly use Clenbuterol, visit www.clenbuterolweightloss.com.
Filed under General Health, Headache Diagnosis
A recent study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York has shown that obese people are much more likely to experience chronic headaches. In fact, they are 30% more likely to experience chronic headaches than people that are considered normal weight. In addition, the frequency and intensity of the headaches are more severe and tend to increase as weight increases.

Headaches and other medical problems have led many obese people to explore the options of gastric bypass and lap band surgery. Gastric bypass is the method that most people are familiar with and that has been popularized in the media both for its results and for its adverse side effects. Although this may be an option for those that are morbidly obese, it is less than idea for those who are only considered over weight or slightly obese. Instead, many are considering Laparoscopic surgery or lap band surgery. It is less invasive and requires less time in surgery. Also, recovery time is much shorter and side effects, if any, are less severe than those experienced with a gastric bypass.
As more studies are conducted, it is becoming quite evident that obesity is a major risk factor for a variety of medical conditions including migraine headaches, heart disease, and even some types of cancer. If you are obese and suffer from chronic headaches, talk with your physician and explore the options that are available to you. If exercise and a change of diet are insufficient then your only option may be surgery.
Filed under General Health, Headache Treatment
Many chronic migraine headache sufferers find that the only way to relieve their pain is through the use of prescription drugs. Many of these drugs, especially triptans, are very expensive and may not be fully covered by some insurance companies. For those without insurance or for those ineligible for medicare, the costs of these drugs can be prohibitive. There are options available that can substantially reduce the burden of medication expenses.
Patient Assistance Programs Patient assistance programs can assist in getting prescription drugs to the patients that need them most. These programs are established by the pharmaceutical companies to help patients and doctors obtain free or low cost medications. Ask your physician about the type of assistance that is available. Programs can be different depending on the brand of medication that you are prescribed.
Generic Medications Another option is to ask your physician if a generic version of your medication is available. Often you can save 50% or more by purchasing a generic from a large retailer such as Wal-Mart. Be careful, not all generics are equal in dosage or strength. Be sure to take the advice of your doctor.
Free Samples This option is often overlooked by many patients. Doctors are constantly visited by pharmaceutical reps and usually have samples on hand of many popular or new medications. Do not fell ashamed to ask if any free samples are available.
By taking advantage of these programs you can substantially reduce the cost of your prescription medication.
Comments (0) Posted by admin on Thursday, February 14th, 2008
Filed under General Health
Like many industries, Health care providers are trying to utilize the latest IT systems to streamline their processes and improve the bottom line. Medical databases and systems are complex though, and if installed or managed improperly, can cause more harm than good. Ultimately for technology to work in the health care industry there must be a culture change from management all the way to the health care educational institutions that produce tomorrow’s nurses and doctors.
At the forefront of the medical technology debate is the interoperability of medical systems across different hospitals and institutions. Physicians must be able to retrieve patient data even if the patient is from another part of the country. This type of integration can remove much of the redundancy that currently plagues healthcare systems across the world. This can also help the bottom line of the industry by streamlining the overly bureaucratic systems currently in place and placing medical professionals back in the drivers seat.
Comments (3) Posted by admin on Saturday, February 2nd, 2008
Filed under General Health, Headache Prevention, Headache Treatment
After a very will received review of the neti pot and it’s effectiveness as a treatment for chronic sinusitis, or sinus infections, I thought that I would revisit the subject with some additional pointers on correct usage. It seems that a fairly large percentage of people who try the neti pot do not continue using it. This is really too bad, because they could be missing out on an inexpensive treatment that could alleviate their sinus headaches. I personally have saved approximately $100 this winter that would have been spent on various sinus medications.
As I stated in my earlier article, it takes a week or two to get used to the act of pouring water through your sinus cavity. Here are a few additional tips on using the neti pot that will help you through the first few tries:
- Water temperature - This is the most important element in comfortable usage of the neti pot. The water should be as close to body temperature as possible. If it is too cold, you will feel as if you are about to drown and if it is too hot then you will feel a burning sensation. Most neti pots are microwave safe, so try microwaving at 10 - 15 seconds until the water feels luke warm to the the touch.
- Saline Packets - I personally only use saline packages specifically designed for nasal irrigation. These have special buffering agents that adjust the PH levels to make the solution more comfortable.
- Saline Solution - In the beginning it is not necessary to use an entire packet of saline. You want to acclimate yourself to this new technique, so try using 1/4 - 1/2 of a packet in the beginning. Many recommend using an entire neti pot of solution for each nostril, but this is definitely overkill for the beginner. Begin by using half of a neti pot for each sinus cavity.
Remember, the best results are achieved through regular usage over time. If you are still having trouble, here is a link to a video demonstrating the proper technique. I tried to embed it in this post, but my new wordpress theme did not like it for some reason.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=j8sDIbRAXlg
Filed under General Health, Headache Diagnosis
If you suffer from severe migraine headaches and are currently enrolled to receive Medicare benefits , then you may be eligible to receive coverage that will pay for many of the most powerful prescription drugs on the market. The drugs most widely prescribed for the treatment or of chronic headaches are known as Triptans.
Triptans are medications used to reduce the symptoms or abort the onset of a migraine headache. Since their introduction in the 1990’s, triptans have been an effective treatment for millions of migraine sufferers. Unfortunately, many are still only available as name brands and are thus very expensive. Luckily, Medicare does provide limited coverage for those that qualify.
Under the current Medicare drug plan, the following Triptans are covered. Note that you may have to meet certain pre certification criteria and there will most likely be some quantity limits.
- Amerge® (naratriptan)
- Imitrex® (sumatriptan inj, nasal spray and tablets)
- Maxalt®, Maxalt MLT® (rizatriptan)
- Relpax® (eletriptan)
- Axert® (almotriptan)
- Frova® (Frova)
- Zomig®, Zomig ZMT® (zolmitriptan)
All of these drugs are available only with a prescription and require close medical supervision.
Comments (1) Posted by admin on Wednesday, January 16th, 2008