MEDICAL CARE LIVING

Examples Of Mold Diseases That Most Never Heard Of

Apr 112008

The names of diseases that are caused by mold typically end in the suffix mycosis and while you might not think that such diseases are that dangerous, but think again.

These are serious illnesses that can lead to irreparable damage to different organs in your body and can even result in death in some extreme cases.

Those at risk to contract them are generally those who have a weakened immune system, small children, the elderly, and anyone whose body is weak, such as a person who is undergoing chemotherapy or is recovering from a recent surgery. Mold contaminated surgical instruments can also transmit these diseases if they are not properly sterilized

Most of the diseases that are caused by mold begin with some flu-like symptoms like coughing, pain in the joints and muscles, fever, and chills. The medications used to treat these conditions can cause the very same symptoms that the disease does and can also end up causing some kidney, liver, skin, and eye damage if their usage is not monitored.

Any doctor that prescribes such antifungal medication will probably require frequent lab work to be done on the patient to catch these side effects before they get out of hand.

Aspergillosis is a disease that are caused by molds belonging to the genus of Aspergillus and these molds are typically found not only outdoors, but can also be found indoors, as well. They have been known to produce what are called aspergilloma in any pre-existing cavity in the body such as those arising from cancer, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, or similar conditions.

Aspergilloma often have no symptoms for quite a while, but when they do finally show themselves, they can include coughing up blood, weight loss, fever, and shortness of breath.

Another condition that commonly affects our pets (but can also affect humans) is called Blastomycosis. This disease can cause pneumonia and other kinds of respiratory infections in humans and animals and can spread to the rest of the body.

When the mold spores enter the body, they become yeast and since yeast itself is not contagious, you should not worry about your pet giving it to you if they are showing signs of it. The cutaneous form of the disease shows itself as lesions on the skin of the body and if they are left moist and untreated, it can cause much damage to the surrounding bone and tissue.

These are only two of the diseases that can be caused by mold. There are others that are just as serious. If you suspect a mold infestation in your home, perform some do-it-yourself mold tests and have the results determined by a laboratory specializing in mold.

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
flood and water damage cleanup and
water damage restoration> companies across the united states.

Most Are Unaware Of The Dreaded Diseases Caused By Mold

Health No Responses »

Apr 112008

If you hear of an illness that ends in mycosis, it was probably caused by a mold. Those who are particularly at risk to contract this class of diseases are those with compromised immune systems and this often occurs in people who have a cancer of the blood, chemotherapy patients, those with HIV or AIDs, anyone with serious blood disorders.

Even though these diseases are far more likely to affect those with compromised immune systems, they can develop after a person has surgery or any other invasive procedure. It can also be transmitted by contaminated surgical instruments.

Generally the first symptoms of these mycotic diseases are those that are similar to the flu, such as chills, coughing, pain in the muscles and the joints, and fever. Medications that are antifungal can cause some of these symptoms, as well, even though the fungal infection that it is intended to treat cause these exact same symptoms.

These drugs can also cause kidney damage and end up affecting the eyes, skin, or liver and a doctor will probably ask for labwork often in order to catch some of these serious side effects before they become out of control.

Some of the diseases that can be caught from a mold are histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, blastomycosis, and aspergillosis. These are serious fungal diseases and should be treated as such.

Aspergillosis is caused by molds in the Aspergillus genus and tends to be found in many places including buildings, plants, food, water, and soil.

Blastomycosis is caused by Blastomyces and is found soils that are rich in nutrients and very moist. It has been known to affect both animals and humans.

Candidiasis is caused from the mold Candida and can cause mouth infections or genital yeast infections, but it is even more serious when it ends up invading the bloodstream. Candida is found in the intestines naturally, however.

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by the mold coccidioides and this is found most often in the dry soil in the southwestern United States, and central and South America. It starts as a flu-like disease, but can infect the lungs and infect the other organs in the body, including the brain.

Cryptococcosis is caused by Cryptococcus and associated the most with Eucalyptus trees and bird droppings. It typically begins in the lungs, but has no symptoms until it spreads to the rest of the body.

Histoplasmosis is caused by Histoplasma and tends to infect the lungs. Like other fungal infections, it includes flu-like symptoms and can spread to the rest of the body.

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
flood and water damage cleanup and
water damage restoration> companies across the united states.

Aloe Vera: The Healthy Plant

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Apr 112008

The therapeutic benefits of aloe vera were revealed more than 4000 years ago, both on an Egyptian papyrus dating back to 1550 BC and a Sumerian tablet dating back to 2100 BC. Some records even reveal that it was used by Cleopatra in order to protect her skin from the sun’s rays.

The properties of the aloe vera have also been found in ancient Chinese and Indian records. Likewise, legend has it that Alexander the Great conquered the Socotra Island, now a part of Yemen, in the Indian Ocean, primarily to ensure the uninterrupted supply of this healthy plant, in order to heal the wounds of soldiers injured in battles. According to ancient records, it was also used in some European countries as well.

Aloe vera, also known as Aloe barbadensis, is a medicinal plant that belongs to the desert lily family. Nowadays, it is available in a myriad of forms including sprays, gels, lotions, ointments, and sometimes even in the form of capsules.

This medicinal-value plant has been discovered to be an effective remedy for a variety of diseases such as ulcers, heat burns, fever, digestive disorders, and several skin injuries such as burns and lacerations.

Whether it is used internally or externally, the aloe vera plant is highly beneficial for your health, as it contains a range of essential ingredients such as amino acids, enzymes, proteins, minerals, mano-saccharides as well as poly-saccharides, salicylic acid, sterols, and vitamins including vitamin B-12. Perhaps for these reasons, aloe vera is sometimes referred to as a “natural healer” or a” miracle herb”.

The aloe leaf usually takes after a cactus and primarily consists of four layers: the outer layer known as the rind; the bitter fluid layer, namely, the sap; the inner portion known as the gel; and the mucilage. Studies reveal that the plant consists of more than 400 species.

EXTERNAL BENEFITS:

1. Since it has soothing properties, it is highly beneficial for healing burns and wounds.

2. The application of aloe gel is considered very effective in reducing itching and pain due to psoriasis.

3. It is also considered valuable in alleviating chronic joint and muscle pains due to such problems as tendonitis and arthritis.

4. As it can stimulate collagen as well as elastin synthesis, it is effective in preventing early signs of aging.

5. Restoration of immune system, i.e., application of this therapeutic plant on the skin reduces the chances for developing skin disorders from exposure of the sun’s rays.

6. Above all, it is a great moisturizer, i.e. it possesses the properties to hydrate and soften the skin.

INTERNAL BENEFITS:

1. The intake of aloe juice is considered to be one of the more effective remedies for gastrointestinal, ulcerous, and intestinal-related problems such as diarrhea and constipation.

2. Aloe vera juice is also considered effective in killing bacteria and fungus within the body.

3. It contains several useful ingredients such as zinc and super oxide dismutases, and hence serves as a good antioxidant.

3. Further, the presence of salicylic acid in the plant allows it to serve as one of the best medicines to combat inflammation and high fever.

4. With detoxification properties, this healthy plant is advantageous in preventing liver and kidney-related ailments.

5. Due to its medicinal properties, the intake of aloe vera is even regarded as effective in preventing such devastating ailments as arthritis, cancer, and diabetes.

6. This plant is also beneficial in improving the blood’s circulation throughout the body.

As you can see there are many benefits to this healthy plant, so it is wise to always have some on hand, and if you happen to have a green thumb they also make wonderful plants, and think of the money you will save. Whenever you need relief from a burn, just cut a little piece off and rub it directly onto the burned area, and feel the relief immediately.

Scott White is a Personal Trainer Arizona, Scottsdale: Real Estate Agent Scottsdale Arizona, Fitness Model Alicia Leombruni Arizona

Understanding Arthritis Pain

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Apr 112008

Pain is your body’s way of letting you know that something is wrong. It is a natural defense that prevents you from causing further damage to an affected area. After surgery the pain prevents you from doing things that could damage the surgical area. People who suffer from arthritis will often experience joint pain and stiffness to the affected joint. There are two types of arthritis pain; acute pain which temporary in nature and chronic pain which is either recurring or permanent.

Acute arthritis pain can flare up and last for a few hours or a few days. This type of pain becomes less intense as an area heals. Chronic arthritis pain is often severe and never goes away permanently. Chronic pain can often be controlled but is never cured. It is this type of pain that will often limit a person’s activities. With time and age, people who suffer from arthritis pain will probably see an increase in the pain as well as a decrease in daily activities.

The degree of arthritis pain will vary from one individual to the other. Some will only experience inflammation of the joints while other will also have inflammation of the tendons, which is known as tendonitis. People who develop tendonitis will experience more pain than those who only have joint pain. Often the amount of daily activity will affect the amount of pain one experiences.

Preparing For A Visit To The Doctor

People who have been diagnosed with arthritis will need to stay under the care of their doctor to help them control their symptoms. The more information you can provide your doctor the better he will be able to help you. Before your visit you need to keep a diary of your activities. This diary should include when you felt pain and the degree of that pain. Most doctors will ask you to rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10. They will also ask you to describe you pain such as aching, stinging, burning, etc. Keep up with the times of day when your pain is worse. Also keep up with your diet and the foods you have eaten since some foods will trigger arthritis pain.

Your doctor will also want to know if anything helped ease the pain. Things such as ice packs, heat packs, or over the counter analgesics may help with pain reduction. By providing your doctor with a full picture of when and how the pain is occurring will help him understand what is going on and how best to treat it. Early treatment will provide you with the best chance of arthritis pain control as well as preventing joint damage.

Find more Helpful arthritis
herbal remedy tips, advice Click Here: http://www.arthritisherbalremedy101.com
A Popular website that specializes in tips and resources to include natural
remedies for arthritis

The Debate Rages On As To The Effectiveness Of An Arthritis Diet

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Apr 112008

There is quite some amount of risk involved in not caring for your diet, which when not properly taken, can cause you many discomforts including having arthritis. With a proper arthritis diet, there is a better than even chance that you can keep yourself from becoming a victim of severe arthritis pain. Taking a diet that promotes arthritis is something that is an absolute no-no, though it is something that many people still continue taking. They should take care and avoid certain diets that are known to promote and even aggravate the arthritis condition.

Low Fiber Content Will Do You Good

If you persist with a diet that contains red meat, white flour as also dairy products and you also cannot refrain from eating junk food, don’t be surprised that your arthritis condition gets worse. An arthritis diet would generally have low fiber content and good examples of such an arthritis diet food include commercially produced red meat, sugar as also milk. Taking such an arthritis diet will ensure that such low fiber content does not flow through your digestive tract and thus will not aggravate the arthritis condition.

However, if you insist on eating saturated fats, you can expect more arthritis pain and worsening of your condition. Such saturated fats should not form part of an arthritis diet and are typically found in animal foods and are a known cause behind increased joint inflammation, and is known to cause stiffness and swelling of the joints. In addition, your diet should not have much acidic content as high levels of acidity are known to be a major reason why a person has arthritis.

Any arthritis diet should preferably contain fruits of alkaline nature as also vegetables, raw seeds, peas, nuts, grain and finally, fish. Taking these foods and incorporating them in your arthritis diet should help reduce the acidic condition and ease the pain and anguish that arthritis would otherwise cause.

That is not to say that there are not many detractors of the benefits of arthritis diet and many doctors doubt the positive effects of such a course of action on alleviating the problematic condition. Still, there is no denying the fact that diet can contribute positively to a person’s health and so, one would not be doing any harm in converting to an arthritis diet in a bid to improve one’s arthritic condition because weight as well as nutrition is important factors in arthritis.

So, a diet of vitamins, minerals, supplements, and also herbal applications may, in the end, prove to be successful in treating an arthritic condition and could well be incorporated in a good arthritis diet.

Get all the latest information about natural
remedies for arthritis from the only true source at http://www.naturalremediesforarthritis.org
Be sure to check out our Arthritis
Herbal Remedies pages.

Healthy Habits: Steps You Can Take Towards Arthritis Prevention

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Apr 112008

Arthritis is a common cause of pain in the joints, especially among the elderly. Persistent, aggrivating, and excruciating, arthritis is capable of reducing the quality of your life by hindering your everyday movements.

Arthritis prevention is reliant on an early diagnosis. Once you are diagnosed with arthritis, you should take steps towards arthritis prevention immediately to ensure that no further joint damage occurs. What basic habits can you change to prevent arthritis? It’s not as difficult as you might think.

Changing Your Life Style

Arthritis prevention requires changing certain aspects of your lifestyle. By simply adjusting your diet and amount of exercise, you can make a major leap toward preventing arthritis.

You diet is one aspect of your life that you should consider changing if you are trying to prevent arthritis. In studies completed by the University of Manchester, it was determined that those people who had a low intake of fruits and vegetables, predominantly those fruits and vegetables containing Vitamin C, had an increased risk of developing arthritis.

Even swapping out your usual can of Coke for a healthy dose of green tea can help with arthritis prevention. Studies have shown that the catechins found in green tea, which are also full of antioxidants, both slow down the breakdown of cartilage and reduce inflammation of the joints.

Another important lifestyle change you can make is increasing the amount of regular exercise you complete. Not only does regular exercise work to prevent arthritis by building and maintaining strong and healthy joints, but it can also help to decrease the pain and fatigue which are often associated with the disease.

Both increased exercise and a better diet will help with weight maintenance, which is another method of arthritis prevention. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the stress on your joints and can help to prevent arthritis from developing in your hips, hands, and knees.

Last Resort

Some people choose medical options in order to prevent arthritis. One such option is estrogen replacement therapy, which is proven to increase bone density and reduce bone loss. Some medicines commonly used to replace estrogen include Alendronate and Raloxifene.

Living Life To The Fullest

The prevention of arthritis might not be of concern you now. However, you never know if, ten years from now, you might be faced with the severe challenges and disappointments that accompany the disease. Don’t wait for that time to come; take the first steps towards arthritis prevention now!

Find more Helpful Arthritis
Herbal Remedies tips, advice Click Here: http://www.arthritisherbalremedy101.com.
A Popular website that specializes in tips and resources to include natural
remedy for arthritis

Not All In Texas Understand The Nature Of Their Benefit Plans

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Apr 112008

So you have benefits. But what does that really mean?

For people living in Texas, and especially in cities like Dallas, Houston and Austin, the question deserves some attention. It’s especially the case when considering that a good number of people may not fully understand what either their employer is delivering as part of a comprehensive benefits package, or, in the case of someone who is paying at least a portion of their own benefits coverage, what they are getting for their hard-earned dollars.

Benefits aren’t cheap. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it costs an employer roughly 30% of full-time payroll to cover benefits and that’s a percentage that continues to rise with healthcare costs, which most people think about first when considering benefits.

Employees who have benefits – - including health insurance — should be aware of what they have, whether they’re paying for it or not. One key point is to not assume you have coverage. Even if the insurance plan is going to pay for a medical bill, the amount of coverage over an employee’s lifetime might be affected. Understanding the limits of coverage including the maximum coverage is important information to know.

It’s also important to know and understand what choices might be available to you as an employee. In some cases, a person may be able to choose their own doctor — with a certain amount of the costs paid for by the health insurance plan. In other cases, a plan might pay the majority of costs, even preventive costs which some plans would not cover, but there is a list of “approved” doctors from which to choose.

Benefits may also include some sort of retirement fund, so employees who have those available to them would be wise to check out exactly what’s included in their benefits package and take advantage of what the employer is already willing to pay out. In some cases, the contribution of an employer will depend on how much the employee is willing to contribute to a fund, but if the money is available, it would be wise to jump in, even if an employee has to cut back on other areas of expense in order to do so.

Even if someone can’t contribute the maximum amount that an employer would allow (and for which they are willing to match), starting somewhere is better than no contribution at all. By starting small and gradually raising the percentage of money being contributed, progress is being made.

Another option in some benefit plans is the ability of employees to make after-tax contributions to their retirement plan. Experts say the best advice is to take full advantage of pre-tax dollars, contributing to a Roth IRA, if you are eligible, before making such contributions to a retirement plan.

Those who have a pension plan in addition to a 401(k) or other retirement-savings plan should take the time to learn exactly how the employer calculates employee benefits. In many cases, that calculation will be based on years of service and average pay when an employee retires.

What happens if you become unable to work because of disability? Think the odds are in your favor? Perhaps, but the odds are you’re more likely to become disabled than you are to die while working. For that reason, having disability insurance as part of a benefits plan is a good thing.

Think about it: how long could you be out of work without having an impact on you or your family? Would you be able to pay for rent or a mortgage? Other bills?

Many employers offer disability insurance as part of a benefits package. If someone makes the choice to buy it, they’ll likely pay less than if you purchased it on your own.

Still, only 28% of employees sign up for long-term disability coverage. For those who work in an office, the percentage is higher — up to 40%. Some may think nothing will ever happen to them, but it might be surprising to know how often people need to take advantage of this benefit.

Short-term disability often covers benefits for one year or less and sometimes an employer will automatically cover any short-term disability, with long-term coverage typically replacing 50% to 70% of a salary. That coverage is not always automatic, though, so employees need to make sure to sign up if they want the benefit before they need it.

How an employee pays for disability insurance may also make a difference should they need to collect. If coverage is paid for with after-tax dollars, future benefits would be tax-free. But if premiums are paid with money before it is taxed, the benefits will be taxable. A company that pays for a disability policy with pre-tax dollars might be convinced to make a change in their policy if they know it’s a concern.

Other benefits to consider and to fully understand include life insurance, specialty health coverage such as that for eye, dental or hearing, and various stock options that a company might offer.

If an employer offers benefits to its employees, understanding the extent (and limitation) of the various components of the plan is an important undertaking. But even if benefits aren’t available, there are options to consider.

Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at Precedent.com

How To Defeat The Annoying Cellulite Problem

Health No Responses »

Apr 112008

Many women are afraid of getting cellulite. However, not all of us know exactly what cellulite is, where it comes from, or what we can do about it. Don’t let cellulite be a menace that you don’t understand. Here are some basic facts about it.

Cellulite is what we call deposits of fibrous, fatty tissue. It generally looks dimpled under the skin. Women are the most prone to get this condition, generally on the hips and thighs.

It is made up of accumulated toxins and fat, and the problem may be contributed to by hormonal changes. This might also explain why this lumpy, cosmetically unattractive problems is mostly suffered by females.

Cellulite doesn’t just happen because you’re fat. Anyone, male or female, can get cellulite, at any body weight or size. As much as ninety-eight percent of women have some amount of cellulite on their bodies. This is much more prevalent in women of Caucasian descent than other groups. Asian women are particularly noted for not suffering from this problem as much.

Diet may be a factor in the accumulation of cellulite, as well as genetic background. Surprisingly, weight management isn’t a big contributor to the appearance of cellulite.

Heavier body types are susceptible to this problem. But it’s found on lighter weight women with small builds as well. Men can even get signs of cellulite.

There are several factors which can contribute to the accumulation of cellulite:

1. Genetic makeup and heredity. If your parents had cellulite, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll develop it too, at some point in your life.

2. Inadequate hydration. Most people don’t consume enough water over the course of the day. Doctors recommend that you take in seven to eight glasses every day, to help flush out toxins and other wastes.

3. Poor diet. People who eat a lot of fatty or overly processed foods, or drink a lot of alcohol or caffeine may have more toxin accumulation than those who don’t. Although consuming caffeine can contribute to cellulite accumulation, caffeine injected directly into an affected area or topically applied has been used to treat the condition.

4. Smoking. Cigarettes can reduce the effectiveness of your blood circulation. This affects how much blood gets to your skin, and can reduce its elasticity.

5. Interference from medications. Some medications can cause problems with the body’s natural purification and waste removal systems, leading to a number of problems, including cellulite.

Visually, it is undesirable. Having it can produce other side effects too, like poor self esteems and trouble in social interaction. Because of this, many people are very frightened of getting this skin problem. Getting rid of it seems to be hopeless. However, this isn’t entirely true. It’s almost impossible to prevent cellulite from developing, but the symptoms can be reduced.

Maintaining skin elasticity helps to improve the appearance of an area with cellulite. Adequate hydration and some topical creams and lotions may help improve the elasticity of your skin.

Moisturizing daily and protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful effects can keep it firm. That means that cellulite will have less opportunity to cause dimpling.

Stay in good shape. A good muscle tone and good overall health, including a regular routine of exercise, can help to lessen the effects of cellulite. You can shape and firm problem areas. Exercise also enhances circulation, making sure that your skin has adequate blood flow to keep it healthy.

Maintain a good diet. Watching what you eat is important for all parts of your life. It can help to decrease the evidence of cellulite, as well as keeping you healthy overall. Pay good attention to fat content and ingredients, and make sure you distinguish between food that you eat as an occasional treat and food you eat all the time. Remember that Asian women don’t suffer from cellulite very often. A diet including many fresh vegetables and very little red meat could help your reduce your symptoms.

Detoxification diets can help to remove toxins from your body. They can also enhance your metabolism, speeding up your digestion. If you use one of these diets, you’ll probably have to eliminate processed and refined foods for a period of time, and concentrate on fresh, simple foods.

Try a body wrap. You can get these at many different beauty salons and day spas. A mixture of seaweed and algae, in conjunction with hydrating lotions, is used to improve your circulation and skin moisture. This is only a temporary solution, however, and should only be used in conjunction with other treatments.

Caffeine injections have been used to help reduce cellulite. These should be embarked upon with care and with the permission of your doctor. Some people even attempt to use liposuction to reduce the dilemma. However, this treatment is expensive, and not always effective. It was developed to treat deeper fat deposits, and cellulite tends to be a surface problem.

Massage therapy may be effective, particularly a technique called endermologie. In this case, a system of rollers and a vacuum device are used to manipulate the skin. This promotes circulation and smooths the skin for a time.

Creams are available to help reduce the appearance of this skin problem. They may use such ingredients as green tea extract to increase the rate at which your body breaks down fat, Retinol A to target and rejuvenate the tissues of your skin, and extract of algae, which is intended to help break down epidermal fat.

Left untreated, this tissue phenomena will not cause any health problems, but it will also not go away or get better. It tends to increase as we age. People have been looking for ways to put an end to this annoying condition for centuries.

There’s still no cure, but there are many different options available to the person interested in reducing cellulite. Which treatment will be effective for you will of course vary.

Ken Black is the owner of Skin Care Reviews, a website about skin care. Visit us to learn the latest about Cellulite Treatments.

Tamiflu: Our Last Line Of Defense?

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Apr 112008

Tamiflu, whose common scientific name is oseltamivir, is part of a family of flu fighting medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. Tamilflu is used in the treatment of infections caused by both the influenza A and influenza B viruses. Tamiflu, which requires a prescription, can be used both to treat the flu if taken soon after symptoms appear, or to prevent the flu.

The difference between Tamiflu and a vaccine is that Tamiflu helps your immune system be in a position to fight off the advance of the viral infection, whereas a vaccine is just a straight injection of dead influenza that causes your immune system to produce antibodies to fight off the virus itself.

Tamiflu demand has skyrocketed over the past year for several reasons. There was a shortage of available flu vaccine during flu season 2005, with in some cases only enough for senior citizens or those with more vulnerable immune conditions being able to get vaccinated.

Also, the U.S. government was concerned that an outbreak of bird flu in the United States could leave the U.S. short on flu vaccines, causing them to hold back supplies just in case of an outbreak. However, the bird flu is different form human influenza.

Bird Flu is much harder to transmit than human influenza, requiring very close physical contact to spread the disease. Bird flu has been observed in countries where humans and animals are in close contact. There have been roughly 70 deaths worldwide and approximately 130 infections since 2005.

It is possible that bird flu will infect someone who is already carrying the human influenza strain, and that the two viruses will swap genetic material, causing the bird flu to spread like a deadlier version of human influenza. A highly virulent straight of bird flu could create a pandemic for the world, as did the Spanish Flu virus of the early 1900′s that killed 20 to 50 million people worldwide.

The bird flu is associated with the influenza A strain H5N1 flu virus. Although not the same as the Spanish flu virus, the current avian flu strain does share many similarities with the Spanish flu strain. Initial studies have shown that Tamiflu may be effective in helping to fight the effects of this flu virus if the medication is taken very early after flu symptoms appear. As a result, the demand for Tamiflu has skyrocketed.

A Swiss drug maker, F. Hoffman La-Roche Ltd., currently has a tight hold on the manufacturing of Tamiflu. Biolyse Pharma Corp., when turned down in its bid to try to enter the Tamiflu marketplace, had decided as of December of 2005 to attempt to mass produce several tons of shikimic acid, which is the main ingredient in Tamiflu, from the needles of discarded Christmas trees, as well as other pine, fir, and spruce trees. Such trees are the main source of shikimic acid.

Oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, is one of several medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment and prevention of influenza. Flu shots are still the best way to prevent someone from developing the flu, but as of right now there is no known vaccine for the bird flu. The CDC has announced that development of a vaccine has begun.

Jim Pretin is the owner of http://www.forms4free.com, a service that helps programmers make an HTML form

The Return of Sci-Fi: Texas Hospital Patients May Soon Be Talking To Robots

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Apr 112008

Your doctor may soon be a robot, or so the whispers warn. Sound like something out of a bad science-fiction movie? Well, maybe you should ask whichever physician shows up on-screen of the RP-7 Remote Presence Robotic System by InTouch Technologies, a maneuverable robotic system designed to allow physicians to videoconference with their patients from remote locations.

Dr. Alex Gandsas, of Baltimore’s Sinai Hospital and holder of stock options with InTouch Technologies, introduced the machine to hospital administrators as a way to closely monitor patients after the weight loss surgeries in which he specializes. Since its introduction, the length of his patients’ stays has been shorter. In Gandsas’ study published earlier this month in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 92 of 376 patients had additional robotic visits, and all 92 of them were medically cleared to return home faster than those who did not receive check-ins with the teleconferencing system. Shorter patient stays would be a welcome change for hospitals, health insurance companies, and patients alike — all of which have a vested interested in sending patients home faster.

While further studies should, without a doubt, be performed by physicians who do not hold a financial interest in the technology, these preliminary results do show promise. The robotic visits were not used by Gandsas to replace his personal check-ins with patients — only to add to them. Neither InTouch Technologies, nor Dr. Gandsas envisions the “Bari” or so it’s nicknamed, as completely replacing personal visits with healthcare professionals. Instead, the joystick-controlled system, which employs cameras, a video screen, and microphone, is intended to supplement physicians’ traditional visits, and to allow patients and healthcare workers to receive advice from qualified physicians and specialists when it may otherwise be impossible. Doctors may soon be able to provide their patients with additional daily check-ins and answer questions much faster, all while sitting in their own homes or while away from the area.

Sinai Hospital isn’t the only one with this technology, however. In fact, robots have been in use for some time to assist with patient care, including guiding stroke patients through therapy, and helping them play video games. Many prosthetic devices are now at least partially robotic, and if it weren’t for a certain amount of robotic technology, the public would not be able to communicate with such great minds as Steven Hawkins.

Johns Hopkins also has a robotic teleconferencing system to help communicate with patients who need a translator when one is not available at the hospital itself. Use of such technology could have tremendously positive effects on Texas’ healthcare system — particularly in Dallas, Houston, and Austin — which handles a high volume of patients who do not speak English. Lack of adequate communication is a major obstacle to receiving quality healthcare for many immigrants in Texas. Lack of quality healthcare, in turn, can lead to serious public health issues, including the transmission of communicable diseases.

Approximately 120 RP-7 Remote Presence Robotic Systems are currently in use around the world, with plans to implement many more in the coming years. China is already using similar systems to help deal with the lack of medical care in rural, inaccessible areas.

Dr. Louis Kavoussi, chairman of the urology department at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, took a special interest in this new trend and conducted a study monitoring the effect of the technology on patient care. The study showed no decrease in patient satisfaction, and no increase in complications due to teleconferencing visits. The technology, Kavoussi said, is rudimentary, really, in comparison to other developing systems. The need for fear is minimal.

There are relatively few of InTouch Technologies systems available, and further studies have yet to be conducted. If robotic teleconferencing is used as a supplement to personal physicians’ visits, however, it has the potential of dramatically improving many aspects of healthcare — from how quickly patients’ questions are answered, to how many visits, in total, they receive, to whether or not rural residents receive proper care, to how well (or even if) they are provided with a translator to explain their symptoms. States like Texas, in particular, with shortages of doctors and high volumes of patients who do not speak English, stand to benefit. So maybe robots in hospitals aren’t something one needs to fear. In fact, they may even get your unpleasant stay over with a few days faster.

Being aware of medical technology is an important part of taking care of your health. How you take care of yourself will certainly affect you as you age, and eventually your wallet, as well.

Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at Precedent.com

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