Alcoholism Medical Treatment

October 2, 2009 by  
Filed under Medicine

alcoholt
Vivian Villalba asked:

Alcoholism medical treatment has expanded in recent years. New drugs have been found, through study and testing, that help people as they quit drinking. These medications are making it easier for people to become alcohol-free.

Antabuse, or disulfiram, is the oldest alcoholism medical treatment. It causes people to have an intense reaction when they drink while on the medication. If you do this, you could experience vomiting, sweating, throbbing headaches, chest pain, low blood pressure, and other symptoms.

If your dosage of Antabuse is strong enough, and you have had a large amount to drink, the consequences could be dire. You could have a heart attack, convulsions, or you could even die. You should be very sure you are ready to quit drinking before you begin Antabuse as an alcoholism medical treatment.

Antabuse, although a proven alcoholism medical treatment that works for many people, is not a wonder drug. It does not stop you from craving alcohol. Neither does it help with withdrawal symptoms. However, it can help you to get into the habit of not drinking.

Naltrexone is a drug marketed as Revia or Depade as an alcoholism medical treatment. It has an extended release from called Vivitrol. This drug has been used when people have stopped drinking to help them to continue their sobriety. It blocks the pleasure people get from drinking alcohol.

Yet, there are some people who experience the opposite effect because they have a different genetic makeup. The drug causes them to crave alcohol. There has been some problem with people taking this alcoholism medical treatment as scheduled. Once-a-month injections seem to cut down on compliance issues. Another problem is that naltrexone can cause some liver problems, depending on the dose.

Nalmefene is another alcoholism medical treatment that works much like naltrexone. It has a few advantages though. It does not cause the liver problems naltrexone does. Also, the drug is stronger and lasts longer.

Campral, or acamprosate, is another alcoholism medical treatment. It works to cut down on the physical misery and uneasiness that occurs when people stop drinking. This is not referring to withdrawal symptoms, which usually only lasts a week or so.

This refers to the time when your body is getting back to normal, which can take a very long time. In fact, Campral is generally prescribed for a year after stopping drinking. Its side effects are mild, so this is possible. It cannot be used to help you stop drinking. It is not that kind of alcoholism medical treatment.

Topamax, or topimarate, is an anti-seizure medication that has recently had success as an alcoholism medical treatment. Unlike other treatments, it can be started while the person is still drinking. In a study, heavy drinkers given the pill were six times less likely to drink while taking it than were the ones who got the placebo.

Alcoholism medical treatment is important to many people. One reason is that more people go back to drinking within the first few months after quitting than any other time. Alcoholism medical treatment can help with this problem.

medical treatment

Are Medical Loans The Answer To Affordable Medical Treatment?

August 26, 2009 by  
Filed under Medicine

A young caring doctor
Amy Nutt asked:

What happens when you need medical treatment that is not covered under health insurance? Many times, people do not have adequate medial insurance coverage to take care of medically necessary procedures. Often medical treatment is needed immediately to have any chance of success, so it really isn’t viable to try to save up the money for treatment. When you can’t afford medical treatment that you need, and there isn’t an acceptable alternative treatment, getting a medical loan might be your best option.

There are a number of lenders who are willing to make loans for both medically necessary and elective medical procedures. Medical loans are funds that are advanced to a person for the specific purpose of being used for medical treatment. They are typically unsecured loans that are basted on creditworthiness. The interest rate usually reflects the going rate in the market. Additionally, many medical loans have a built-in grace period, allowing patient recovery time before repayment is required to begin.

Medical loans are often the only hope for getting needed medical treatment for those who either don’t have health insurance or do not have the funds available to pay their deductible. People with chronic illnesses often need medical loans to be able to continue treatment once their coverage is depleted.

Many people seek medical loans for elective medical procedures as well. As a rule, health insurance will not pay for any type of treatment considered to be medically unnecessary. For example, procedures such as liposuction, gastric bypass, dental cosmetic surgery, cosmetic surgery, ****** enhancement, ****** reduction, and other similar procedures are typically not covered by health insurance.

These types of medical procedures that are in most cases required for mental satisfaction rather than physical well-being. While no doctor would recommend these procedures as a must-have for a healthy life in most cases, most are of the opinion that such procedures can improve the morale of the person to a great extent. Hence, from a psychological point of view, such procedures do improve the quality of life of the patient.

Many special clinics have been set up with the specific purpose of providing elective medical procedures services to people who want or need them. These clinics, knowing full well that such procedures are not likely to be covered by patients’ health insurance, often provide resources for medical loans to their patients. This enables patients to find a way to afford the services they desire without having to research funding options on their own.

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Non-Medical Treatments For Varicose Veins

August 19, 2009 by  
Filed under Medicine

vein
bcured asked:

If you are worried about having your varicose veins removed by surgery, don’t fear because there are multiple non-medical and natural treatments for treating varicose veins now available. As the world moves toward looking for healthier and more natural choices when it comes to our bodies, doctors and researchers continue to find more paths to offer natural and non-medical treatment for assorted ailments.

However, non-medical treatments are more effective for milder cases of varicose veins. Some of these treatments are acupuncture and acupressure, aromatherapy, compression stockings, massage, healthy diet, vitamins and so on. Alternating between hot and cold baths (hydrotherapy) can help with the blood circulation.

For damaged veins temporarily, such as while pregnant, compression stockings can be used as a non-straightforward method to try. This might also be effective for someone that is mildly affected with varicose veins.

These stockings can often be purchased at a medical supply store or at a full service pharmacy. The compression stockings range in price from about $50 to $100, depending on the size and style. These stockings are not everlasting however, and even the prescription stockings will need to be replaced after a few months of regular use.

There are several different massage techniques to treat varicose veins. Massage works very well because it makes your skin tender and thus prevent you from getting varicose veins. Even if you already have varicose veins, the massage can still work wonders for you. Massaging the area round the veins can help to reduce swelling if you suffer from mild varicose veins.

Exercise gets the blood flowing normally which helps greatly with blood circulation. Besides aerobic exercise, yoga has also been noted as another important aspect of exercise which can be used to treat varicose veins.

In treating varicose veins, healthy diet is just some of the element that will help you in treating varicose veins. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can also prevent varicose veins from occurring in the first place.

Vitamins are important elements in preventing and treating varicose veins. They are more effective when used in addition to other treatments such as compression stockings. The most important varicose vein vitamins you should take regularly to treat varicose veins are A, C, E, B6, and K. In addition, you should also take bioflavoniods and fiber as they are also important for your overall health.

Although natural supplements are not often known to have ill effects, especially those available for mass distribution, some have been found to interact badly with other medications. So, if you do decide to have surgery after all, for your varicose veins, you need to let your doctor know about any supplements that you are currently taking.

These methods also work very well in preventing varicose veins. They are effective, but only for the appearance of the veins. Both these procedures will help but for the veins from worsening, but unfortunately cannot help them to disappear completely.

VenousBalm-Rx and VenousDrops are new topical and oral remedies to treat varicose and spider veins. They are characterized by very strong and real pharmacological activities which unequivocally qualify them as “ethical drugs”. The effectiveness of these treatments is undisputed.

They are excellent choice amongst the natural treatments for varicose veins, as the medicinal plant extracts are brilliant choice among the natural remedies for varicose veins. These treatments are concentrated with a wide spectrum of medicinal plant extracts exhibiting curative effects against varicose veins, as published by the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. For those seeking an end to varicose veins and related conditions, these products deliver the goods.

Application of VenousBalm-Rx produces an analgesic effect and therefore used to provide rapid pain relief from venous insufficiency conditions. Its pronounced anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties prevent inflammation. Applied topically it reduces swelling in thread varicose veins and broken capillaries.

VenousDrops, a new all natural dietary supplement to enhance venous circulation, strengthens immune parameters and safely acts as a blood decongestant. The extracts in this homeopathic treatment have positive systemic effects to promote venous circulation. It is to be taken as a dietary supplement in tandem with application of VaricoseBalm-Rx.

Treating venous insufficiency can be accomplished via topical application of VenousBalm-Rx and VenousDrops. These extracts from pure natural sources tend to enhance circulatory functionality utilizing the body’s bioforce. Synthetic drugs do not have the ability to impact the bioforce of the body which makes our treatment so important in today’s pharmacopeias. For more details, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.

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Conventional Medical Treatment for Hives

August 16, 2009 by  
Filed under Alternative Medicine

urticaria
Alien asked:

Description

Hives are a sudden eruption of red and white bumps on the skin. While hives are usually itchy, and therefore bothersome, they are generally not dangerous-except in cases of bee or insect stings, when hives indicate a true medical emergency. A case of hives may last for less than 30 minutes or as long as a week.

When the body comes into contact with a substance it considers dangerous, it floods the skin with histamine to combat the problematic substance. Hives result when there is excess buildup of histamine on a particular area of skin. Substances that cause this histamine release differ from person to person, though common irritants include animal dander, pollen, aspirin, penicillin, insect bites, and foods to which the person is allergic.

Signs and Symptoms

A batch of raised, red or white bumps on a localized area of skin

Bumps may appear and disappear suddenly

The affected area may be mildly or severely itchy

Certain people can develop recurrent hives from sunlight, cold, pressure, vibration or exercise. These are called the physical urticarias. If hives develop from scratching or firmly rubbing the skin it is called dermatographism. It is the most common of the physical urticarias and it affects about 5 percent of the population. It doesn’t always itch. This condition sometimes also occurs along with other forms of hives.

Conventional Medical Treatment

Hives often do not usually require medical treatment, but if the hives remain for an extended period of time, see your doctor. After taking your medical history, your physician may ask about your exposure within the last two weeks to any possible irritants. Unfortunately, hives can be caused by such a wide range of irritants that your physician may not be able to identify the exact cause. If the cause is identified, you will be urged to avoid the substance that caused the outbreak. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a medication, usually an antihistamine, to treat the condition.

If the hives are accompanied by shortness of breath, fever, nausea, or abdominal cramps, immediately seek medical help. You could be suffering from anaphylactic shock. Many antihistamines are available without prescription, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), taken in doses of 25 milligrams and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), taken in a dose of 4 milligrams. These can be taken up to three times a day, but because these medications can cause drowsiness, they are often taken at bedtime.

Aromatherapy

German chamomile oil can help bring relief from itching. Simply place a drop directly on the itchy skin and massage in.

Ayurvedic Medicine

Hives come from excessive heat in the body, say Ayurvedic practitioners. To cool the heat and soothe the maddening itch, they favor eating watermelon as well as drinking coriander milk or cilantro.

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Conventional Medical Treatment for Colitis

August 5, 2009 by  
Filed under Alternative Medicine

Alien asked:

Description

Colitis, or ulcerative colitis as it is also known, is one of the two chronic disorders known as inflammatory bowel syndrome (the other is Crohn’s disease). The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is still unknown, but the condition most commonly affects people of Jewish descent between the ages of 15 and 35 and those who have a family history of the disease.

Ulcerative colitis occurs when tiny ulcers and small abscesses develop on the interior walls of the colon, causing moderate to severe inflammation of the intestinal lining. This inflammation causes diarrhea and abdominal pain. Sometimes the ulcers bleed, streaking the diarrhea with blood. Ulcerative colitis usually affects only a small segment of the intestine, though the entire colon can be effected.

Most individuals with colitis have remission periods-during which they do not experience symptoms-that alternate with flare-ups. In some people these painful flare-ups are brought on by stress; in others the cause of flare-ups is less predictable. In the majority of cases, the condition is more a discomfort than a serious health risk. But approximately 15 percent of sufferers whose entire colons are affected are at increased risk of developing colon cancer.

Signs and Symptoms

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea that contains either blood or pus

Painful, urgent bowel movements

Fever

Fatigue and muscle weakness

Weight loss

Joint pain, skin problems, and eye problems

Conventional Medical Treatment

After taking a detailed history of your symptoms, a physician may perform a barium X-ray, colonoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy to arrive at a diagnosis. Treatment for ulcerative colitis is generally limited to symptomatic periods and typically includes an anti-inflammatory medication, such as sulfasalazine or corticosteroids. An estimated 20 to 25 percent of colitis patients do not respond to medication and need colostomy surgery to remove the affected portion of the colon. If you have had colitis for eight years or more, your physician may suggest an annual colonoscopy to check for cancerous growths.

Also Recommended

flaxseed oil (as directed on label)-protects the lining of the colon

garlic (as directed on label)-has a healing effect on the colon

Multimineral complex with calcium, chromium, magnesium, and zinc (as directed on label)-minerals are not easily absorbed in colitis victims; calcium is needed for the prevention of cancer, which can occur as a result of constant irritation

vitamin C with bioflavonoids (3000 to 5000 mg in divided doses)-boosts immune function and heals mucous membranes; use in buffered form

(For an acute condition, take supplements until your symptoms subside. If symptoms persist, seek the advice of your health care provider. For a chronic condition, consult your health care provider regarding the duration of treatment.)

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Medical And Non-Medical Treatment For Overweight Treatment

August 3, 2009 by  
Filed under Health

disease_treatment (1)
Jamesdragnou asked:

Medical and Non–medical Treatments

Treatment for obesity will be most successful if you create a long-term plan with your doctor. A reasonable goal might be to begin making lifestyle changes by increasing physical activity and limiting calories. It is expected that an individual with a BMI ?30 kg/m2, as well as those with a BMI of 25.0–29.9 kg/m2 in addition to two or more disease risk factors must attempt to lose weight either with medical or non-medical treatments. Non-medical means are:

Lifestyle Modification – By adhering to a program of diet, exercise, and behavior therapy, one adheres to a particular regimen for a discrete period of time, implementing dietary and behavioral changes that can be sustained indefinitely to promote health. Dietary Interventions – Designed to create a negative energy balance, dietary intervention reduced one’s daily energy intake so much so that it stays below one’s energy requirement limit. This greatly varies by sex, weight, and level of physical activity involved. Physical Activity – The greatest benefit of physical activity is its facilitative action in weight loss maintenance. Behavior Therapy – This type of therapy provides patients a set of principles and techniques to facilitate their adherence to the diet and activity goals that they have set for themselves. Over-the-counter herbal weight loss supplements – These supplements are generally known as ‘fat burners’ and work by boosting the body’s metabolism. Doctors have often prescribed these weight loss supplements, though the progress has always been closely monitored. However, these supplements are strongly discouraged due to a lack of labeling of ingredients on these products, and because they have the ability to cause a drastic increase in blood pressure and heart problems.

Medical intervention includes:

Pharmacological Interventions – As BMI or disease risk increases, more intensive options are available for the treatment of obesity. Two medications — sibutramine (Reductil) and orlistat

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Conventional Medical Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

July 18, 2009 by  
Filed under Alternative Medicine

kneecross
Alien asked:

Description

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, not degenerative, disease. It first appears as an inflammation in a joint’s synovium, the membrane that lines and lubricates the joint. Once inflamed, the membrane thickens and become sore and swollen-which in turn may limit the affected joint’s movement. In time, this inflammation spreads to other parts of the affected joint, causing even more stiffness and pain. Eventually, the inflammation can spread to organs, such as the heart, lungs, and eyes. Its ability to spread throughout the body makes rheumatoid arthritis a systemic disease-a disease that affects the entire body.

Inflammation is not a harmful state, per se. It’s actually your body’s normal response to infections and injuries, caused when your white cells battle an invading organism. Typically, the inflammation subsides after the infection is wiped out. However, with rheumatoid arthritis, the autoimmune system seems to fight the body instead of protecting it.

While the disease can strike at any time, it usually occurs between the ages 20 and 50. It affects approximately three times as many women as men.

Unlike illnesses that have a set progression of symptoms, rheumatoid arthritis is unpredictable. What symptoms appear, how often they appear, and what joints and organs are affected vary widely, depending on the individual. In some sufferers, rheumatoid arthritis will flare up occasionally, only to be followed by periods of normal health. Others experience recurring attacks without returning to a state of full wellness in between. Many experience a slow and steady increase in the severity of their symptoms over time.

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis develop small lumps under the skin near the elbow, ears, or nose, or on the back of the scalp, over the knee, or under the toes. Called rheumatoid nodules, these painless and non-problematic bumps range from the size of a pea to the size of a Ping-Pong ball.

While medical experts have not identified a single cause for rheumatoid arthritis, possibilities include heredity, viral or bacterial infection, and emotional stress.

Signs and Symptoms

Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint-most commonly affects the smaller joints of your hands and feet, but elbows, knees, and ankles can be affected

Usually affects joints symmetrically (both hands, for example)

Overall stiffness and achiness, especially after periods of stillness, such as sleeping or long plane rides

Symptoms are worse in the early morning and lessen as the day progresses. General malaise/weakness

Anemia

Pain usually occurs during rest and movement

Conventional Medical Treatment

A series of blood tests, along with a thorough physical exam and medical history, can confirm whether you have rheumatoid arthritis. X-rays may also be helpful. Strategies for treating rheumatoid arthritis differ, depending on whether it is active or in remission. During a flare-up, a combination of rest, heat, and medication is prescribed. Anti-inflammatory drugsaspirin, in particular are the first line of treatment and may ease symptoms. There are several other medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor may prescribe gold salts, penicellamine, methotrexate, azathioprine, or anti-malarials, depending on how your symptoms progress. Corticosteroids can temporarily relieve pain and inflammation, but they are usually reserved for those with more serious disease.

Physical therapy plays a major role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is most effective when swelling and inflammation of the joint are suppressed with medications. Physical therapy can reduce deformity and restore function.

In severe cases, surgical removal of affected joint lining can prevent damage to other joint structures and cartilage. Another surgical procedure fuses the painful, uncushioned bones together but is only performed on the wrist, feet, ankles, and thumbs because it restricts motion. Tendon transfer is another surgical option for repairing damaged tendons and ligaments it is performed most frequently on the hands. Another option is arthroplasty, or joint replacement, which is usually performed on knees, hips, and shoulders.

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What are the Risks in Receiving Medical Treatment Abroad?

July 8, 2009 by  
Filed under Health

hipreplacement
Jay Siva asked:

(c) 2008 Medical-Tourism-Guide.com

The first question that a potential medical tourist has is whether or not there are risks in receiving medical treatment abroad. It is understandable that there would be such a question; however one must look at it logically. Yes, there are risks, but no more so than having the treatment in your own local medical facility.

Medical tourism is on the rise, with an annual increase in usage of 20-30% in many countries. Ten years ago, the concept of medical tourism was new and received bad media coverage in developed countries. It was misunderstood and given bad press. Today, that trend has not only reversed, but medical tourism is being embraced as a viable option for people in need of affordable medical care.

The incredibly discounted prices are not those of the unregulated, back alley operations that are in every corner of the world. These are prices offered by fully accredited state of the art facilities, equipped with the latest technology and staffed with some of the best trained doctors in the world.

You may wonder how it is that a foreign country can offer what your own country cannot. If you live in the United States, the answer is very simple. The cost of insurance propels the medical field into a high cost service. Doctors in the U.S. pay an exorbitant amount in malpractice insurance, facilities have high overhead expenses and insurance policies on their buildings, equipment, and the staff who are employed there. Someone needs to pay for all of those insurance policies, and unfortunately that someone is the patient. Although the same type of costs are incurred in other countries, it is at a fraction of the price, thereby allowing the facility to offer services at a much lower rate.

You will be encouraged to learn that several facilities that offer medical tourism are accredited by the IOS (International Organization of Standardization) and the JCI (Joint Commission International). Most of the doctors who work in these medical tourism facilities have studied in the developed countries and then have returned to work in their home countries.

When trying to decide which doctor to outsource medical needs to, a patient should use the same process as would be used at home. It is imperative that references are done and credentials are confirmed. Most new facilities are also equipped with the latest equipment such as heart mapping equipment, CT Scanners, Open MRI machines, heart catheterization labs, digital ultrasound and mammogram machines and more. Phone and email conversations with former patrons of the facility will give you critical information concerning the cleanliness of the building and is well worth your time and effort. Most tourists report that they were allowed to stay for a full recovery period, and that staff were very attentive. Many facilities have translators standing by who are fluent in every language.

Some countries have been providing top quality medical services for hundreds of years. If a person would travel thousands of miles to vacation, why not travel that far to have a medical procedure done? If a person is willing to risk having a foreign doctor perform the procedure in the developed country (E.G. a cardiologist from India, working in Chicago) why does that person not trust going to the same caliber cardiologist in the country of India itself? If a person is willing to fully research the hospitals and credentials in their homeland, why not check the ones abroad and save money by choosing a facility abroad?

Lower cost certainly does not mean lower quality! Case studies and statistics verify that medical tourism offers top quality medical care in accredited facilities. Reading such cases will be an encouragement to you, as you realize that millions have traveled abroad to receive their medical treatment, and consider that their experience was actually superior to what they have previously had at home! For years, the only press given was that of the back alley practices in foreign lands. There have been many stories aired about poor sanitation that has led to infection, and those that have had poor surgery which has led to extensive scaring. Those random stories are not the norm and can be found in every country, including the one you currently reside in.

The risks of choosing to have surgery abroad are no greater than at home. Just as one needs to research doctors and facilities in a home country, one also needs to research the options available in another country. Just as it is true that there are both good and bad available in developed countries, the same is true in tourist destination spots. Anyone considering surgery should research thoroughly and choose a facility wisely. There are resources available that can aid you in your decision making process. Fear of the unknown should not be a reason to pay high costs or go without medical treatment. This is the 21st Century and we are living in a global medical community that has no borders!

Kansieo.com

Medical tourism in India facilitating less cost medical treatment to foreign patients

June 19, 2009 by  
Filed under Health

medicaltourism
Dr. Dheeraj Bojwani asked:

Medical tourism in India facilitating less cost medical treatment to foreign patients. As everyone knows India has now become a global medical hub. The term medical tourism is defined as an organized travel outside of someone\u2019s health care jurisdiction to enhance or restore health through medical interventions. In other words, we can say that medical tourism covers patients traveling across the globe for tourism purposes clubbing their requirements for treatment. High cost of healthcare and medical facilities in advanced countries makes impossible for the natives to undergo treatment in their countries as many of , so they look out for a low cost treatment in other countries like India.

In India \u2018Medical tourism\u2019 is a growing concept whereby people from world over visit India for their medical treatment and relaxation needs. Indians, NRIs and tourists from around the world are beginning to realize the potential of Indian medical tourism. Indian hospitals and medical establishments have also realized the potential of this niche market and have begun to tailor their services for foreign visitors. India is emerging as global medical hub and is giving stiff competition to other countries. As compared to the surgery cost in countries like USA and UK, the surgery costs in India is about 50-60% less. The hospital services in India are of international standards and these top quality of services are offered to the patients at an affordable prices.

Some of the common surgeries performed in India at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore are heart surgery, orthopedic surgery, dental surgery and cosmetic surgery, spine surgery etc. The Infrastructure and technology are the reasons for India being touted as one of the favourite destinations. India constitutes the best hospitals and treatment centres in the world with the best facilities provided. The patients are assisted with some the top surgeons in the world. To know more about medical tourism in India visit www.forerunnershealthcare.com  or mail your queries at enquiry@forerunnershealthcare.com

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