Dr Carlos Barba Shares Seven Common Myths About Weight Loss Surgery and the Truth Behind Them

Many people have preconceived notions about weight loss surgery that are not based in fact. These myths can be harmful to patients who have undergone weight loss surgery and discourage people who need the surgery from talking to their doctors.

Dr Carlos Barba, a Harlingen, TX bariatric surgeon, explores some of the common myths of weight loss surgery. He explains the truth behind each situation and helps patients understand whether weight loss surgery is right for them.

Myth #1: Surgery Equals Effortless Weight Loss

It may seem like weight loss surgery is the easiest way to lose weight, but this is far from the truth. Weight loss surgery requires an extensive preparatory process that can last months or years. Still, it is necessary to ensure that the patient is psychologically and physically ready to begin the process.

While it is true that the pounds seem to melt away in the early weeks and months after surgery, weight loss reaches a plateau after about two years. After this point, patients need to continue putting in a serious effort to keep losing weight. Diet and exercise plans must be followed carefully for the remainder of the patient’s life to keep the weight off.

Myth #2: Surgery is for People Who Lack Willpower

Some people are reluctant to consider weight loss surgery because they are afraid that people will think they lack the willpower to lose weight independently. Dr Carlos Barba knows that weight loss is not easy and that severely overweight and obese people have the odds stacked against them when it comes to weight loss.

The National Institutes of Health have stated that weight loss surgery is one of the only ways the severely obese can lose weight and keep it off. Willpower does not come into the equation, but it is based on physiological facts.

Myth #3: Weight Loss Surgery is Dangerous

While the negative side effects of weight loss surgery are commonly discussed, complications are relatively rare. The most common complication is the abdominal hernia. About 10 to 20 percent of patients require follow-up surgery to correct conditions like hernias caused by the initial procedure.
 

Other types of side effects are serious but rare. These can include infections, gallstones, and malnutrition.

Myth #4: Patients Can’t Have More Children After Weight Loss Surgery

Many patients are afraid that they will not be able to have more children after weight loss surgery. Doctors recommend preventing pregnancy until 18 months to two years after surgery. After two years, most people reach a weight loss plateau.

A reduction in body weight can help a woman achieve pregnancy, so the surgery may positively affect her fertility later in life.

Myth #5: Insurance Doesn’t Cover Weight Loss Surgery

While some employer-paid health plans do not cover weight loss surgery, it is worth checking with your insurer and discovering your benefits. A growing percentage of health plans are beginning to cover bariatric surgery since its life-changing health effects are becoming common knowledge in the medical field.

Myth #6: Weight Loss Surgery Causes Psychological Problems

Some people are worried about having weight loss surgery because they have been told that it causes depression and anxiety. The reverse is more likely to be true, with weight loss surgery causing an increase in self-esteem and body positivity. These factors can make a person who has had weight loss surgery feel better about themselves and lessen the chances of psychological problems.

To ensure that patients will have positive psychological outcomes, preoperative testing is conducted. This testing can identify people who are likely to have trouble with their body image after the surgery and pinpoint possible problems before they occur. 

Myth #7: Weight Loss Surgery is the Easy Way Out

Weight loss surgery is anything but the easy way out. It may be the most viable option for a severely obese person to lose weight. Still, it requires significant dedication, willpower, and medical support to be a positive force for change.

People who have weight loss surgery should not be looked down upon. Succeeding with the surgery shows that a person has the strength to confront serious problems in their life and work to change them.

Learning the Truth about Weight Loss Surgery

Dr Carlos Barba wants prospective bariatric surgery patients to understand these myths and know the truth behind them. Having a solid conception of the realities surrounding weight loss surgery can help patients increase their chances of success with the surgery.

Patients are encouraged to research on their own if they hear something discouraging about the surgery from a friend or loved one. Surgeons and their staff are always open to questions from patients as well.
Weight loss surgery can be a positive and lasting force for change in a patient’s life, and having the correct information at hand is the best way to start on the path toward success and a healthier outlook.

This is a guest blog entry.

Common Injuries Resulting From Car Accidents

Car crashes can be ruinous and are often fatal for the driver and its passengers. After a car injury, the driver and their passengers can wind up with many different wounds, ranging from bruises to permanent disability. The most common injuries you will see in a car accident include traumatic brain injuries, burns, back injuries, broken bones, limb loss, internal injuries, disfigurement, and scarring.
 

What Common Injuries Happen After a Car Accident

Drivers encounter life-threatening situations when other drivers are careless. They can end up with many injuries because of irresponsible driving.

Traumatic Brain Injuries
 

Concussions are a common occurrence in car accidents, where you can hit your head on the window, steering wheel, ceiling, or headrest behind you. You can also get brain tissue bleeding when your head gets hit, creating long-term cognitive disability. If you are not wearing a seatbelt or somehow slip out of the car, this can result in fatal consequences as too much brain damage can result in mortal wounds.
 

Burn Injuries

If the car ends up on fire because of an electrical malfunction or leaking oil that catches fire, you may also suffer from burns. Burns come in degrees of first, second, and third levels. This can be anything from a superficial burn to a deep internal burn that requires massive surgery.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Crashes are high impact and can cause your hands, feet, arms, or legs to be crushed during a high-velocity collision. This can result in minor fractures where you feel slight discomfort or in major broken bones that prevent you from normally living your life. 

Disfigurement and Scarring

When your skin gets injured by wounds of any kind, it can cause permanent scarring. For example, sometimes your face can get cut by flying glass or other loose objects in the car. When you become disfigured, it can be a profoundly negative life-changing experience. This will also require surgery. 

Internal Injuries

A lot of car crash victims wind up with internal bleeding when their organs are wounded. Sometimes, objects can puncture your organs, or your ribs can break and wind up injuring your organs. Sometimes drivers suffer from lung collapse because their chest gets hit in a car accident. 

Spinal Injuries 

If your spinal cord gets crushed or dislocated, it can cause temporary or permanent paralysis. This can result in paraplegia or hemiplegia. In other cases, a ruptured disk can occur. These result in long-term back pain and discomfort. 

Limb Loss

Sometimes, your toes, fingers, feet, hands, legs, or arms can become crushed in a car accident. This can result in your bones being permanently broken, severed, or unmendable. You can get amputations of body parts after a catastrophic accident. These injuries cause long-term disability and can prevent you from performing standard work at your place of employment.

Back and Neck Pain

After a bad car accident, you may suffer from whiplash or back pain. This is because your body gets jolted roughly during a collision, and this can cause trauma to your back muscles and neck. Though not as terrible as other injuries, back pain still reduces your quality of life. 

Learn More About Common Car Accident Injuries 

To find out what other wounds you might experience, you can read more at: agrusslawfirm.com. Most car accident injuries that are new are qualified for a settlement.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/#!/
https://pixabay.com/photos/accident-aid-band-bandage-bleed-1238329/

This is a guest blog entry.

How to Buy Supplements and Vitamins Online

Supplements are manufactured products that supplement your diet in the form of soft gels, capsules, liquids, or powders, often with micronutrients like vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and amino acids to maintain health. Although they don't substitute a balanced diet, lifestyle activities like drinking, smoking, and over-exercising deplete the body of vital nutrients. However, with many supplements and vitamins online, it can be challenging to find the best, and you can use some tips to help with the process.

Here is how to buy supplements and vitamins online.

Consult a Doctor

Before searching for different supplements and vitamins online, you need to visit your doctor. Your health status and biochemistry determine the products you need that differ from your family member or friend. The doctor will help determine the best compounds to meet your needs. The specialist conducts a blood test to determine the minerals and vitamins your body lacks to supplement the gaps during the visit.

Some supplements reduce the risks of future conditions. For instance, calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, or vitamin K reduces the risk of osteoporosis. If you feel deprived of energy, you can take a vitamin B12 supplement. Additionally, they might help the body function better by optimizing overall health. If you don't consult a doctor, you might take vitamins that don't benefit your body.

Avoid Interactions

Before buying supplements and vitamins online, ensure you avoid dangerous interactions. Most people focus on the health benefits of supplements. However, some might interact with other medications. For instance, when taking blood thinners, avoid vitamin K in your supplements, as it can lead to a blood clot. Besides, you need to take some medications with food while others are taken on an empty stomach. If you plan to take iron supplements, ensure you drink more water than milk since calcium interacts with iron supplements.

Also, when taking vitamins the first time, you can start with one capsule to get the best outcome. By adding one supplement at a time, you access your body's reactions and monitor the unwanted side effects since even the safe vitamins and supplements can have reactions. For instance, you might have allergic reactions to a coloring agent. Finally, gradually taking supplements helps your body build upon the compound for your body system to benefit. However, overloading the body with many new supplements can lead to side effects.

Consider Tablets over Capsules

Supplements in tablet form are likely to contain many excipients like coloring agents, lubricants, binders, and coatings. Depending on the brand, some companies spray tables with preservatives such as corn oil. Instead of the extra ingredients, you can stick to the pure form of supplements. Typically, capsules are the best to get raw elements without unwanted additions. When buying vitamins online, find supplements that stick to one ingredient since they are more effective than multiple ingredients capsules.

To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you can try supplements. Fortunately, you can conveniently get supplements and vitamins online with safe and natural solutions to your health with fast delivery at affordable rates. The products contain the latest lifestyle, diet, and natural medicine to improve your health.

This is a guest blog entry.

Do You Have a Bunionette? How to Tell and How to Treat

If you’re wondering what a bunionette is, it’s a protrusion that forms on the outside of the fifth toe. Just like a bunion that appears along the big toe, a bunionette occurs when the metatarsophalangeal joint of the pinky toe is oddly positioned for an extended period of time. It can also be referred to as a “tailor’s bunion,” as early doctors often found the condition in tailors. Since they sat cross-legged for several hours, this position left them with painful lesions on the lateral side of the foot.

What Causes a Bunionette?

Before we delve into the answer of when a bunionette needs surgery, let’s take a look at what causes it.

Genes

 
If your parents or grandparents suffer from bunions, you and your siblings can also develop them.

Ill-fitting shoes

 
Constant friction against the last toe or wearing shoes that are too tight can cause the toes to bend awkwardly, leading to deformities like bunionettes.

Misalignment of the foot

 
Misalignment can be hereditary or caused by an underlying issue like a sprain, a new or an old fracture that didn’t heal properly, or arthritis.

Overpronation

 
This is the term used to describe one way of how your foot hits the ground while you walk. In this manner of walking, the edge of the heel meets the ground sideways at first. The foot then rolls inward to complete the motion. Doing this repeatedly can cause painful lesions such as bunionettes to develop.


What Does Bunionette Surgery Involve?

If you’ve tried and made no progress with non-surgical remedies such as using a bunionette corrector to relieve the deformity’s effects, you know that surgery will be your only option. Is the pain unbearable and hampering how you walk or stand? Specialized treatment centers such as Northwest Surgery Center can help you resolve bunionettes through a simple surgical procedure that corrects the deformity between the bone and joint.

Before surgical intervention is advised, a doctor will first take an X-ray to determine the severity of the bunionette. For some patients, physiotherapy may be advised before surgical intervention. The bunionette will be closely monitored for signs of improvement before a consulting doctor takes a call for surgery.

How Painful is Bunionette Surgery?

The intensity of post-surgery pain differs from one person to the next. That said, the discomfort usually only lasts for 3 to 5 days.

The best way to heal and minimize pain after surgery is to get plenty of rest, avoid placing pressure on the foot, and follow post-surgery advice from your doctor on reducing inflammation.

What is the Bunionette Surgery Recovery Time?

Recovery from a bunionette operation will take anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks. How soon you recover will depend on how vigilant you are with following the advice of your surgeon. Healing should be your main goal and not straining your feet. Recovery is usually less taxing than traditional bunions since the pinky toe doesn’t take as much strain as the big toe.

Bunionettes, if treated sooner, can save you a world of pain and discomfort. See what your doctor has to say about your bunionette and be sure to get the help you need from a reputed team of doctors.

This is a guest blog entry.

Everything You Need To Know About Bunions

Bunions are bony protrusions that form on the metatarsophalangeal joint, the area where your big toe attaches to the foot. It is a common deformity that occurs due to misalignment from the pressure we apply on our feet every day.

Despite how many people suffer from bunions, there isn’t much awareness of causes and treatment.

Let’s take a closer look.

What Are the Types of Bunions?

Now that you know what bunions are and how they’re formed, would it surprise you to learn that they can occur in infants, young kids, and adults? That’s right. Here’s a list of the different types of bunions:

• Congenital hallux valgus: A rare condition that affects babies.
• Adolescent (or juvenile) hallux valgus: Most commonly seen in kids aged between 10 and 15.
• Tailor’s bunion: This type of bunion forms on the exterior of the pinky toe and is referred to as a bunionette.
  

Bunions don’t happen overnight—they take years to form. They appear when the big toe is repeatedly positioned at an awkward angle instead of remaining straight. If left untreated, bunions can force the toes to crowd together, leading to a permanent deformity.

These are the most common causes of bunions:

• Wearing high heels or pointy-toe shoes, which can restrict the toes from remaining naturally straight
• Wearing footwear that is too tight or a size smaller can squeeze the toes, putting pressure on the big toe
• Standing for long periods (particularly for those who have to work on their feet)
• Arthritis in the feet such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Injuries or trauma to the foot
• Flat feet (arches that don’t form or collapse)
  

What are the Symptoms of Bunions?

These signs can help you identify between bunions and regular bumps:

• Difficulty bending the big toe, followed by a burning or painful sensation
• Calluses or corns on the second toe
• The big toe bends unnaturally towards the second toe
• The big toe appears numb
• Difficulty wearing regular shoes
• The underside of the big toe carries thick skin
• Inflamed, red skin on the side of the big toe
• Pain that comes and goes (feels more prominent while walking or standing)
• Hammertoes (the joint gets stuck in an upright position and looks like a hammer)
  

What Does Bunion Pain Feel Like?

You will feel a sharp pain if swelling occurs on the toe. This pain can also travel to the ball of your foot. So is there a cure for a bunion? Many people will claim to have cured their bunions, but the truth is far from it. While there are ways to help lessen the intensity of the pain and reduce swelling, these temporary fixes won’t cure bunions. The only way to do so is with surgery. Specialized medical centers such as Northwest Surgery Center can treat this foot deformity in the quickest and least uncomfortable way.

How to Manage and Treat Bunions

Doctors will always recommend an X-ray of the foot to determine bone alignment and joint damage, if any, before suggesting bunion surgery. Unfortunately, there are no traditional remedies or bunion exercises that can offer long-term relief. If you’re wondering how to shrink bunions naturally, there are ways to try this at home:

Icing

Holding an ice pack on the bunion can help reduce inflammation and pain. Keep the pack in place for at least 5 minutes to experience some relief.

Comfy shoes

Wear shoes that are wide on the top so that your toes have enough wiggle room. You can use a stretching device to widen the shoes you have. If you still feel uncomfortable, orthopedic or wide toe box shoes are a better option.

Pain Relievers

Medication such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, or even topical ointments can help with inflammation and pain.

Bunion pads

Invest in quality bunion pads as they help protect your toes from friction.

Addressing a bunion sooner rather than later can help you immensely in the long haul. It’s wise to approach a trusted doctor at first sight of a bunion to avoid a lifetime of pain and difficulties.

This is a guest blog entry.

Pro tips to manage your clinic supplies Canada

It is important to manage your medical supplies as they are a never-ending burden. They are the most important thing for all of your emergencies and illness. Especially in these bad times when your health should be a priority, clinic supplies in Canada are highly important. If you have enough supplies, now you must know how you can manage them. You will have first aid kits, pieces of equipment, and many medicines.

Because of this reason, here we have a quick guide of the pro tips to manage your clinic supplies in Canada.

•    Label your medical kits:
You wouldn’t want to be unable to find the right medical kit during an emergency. It is imperative that you accurately label your kits according to the emergencies. Did you know that the health workforce labels their medical kits in multiple languages in case of health emergencies? Of course, emergencies can happen anytime and language barriers shouldn’t be the reason why you cannot save someone’s life.

Train your kids and the other family members. Moreover, add a small guide in case if you are not at home.

•    Make sure you understand the medical items:
You must know about the medical items you have. Some of the items are not ready to open before use. You can sterilize the tools you are using. Moreover, you must know that you have to safely dispose of these items. A lot of people are unfamiliar as waste is a common issue in the medical world. So, you must have some practice and training before using it.

•    Keep your medical items close:
Sometimes you need medical supplies at the spur of the moment. And it is quite common that you may find them not at the same place. A lot of people make the mistake of putting them in different storage cabinets. So, it is important that if you want to stock clinic supplies in Canada, then do it properly at the same place. They should be easily accessible to avoid stress and any health damage.

•    Always protect your supplies:
No matter what, always protect your supplies by using durable containers. If you have some sort of soft medical goods, you cannot keep them in the same boxes. Shipping boxes are not perfect for storing soft medical supplies at all. Durable boxes help in preventing breakage and ensure their proper safety. There is a pro tip that you should use see-through containers as they make it highly easy for you. You can look for the right product with great speed and ease in any situation.

•    Monitor the supply:
If you keep clinic supplies in Canada, then you should have strict monitoring of the supplies. People have patients and kids at home so you need to make sure that your everyday supplies are available. You do not want them to get end at the time of emergencies. It is important to have a lot in the inventory and be strict with your order of medical supplies.

Use these pro tips to manage your clinic supplies in Canada and ensure you keep them safe.

This is a guest blog entry.

Ways Exercise and Meditation Can Help With PTSD

Exercise and meditation are among the most helpful ways to maintain good mental and physical health. Most doctors advise them to manage depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders. Today, we will explore how exercise and meditation can be helpful for people who have Post-traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD).
 

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
 

PTSD is a condition where it becomes impossible for a person to cope with and manage the uncomfortable memories of an event. It can be defined as a psychological disorder that results from an extremely violent, painful, or disturbing experience. Examples include being subjected to sexual assault, physical assault, war, natural disaster, or the loss of a loved one.
 

The condition was first noticed in World War I veterans and was given the name ‘shell shock.’ The names ‘battle fatigue’ and ‘operational exhaustion’ were then used before the condition was given the name PTSD.
 

The symptoms of PTSD can be divided as follows:
 

1. Intrusion
 

Intrusive thoughts, involuntary memories, and disturbing dreams of the trauma are the main signs of this disorder. These can sometimes be so lucid that the patient can feel like they are re-living the memory.
 

2. Avoidance
 

The patient tries to avoid places, people, objects, memories, and situations that might remind them of the trauma.
 

3. Alteration in Cognition and Mood
 

Distorted thoughts about the reason or result of the trauma are also major symptoms of the disorder. The patients tend to blame themselves or others for the trauma without a rational analysis of what happened.
 

4. Alteration in Arousal and Activity
 

The patient can get reactive and aroused with an irritable mood and frequent outbursts of anger. It can lead them to harm themselves or anyone else that they consider responsible for their trauma in their version of reality.
 

The treatments for PTSD are still being researched. Some of the most effective treatments for the condition include psychological and cognitive behavioral therapy, drugs like sertraline and paroxetine, and exercise and medication. Let us now explore the effectiveness of exercise and meditation in treating this condition.
 

Effectiveness of Exercise and Meditation in Treating PTSD
 

According to StuffThatWorks, a crowdsourced platform specializing in treatment effectiveness analysis, exercise and meditation are among the most effective treatments of PTSD. Out of all the patients who tried exercise as a treatment for PTSD, it worked to varying degrees in 89% of the cases. Likewise, to different degrees, meditation proved to be effective in 89% of the people who tried it as a treatment.
 

Several other studies have concluded that exercise and meditation can help manage disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. A notable piece of research in this respect is a 2018 peer-reviewed chapter by Robert Motta titled, “The Role of Exercise in Reducing PTSD and Negative Emotional States, Psychology of Health - Biopsychosocial Approach,” where it was established that exercise can be significantly beneficial in reducing adult emotional disorders including PTSD.
 

The key findings of the chapter are that PTSD patients who performed strenuous physical exercise had better sleep, a reduced tendency of substance abuse, lesser physical and emotional pain, and an overall improvement in the symptoms of the condition, as compared to the ones who were not physically active.
 

Let us now see how patients who have PTSD can use exercise and meditation to manage their condition.
 

How to Use Exercise and Meditation for Managing PTSD
 

Different types of exercise and meditation can be prescribed to PTSD patients. The ones that are most commonly used are:
 

Exercise
 

The aim is to involve the patient in an exercise that gives them a sense of joy. It can be anything from regular morning walks to training in the gym and from jogging to riding a bike.
 

The best results are obtained from 12-week sessions of daily 30-minute resistance training. However, the actual exercise depends on the mental and physical state of the patient and differs from case to case.
 

Meditation
 

According to research conducted so far, meditation is more helpful than exercise. The following types of meditation are used to improve the condition of patients suffering from the condition.
 

1. Compassion Meditation
 

This meditation focuses on the repetition of phrases that emphasize increasing compassion and empathy towards others. According to an article published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, Compassion Meditation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans: A Randomized Proof of Concept Study, the effects of 90-minute weekly compassion meditation on veterans suffering from PTSD was better than that of a program consisting of psychoeducation, relaxation training and sleep hygiene.
 

2. Transcendental Meditation
 

In this kind of meditation, the patient is required to repeat a word or phrase silently in their mind. The goal is to create a sense of relaxation and peace. The evidence of the effectiveness of this kind of meditation can be seen in the study, “The Transcendental Meditation Program’s Impact on the Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder of Veterans: An Uncontrolled Pilot Study,” published in the Journal of Military Medicine. It established that transcendental meditation helped reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans.
 

3. Mantra Meditation
 

This meditation consists of repeating a mantra for a said number of times or a set duration. According to a study titled “Individual Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Using Mantra Repetition: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” mantra meditation is more effective in treating PTSD than present-centered therapy.
 

4. Mindfulness Meditation
 

This meditation requires the performer to be mindful and present at the moment. The focus here is to let the thoughts come and go without reaction or judgment. The evidence of this meditation being useful in treating PTSD can be found in the study, “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans.” This study points out that mindfulness meditation has a mild effect on PTSD symptoms that can be even more helpful if combined with present-centered group therapy.  

In Conclusion 

Post-traumatic stress disorder results from a traumatic happening or experience. It makes it difficult or even impossible for the sufferer to cope with the memories and other reminders associated with the trauma. Out of all the treatments that are being used for the condition, exercise and meditation can be effective, as is established by much research evidence.

This is a guest blog entry.

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How to Manage Medical Debt

Depending on your financial situation, you might be tempted to skip the medical care you need because of the cost of receiving it. But what do you do if you have already received care and have found you cannot afford the cost? It could damage your savings goals, lower your credit score, or even cause you to declare bankruptcy. The good news is that there are ways of making the care you received more affordable.

Finding Ways of Covering the Cost
There are plenty of ways to cover the cost of unexpected medical expenses. For example, you might look for ways of lowering your monthly expenses so you chip away at the bill a little bit at a time. By saving money in other areas, you can rework your budget to include a monthly contribution toward the balance. One way of lowering expenses in other areas is to refinance your existing student loans into a new loan with the help of a private lender. It is a great way to get a handle on your expenses since it can reduce the amount of interest you owe. It can also extend the loan term, giving you more time to pay it back.

Negotiation
If you want to negotiate the amount you owe, ask to speak with the medical billing manager of the provider. These mangers have enough authority to help lower the amount you owe. Don't wait until you are in collections or delinquent, since that can damage your credit score and make it less likely that the provider will be willing to negotiate. Instead, verify the accuracy and talk to someone as soon as you can tell. If you have financial hardship or have lost income, there is hardship assistance available to you. And depending on your savings and income level, you may be able to get charity care from the hospital. Depending on state laws in the area, the provider might be required to offer reduced cost care to those who do not have a lot of money available. If the cost of care has affected your ability to afford it, let them know that you need assistance.

Get Help Outside
Not everyone is familiar with the way medical billing works, so you will want to ensure you are not being taken advantage of. You might choose to get help from someone who has more experience in medical billing or debt negotiation. They could help you reduce the amount you owe if you aren’t having any luck negotiating. Seeking out help is a sneaky way to also change your health habits overall. Asking for help and knowing when you cannot go it alone are healthy habits for the mind that are just as important as those we build for the body. 

Advocating for Yourself
It is a good idea to speak up when you are looking for a significant discount on your medical bills. You might start with asking for a steeper discount. For example, you might ask if you can pay a chunk now and have them write off the rest. They could be willing to do this, so they don’t have to spend months or years chasing you down for the rest of the funds. You might not be able to go this route if you can’t afford to pay a chunk of the bill now. Instead, you could ask to make a down payment now in exchange for getting a discount. If that doesn’t work, you could ask if they could give you the same discounted rate that Medicaid or Medicare pays. Or you might ask for a zero-interest plan.

This is a guest blog entry.

Reasons Why In-home Patients Should Use Wearable Technology Application

Wearable technology application is essential since it can be applied as an innovative solution for issues related to health. For example, some wearable devices are designed to help prevent diseases and health maintenance, such as physical activity tracking and weight loss. Besides, wearable gadgets are used for the diagnosis of diseases and to control patients. Ideally, the application of wearable technology can directly impact medical decision-making. Therefore, it would help to use wearable technologies since they could enhance the quality of patient care and minimize the cost of care due to patient home-based testing and monitoring.

Track Daily Activities
 

It would be excellent to use wearable devices since they allow the consistent tracking of human conduct and physical activities. Also, the devices are the best for monitoring biochemical and physiological parameters during daily life. The popularly evaluated data include critical signs such as blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, blood temperature, and heart rate. Moreover, physical activities and posture are assessed by using electrocardiograms, ballistocardiogram, among other gadgets.  The video gadgets and photos can also be used by health practitioners, such as the Seer Medical’s ecg-eeg test, to offer additional health-related information.
 

It will help fix the wearable devices to footwear, earrings, watches, clothing, gloves, eyeglasses, and bracelets. Also, some devices are skin attachable. Sensors can be implanted into the surroundings, such as seat cushions, pillows, and chairs. However, Smartphones are also considered vital tools since they help collect information and transmit it to a remote server for storage and further analysis. There are two significant types of wearable gadgets that are used to examine gait patterns. The devices like gyroscopes, accelerometers, and multi-angle video recorders are designed for healthcare service providers in monitoring walk patterns. Other tracking technologies have been formulated for health consumers, including on-wrist activity trackers, add-ons, and smartphone apps.
 

Wearable Tools
 

The wearable tools are grouped into various classes based on their uses. For instance, wearable technology applications designed to monitor weight progress and physical activity are listed under prevention of health conditions and maintenance of health. Additionally, there are departments of patient management and disease control.
 

Formulating wearable gadgets and algorithms to track mental health is a relatively new realm. 

Moreover, some wearable devices armed with sensors can diagnose human physiology status, including high blood pressure, heartbeat, the temperature of blood, or other complex critical signs. When these signals are applied, new systems can be designed to help in monitoring mental well-being. Stress diagnosis is the most popular application of such systems.
 

Additionally, monitoring physical activities using wearable technology applications has become a standard method to assist people in evaluating calories expended and activity intensity. However, patients have a developing interest in using wearable gadgets in monitoring weight control activities and results. These devices in question can also help enhance patient management efficiency in health facilities. The technology has supported mobility in health consumers. 

Health care service providers such as Seer Medical’s ecg-eeg test use Wearable technology applications to screen, diagnose, and monitor mental disorders such as depression. Analyzing autonomic and cognitive responses to emotionally related stimuli could offer the ideal solution for the automatic recognition of various mood states.

When you read this guide, you will understand the benefits of using in-home wearable health monitoring devices.

This is a guest blog entry.

Precisely why You Need to Embrace the Use of Recycled Products

Wastes are increasing day by day, and pollution has increased. To take care of the environment, you need to embrace recycling. In the past, no one cared about the accumulation of waste in landfills and homes, so in time the amount of waste at the landfill increased, and people feared that they could create a disaster. Finally, recycling has become a solution to reduce landfills. Again, recycling is kind to both the environment and humans. Read on to find out why you need to use recycled products:

1.    Protects Wildlife and Ecosystem 

When you embrace recycling, you reduce the need to grow and harvest new raw materials from the environment. Again, harmful disruption of the natural resources reduces because there is;

• Fewer deforestation
• Less diversion of rivers
• No distraction and displacement of wild animals
• Less pollution of air water and soil

Remember, if plastics waste is not recycled, water can wash them into seas and rivers, thus polluting the waterways and coastlines. Once water bodies are contaminated, the water quality deteriorates, and the ecosystem is affected.

2.    Reduce the Demand for raw Material

The demand for new stuff increases as the world’s population increases. This has led people living around forests or rivers displaced as those areas are the sources of raw materials. We are lucky to have organizations that produce products like hammocks Australia by use of recycling waste. These organizations have promoted the conservation of the environment by recycling waste products.  Similarly, recycling has reduced the demand for cheap timber and the pollution of rivers by manufacturing waste. Remember, it is better to recycle existing products than destroy the land in search of raw materials.

3.    Conservation of Natural Resources

Recycling paper and wood saves forests and trees. Again, remember you can plant trees but replacing virgin forests, and ancient woodlands once cut is not easy. When you recycle waste, you reduce the risk of extinction of woods and forests.

By recycling glass, you reduce the demand for raw materials used in manufacturing glass. Again, suppliers of some sand used in the manufacturing of glass are getting low around the globe. By recycling Metals, you reduce the risk of mining and the cost required to extract new metals. Remember, recycling plastic means producing less plastic, which is a good move to save the energy needed to manufacture new ones.

4.    Saving Energy

Producing goods from recycled materials needs less energy as compared to manufacturing from raw materials. Therefore, somebody can put the saved energy by using recycled materials to better use. Similarly, by saving energy, you reduce the cost of living of many people as the cost of production is always transferred to consumers. Furthermore, energy used during recycling produces low carbon emissions, thus, reducing air pollution and waste-producing methane from landfill sites.

Many organizations are conserving the environment by using recycled materials. You can always check on the product pack to confirm if it is made of recycled materials. Similarly, there are products like hammocks Australia made from recycled materials, so you can look for them if you are interested in conserving the environment.

This is a guest blog entry.

Losing Weight With A Fat Burner

Losing weight with a fat burner

 

Fat burners or weight management formulas are a special kind of supplement designed to promote weight loss for people trying to drop their body fat. The mechanism behind using a fat burner is to aid the person burn more fat when they are in a state of calorie deficit, which naturally helps you lose weight.

If someone is keeping track of their calorie intake and adhering to full body workouts, a superior quality fat burner can assist in the overall fat loss process. This makes the overall journey of losing weight and toning your body much easier and smoother.

How Does A Fat Burner Function?

Even though fat burners have had quite a reputation in the media, but with the impeccable progress the industry has managed to have, fat burners are a blend of high-quality ingredients. These ingredients reduce appetite, improve mode, enhance focus, and optimize overall energy that aids in losing extra body fat.

Which Ingredients Promote Weight Loss In A Fat Burner?

Losing weight with a fat burner becomes possible with the following ingredients that provide major benefits in promoting fat burning, especially when the body goes through cardio, exercise, and weight training. Let’s take a look:

Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the most popular ingredients used in a fat-burning formula because it is tried and tested in giving you a boost of energy whenever you are feeling tired. This particular ingredient also suppresses appetite and stimulates the central nervous system to promote calorie burning.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract is an essential part of any fat burner product because it increases fat oxidation in the body. This helps you drop body fat quickly without any side effects or body crashing due to its natural base. Not only does it promote fat burning, but it also becomes a good source of energy that you can utilize throughout the day.

Lindoleic Aci

This ingredient is commonly used by athletes for increasing muscle mass and dropping body fat. Even though it is unclear how effective linoleic acid is, a standard dose is always a part of any fat burner available in the market.

Acetyl L-Carnitine

This particular ingredient can benefit mood and may improve memory as well as cognitive ability. However, its main goal is to promote exercise, cardio, and weight training so you can consume stored fat much more quickly. Since this is one of the primary ingredients used in a fat-burning product, it is incredibly beneficial towards losing weight.

The Bottom Line

Losing weight is no doubt a pretty challenging job for most people. With the aid of fat burners, you can make your weight loss journey smoother and easier to stick to. Not only will it help you shred body fat, but it can also motivate you to stick to a healthy food and exercise routine when you see your dream body results in the mirror!

This is a guest blog entry.

Types of Imaging Tests

A radiologist examining a diagnostic imaging test.

Imaging tests use different forms of energy through your body, allowing doctors to see images of what is going on inside your body. These are usually conducted at a gold coast radiology clinic by a trained radiologist who prepares a report for your doctor. They can be used for various reasons, including diagnosing illnesses and coming up with treatment plans. Additionally, imaging tests are important resources to check progress when it comes to ongoing medical issues.

There are many different kinds of imaging tests conducted at radiology centers. Read on to find out which imaging tests are the most common, how they’re conducted, and what they’re useful for. 

X-Rays

An x-ray is a quick, non-invasive imaging test that uses ionizing radiation to produce images of your body and is commonly used to image bones. Patients can expect to lie down, stand, or sit depending on the part of the body being scanned and may be asked to change positions for clearer images. Since this takes a total of about 10-15 minutes, it’s over relatively quickly. It can be used to identify everything ranging from fractures to breast cancer and swallowed items.

MRIs

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging test that uses magnetic waves to create detailed images of the tissues and organs in your body. Like in CT scans, you will be asked to lie down and will be slid into a doughnut-shaped machine. However, unlike CT scans, MRIs are long (approximately 45 minutes to an hour) and somewhat uncomfortable. Many patients feel claustrophobic because of how narrow the chambers are. MRIs also create loud thumping and tapping noises, making this an uncomfortable experience

However, despite being unpleasant, an MRI is a valuable tool and allows radiologists to identify aneurysms, strokes, tumors, and more.
CT Scans

Like x-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans also use ionizing radiation to take pictures of cross-sections of the body, including soft tissue, blood vessels, and bones. These are also relatively quick and usually take around 15 minutes. When you go to a radiology clinic to get a CT scan, you will be asked to lie on a table and slid into a scanner that resembles a large doughnut. This process is extremely useful for guiding biopsies and identifying vascular and heart disease, infections, and cancers.

PET Scans

Positron emission tomography (PET) scans use radiotracers to create images of your organs and tissues. When you get a PET scan, you should expect to swallow or have a radiotracer injected into you so the scanner can read the radiation being emitted. The process can be extremely long and usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours. However, it is extremely useful because it can be used to diagnose illnesses like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, heart disease, and more.

No matter which type of imaging test you’re going to get at the radiology clinic, it’s always helpful to be prepared for what’s about to happen. We hope that this article has helped you better understand the different imaging techniques in radiology and how they work.
                
This is a guest blog entry.

Can you get PTSD after a car accident?

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There is nothing worse than getting injured in a car accident. In addition to having multiple doctor’s appointments, you may have to endure physical therapy. You will also have to miss time away from work which can cause you to lose money. There are emotional effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder as well.  

What is PTSD?

 
PTSD is a psychological disorder that is brought on when a person experiences or sees a traumatic event. It can be an accident, a crime, or a natural disaster. Soldiers often experience PTSD after a combat situation. It is so common in military veterans that it was once known as shell shock or combat fatigue.

About 1 and 11 people will experience this condition throughout their life, and women are 50% more likely to experience it than men.
 

What are the symptoms of PTSD?
If you think you have PTSD, it is a good idea to visit a mental health professional for a diagnosis. However, there are a few common symptoms of which it helps to be aware.

Intrusive Thoughts
Do you find yourself remembering your accident over and over again without wanting to? If you have upsetting dreams or reoccurring thoughts that are related to the accident, it is likely to be a symptom of PTSD. These thoughts can be extremely intense and might interfere with your ability to function.

Mood Swings and Cognitive Problems
If there are some aspects of the traumatizing event that you simply cannot remember, it could be a sign that you have PTSD. You can even end up having distorted views of yourself and other people. You may believe that people in your life are trying to hurt you or that you are a bad person. You might lose interest in doing things that you previously enjoyed.

Avoidance
A person with PTSD will end up avoiding certain things, such as social activities. In some cases, they might try to avoid driving or even riding in a car. They will often try to avoid talking about the accident.

Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity
A person with PTSD often feels angry without knowing why. They may have angry outbursts or physical ticks. They might suffer from insomnia, or they might end up thinking people that they don’t know are out to get them.

Unlike medical bills or lost wages, PTSD can be very hard to put a price on.

Proving Pain and Suffering

 
According to lawyer Eslinger, there is no set way for an insurance company to determine the amount of money you will get for pain and suffering. A good amount of your compensation will depend on your own testimony and the testimony of an expert witness.

It is important to save every medical bill you have and any bills you have for medications that you might have taken. It is also important to get the names and numbers of witnesses at the scene. When it comes to PTSD, the testimony of your friends, family, and coworkers is important as well.

It is essential to have the representation of an experienced personal injury attorney. They will be well-versed in negotiating with insurance companies, and they will understand accident law.

This is a guest blog entry.

How to keep your medical treatment areas free from dirt with tacky mats

Medical treatment rooms can be a nightmare to keep clean. Between patients, medical staff and support workers, there can be a near-constant stream of people coming and going, but you need to keep dust and dirt at bay to prevent infection.

Doctors’ and dentists' surgeries, examination and treatment rooms  are increasingly benefiting from using ‘tacky mats’ to deal with shoe-borne particles — but if used incorrectly, they can be rendered ineffective.
 
What is a tacky mat?
 
In a nutshell, a tacky mat is a doorway/entrance mat that has a sticky layer on it. As people walk over the surface the adhesive collects any dirt and dust from the soles of the shoes, making sure that the room is kept clean and contaminant-free. When the sticky surface is no longer effective, you can simply peel it away to reveal a new adhesive layer underneath.
 
How are tacky mats used?
 
Tacky Mats can be used very easily, with just a few factors to consider.
 
Position

The mat should be placed right at the entrance to the clean room, otherwise any steps that people take between standing on the mat and stepping into the room will re-contaminate their shoes and allow dirt through. People should be able to comfortably (and unthinkingly) step directly from the mat into the controlled environment.
 
Size

The size of the mat you need depends entirely on the size of your doorway. The mat should fully span the breadth of the threshold, and ideally be of a sufficient depth that people take at least one step on it with each foot (and one full revolution of any trolley or stretcher wheels/castors). This will ensure that shoes and wheels cannot make it into the room without being cleaned first. 

 

Color
 
The majority of tacky mat stockists offer white, blue or grey color options, but the color you choose is purely aesthetic — there is no impact on effectiveness. Lighter color mats do, however, make it easier to see any build-up of dirt and so a white mat can make it easier to see when you need to peel the top layer away.

Installation

Most tacky mats on the market have an adhesive backing so that they can be fixed securely in place. Make sure the area you’re fitting the mat to is cleaned and disinfected, and lay the mat carefully with attention paid to minimizing any air bubbles that form. This will help the mat stay intact and in place without any accidental shifting when people step on it.

Best practice is to peel back one side of the backing, press firmly into place and then roll the rest of the mat away whilst removing the remaining backing.

If your office/treatment room is carpeted or has a floor covering that is not particularly well suited to using adhesives, then you could consider a frame to keep the mat in place.
 
Placement

While a standard ‘welcome’ style entrance mat is typically placed with the longer edge against the doorway, you will need to position your tacky mat so that the longest side points away from the door frame. This ensures that shoes and wheels have the most contact possible with the mat, which will result in fewer in-room contaminants.
 
Refresh

When your mat has reached the point where it is no longer fully effective — either through becoming saturated with dirt or through losing its stickiness — you’ll need to refresh it. Peel back the top layer carefully and slowly, making sure you don’t release the collected particles into the treatment room or into the air. Rolling the layer into a ball as you go will reduce static build-up, and allow for easy disposal.

Refreshing can be done on a fixed cycle for rooms with a relatively standard amount of foot traffic. If the number of visitors to the controlled room fluctuates significantly from day-to-day, you’ll need to keep an eye on the mat and refresh it as and when necessary.
 
Layers

Most suppliers stock mats with a choice of 30 or 60 sticky layers. Depending on how often you are refreshing, you’ll want to pick a mat with the appropriate number of layers — although it’s also worth considering that if you have a lot of wheeled traffic, the 60-sheet option can present a thicker profile which can impede smooth passage.
 
Tacky mats have numbered surfaces, so you should always be able to keep track of how many layers are left and ensure that any scheduled refreshes have been completed.

Used cases
 
Used extensively in laboratories and clean rooms, more and more customer-facing sites are deploying tacky mats to ensure the best level of hygiene possible.

Author Bio: First Mats started life as safety matting specialists, but have since expanded to become a complete industrial and commercial supplies company. The focus of First Mats is to provide safety-focused products that improve the wellbeing of staff through quality approved products, backed up by extensive knowledge. www.firstmats.co.uk

What qualifies as personal injury?

If you have ever suffered an injury, you may have found yourself suddenly needing all sorts of medical help, therapies, and other treatments to recover your health. As you started seeing bills piling up and feeling your financial situation become more and more delicate, you may have contemplated the possibility of filing a legal claim to try to recover the damages caused by the accident.

The law allows for people who have been injured due to the negligence of others to recover certain damages through a personal injury claim. Let’s read on to find out precisely what qualifies as personal injury and what damages you are entitled to pursue.

What is personal injury under the law?

A personal injury happens when a person suffers physical harm because of the negligent behavior of someone else. Although it may also include damage to this person’s property, there must initially be physical harm. Filing a personal injury claim means that you want to hold someone accountable for the harm they caused to you. When your personal injury case is successful it means that you have been able to recover the payment needed to take care of your injuries and losses.

Negligence in Personal Injury Cases

In these cases, negligence refers to the fact that whoever caused you harm did not act how a reasonable careful individual would have acted under similar circumstances. 

For a personal injury case to move forward, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant acted in a negligent way towards them. If you can prove negligence, the law allows you to collect damages to cover your injuries and losses.

What are the most common types of accidents that result in personal injury cases?

Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. You may be shopping at your neighborhood store when you slip and fall on a spill that was not cleaned up. Or you may be driving to work and end up in the middle of a car crash. These are some examples of cases where a personal injury lawsuit may be filed.

Some other ways in which personal injuries may arise are:

• Dog bites
• Workplace accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Defective or faulty products
• Construction accidents
  

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

When you decide to file a personal injury claim, you should know that there is a time limit called the statute of limitations. Depending on the state where the accident happened, this may run between 1 and 6 years. Your personal injury attorney will be able to tell you the timing for your case. They will also calculate the financial compensation you are seeking. This will include all your medical expenses from the moment you were injured. Also, an amount to cover your lost earnings for the time you have been unable to work and future earnings if your capacity to work has been affected. If you suffered property losses and are experiencing pain and suffering, these items would also be included.
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Image via Pixabay

This is a guest blog entry.

10 Tips For Generating Medicare Leads

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The Medicare population is expected to grow to almost 79 million by the year 2030 as Baby Boomers age. That is a lot of potential Medicare advantage and Medicare supplement leads that insurance agents could be marketing to. By knowing the best ways to generate leads, insurance agents can increase their profits in a lucrative sector of the insurance industry.

1.    Your Website Must Be Well-Designed

Your website establishes your credibility, and in a competitive market you need to have a clean, easy-to-read website that is accessible to the elderly. Zellermedia.com recommends that you hire a professional web designer that can custom build your website, including a clean landing page that your higher-qualified leads are directed to.

2.    Update your existing website

If you already have a website, now is a great time to ask yourself how to optimize it for search engine optimization or SEO. You can do this by starting a blog where you focus on the most common questions about Medicare.

3.    Use Facebook To Educate Your Target Demographic 

You have answers that a lot of people want regarding Medicare. You can target ads to elderly groups on Facebook to educate them and help them know their enrollment period. 

4.    Network at Events

Different places are reopening, and local festivals are great places to engage with the community, who have been bombarded by digital marketing for over a year. Consider attending empty-nester events or retirement planning luncheons.

5.    Create Consistent Content

Every month you should be producing new content on your website, whether it’s a blog or an infographic, or an interview. You may even want to consider hiring a digital marketing firm that specializes in content marketing.

6.    Send Direct Mail

Direct mail has proven to be one of those effective ways of connecting to high-quality leads.

7.    Know The Laws About Sales Events

There are many rules for hosting a compliant Medicare sales event. The two types are formal sales events and informal sales events. At formal sales events, agents present information about Medicare plans to an audience that has been invited to the event. Informal sales, or tabletop events, are paid-for marketing events at a public setting such as at a kiosk or health and wellness fair. You should take time to familiarize yourself with the rules regarding whether or not you can ask potential attendees for their contact information to RSVP, whether you should register your event, etc.

8.    Hire A Paid Search Agency

You know all about Medicare, so leave the work of getting the word out about your business to a top marketing company specializing in generating leads for Medicare agents.

9.    Develop Strategic Partnerships

Those who are active in their communities are connected to them. Join affinity groups and team up with other local businesses.

10.    Improve Your Follow-Up

Don’t let hot leads turn cold! Since the inception of the Medicare program in 1966, the population of enrollees has grown steadily. In 2021 there are 44 million beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, which is about 15% of the US population. That’s a lot! Always reach out to potential enrollees after your initial contact, either by phone or personalized email. If your prospects know that you’re dedicated and trustworthy, they’ll be more inclined to hire you!

This is a guest blog entry.

3 Ways to Change Your Health Habits This Summer

Credit: StockSnap via Pixabay

Living a long and happy life is a goal that most of us do our very best to implement in our everyday lives. Often, we don’t commit to that goal as significantly as we should, taking shortcuts and prioritizing others above our own health and well-being.

The good news is that mentality can be changed. By adding healthier habits into your routine, you can begin to put yourself first and do the real work to live your healthiest life.

These are our three recommended ways to change your health habits this summer.

1.    Lowering Anxiety

Anxiety is something men and women struggle with for a variety of reasons — from self-esteem issues to demanding careers and so much more. Thankfully, there are several ways to lower your anxiety. It’s about finding the option that fits your comfort level and lifestyle.

Meditation and yoga are practices dedicated to finding the calm in your body and your mind. It’s about spending time with yourself in calming, quiet environments, focusing on your breathing, and letting your entire body relax. The practice of yoga, in particular, allows you to strengthen both your body and mind and can be tailored to fit your fitness and flexibility level.

One of the newer methods for lowering stress and anxiety is incorporating CBD into your routine — either with oil or an edible. CBD is a compound derived from the cannabis plant, though it does not have any of the psychoactive properties found in THC, which comes from the same plant. Through research, CBD shows promising results for improving sleep, lowering anxiety, clearing acne skin, and the overall neuropathic condition. The benefit of incorporating CBD is that you have a variety of options — from adding a drop of oil into your herbal tea to experimenting with an Olli Dragon Fruit Chew.

2.    Eating Right

The food you consume can directly impact your overall health. Food sends messages to your body, and your body reacts accordingly — which is why healthier foods yield more positive results than pre-packaged food or anything with high sugar or saturated fat content.

Incorporating healthier foods into your routine is one of the most straightforward steps you can take towards a healthier life. By eating a balanced meal with enough leafy greens, whole grains, and healthy fats, you’re sending positive signals to your body, and you’ll find that you have more energy and can build muscle easier.

3.    Getting Moving

Exercise is an essential component to living a longer, healthier life. As you age, your muscles begin to change, and if you lack enough exercise, you may find you have less energy and don’t feel as strong as you once did. The good news is that incorporating exercise doesn’t mean constantly lifting heavy weights or running marathons. Rather, simply adding more walking into your day can help your heart health — or you could search for fun exercise classes in your area, and you might just find your new favorite hobby. The benefits of exercise will yield positive results for years to come and help you commit to your healthier lifestyle.

This is a guest blog entry.

How to Prepare for a Plastic Surgery

Getting an elective procedure such as plastic surgery differs in many ways from surgeries that have to be performed for medical reasons. In some ways, this can make the process even more frightening and stressful, but there is one big advantage to elective surgery. Unlike some medical surgeries, which have to be performed with little mental preparation, you can prepare yourself for the surgical process and the recovery more easily with an elective procedure. According to the doctors who perform plastic surgery from Zennplasticsurgery.com, “making changes to your appearance is a very personal decision.” It stands to reason, therefore, that the preparation process will be equally as personal. There are, however, a few simple steps that can help you prepare for plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures.

1: Get Medical Clearance

This first tip is a crucial step in getting any elective procedure. Before you book your plastic surgery date and pay a portion of the procedure’s cost, you must have your primary doctor complete a physical exam on you. This physical exam will allow your primary doctor to decide if you’re healthy enough for plastic surgery and help reveal any potential complications before you go in for plastic surgery. If you are not healthy, a variety of complications could occur, increasing the risk of a long, painful recovery time. This exam should take place at least one month before your surgery.

2: Lifestyle Changes

There are also a number of lifestyle changes that you should make to ensure that the surgical process goes as smoothly as possible. If you smoke, you should abstain for at least two weeks prior to the surgery. This will decrease the risk of infection and complications due to low blood pressure. You should also avoid aspirin and similar painkillers for those two weeks, since certain common painkillers can thin the blood and increase the risk of excessive or lengthy bleeding. You cannot drink alcoholic drinks for three days before the surgery, since drinking can also thin the blood and depress your immune responses.

3: Arrange Help

Help from your friends, family, and support system is essential, especially in the early stages of recovery after the surgery. You shouldn’t hesitate to request help you may need while you are recovering, and indeed there are probably people in your life who you already know will be happy to help. Make sure that you arrange for someone to drive you to and from the surgery on the day of the procedure, since you will be groggy and likely in some pain immediately afterwards. You should gather items that you will need during your recovery in a convenient place near your bed and plan meals ahead, putting them in the freezer to make eating well easier than cooking every meal. Your friends and family may have to help you with some everyday tasks during your recovery, so never be too proud to ask for help.

4: Eat More Protein and Fiber

Increasing the protein and fiber in your diet in the weeks leading up to your procedure can help hasten the recovery process and make the entire experience more comfortable. Protein from healthy sources, such as fish and nuts, can help bolster your immune system and promote muscle health during recovery. Increasing the fiber in your diet through eating fruits, greens, and yogurt will help your digestive system. This is a good idea because of the risk of constipation during recovery due to medication and decreased exercise. Foods with an excess amount of salt should be avoided, since they will exacerbate swelling and therefore increase recovery time.

5: Stay Hydrated

Hydration is the single most important piece of your everyday health that many people ignore, and in the leadup to surgery the importance of proper hydration cannot be overstated. Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water, or around 48 to 64 ounces of water, will keep you hydrated and on the road to a quick, easy recovery.

This is a guest blog entry.

How much does it cost to make an injury claim?

If you have been injured in an accident in the state of California, you may be wondering if it is worth it to report the crash to your insurance company. You have probably heard that your premiums will go up if you file a claim.

Although filing an injury claim is free, you should be aware of a few associated expenses.

How much will your insurance rates increase?

In most cases, your insurance premiums will go up after an accident. The amount that it will increase will depend on the state in which you live and the amount of the claim.

Unfortunately, California has the highest rate of post-accident insurance premium increases of any state in the country. A person’s premium will increase by an average of 61% after a claim of $2000 or more in the Golden State. Maryland has the lowest rate increases with an average of just 21%.

Hiring an Attorney

After your insurance company reviews your claim, they will either approve or deny it. If they deny the claim, you may want to consult with an attorney to see if it is worth it to sue them.

If they approve of your claim, they will make you a settlement offer. Their initial offer is unlikely to be as much as your claim is worth. You will want to hire an attorney to negotiate with the company on your behalf before you accept the claim.

 According to personal injury attorneys Maho & Prentice, most personal injury lawyers will work on a contingency basis. They will only take a percentage of the settlement they are able to get you.

If your attorney and the insurance company cannot work out a deal, you may have to go to court, which is where you can incur some serious expenses.

Filing Fees

In California, a person will pay between $30 and $75 to file a case in small claims court. The amount you pay is based on the amount of the claim. If your case goes to a higher court, the fees are likely to be larger and depend on the county where the accident happened.

Your lawyer will continue to negotiate with the insurance company after you file your suit. If they are still unable to work out a deal, you may have to go to court.

Trial Related Expenses

If you go to court and you have a jury trial, you will have to pay a jury fee. You might need an expert witness to testify on your behalf. Fees for such a witness can cost thousands of dollars.

There are going to be some administrative costs to any lawsuit. There may be expenses for copying documents and doing legal research; those expenses are usually fairly nominal.

Fortunately, most accident cases never go to court. A trained attorney should be able to get you a fair settlement. Be sure to select a lawyer who specializes in personal injury and has years of experience in the state of California.

Getting hurt in a crash is painful and time-consuming. However, if you choose the right representation, you will get the money you deserve instead of getting stuck with the bill.


Authoritative Sources:

https://www.sb-court.org/divisions/small-claims

 
https://www.thesimpledollar.com/insurance/auto/how-much-does-your-insurance-go-up-after-an-accident/#:~:text=Insurance%20rate%20effects%20by%20state,-While%20the%20numbers&text=As%20the%20InsuranceQuotes%20study%20noted,Texas%3A%2059.9%25%20increase

https://pixabay.com/photos/dollars-currency-money-us-dollars-499481/ac

This is a guest blog entry.

Essential Dental Care – All About Toothbrushes and Toothpaste!

Arguably the most common dental supplies in Sydney and throughout Australia and the world, toothbrushes and toothpaste are used by all of us daily, between our regular dental clinic visits. 

Cleaning the teeth is intrinsic to maintaining dental and oral health, fresh breath, and overall well-being.

Here are some fun, fascinating facts about toothbrushes and toothpaste…

Did You Know?

The Ancients

• Humans have used tools to clean their teeth since at least the ancient Babylonians and Egyptians of 5000-5500 years ago. They made a type of brush for the teeth using a frayed twig. Toothpicks have also been found in some ancient Egyptian tombs, amongst the tomb goods that were to accompany the dead to the Afterlife.
  

• It’s widely accepted that the ancient Egyptians were the first to use toothpaste for cleaning their teeth, and this dates back more than 7000 years ago. The ancient Romans and Greeks also used toothpaste, as did the ancient Chinese and Indians.
  

• Used in the same way as we do to keep the teeth clean, breath fresh, gums healthy, and to help whiten teeth, ancient kinds of toothpaste varied in terms of their contents. Some included volcanic pumice stone combined with ash, burnt eggshell, and powdered ox hooves. The ancient Greeks and Romans preferred an abrasive paste and used crushed oyster shells and bones. Ancient Romans added powdered charcoal and aromatic bark to help freshen the breath. The ancient Chinese included salt, herbs including mint, and ginseng into their toothpaste for freshness and to enhance the flavor.
  

• In 1600BC, the ancient Chinese made chewing sticks from twigs taken from aromatic trees. These were used to help freshen the breath. The Chinese also developed the first toothbrush with natural bristles. They attached the bristly hairs from a pig’s neck area to a handle made of bamboo or bone. This Chinese toothbrush design found its way to Europe, where it was altered and adapted to replace the bristles with horsehair or even feathers.

1750-1950

• The first modern toothbrush was invented in 1780 by Englishman William Addis, who came up with the idea while he was in prison. It featured a carved cow bone handle and pig bristles.
  

• The world’s first three-row bristle toothbrush was designed in 1844. 
  

• The earliest modern toothpastes also date to the 1800s. These were tooth powders rather than pastes, and they often contained soap (which was included in toothpaste until 1945). By the 1850s, chalk was incorporated as well. Many English toothpastes of the time featured Betel nut (which had a stimulant effect and several potentially severe side effects including chest pain, kidney disease, cardiac and breathing issues, and oral cancer). 
  

• The first toothpaste in a jar was introduced to the market in the 1850s; it was called Crème Dentrifice. In the 1860s, many people made their own toothpaste at home using ground charcoal. In 1873, Colgate began mass-producing toothpaste in jars; in the 1890s toothpaste was available for purchase in tubes similar to what we use today.
  

• The first toothpaste containing fluoride was introduced in 1914, to help prevent tooth decay (this was many decades before the drinking water supply had fluoride added to it).
  

• Until the 1930s, many of the mass-produced toothbrushes for sale in Europe were imported from China. All toothbrushes used natural bristles (usually Siberian hog hair) until 1938 when Du Pont invented nylon and the Miracle Tuft Toothbrush, a soft-bristled toothbrush went on the market. Even softer synthetic bristles were incorporated into toothbrushes in the 1950s.
  

• From 1945, soap was removed from toothpaste recipes, and it was replaced by other ingredients which enabled the paste to become a smooth emulsion rather than a gritty, powdery product.
  

• Broxodent was the world’s first electric toothbrush to make it onto the US market in 1960, however, the electric toothbrush was originally invented in Europe in 1939.

Modern Day

• Toothpaste formulas have been developed over the last seventy years to address specific dental issues – e.g., formulas for whitening, low-abrasiveness, to target stains or gingivitis, to prevent tartar, plaque, and cavities, and to suit the tastes and needs of children.
  

• Modern toothpastes are made with a wide array of ingredients, including fluoride, flavoring, coloring, sugar-free sweeteners, stabilizing agents, and compounds to ensure the paste remains smooth, moist, and that it foams when used.
  

• Dentists and doctors recommend brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush for two minutes each time. They also advise that toothbrushes be kept at least two meters from the toilet (and be covered or kept in a cabinet if possible) to prevent airborne bacteria spreading to it when the toilet is flushed (lid down, too!).
  

See your dentist every 6 months for a check and professional clean. Explore your options to find the perfect toothbrush and toothpaste to suit your taste and comfort level – and don’t forget to floss!

By Alana Wills on behalf of AdamDental.com.au

Alana Wills is an experienced freelance content writer who works in collaboration with www.adamdental.com.au, a leading online distributor of dental supplies in Australia.