Had an Injury at Work? Here are 5 Steps You Must Take

An injury at work is never something to be ignored. Whether you’ve broken a bone or simply sprained your wrist, you need to make sure you are compensated properly, and your injury is seen to. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having hurt yourself at work, then read on for five steps you should take. 

1: Report the Injury
You must report the accident to your manager or supervisor present at the time as soon as possible. You don’t want to wait too long before you do this, as this could affect any claims you end up making. If your injury doesn’t need urgent medical attention, then try to do this before you get it checked out. 

If you have co-workers around, have them help you and check your injury. Listen to them if they tell you to go to a hospital, as sometimes, the people who aren’t injured know best. You don’t want to make it worse by putting off medical help!

2: Seek Medical Attention
Whether urgent or otherwise, you must see a doctor. First of all, this is to prevent any further damage, and secondly, you will need their notes for any compensation down the line. Make sure you write down everything your doctor says and keep a note of any prescriptions you are given. 

3: Speak to Your Manager
Before making any claims, your manager may offer you compensation. If you think this is fair, then you have the option to settle it between the two of you privately. Make sure they allow you paid time off work if you need time to heal, and don’t feel pressured to accept any offers they may give, especially if it doesn’t cover what you have lost.

4: Contact a Solicitor
Not everyone wants to make a claim after a work-related injury, and that is entirely up to you. It doesn’t hurt to talk to someone, however, so if you’re curious about what you could claim, have a look at a no win no fee solicitors guide. This way, you won’t lose out on any money, but you could find you are owed some.

You should consider filing a claim if your injury is significant enough to impact your work, but you don’t feel you have been compensated fairly. If the injury wasn’t your fault and you have lost money because of it, then it is worth at the very least talking to somebody. 

5: Focus on Yourself
A work-related injury can leave you feeling stressed and worn out. Before any other obligations, you should ensure you are healthy. Don’t overdo it, take time off work, and allow yourself to heal. An injury can impact both your mind and your body, so, no matter what the outcome, allow yourself to de-stress at home.

A work-related injury can knock you backwards and impact your daily life, but these steps will ensure that you will get what you are owed and can rest up peacefully. 

This is a guest blog entry.

New Treatments for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is typically associated with women. However, did you know that men can get it, too? Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of breast tissues and spread locally within the breast. But it can also spread regionally to the surrounding lymph nodes and to other organs, such as the liver, brain, lungs, and bones. 

The first indication that you should see your doctor and get breast cancer screening is when you discover a lump in your breast. However, there are other signs, such as a change in the size or shape of the breast. You may also find swollen, red, or scaly skin, or notice some dimples that resemble orange peel. Changes to the areola and inward-turning nipple may also be signs that you should not ignore.

Your doctor can determine what type of breast cancer you have as a result of the tests given to you. Breast cancer usually starts to grow in the milk-producing glands or in the ducts that carry the milk to the nipple. The growth rate and the way they spread vary.

Several types of breast cancer exist, which are broken into two primary categories: non-invasive (in situ) and invasive, and they are used to describe the most common types of breast cancer. You can know more about breast cancer and other related information by visiting https://belong.life/breast-cancer.

The non-invasive types of cancer are Lobular Carcinoma in situ and Ductal Carcinoma in situ.
On the other hand, there are two invasive types of breast cancer: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.

The newest breast cancer treatments

Right now, new targeted therapies are used for the treatment of breast cancer, which can be used by itself or combined with other therapies. Targeted therapies mean that the treatment directly aims at the cancer cells or the particular processes that promote the growth of cancer cells. Target therapy is increasingly becoming a preferred option because it causes fewer side effects.

• Immunotherapy. Patients are given specific medication to help the immune system recognize and fight the cancer-causing cells.
  

• Poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. This type of treatment blocks the repair process of DNA and may cause the death of cancer cells.
  

•  With this treatment, the protein called mTOR is blocked. Blocking the protein can stop the growth of cancer cells. At the same time, it prevents new blood cells from growing. Tumors need new blood cells for their further growth.
  

• Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. This treatment works by blocking the cyclin-dependent kinases, a group of proteins that contribute to cancer cell growth. Doctors believe that combining hormone therapy with cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors can be effective in advanced breast cancer treatment.
  

• Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Using this treatment helps in blocking the body's signals for the tumors to grow and may be used with other anticancer drugs as ancillary therapy.
  

• Monoclonal antibodies. These are artificial immune systems proteins that are made in the lab for cancer and other diseases. The antibodies kill the cancer cells by attaching to a particular protein on cancer cells. These antibodies are given to a patient through an intravenous drip. They can be used alone or used to carry radioactive materials, toxins, or drugs directly to the cancer cells.
  

See your doctor at the first sign of abnormality you notice to ensure that it is not as debilitating as breast cancer.

Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/SMxzEaidR20

This is a guest blog entry.

Long Term Benefits of Being Healthy

The human body is a wonderful thing, and it is important to keep it in peak condition to give the best chance of living a long and healthy life. Whether through diet controls or even exercise, there are many ways to look after your health and ensure that you are prepared for anything that life can throw at you.
 

Can diet help?

It should not come as any surprise that what you put into your body can substantially affect many facets of your physical health. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet makes it possible to lower the risk of suffering from serious ill health, ranging from heart attacks, strokes, and even diabetes. A healthy diet with a mixture of nuts, fruit, and green tea can stimulate blood flow, strengthening capillaries and arteries. With them being full of Vitamin C, it can also help to improve circulations, helping to stave off some of the key concerns that come with high pressure and heart disease. You can also improve your digestion by eating foods containing high levels of fiber and ginger, as they help regulate your digestive system and prevent your body from bloating as often. Cutting back on salt can help to reduce the strain on your heart as it can lower the risks of high blood pressure, while avoiding high levels of sugar can lower the risks of diabetes and, as such, can decrease your chances of developing glaucoma and visual issues. 

Keeping your eyes healthy

Looking after your eyes is vitally important as it can help to prevent the effects of numerous afflictions, such as short-sightedness, glaucoma, and even cataracts, whereas, for those who already have some form of sight loss, there are many alternatives. Using methods such as Ortho-K, commonly known as corneal reshaping therapy, it is possible to temporarily reshape the corneas using contact lenses worn overnight so that they can refract light and process images properly. Longer-term laser surgery might well be a more viable option to help treat myopia, but for those too nervous or unwilling to undergo the treatment, then there are specially designed lenses to help to at least make life more manageable without the need for glasses. 

Lifestyle

Some health issues might be linked to diet, but some can be directly linked to lifestyle, so exercising regularly can help lower the chances of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. Much like eating healthily, it can stimulate blood flow and circulation to the muscles around the body. As an example, aerobic exercise can help strengthen the lungs and significantly improve oxygen flow, which can improve the strength of your heart and the rest of your body. There is a positive psychological side effect from exercise as it releases endorphins into your bloodstream, which can help combat some of the long-term effects of depression and anxiety, along with any medication or therapy that you regularly have. Meditating is also a good way to destress and give yourself a few minutes thinking space when you need it.

This is a guest blog entry.

What Are The Surprising Benefits of Exercise?

Exercise is good for you. It’s good for everyone. No matter what age you might be, no matter what health conditions you suffer from, no matter what you want to gain – or lose – from exercising, it’s always a good thing, and lack of exercise is going to lead to many different health conditions that can be life-limiting or even fatal. Yet there is much more to exercise than ‘just’ getting (or staying) fit and healthy and losing weight. There are, in fact, some rather surprising benefits to having a good exercise routine in your life; read on to find out what they are, and you might be even more motivated to get fit than ever before.

Stimulates The Brain
Keeping the brain healthy and active is just as important as keeping the body healthy and active. When the brain continues to work well, it is much less likely that someone will develop any cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Even if the condition still occurs, having a stimulated brain can certainly delay its onset.

Strangely, exercise is something that can stimulate the brain. Therefore, the more you exercise, the healthier your brain will become as well as your body. Scientists have discovered that exercise actually changes the brain’s structure, enabling it to stay healthier. As you might expect, there is a lot of research going on in this area right now, and although we don’t have an answer as to exactly why this happens, the point is that it does, and therefore exercise is crucial.

Protects Your Eyesight
Our eyesight is a precious thing; imagine life without being able to see, and you’ll understand just why it’s so important to take care of your eyes and visit an optometrist on a regular basis. Of course, as well as seeing an expert for help, there are some things we can do ourselves to keep our eyes healthy, including using screens less, getting as much natural light as possible, and, surprisingly, exercising more.

Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the chances of developing age-related vision issues, including glaucoma. Although exercise won’t be able to prevent long or short-sighted vision from worsening, being able to prevent glaucoma and similar conditions is certainly a benefit to consider.

Good For Your Skin
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, but a lot of the time, apart from some cleansing and moisturizing, we don’t really do a lot for it. By exercising, you can make your skin glow and look extremely healthy. It’s all down to the amount of oxygen flowing around the body. When you exercise, you are stimulating the blood flow, and more is being pumped through the body, which means that more oxygen is getting to all the parts too.

When this happens, your skin will look much healthier and prevent dullness. Another benefit is that more oxygen promotes faster cell healing, so if you have suffered any injuries, exercise – potentially in moderation depending on the injury itself – can ensure you heal more quickly.

This is a guest blog entry.

Heel Pain Causes and Relief: Myths and Misconceptions

As a podiatrist, I’ve treated people for a wide range of foot pain problems for years. For a large percentage of my patients, pain in the heel and arch is caused by heel spurs. There are a variety of treatment options for heel spurs in Brooklyn, with no single best treatment. I approach each patient’s condition individually, creating a treatment plan tailored to their symptoms and how they respond to each option. There is no golden rule in treatment, so I carefully monitor progress and adjust as needed.

Common Causes of Heel Pain  

There are five common causes of heel pain I see in my practice:

1.    Pronation, or flat feet. This is sometimes referred to as having fallen arches.
2.    Significant weight gain or loss.
3.    Prolonged standing, particularly for repeated periods.
4.    Overuse or overexertion of the heel, which can lead to stress injuries.
5.    Wearing shoes with little or no arch support.

Treatment Options for Heel Pain

Treating heel pain depends on what kind of injury or inflammation is involved, what is causing the discomfort, and how advanced the damage or trauma to the foot is. Each patient’s response to specific therapies also comes into play. Standard treatment options may include steroid injections, wearing orthotics, stretching exercise, radiofrequency nerve ablation, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, using class 4 MLS laser, and, eventually, heel spur excision surgery.

About 25% of individuals suffering from heel pain caused by heel spurs don’t respond to conservative, non-invasive treatments. I often see these patients after they’ve seen another podiatrist and have been disappointed in the results. Injections, physical therapy, and orthotics have had disappointing results, and they are frustrated and tired. Many of them have been given misinformation based on myths and misconceptions.

Common Myths and Misconceptions Regarding Heel Spur Treatment

Patients often ask questions based on information that is outdated or inaccurate. I’ve outlined the most common questions here, including my response to them, to help clear up some of the misconceptions people have about heel pain relief:

1. Is it true that I have to be treated for heel spurs conservatively for at least six months before I can have surgery?

Answer: No. Although conservative treatment may be initially recommended, there is no justification for six months of suffering.

2. Is it true that I won’t be able to walk after heel spur surgery?

Answer: No. How quickly you will be able to walk depends mainly on the procedure your surgeon chooses. After calcaneal osteotomy, you will not put weight on your foot for some time. On the other hand, after percutaneous heel spur excision, you will be able to walk almost immediately.

I personally prefer performing percutaneous heel spur excision with plantar fasciotomy so that my patients can recover quickly and get back to their everyday routines. Using fluoroscopy to pinpoint the heel spur ensures the procedure is safe, simple, and effective and allows the individual to walk normally right away.

3. What is the healing time for heel spur surgery?

Answer: Depending on the procedure, anywhere from ten days to six weeks.

4. Can you guarantee that the heel pain will go away?

Answer: No. Any surgeon who guarantees heel pain relief isn’t being honest. Although most of my patients obtain full or dramatic pain relief, a small percentage will continue to feel some pain. This is usually related to a different underlying issue such as local tissue inflammation caused by the surgery, scar tissue, cuboid syndrome (pain on the lateral side of the foot), or chronic pain not related to the heel spur.

Overall, conservative and surgical treatments of chronic pain caused by heel spurs effectively reduce or eliminate discomfort. If you have additional questions or concerns, I will be happy to discuss your heel spur treatment options.  

This is a guest blog entry.

Locum Tenens in Medical Recruitment Is Booming

The locum tenens sector is booming as today's healthcare environment is extremely dynamic and demand is growing for those medical professionals who can fill short-term temporary positions to meet growing patient needs.

The term locum tenens is Latin and means "replacement" and refers to a doctor who has a temporary position in a medical institution or practice. Many doctors have temporary jobs in medical facilities or practices. 

Locum Physicians

A locum doctor is one of the most common types of substitute physicians in the United States. Statistics vary on how many doctors work in each hospital, but in most hospitals, 50 to 80 can work temporarily there as locums. These doctors are called independent doctors because they work as long as they want, whether they have a full-time job or a temporary job in a hospital, practice, or hospital.

Recruiting Locums

There are numerous locum tenens agencies that can put doctors in different positions and offer payments necessary for insurance and medical errors, which can reduce costs. Many doctors get their temporary jobs through these agencies or a physician recruiter. 

Some agencies also help locums find a place to live in an area where they have a temporary job. If the job is in the country where the doctor is trained, no additional training is required and temporary work can allow them to travel throughout the country in many cases. If they are in an area that they like, they may look for a permanent job there eventually, but if there is an appealing job in another country, they may look elsewhere.

GP Practices

Smaller GP practices sometimes employ a senior doctor to fill the hours that the practice can't provide service to its patients. Otherwise, the practice may not open for business. For example, the only regular doctor available is on vacation or attending a medical conference.

If the doctor wants to take leave from the small practice, whether for a few days or weeks, they can get a locum act as a 'stand-in' doctor. Employing a locum doctor and agreeing to work regularly with the replacement doctor means that patients who need medical help at all times do not have to find a doctor elsewhere. 

Patient Care And Billing

While it is beneficial to have GPs who can deal with emergencies when there are no regular doctors available, some patients complain that problems arise. There is little continuity in care, as people rarely see a doctor often, and billing in hospitals can lead to insurance-related problems since locum doctors typically have contracts with insurance companies. 

One way to solve this problem is by providing all the necessary information to medical professionals through the introduction of electronic recording methods. The billing of hospitals by locums can be done separately or using the same system in some cases without causing problems for the patient or the hospital.

The best scenario for superior patient care is that a highly qualified physician is always on site. When a doctor treats a patient, they can rely on patient data and have access to previous medical records. If these programs are available, the hospital and the doctor's office must ensure that only authorized individuals access them.

Planning For A Locum

If a medical professional works as a locum, the work is normally done using the healthcare facility's equipment, laboratory services, etc. Some doctors and veterinarians in small communities take precautions to ensure that everyone has access to the resources needed to ensure that community health care is always available in their absence. The replacement doctor must be able to provide the standard of care that a regular doctor provides, as well as the same level of quality care as the patient's regular doctor.

Contractual Obligations

The exact details of the locum work are usually set out in the contract, where fees and hourly wages are discussed, as well as a clause that allows the doctor to leave the work if they must, for whatever reason. For both the locum doctor and health facility hiring them, it is important to read the contract carefully to ensure that all conditions are fully understood. Considerations include who is responsible for insuring medical errors, what type of hours of work to expect, whether the doctor is paid directly or through an agency, and how long the work will last.

Patients And Locums

Patients may have some reservations about locum doctors, as they normally make special arrangements with their doctor about paying or screening. When patients have a stable relationship with a doctor, they may feel uncomfortable with a replacement. But they should remember that the temporary doctors have the same professional capacity as their regular doctors. 

A Flexible Career Choice For Medical Professionals

The work of a locum medical professional is interesting because it exposes doctors and nurses to all kinds of people, clinical environments, and places of work. It is a good way to gain experience quickly.

This is a guest blog entry.

Here’s All You Need to Know about Adaptogens

It’s a word you hear a lot nowadays – in blog posts, on health websites and in common conversation – but what exactly is an adaptogen? 

While the term may be buzzy right now, it’s actually been in the medical field for over 70 years, and the herbal medicines to which it refers have been used by people for millennia. If you’re feeling out of the loop, don’t fret. This article will offer basic information about this hot new class of medicine.  
 

What Exactly Is an Adaptogen?
 

In 1947, a scientist and toxicologist named N. V. Lazarev sensed a renewed interest in traditional medicinal practices, and decided to try and classify one such group that he saw as helping reduce stress and promote homeostasis. He coined the term adaptogen, which scientists and traditional medicine practitioners still use to this day.
 

The definition of adaptogen hasn’t changed much over the years. It still refers to non-toxic plants that are used to help the body resist a variety of stressors, including chemical, physical and biological stress. 

They have enjoyed a recent surge in popularity with people looking for natural ways to center themselves.
 

What Are Some Examples of Well-Known Adaptogens?
 

Some adaptogens you’ve probably already heard of, like ginseng. Others, which have been popular in places like East Asia for centuries, are only now making their way into the western mainstream. If you’re interested in the calming, centering effects of natural adaptogens, here are a few to look out for.
 

Chaga
 

Chaga is a large coal-like fungi that grows on birch trees. It has been used by several cultures – North American Indigenous cultures, Russians and East Asians, to name a few – to help with several ailments. You can order chaga powder online – it comes in pre-portioned packets that you can add to hot water, coffee or smoothies.
 

Siberian Ginseng
 

Siberian ginseng, also known as Eleuthero root, is a rich source of polysaccharides – long chain polymeric carbohydrates that support your body’s natural immune defenses. It can also help you relieve stress. Sometimes powdered and paired with chaga (see above), the two make a potent adaptogen.  
 

Reishi
 

Another type of fungi, Reishi has been revered in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It is known specifically as a calming adaptogen. Like chaga and Siberian ginseng, Reishi is popularly enjoyed in beverage form, mixed into liquid.
 

Ashwagandha
 

Ashwaganda is a member of the nightshade family and has been a staple of Indian medicine for over 3,000 years. It has a pungent, barn-like aroma, and has been studied for its potential anti-cancer, cortisol reduction and anti-stress properties.
 

Have There Been Studies?
 

There have been numerous studies on the efficacy and nutritional value of various adaptogens. One influential overview cites several benefits, like immune system regulation, nervous system improvement and anti-fatigue effects. As scientific interest in adaptogens continues to gain momentum, expect to see more studies, more headlines and more dialogue surrounding these calming plants.
 

Hopefully this article has helped demystify adaptogens. Ultimately, it’s a scientific word for a very straightforward concept: plants, used for ages in traditional medicine, that can reduce stress and benefit the body in several ways.

This is a guest blog entry