Get A Man To The Doctor For A Physical Exam

Due to many decades of social conditioning men are taught to be "tough" and "not complain" and this "old school way of thinking' has caused many males to suffer from poor health and devastating illnesses and diseases that could have been treated and even cured if they had gone to visit their doctor at the beginning. Many men are reluctant to go for regular physical examinations for screening tests, like testicular or prostate cancer tests, because of fear, ignorance, social conditioning, and even, denial of their conditions (which is also seen in women)until it has become symptomatic. Research and data has shown that men who think they're too "macho" to seek medical help could end up making more trips to the doctor's office in the long run and might need medical attention for a longer period of time. Alot of men still seem reluctant to go to the doctor. Fortunately, this has been gradually changing as we learn more about health risks and family histories. Chronic problems, like, cardiovascular diseases, strokes, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol are detected early in men who see their physicians for regular checkups or minor illnesses.

This article will show some ways to get a man to visit the doctor for regular physical examinations and check ups.

Instructions

1. Since most of human behaviors is due to conditioning and habits the first thing to address is to change the way a man think and how he would deal with issues of his health and visiting the doctor. Education is important. We can de-condition our thought patterns and change and modify them by re-education. Make him do some research and read up on men's health issues and encourage him to become PROACTIVE about his own health and quality of life. Nowadays with the vast resources out their on the internet you can access an array of medical and health information just by clicking a button on the computer. So there is no excuse. Remember, knowledge is power and one can makes choices about how they want to live their lives..but it is not always about quantity ... more importantly, is should be about the quality of life.

2. There is a popular saying that states "a picture says a million words" so use images and pictures of diseases and chronic medical conditions to show him how he could end up if he does not visit the doctor for preventative health screening. This should be a strong motivator to anyone especially images of gross organ pathologies from cadavers and deceased patients. These can be easily accessed on the internet at most medical or health sites.

3. Fear is always at the based of most behaviors of denial or avoidance of the issue or problem at hand. Most men have the fear of seeing the doctor of regular check up for male problems because of fear or ignorance of what is expected in the visit. For example, most men, especially, the younger generation of males, do not know what is involved in the digital rectal exam (DRE) which is an important test to perform by the doctor to screen or prevent prostate cancer. One way to help the man overcome this fear is to educate him on a step by step process of this procedure. There are many online sites that have videos on how the procedure is performed or you can purchase DVD at the local medical school stores or medical libraries. Also, books are available which will demonstrate in detail how it is performed in he doctor's office.

4. To make it more personal and emphasize the point about how important the doctor's visit is to you both then maybe you can make and send him a postcard. Most doctors sent out monthly or quarterly postcards to remind their patients of the next visit but these are usually too impersonal and are thrown away by the man. Making one by hand will demonstrate your concern and care for him and how much you love him. Paste photos of people he cares about, especially if there are children in the family, on one side to remind him why he needs to take good care of himself. On the other side, let him know he's due for an appointment with the doctor

5. Make arrangements for the doctor's visit to be part of a day's excursion and a day trip. For example, include a lunch or dinner plans before or after the visit so that it will also be fun day and not just another 'do I have to" trip to the doctor. Taking a long stroll at the beach or park and sending some quality time together will also help relax and reduce anxiety for the man before the check up .

6. If you have young boys in the family then you can make a point of telling the man(father)that he should be a role model for his son and he should learn become knowledgeable and proficient at performing home screening self exams , like self testicular exam and the self skin exam, on a regular basis and then teach his son the importance of these tests and perform them as well. The doctor will demonstrate the correct techniques required to perform these exams properly.

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Symptoms Caused By High Prolactin Levels In Females

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located in the brain. Levels of prolactin are normally increased in pregnant or breast-feeding women. The few symptoms of high prolactin levels in females are listed below.

Infertility

Increased prolactin levels can cause problems with fertility. Infertility is the inability to become pregnant after one year of unprotected intercourse.

Galactorrhea

Galactorrhea is milk production in a woman who is not pregnant and not breast-feeding.

Menstrual Periods

Menstrual periods can be absent or irregular due to high prolactin levels.

Testing

Lab work is obtained by drawing blood from a vein in your arm. The normal prolactin level in a non-pregnant woman is below 25 ng/mL or 25 mcg/L.

Causes

Some causes of high prolactin levels are a pituitary gland tumor, pregnancy, kidney disease, hypothyroidism or liver disease. The cause can also be unknown.

Warning

The information in this article is for education purposes only and is not intended to diagnose. If you suspect you have symptoms of high prolactin levels, please contact your physician for further advice and treatment.

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Take Dental Xrays

Dental X-rays are a routine part of any dental examination. Dental assistants must learn the proper procedure to ensure that patients receive the services needed. Taking a dental X-ray requires only a few important steps.

Instructions

1. Have the patient remove all jewelry that is worn from the neck up. Ask the patient if they are pregnant, and if they have a partial denture in their mouth. Do not administer the X-ray if the patient is pregnant. If a partial denture is present, remove it from the patient's mouth.

2. Place the X-ray shield over the patient. The shield protects from the X-ray radiation. Adjust the X-ray machine to the patient's height, so the patient's chin is level with the bite plate. Ask the patient to rest his chin on the machine and bite on the mouthpiece with his front teeth. Ask the patient to close his lips tightly together.

3. Press the appropriate button (adult or child) for the X-ray patient. This will determine the size of the X-ray. Then, press "ready." The X-ray machine will then take an X-ray. Rotate the machine around the patient's head then remove the shield from the patient. Return the machine to its original position.

4. Locate the X-ray image. This will come out of a compartment that is attached to the machine. Take the X-ray to the dark room and remove it from its case. Place the image inside of an X-ray jacket and place it in the developer. Secure it so the X-ray can be processed. This takes approximately three minutes.

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The Definition Of The Nurse Training Act Of 1964

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Nurse Training Act of 1964 into law. The act provided immediate assistance to everyone in the nursing field, including potential nurses and schools specializing in nursing. The act also appropriated funds of $300 million for nursing education, with $35 million designated specifically for collegiate training.

The Effect of the Act

According to the book "Foundations of Nursing," the act helped revive interest in nursing and instituted higher standards for nursing schools and colleges with nursing curriculums. As a result of the act, students interested in nursing were received grants to attend qualified schools. This led to increased demand of nursing programs and resulted in many new nursing graduate schools, including doctoral nursing programs.

Nursing

According to the book "Strategic Analysis for Hospital Management," historically, hospitals have underutilized nurses because of budgeting problems. Hospitals, in general, prefer to spend money on doctors and newer equipment rather than on qualified nurses. This results in nurses primarily hired to manage assistive personnel. The assistive personnel then performs nurse job functions without the nursing qualifications. The complexity of modern medicine requires nurses qualified to manage patients with special needs. Congress passed the Nurse Training Act of 1964 in an attempt to provide adequate staffing for all hospitals.

Early Nursing

Historically, males dominated the nursing field. It was not until Florence Nightingale that people started to accept women as nurses. Nursing training was very limited. Only a handful of qualified nursing schools existed, including Nightingale's Training School for Nurses, established in 1860. Training for nurses eventually moved to hospitals, where upon completion of a nursing program nurses performed mostly nonmedical tasks in the hospital. It was not until the 1940s that nurses received specialized training in all areas of medicine.

Nursing Today

Today nursing has become a highly specialized and skilled field. Many of the advancements in the nursing filed are a direct result of educational opportunities made available through the Nurse Training Act of 1964. The field of medicine continues to grow more complex, and specialized nurses are in high demand. Because of this act, there are now more schools in more states than ever before.

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Side Effects Of Contraception

Contraception is a safe method of birth control for women. However, whether taking a pill, using a IUD or a diaphragm, using a patch or receiving a Depo-Provera shot, users should be aware of the potential side effects.

Types of Contraceptives

Contraception can be swallowed in pill form, inserted in IUD/diaphragm form, received in a patch or endured through a shot. Some popular birth control brands include Seasonique, Yaz, Yasmine and Loestrin 24 Fe. Birth control pills come in different durations, including 28-day pills, such as Yaz and Loestrin, which contain 24 days of hormones and four days of placebo pills. Due to the artificial hormones, all of these pills may cause side effects. For those first using hormones, breakthrough bleeding is a major side effect. This can occur for several months after beginning to take birth control.

Function

Birth control is responsible for mimicking the hormones that the body produces by providing artificial hormones (estrogen and progestin). This helps to suppress ovulation in women. The hormones also increase and thicken the cervix mucus, which also helps protect against sperm. This is a major reason why fertilization of the egg does not occur with the use of contraceptives.

Features

While all contraceptives have some type of side effects, others have long-lasting effects that make the negative effects worth the trouble. Birth control pills, such as Yaz, are used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD) and acne. This is the first pill used to treat the symptoms of PMS and mood swings in women.

Misconceptions

Many using birth control believe that the use of the pill protects them from STDs. However, for full protection it is imperative that a condom is used in conjunction with birth control pills, IUDs, patches or a shot. Condoms are the only protection against direct contact and bacteria that may result in HPV and HIV. Even then, condoms do not offer 100 percent protection.

Warning

It is important to note that if breakthrough bleeding continues for several months, to consult your OB/GYN. Spotting is normal for the first three months, but if bleeding persists heavily for more than a week afterward, hemorrhaging can result. Consult a doctor right away.

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Tips For Splitfinger Fastballs

A split-fingered fastball requires a consistent grip on the outside of the seams to be effective.

A split-fingered fastball, also known as a "splitter," is one of the more difficult pitches to throw well, in addition to being one of the faster pitches in a pitcher's arsenal. However, it can be especially effective because it has the same spin as a traditional fastball, and it starts out with the same velocity. A good splitter will lose some velocity and drop in the strike zone as it approaches home plate, making it more difficult to hit.

Basic Grip

Just as the name implies, a split-fingered fastball is thrown with the forefinger and middle finger spread outside the "horseshoe seam" of the baseball. A pitcher needs large hands and the ability to throw the ball hard with the forefinger and middle finger spread out on either side of the baseball. Keep the palm side of your hand aimed toward the hitter, and your wrist stiff.

Mix Up Your Pitches

Throwing a splitter can put more stress on your wrist, forearm and throwing fingers than many other types of pitches. That stress can mean a loss in velocity on your split-fingered fastball, which in turn can make the pitch easier to hit. If you combine the splitter with a variety of other pitches, you can keep hitters off-balance and take some stress off your pitching arm and hand.

The Release

Throwing the splitter should be done with the same mechanics as a traditional fastball, but at the moment of release, you should flick your wrist downward. You can also try throwing it with your wrist stiffened. Experiment to see which approach gives you the best control and the most effective pitches. A downward flick of the wrist can provide more backspin, but you should try out different releases to see which one lets you throw strikes that dart down and away from hitters.

Follow-Through

Once you work out your release of the splitter, work on finishing the same way you would with a normal fastball. End your pitch with a flat back and let your arm follow through as it would with any other pitch. This is a pitch that requires practice, as well as a mature and developed pitching arm. Younger kids shouldn't try throwing a split-fingered fastball until they reach their late teens.

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Famous Tb Sanatoriums

Sanatoriums were erected to give people suffering from tuberculosis somewhere to recover.

In the mid-1800s, tuberculosis had become one of the most wide-spread and deadly diseases. Because there was no cure, sanatoriums were erected across Europe and the America's to combat the disease--not by curing it, but by helping the patients live as healthfully as possible. Some recovered in time, and although they still carried the disease, they were healthy enough to work and survive. Many others were less fortunate, either dying from the disease or suffering from poor health for the rest of their lives.

Brehmerschen Heilanstalt fur Lungenkranke

The first sanatorium was opened by Hermann Brehmer in 1863 in Silesia. The ideas and approach he set forth his Brehmerschen Heilanstalt fur Lungenkranke would influence the hundreds of sanatoriums later developed. At the heart of its philosophy was the idea that people could recover with adequate nutrition, bed rest, and high-altitude air--away from the coal burning smog of major urban centers. Like many other effective sanatoriums, Brehmerschen Heilanstalt fur Lungenkranke catered to society's elite, as the poor could not afford the good food and medical attention of the sanatorium's staff.

The Adirondack Cottage Sanatorium

The first sanatorium established in the United States was The Adirondack Cottage. Compared to the massive hospitals of Europe, The Adirondack Cottage was just a quaint set of houses in a remote part of New York state. Also unlike the sanatoriums of Europe, The Adirondack Cottage was specifically intended for the working poor. Although other sanatoriums would later be erected for the poor, they were notoriously over-crowded and poorly staffed. Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau, the founder of The Adirondack Cottage, was personally affected by tuberculosis when he was younger and felt the need for quality care. When reports of other sanatoriums neglecting their patients began to surface, he conducted a series of experiments showing how the disease was most deadly in poor conditions. Patients given quality care were far more likely to recover.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Waverly Hills Sanatorium was precisely the type of sanatorium Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau detested. Overcrowded, poorly maintained, and operating under inhumane policies, The Waverly Hills Sanatorium became a place of mass-death rather than recovery. Built in Louisville, Kentucky in 1924, it operated for nearly 60 years and saw the deaths of hundreds of patients. Since its closure, it has become a refuge for the homeless, as well as the site of a fabled haunting. Much of its current fame resides in the tales of phantasms pacing the hallways and of horrific voices being heard in Room 502.

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Requirements To Be A Medical Technician In Georgia

A medical technician must obtain certain certificates and licenses in order to work legally in the US.

A medical technician assists physicians by running medical tests on patients as well as helping discover and diagnose medical ailments. In the state of Georgia a medical technician must fulfill certain requirements in order to be licensed. As of April 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment in the medical technician field to grow faster than the average for all occupations.

Education

Usually in order to get a job as a medical technician in Georgia, the candidate must have completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the life sciences. However, in certain cases the candidate might be able to combine education with on-the-job training. These programs are usually offered through universities and hospitals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "medical and clinical laboratory technicians generally have either an associate's degree from a community or junior college or a certificate from a hospital, a vocational or technical school or the Armed Forces. A few technicians learn their skills on the job." In Georgia an Associate of Science degree from an accredited college plus one year of supervised clinical experience is required.

Certification

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most employers prefer applicants to be certified by a professional association such as the American Medical Technologists, the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel or the Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts. To work in Georgia as a medical technician you must be certified by the American Medical Technologists or an equivalent organization. In order to be certified you must hold an associate's degree in medical technology or its equivalent and must be a graduate of a medical laboratory school.

Other Skills

A candidate for a career in medical technology must also have strong analytical skills and be able to work under pressure. You must be good at problem solving and paying close attention to details. This is essential because a small mistake in the laboratory could have a crucial impact on your results. Other important skills include strong computer skills and color vision.

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Define Allied Health

In recent decades, with the emergence of more sophisticated methods of medical diagnosis and treatment procedures, there has been a growing demand for experts trained in specialized fields of medical care to deliver health care services to the public. Most of the professionals who work in the field of health care are not doctors or nurses, but are other highly trained specialists. Yet public awareness of who allied health workers are and what they do remains unclear. Health care consumers can better define the meaning of allied health by judging several crucial factors.

Instructions

1. Identify categories of allied health professionals. The fundamental groups of health care professionals include doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. Numerous types of health care occupations, careers, and professions fall within the allied health category (see Resources below). According to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), occupations in the health care industry continue to be the fastest growing segment of the nation's job market. The trend is expected to continue as the U.S. population ages.

2. Consider the contributions that allied health professionals and the services they provide make to health care. Distinguish non-physician allied health professionals from those professionals who practice medicine, nursing, podiatry and dentistry. Health care workers who are not doctors or nurses are members of the allied health profession. Medical technicians or technologists and clinical rehabilitation therapists are examples of allied health workers. Allied health professionals are highly skilled health care workers, many of whom are clinical personnel who are specialists in their fields. Like other professionals, allied health workers are required to meet training and educational standards, in addition to obtaining state and/or national certification and accreditation, licensure, and continuing education credits. The accreditation processes set the professional standards for workers in the various fields of allied health. The goal of these standards is to improve the quality of patient care by assuring that allied health professionals are competent and qualified in their specific areas of expertise.

3. Determine whether a particular field of allied health focuses on patient care specialty areas not related to physicians or nursing. Even without being a doctor or nurse, allied health professionals are able to deliver high quality patient care services that provide for the prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries, the goal being to keep people healthy.

4. Establish whether the professionals working in an area of allied health provide direct patient care. Allied health professionals assist other health care professionals in the assessment and treatment of disease processes. Positions in the allied health industry require professionals who are trained and qualified to provide a range of diagnostic, therapeutic, technical, rehabilitative, and other support services as they work with others as part of a health care team.

5. Find out if the field hires qualified allied health professionals to practice their professions. In many situations, allied health professionals are now responsible for performing their services independently with minimal or no supervision by a physician. But allied health workers also function as part of a health care team, and therefore, must cooperate with other medical professionals in providing care to patients. Effective health care services involve collaboration between allied health professionals and a patient's attending physician. Allied health workers keep clinicians informed about a patient's progress and response to treatment. Just the same as in other professions, the occupations that make up the field of allied health require that professionals comply with the restrictions and regulatory statutes imposed by their particular licensing body.

Tags: allied health, health professionals, allied health professionals, health care, allied health, health workers

Healthcare Diets

Chonic illness and disease can be avoided by eating a health-care diet.

When people think of diets, they often think only of losing weight. Your diet, though, is everything you eat and constantly affects your overall health. Creating a diet for specific health-care purposes helps you manage chronic diseases and, in some cases, reverse the damage the disease has caused. Your food choices can reduce pain, make you stronger, change your body chemistry and help you feel better overall. Based on research by doctors and nutritionists, health-care diets might be the key to preventing and curing illness.

High Blood Pressure

People who suffer from high blood pressure, also called hypertension, benefit from eating the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. The diet was proven effective for reducing hypertension and prehypertension in studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health. It is a low-sodium eating plan that includes a lot of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as low- and non-fat dairy. Though the diet is designed to reduce sodium levels and, therefore, decrease blood pressure, it is a healthy way of eating that benefits people of all ages and levels of health.

Type 2 Diabetes

Medical nutrition therapy, sometimes referred to as the diabetes diet, is a plan for replacing high-carbohydrate and high-sugar foods with nutrient-dense, lower-calorie options. The diet is not restrictive; instead, it aims to satisfy hunger with vegetables, fruits and whole grains, so the desire to eat unhealthy foods is quelled. Excess calories and fat create elevated glucose, or blood sugar, levels in your body, leading to a variety of chronic complications. The goal of the diabetes diet is to control glucose levels and to maintain or return to a healthy weight. The diabetes diet includes foods that are rich in fiber, fish, healthy carbohydrates such as whole grains and healthy fats such as nuts and olive oil. People following the diabetes diet should avoid high-fat dairy products, hot dogs, bacon, margarine, processed snacks and organ meat.

High Cholesterol

People diagnosed with high cholesterol benefit from the American Heart Association's healthy eating plan. This includes six ounces or less of lean meat, poultry, seafood or fish each day. The healthiest choices include lean cuts of meat, preferably chicken or turkey, chuck sirloin or lean beef and little to no processed meats like salami, bologna and sausage. Preparation is important, too. The American Heart Association suggest broiling instead of pan- or deep-frying, draining the meat after cooking to remove excess fat and removing the skin from poultry prior to cooking.

Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is considered a major risk factor for diseases such as heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. If inflammation is left untreated, it causes damage to the body and eventually leads to illness. Inflammation is caused by exposure to toxins, stress, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition and an unhealthy diet. The anti-inflammatory diet includes healthy foods that reduce inflammation and provide energy, minerals, dietary fiber, vitamins, phytonutrients and essential fatty acids. Phytonutrients are plant materials necessary for sustaining life that contain protective, disease-preventing compounds. The diet should include a variety of fresh, healthy foods, eliminating as many processed products as possible. Menus should include fruits and vegetables, healthy carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, beans and whole grains, healthy fats such as fish and olive oil, and foods high in phytonutrients like mushrooms, dark leafy greens, soy, green, white or oolong tea and moderate amounts of dark chocolate.

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Advantages Of An Oncologist

Oncologists work with cancer patients.

A career as an oncologist might seem like a difficult one. Oncologists work with cancer patients with uncertain futures and individuals dealing with a terminal illness and facing serious health care decisions. However, oncologists can find much reward in their work, and there are several advantages to being an oncologist.

Salary

A generous salary is one advantage of being an oncologist. Oncologists spend years in school, from undergraduate school to medical school to their residency, to prepare for a career in medicine. They are rewarded with high-paying salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary for a physician was $180,870 as of May 2010. More specifically, Salary.com reports an average annual salary of $257,918 for an oncologist as of 2011. These six-figure salaries are appealing to aspiring oncologists.

Research Opportunities

Many doctors hope to research as they treat patients, and the field of oncology presents a variety of research opportunities. Oncologists are in the forefront to identify life-saving treatments for cancer patients -- and possibly even a cure for cancer. They might oversee clinical trials with new drugs that can help patients manage or eliminate their symptoms. Oncologists can compose articles for journals such as the "Journal of Clinical Oncology" to publish and distribute their findings.

Ability to Help

Oncologists work with patients facing the most serious of ailments: cancer. As such, they have the opportunity to help these patients deal with their diagnoses, make important, life-changing treatment decisions and cope with their disease. This work can be rewarding for oncologists as they feel they are helping those patients who truly need them. Helping a patient beat cancer can be an exhilarating experience for an oncologist and one that inspires her to maintain a commitment to her profession.

Diversity of Tasks

No day is alike for an oncologist. Every patient is different, facing a different form of the disease, often at a different stage. Thus, oncologists are constantly challenged to handle multiple tasks with multiple patients on any given day. This challenge can be enjoyable for the doctor who does not like monotony. Assessing each patient's health and making individualized treatment decisions challenges the oncologist to use his wealth of knowledge about the disease. Such work can be satisfying.

Tags: cancer patients, Oncologists work, Oncologists work with, work with, being oncologist, treatment decisions

The Purpose Of An Hmo

Doctor examining a patient

When President Nixon signed the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Act of 1973, significant changes were made to the way Americans received and paid for health care services. The authorization of HMOs strengthened efforts to manage health care costs by mandating preventive health measures, and managing how patients received services from high-cost medical specialists.

History

Health care organizations that are recognizable as HMOs have been in existence since 1930. Henry Kaiser began the first significant effort at providing managed health care for his employees. This organization became the HMO Kaiser Permanente. According to a dissertation developed for the Rand Corporation, "When Kaiser moved to Hawaii in 1954, Kaiser Permanente came with him and eventually became the 2nd largest health insurer in that state." The success of Kaiser Permanente led to the passage of the HMO Act of 1973.

Purpose

HMOs are designed to provide quality health care to its members and at the same time control costs. HMOs focus on preventive health care services that are intended to prevent or reduce major illnesses that drive up medical costs. Consistent management of health care services enables HMO leadership to extend medical care to a growing membership and still make a profit for the organization. Non-profit HMOs are able to provide health care at an even lower monthly premium.

Function

There are three design functions that are primarily responsible for the cost savings inherent to HMOs. Members are required to receive basic medical care from an assigned primary care physician. Secondly, if your medical problem needs to be addressed by a specialist, you will need to receive a referral from your primary care physician. The third requirement is that you must seek authorization from the HMO to be admitted to the hospital for surgery or other high-cost procedures. The authorization requirement can be waived for necessary emergency care.

Benefits for providers

Doctors in private practice experience significant costs maintaining an office, paying for staff, and purchasing supplies and medical equipment. The distractions of managing the business side of a medical office detract from the responsibility of meeting the medical needs of patients. A physician aligned with an HMO receives assistance with these business responsibilities, freeing up valuable time for meeting the needs of patients. The focus on managed care allows physicians to have the resources to provide preventive care to patients.

Considerations

Patients new to managed care must learn work with a primary care physician to gain access to all of the medical services available within the HMO. Physicians must learn work within the framework of cost-containment procedures to provide patients the highest-quality care possible. Physicians, patients, and management must find ways to foster the patient-to-doctor relationship that is the foundation of the American health care system.

Tags: health care, care physician, care services, health care services, Kaiser Permanente

Breast Cancer And Breast Pain

Even though women are far more likely to contract breast cancer, it affects both men and women. Thus, it is important for both sexes to be well-versed in the "tells" of this particular cancer. Understanding the potential symptoms--such as the link between cancer and breast pain--can allow you to catch breast cancer early before it has a chance to spread.

Breast Cancer

According to Medline Plus, breast cancer will affect one of every eight women, on average. Breast cancer can begin anywhere in the breast, but the most common locations of its origin are in the lobules (the glands which produce milk) or in the ducts which transport milk from the lobules to the nipple. Women are 100 times more likely than men to suffer from breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Symptoms

Early breast cancer usually presents few symptoms. These include alterations in the characteristics of the breast (size, shape or coloration), pus-like discharge from the nipple or a lump in the breast or surrounding area of the armpit. More advanced breast cancer presents additional symptoms, such as swelling of the arm near the affected breast, unexpected weight loss and localized breast pain.

Isolated Breast Pain

According to information from eMedicineHealth.com, isolated breast pain (breast pain without any other symptoms) is very rarely related to cancer. Other more likely causes of breast pain in this scenario would be injury, infection or just normal fluctuations in hormone levels that trigger some slight level of discomfort.

Conjunctive Symptoms

According to information from Merck.com, breast pain is the first symptom of breast cancer in only five percent of cases. This means that there is rarely cause for worry unless your pain is present in conjunction with one of the basic symptoms of breast cancer listed above, such as alterations to the breast, discharge from the nipple or the presence of a lump.

Considerations

It is difficult to be too proactive when it comes to detecting cancer early, so the best step to take if you are experiencing breast pain is to conduct a self-exam to check for a lump or other early warning signs of cancer. If you are unsatisfied or unsure of your ability to properly conduct a self-exam, rely on your physician to provide a more definitive answer. Remember that detecting cancer early is one of the crucial steps to effective treatment, so do not feel embarrassed about scheduling an appointment with your doctor for localized breast pain.

Tags: breast cancer, breast pain, cancer early, more likely, According information, According information from, breast cancer

Compare Car Insurance Rates In New Jersey

Under New Jersey law all vehicles registered in the state must have some form of auto insurance. New Jersey drivers can choose between a basic policy, which offers minimum coverage, and a standard policy, which allows individuals to select from different coverage options and the opportunity to buy additional protection. Once you know what type of insurance policy is best suited to your needs, you can compare New Jersey car insurance rates from a variety of insurance carriers that offer similar policies.

Instructions

1. Assess which policy coverage is right for you. If you own a home, can claim dependents in your household and have significant personal assets such as real estate, stocks, bonds and other investments, consider a standard policy coverage. If you do not have any dependents and few assets you might want to consider a basic policy.

2. Prepare a preliminary coverage report best suited to your policy. You will need to provide the make, model, year, average annual miles, principal owner of vehicle to be insured, all other drivers covered under the policy and any accidents or moving violations you've had for the prior three years.

If you are seeking rate comparisons for a basic policy, decide how much coverage you want in the areas of property damage liability, bodily injury liability, personal injury protection (PIP), comprehensive collision and the type of lawsuit coverage. If you are seeking rate comparisons for a standard policy, decide how much coverage you want in the areas of bodily injury and property damage, health care primary option for PIP, PIP medical expense limit, PIP deductible amount, uninsured and under insured motorist coverage, comprehensive collision and lawsuit liability option.

3. Contact at least four or more insurance providers authorized to do business in New Jersey to request a quote for an insurance policy based on your preliminary coverage report. Start your search for insurance providers by visiting the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance website to review their online directory of authorized auto insurance providers (see Resources).

4. Prepare a list ranking the insurance policy quotes you received. Rank the insurance quotes from highest to lowest or from lowest to highest.

5. Compare the insurance quotes on your list. For instance, if you are seeking a basic policy and you received a high quote of $1,100 and a low quote of $900 you might want to consider purchasing the $900 policy. Include in your comparison the insurance provider's most recent complaint ratio. Ratios below one are perceived as better, whereas ratios above one are considered unfavorable. The ratio measures the insurance provider's responsiveness and handling of customer-related complaints in violation of state law. View a copy of this report online at the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance website.

Tags: basic policy, insurance policy, insurance providers, standard policy, auto insurance

The Benefits Of Xrays

The Benefits of X-Rays

People are often concerned with the risks involved with getting X-rays. However, it has been proven that the benefits of receiving X-rays outweigh the risks. One X-ray can pin point a medical problem that otherwise may be missed or ignored by the human eye.

Definition

An X-ray uses electromagnetic radiation to take photo like images of different areas of the human body. It is a painless test used by medical professionals to help diagnose and treat a wide range of medical problems. The type of X-ray used is dependent upon what part of your body the doctor will be X-raying and the purpose for the X-ray.

Plain Radiography X-Rays

Plain radiography is the basic and most used type of X-ray. During this process, an X-ray machine is placed in front of the patient's body or area that needs to be X-rayed, then a recording plate is put behind the area of the body that is being X-rayed. The X-ray machine lets off radiation that captures a picture like image onto the recording plate.

Computed Technology X-Rays

Computed technology (CT) X-rays requires a patient to lie on a sliding table, the CT scanner then begins to move slowly through a circular rim and X-rays begin to be delivered in several directions. A computer then combines each of the pictures received and puts them together a two-dimensional photo of the patient's body.

Painless Procedure

Either procedure you are required to use is painless. Whether you are receiving an X-ray in the dentist office or the doctor office there will not be any pain. There is no cutting, sticking or any other discomfort. The procedure is simple, fast, and has no side effects. There might be some discomfort depending on the temperature of the room and the position in which you need to stand or sit to get a good X-ray picture, but you will not feel any pain at all.

Overall Benefits

There are risks but the benefits are many. When there are broken bones in question an X-ray is the fastest and easiest way for doctors to locate, view, and assess sprains, torn muscles and broken bones. X-ray equipment is easily available and you will not be required to travel outside of where you are being seen. No radiation remains in your body after you receive an X-ray examination.

Tags: broken bones, patient body, recording plate, type X-ray, X-ray machine, your body

Alternative Treatments For Breast Cancer After Mastectomy

Breast cancer will affect roughly one out of every eight women, according to information from the medical website Medline Plus. There are a number of different treatments for breast cancer, ranging in scope and severity. One of the more extreme procedures for the wholesale elimination of breast cancer is removal of the breast, in whole or in part. This procedure is known as a mastectomy. Occasionally, cancer recurs even following a mastectomy, requiring an administration of an alternate treatment method.

Drug and Radiation Therapy

Consider the possibility of either drug therapy (chemotherapy) or radiation therapy as an alternative measure to treat breast cancer following a mastectomy. According to information from the breast cancer site BreastCancer.org, chemotherapy is the administration of poisonous drugs into the body to help destroy cancerous cells. While the healthy cells of the body will be affected somewhat by the drugs, the cancerous cells will be affected worse, as their faster metabolism means they will soak up a proportionately higher amount of the administered drugs. Side effects from this form of treatment include diarrhea, increased likelihood of infection, hair loss, difficulties conceiving or infertility, nausea and vomiting. Radiation therapy, on the other hand, consists of the administration of high-energy radioactive waves to damage the genetic material of the cancerous cells, leaving them unable to continue replicating. Unlike chemotherapy, whose side effects can be seen throughout the body, the side effects of radiation therapy are limited to the area in which it is applied. These include irritation to the skin, pain in the chest or armpit area, fatigue, heart problems (such as an increased likelihood of developing coronary artery disease in the future) and lung issues (e.g., impaired breathing capacity).

Hormonal Therapy

Consider hormonal therapy as another alternative measure to combat breast cancer following a mastectomy. According to Medline Plus, most breast cancers are hormone-dependent, which means that they thrive in the presence of the female sex hormone estrogen. Hormone therapy seeks to deprive the cancerous cells of access to estrogen by decreasing the amount of estrogen in the body or removing estrogen's ability to bind to breast tissue. In either case, this goal is accomplished through the use of prescription drugs--either SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators--acting to keep estrogen away from breast tissue) such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (acting to reduce the amount of estrogen in the body) such as Arimidex.

Tags: cancerous cells, breast cancer, following mastectomy, alternative measure, amount estrogen

What Is The Average Annual Income Of A Farmer

A farmer builds his income from several sources.

A farmer brought an annual income of $81,480 in 2004 according to a study run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These earnings stem from a combination of sources with 24 to 30 percent not coming from farm production.

Off-Farm Income

In 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that the average farmer's net income after all expenses have been subtracted from revenues is $35,000. Many farmers supplement their earnings with off-farm income. Typically, an additional $50,000 comes from renting land, leasing equipment or facilities, pension plans, social security or a part-time job.

Peak Gross Income

About 12 percent of farmers run operations with revenues exceeding $250,000 and produce 84 percent of the U.S. farming products. These tend to represent large family farms.

Government

The U.S. government compensates farmers to cultivate specific commodity goods such as oilseeds, cotton and feed and food grains to help them maintain some profit for goods with low commodity prices. For land with environmental concerns that needs to be retired such as wetlands, the government pays the farmer for not using the land for at least 10 years.

Tags: Department Agriculture

Adult Care Salary

Adult caregivers work primarily with elderly and disabled clients.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the high cost of nursing home or inpatient health care has created a demand for adult caregivers who can assist patients with the activities of daily living at home, such as grocery shopping or housecleaning. Adult caregivers -- also known as companions or personal attendants -- can find employment through social service agencies or may be hired directly by a patient's family.

Features

As of May 2010, the 686,030 personal care aides working in the U.S. earned a mean annual wage of $20,420, according to the bureau's Occupational Employment Statistics survey. Salaries ranged from $15,970 at the bottom 10th percentile of earners to $25,900 or more for the top 10 percent. The median wage for personal care aides was $19,640. The bureau calculates median annual wages by multiplying the median hourly wage of $9.82 by 2,080 hours -- the average amount of time worked in a year by a full-time employee.

Industries

Individual and family services employed the greatest number of adult caregivers, with an average annual salary of $20,650. Home care services had the second-highest number of adult caregivers, where the average was $19,020 a year. The highest-paying industry sectors for adult caregivers were psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals, at $30,960 per year on average, and state governments, at $29,250 per year.

Locations

Texas and New York were the states that boasted the highest employment levels for adult caregivers as of May 2010. There, they earned mean annual wages of $17,390 and $21,250, respectively. Alaska and New Jersey were the states that paid the highest mean annual wages to adult caregivers -- $29,690 and $26,470, respectively. The highest-paying metropolitan area for adult caregivers was Vineland, New Jersey, at $39,420 per year, followed by Fairbanks, Alaska, at $33,280.

Considerations

Employment for personal and home care aides is expected to grow by 46 percent through the year 2018, according to the bureau. Job growth will be spurred largely by an aging population's need for health care services. Because adult care workers earn relatively low wages and the work is demanding, there can be a high job turnover. As a result, those who wish to work in the occupation can easily find employment. The bureau notes that personal care aides are not paid for travel time between jobs, but usually receive pay increases as they gain experience.

Tags: adult caregivers, care aides, annual wages, mean annual, personal care

About Cancer Of The Uterus

Uterine cancer can encompass both uterine sarcomas, which are rare, and endometrial cancers. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus, and endometrial cancer is commonly used synonymously with uterine cancer because almost all uterine cancers start in the endometrium. The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2009, there will be 42,160 new cases of endometrial cancer, and 7,780 deaths from the disease.

Uterine Sarcomas

Uterine sarcomas are rare, making up 1 percent of all gynecologic cancers and less than 5 percent of uterine cancers. This type of cancer is aggressive and women with uterine sarcomas have a survival rate lower than 50 percent, even when the cancer is caught early.

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. Because of symptoms such as abnormal or post-menopausal bleeding, it is often caught early. Women taking tamoxifen or estrogen without progesterone are at higher risk for endometrial cancer. Although endometrial cancer has a high survival rate, the actual prognosis depends on the stage of the cancer and the cell characteristics.

Diagnosis

Endometrial cancer is diagnosed by endometrial biopsy, an in-office procedure in which a small piece of endometrium is removed, or by dilatation and curettage, which is minor surgery that removes some of the endometrium after the cervix has been dilated.

Uterine sarcomas can be found by pelvic exam, dilatation and curettage, or endometrial biopsy. Sometimes a Pap smear might show uterine cells, but because the cancer begins in the uterus and not the cervix, it might not be found in a Pap test. These uterine cancers are often found by accident during an unrelated hysterectomy. Once it has been diagnosed, a transvaginal ultrasound can be done to check whether the cancer has spread anywhere else in the uterus. Other tests, such as CT scans, chest X-rays and blood tests, might also be cone.

Treatment

For uterine sarcomas, surgical treatment includes removal of the uterus and ovaries, lymph node dissection and any tumor reduction. Because of the rarity of the disease, there is a lack of widespread randomized trials for treatment, and so radiation therapy has not been proven to definitively improve survival, and chemotherapy has only shown minimal benefit.

Surgery is the most common treatment for endometrial cancer and can include a hysterectomy (either total or radical), and removal of the ovaries. Further treatment can include hormone therapy and radiation therapy, and for advanced uterine cancer, chemotherapy.

Future Directions

For uterine sarcomas, chemotherapy drugs are being evaluated to see whether they affect survival rates. Clinical trials are being done, and your doctor can give you more information on which ones are available to you. Ways of preventing and screening for endometrial cancer are being explored, and clinical trials are being done to find more effective treatments for metastatic and recurrent endometrial cancers.

Tags: endometrial cancer, uterine cancers, uterine sarcomas, being done, caught early

Organize A Holiday Vendor Fair At Your School

With more and more people running home-based businesses these days, having a holiday vendor fair is a great way to raise a bit of extra cash for your school, as well as provide parents and teachers with a way to do some pre-holiday shopping. By inviting members of the community to participate, you can organize a holiday vendor fair at your school that becomes an event people are sure to talk about for a long time to come.

Instructions

Organize a Holiday Vendor Fair at Your School

1. First, figure out a date and location for your event. You'll need to plan this well in advance with school administrators. After all, you don't want to book the gymnasium for the same day as the big basketball playoffs. The best time to host a holiday vendor fair is in mid- to late November. This allows people to do their holiday shopping before the big Christmas rush begins. Not only that, but it means you'll be in time for other holidays, such as Hanukkah. Determine in advance how many vendors you'll be able to accommodate.

2. Next, start soliciting vendors. Begin by sending home a notice with all students. Figure out what sorts of vendors you're willing to host; since it's a school, do you want someone at your fair who sells adult novelties or wine? Will you take more than one vendor who sells the same thing, such as both a Mary Kay representative and an Avon consultant? Are vendors required to bring their own tables and decorations? Are spaces on a first-come, first-served basis?

3. Be sure to collect money from your vendors in advance. Requiring your vendors to pay for their space is reasonable. Depending on how busy you think your event will be, anywhere from $10 to $50 is a fair rate. Space rental needs to be low enough that it's worth it for the vendors to appear, but high enough that you can cover your other expenses. Another great way to raise funds is to ask each vendor to contribute an item for a raffle. Sell raffle tickets the night of the event and give away the items to winning ticket holders.

4. Once you have all your vendors lined up and committed, get the advertising out there! Notify local newspapers, send flyers to other schools in your district, and be sure to send a reminder notice home with students a day or two before the event. Place a notice in the school newspaper, and if you have a school website, put information on the main page.

5. The day of your holiday vendor fair, make sure you have plenty of volunteers. Someone should continuously walk through the event to make sure there are no hazards like loose electrical cords lying around. It also helps to have runners checking on the vendors, to help out if they need anything. Offer your vendors complimentary refreshments throughout the event; it won't cost much, and it'll make them happy. Play holiday music in the background and have snacks available. (You can even tie in a bake sale to this event if you like.)

6. Finally, make sure your customers are accommodated. Keep boxes and bags on hand so that people can carry their purchases more easily. If possible, have a cart or two available to transport larger items to the parking lot. Recruit student helpers to clean up, and be sure to thank your volunteers when the event has ended.

Tags: holiday vendor fair, vendor fair, your vendors, make sure, enough that, great raise, holiday vendor

Psychology Degree Distance Learning

The Washington Post (See Reference 1) eloquently stated that a virtual revolution was brewing for colleges. According to the Washington Post, colleges, like newspapers, are being torn apart by the ability to share information on the internet and many collegiate institutions are learning that online classes are simply cheaper to produce. Virtual classrooms are becoming increasingly common.

A woman on the computer

Considerations

Many people decide to pursue an online psychology degree because of the convenience of being able to learn from the comfort of their homes. Online degrees are especially popular among nontraditional students that have jobs and families. The three most popular degrees for students are business administration, criminal justice and nursing, but there is a growing segment of the population that is interested in pursuing an online degree in psychology. The leading school for online degrees continues to be the University of Phoenix. The school has an enrollment of more than 400,000 students each quarter.

Degree Programs

There are three primary degree programs that a person can pursue to gain a higher level of education in psychology. These three programs include a bachelors program, master programs, and a PHD program. There are over a dozen accredited universities that offer degree programs, and it's up to the future student to figure out which school is right for them.

University Considerations

When pursuing a psychology degree online, students should look for a university that is professionally oriented and has a great academic program. A good school will have a curriculum that is taught by skilled professors that have experience applying their knowledge. The right psychology program will help an individual develop critical thinking skills and apply psychological principles in various work settings.

Psychology Branches

Psychology is a rather large field that has various branches. Although it's possible for students to obtain a degree in general psychology, potential students also have other options. They can choose to study clinical psychology, educational psychology, sports psychology, counseling psychology and other niche fields in which they desire to develop a professional career. The specialty that a person chooses when obtaining a psychology degree is based on their preferences.

Accreditation

To find out if a school or degree program is property accredited, potential students should visit the American Psychology Association or the Department of Education's accreditation pages. These resources are useful in making sure that the school won't be a waste of time and money. Proper accreditation is essential for students who eventually want to become licensed psychologists.

Students who are interested in pursuing a psychology degree through distance learning can turn to free courses and lectures online to help them make a firm decision. Ivy league universities like Yale University and MIT offer free lectures that expose a potential student to what it would feel like to start taking psychology courses online.

Tags: psychology degree, interested pursuing, potential students, pursuing psychology, pursuing psychology degree

Preventing Cancer In The Pancreas

Pancreatic cancer is one of the rarer cancers (only 2 percent of new cancer diagnoses in the United States are pancreatic), but if your mother, father or sibling has had the disease, then your risk of developing it triples. While there are no proven ways to prevent cancer in the pancreas, there are some factors that may help reduce your risk.

Diet

Diet is an important aspect of staying healthy, especially when it comes to warding off cancer. According to a recent study at the University of California San Fransisco, eating raw vegetables daily can cut your risk for pancreatic cancer in half. The study also indicates that eating at least five servings of certain vegetables (corn, carrots, yams, onions, leafy greens) daily also lowers your risk, and these are especially beneficial if consumed raw. A diet heavy in meat may increase chances for the disease, especially in men, so choose leaner proteins or meatless entrees whenever possible.

Exercise

Being overweight increases your risk for contracting pancreatic cancer, so not only do you want to eat healthy, but you want to stay physically fit and maintain a healthy weight, as well. A common recommendation to maintain health is 30 minutes of light or moderate exercise daily (brisk walking, swimming, cycling). If you are not currently exercising, shoot for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and gradually work your way up. To check if you are considered overweight or obese, calculate your body mass index (see Resources). If your BMI is 25 or more, you are overweight.

Other Factors

Smoking doubles your risk of pancreatic cancer, so it is important to quit altogether. If that's not possible, at least drastically cut back and use whatever means necessary to work toward quitting. Smokers account for 25 percent of pancreatic cancer patients.

Tags: your risk, pancreatic cancer, risk pancreatic, risk pancreatic cancer, your risk pancreatic

The Annual Salary Of Roadies

Roadies are tasked with the transport and set up of sound equipment for touring musicians.

The term "roadie" refers to the sound engineering technicians that travel with a touring musical act or performance company. While the responsibilities of the job vary from act to act and company to company, the primary responsibility of roadies is to transport, set up, test, operate and ultimately dismantle sound equipment used during live performances. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies roadies as "sound engineering technicians," and their annual salaries can vary based on factors like location, industry and experience.

Salary

According to May 2010 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, sound engineering technicians for performers earn an average annual salary of $43,950 per year. This equates to an hourly rate of $21.13 when factored over a standard 40-hour work week. However, roadies generally work sporadic schedules and hectic hours. Sound technicians for performers earn approximately 12 percent less on average per year, according to BLS data, with a salary of $18.68 per hour, or $38,860.

Industry Salary Comparison

Roadies who work with performers and with performing arts companies earn considerably less than sound technicians in other facets of industry. The average pay of sound techs for performance arts companies and performers combined is $41,405. This is approximately 37 percent less than the $65,130 annual salary of sound technicians in the motion picture and video industry, according to BLS statistics, who lead all other sound engineering occupational categories in average income. Stationary sound techs employed in the sound recording industry also earn over 20 percent more than roadies, with an average salary of $25.95 per hour or $53,970 per year.

Earnings Increase Potential

Experience and production size are the two biggest factors that affect the salaries of sound technicians who work with traveling performers. According to the music industry career website CareersInMusic.com, most roadies start out touring with local acts on a volunteer basis or for minimum wage while they gain experience. Sound techs who are well versed in the ways of the road in addition to a vast array of equipment and technology can ascend to roles in national touring acts and command salaries as high as $85,700 per year.

Relevant Background and Skills

There is not strict educational or professional background necessary to become a roadie. Most roadies acquire the basics of the job through on-the-job training with experienced sound techs. Given the vast amount of travel involved with the position, traveling sound technicians must have the ability to keep flexible schedules, and, according to CareersInMusic.com, the wherewithal to live out of a suitcase. Much of the job entails constructing, working with and dismantling large-scale equipment such as staging and speakers, meaning sound physical aptitude is a desirable skill among candidates.

Tags: sound engineering, engineering technicians, sound engineering technicians, approximately percent, approximately percent less, arts companies, Bureau Labor

Basic Xray Tech Jobs

While the 2009 job market has slowed considerably, careers in the medical industry continue to grow at a steady pace. The field for X-ray technicians is expected to be in high demand and can offer those interested in a stable career the opportunity to earn an above-average income while enjoying professional status in a respected industry.

What is a Basic X-Ray Technician?

If you have ever broken a bone, you were most likely in contact with an X-ray technician. Often referred to as radiology technicians, these medical professionals are trained to perform X-rays or diagnostic imaging tests on patients. Working under the direct supervision of a licensed radiologist, as an X-ray technician you will work with patients, helping them get into the correct position for the X-rays, explaining the procedure and assuring the patient.

Job Opportunities

Once you are a certified X-ray technician, you will be able to work in a variety of medical areas. Many basic X-ray technicians choose to work in hospitals or other large medical facilities, where they perform general radiology procedures. Some X-ray technicians might choose to specialize in a certain medical area such as mammography, bone density scans, cardiovascular radiography and nuclear medicine. With additional training, many X-ray technicians often choose to work in radiation therapy, where they are trained to give high doses of radiation to patients suffering from life-threatening diseases such as cancer.

Job Flexibility

Many basic X-ray technicians enjoy the choices and flexibility of different job schedules that the career provides. If you have a family and want to work strictly weekday hours, working for a specialty physician, such as an obstetrician, can give you a great schedule. For others who would rather work at night or on the weekends, a hospital environment might be a better fit. Above average pay provides an opportunity for many basic X-ray technicians to work part time.

Education Requirements

Training programs for prospective X-ray technicians can be found at many community colleges and culminate in a two-year associate's degree. Some technical schools also offer the program and occasionally, in-house training can be found in larger hospitals. These programs prepare graduates to sit for a national certification examination, which all basic X-ray technicians are required to pass. Depending on your location, some states also require continuing education courses for X-ray technicians for periodic recertification.

Pay and Job Outlook

In a survey conducted in August 2009, Payscale.com reports that the median stating salary for X-ray technicians is $19.87 an hour or $41,329 a year if working full time. Those X-ray technicians who have gained at least one year of job experience can earn up to $45,427 a year. After five years of work, X-ray technicians in the United States are earn a median of up to $52,000 annually. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for X-ray technicians though 2016 is expected to be good.

Tags: X-ray technicians, basic X-ray, basic X-ray technicians, X-ray technician, choose work, Many basic

What Kind Of Tools Do Dentists Use

What Kind of Tools Do Dentists Use?

Ask most folks what kinds of tools dentists use and they will quickly reply, "Ones that hurt." While this may be the case, that doesn't shed any light onto the names or functions of the tools often lined up like little soldiers on the trays. Dentists use many types of tools to poke around gums, scrape around teeth and gaze intently into their patients' mouths.

History

Anyone who thinks dental tools are horrific today should have been around several years ago when they were much less advanced. Early forceps were usually fashioned by blacksmiths and featured blunter edges than the fine-tuned tools of today. Another popular tool was the tooth key. The simplest tooth key, dating back to the 1700s, resembles a regular old antique key used to unlock doors of that era. The end of the tooth key was abutted next to one area of the tooth, the dentist's finger near another area, and the key was turned to extract the tooth.

Types

Dental instruments range from the innocuous mirror they use to gaze behind teeth to the evil-looking tiny scraper that always ends up irritating the gums. They also fall into different categories. The friendliest of the tools, if they can be called friendly, are the examination tools, which range from the cute little mirror to the curettes. The surgical tools are probably the most hideous because they are the most invasive. The bulk of them are made up of a number of scissors to better create incisions and a plethora of forceps with different types of heads to better gouge out small things from small infected places.

Identification

To the untrained eye, a large number of the dental tools appear to be identical. One of the most popular looks is a thin bar with some type of hook, crook or scary-looking pokey-thing on each side of the bar. Look a little closer and differences in the design can be noted, which gives away the function. Curettes, which feature poking edges, probe about the gum line to check for sensitivity and health of the gums. Scalers, complete with broader heads, scrape the plaque away. Excavators, which often feature a little spoon type appendage on each end, are used to dig out decay. Amalgam pluggers, with a flatter or ball-shaped pair of ends, are the tools used to push down and stabilize fillings.

Features

Whether the dental tool is hell-like or harmless, many share common traits. The tools are usually equipped with a handle for easy gripping and easy sticking into a mouth. Stainless steel is the most popular material of choice, both for its sleek, sterile look and ability to be easily cleaned and sterilized.

Warning

While dentists use sterilizations, that process is not always 100 percent effective. An article by Elsevier, Inc., brought to light some disturbing facts in 2003. Many instruments used by dentists in the United Kingdom were not all that clean after the sterilization process. Instruments that had been used and then sterilized were scrutinized under a light microscope and scanned with electrons. Of the instruments used in general dentist practices, 76 were contaminated, as were 14 percent of the instruments used by a dental hospital.

Tags: instruments used, dental tools, Kind Tools, Kind Tools Dentists, most popular, range from

What Does A Delta Mean

What Does a Delta Mean?

A delta is land that forms at the mouth of a river, where it empties into an ocean, sea, another river or a lake. The river deposits vast amounts of sediment into the other body of water, which gradually builds up into a land mass. The simplest way to explain how one forms is the amount of material that the river deposits is more than what the tides and waves can carry away. The largest delta in the world is the Ganges Delta on the Indian sub-continent, home to some of the most fertile land on Earth.

Time Frame

Most deltas are very young geological features, with some only a few hundreds years old. Older deltas will be built one on top of another, with the river forming new deltas once the old ones build up to the point that the river can no longer flow through them. A new channel will form and the river will begin to deposit material to form another delta. The Mississippi River's current delta, for example, is about 600 years old.

Types

There are different types of deltas, with the most common being the triangular-shaped delta that most major rivers form when they reach the ocean. The Nile River in Egypt is the most famous of this kind of delta. A Gilbert delta is one that can occur only in fresh water, where a mountain river, for instance, flows into a freshwater lake. Some rivers do not form deltas. They flow into what is called an estuary, where freshwater meets saltwater but no land forms. When a river delta occurs inside a valley the delta is called an inverted delta.

Size

The Ganges Delta in South Asia is in the Bay of Bengal and is formed by the Ganges River and its many tributaries. It is 220 miles across and the land is so fertile that it is called the "Green Delta." It is able to support a population of almost 140 million people, who depend on it for agricultural purposes to feed their families. The delta has many different ecosystems within its boundaries, from mangrove swamps to coastal marshes to farmable land.

Geography

Because of their proximity to the water and being only a few feet above sea level, deltas are vulnerable to storms, especially hurricanes and tropical cyclones. The Mississippi Delta region was blitzed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, with the storm surge from the monster storm easily able to destroy coastal areas along the delta. The Ganges Delta is home to constant flooding during the rainy season, with massive loss of life being documented during direct hits by powerful cyclones.

Expert Insight

The actual term delta was first used to describe the sediment deposit at the mouths of rivers until around 450 B.C. A Greek historian, Herodotus, saw that the Nile where it dumped into the ocean, resembled the greek letter delta, a triangular shape and coined the term.

Tags: Ganges Delta, Delta Mean, delta that, Does Delta, Does Delta Mean, into ocean, river deposits

Get Free Beauty Product Samples

Free stuff! Not much more has to be said to raise enthusiasm. All it takes is a couple clicks or some legwork to get samples of your favorite products. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Get Free Beauty Product Samples

1. Try out all the methods you can from the comfort of your couch. Many companies will offer free beauty product samples with purchases. Check out your favorite beauty supplier first for special deals. Such companies as Estee Lauder, Clinique and Bobbi Brown offer terrific gifts-with-purchase multiple times per year, so check out their sites for details.

2. Check the major makeup sites for details. Usually, companies have at least one beauty product they are trying to push. They will give away periodic free beauty product samples and mail them directly to you. Click directly on the manufacturer's website for details.

3. Surf to Walmart.com for samples. Their site features constantly changing free product samples. Most of them are beauty and haircare items. Click the link below for details.

4. Do a basic google search for samples. Using keywords such as "free beauty samples" or "free makeup samples" will yield you hundreds of great results. Just remember to stay away from sponsored sites, as they usually are just credit card signup gimmicks.

5. Head on out to your local cosmetics counter. Chances are if you express interest in a product, they'll have some samples on hand. You increase your chances if you buy some necessities while you are there. Your chances for free beauty samples are better yet if you sit for a makeover and buy some products. If no one's offering up the goods, just ask. Just don't overdo it or you may miss out completely.

6. Check out the free beauty samples that are sold as "bonuses" to full size products. Companies will often attach trial sizes to their full size products as an incentive to buy and re-buy. Search them out for a freebie!

Tags: free beauty, beauty samples, free beauty samples, beauty product, beauty product samples, Beauty Product Samples

Acceptable Information To Share In Public Conversation

Acceptable topics are as variable as people's opinions.

Carefully selecting acceptable topics for public conversation offers you a profound opportunity to learn valuable lessons in awareness and communication. Conceptions of what qualifies as an acceptable conversation topic vary greatly between different social groups, ethnicities, individual experiences, nationalities, religions, genders, situations and belief systems. What is acceptable in one situation might not be acceptable in another. Paying attention to the nuances of each situation will allow you to offer conversation topics with your audience's particular sensitivities in mind.

Failsafe Topics For Most Situations

The most acceptable topic of conversation among almost all people everywhere is themselves. Start conversations by asking questions about the lives of the people you talk to. Ask about dreams and aspirations, hobbies, interests and favorite songs to gain immediate rapport with whomever you talk to in public. People love to discuss their opinions and feelings about almost any topic. Other generally acceptable topics are TV shows, musical interests, family and food likes and dislikes. Politely commenting on positive aspects of people's appearance is another acceptable topic for building rapport.

Dinner Conversation

Acceptable dinner conversation consists of topics selected with the sensitivity of the dining situation in mind. Body fluids, sex and bathroom conversation will not go over well at most dinners. The day's events, literature, family and food are all acceptable dinnertime conversation topics. Topics might vary depending on the circumstances and audience. Talking about sex among your buddies at a dive bar is fine. Doing the same thing at an intimate and quiet fine dining establishment could get you kicked out.

Conversation in a Crowd

You never know who's listening to you when you talk in a crowd. Awareness of what you disclose among a crowd of strangers has many benefits. Blathering without forethought in a crowd can lead to many embarrassing and even dangerous situations. An extreme example would be someone uttering a racial slur among a diverse group of people. Comedian Michael Richards nearly killed his own career and offended countless people by making a racial slur onstage during a public performance. The best things to talk about in a crowd are the surroundings and immediate happenings. Incidentally, you will derive a lot more enjoyment out of your experiences by directing the conversation to the present moment.

Off Limits Topics

Complaining, Illness, death, religion, politics, abortion, boring jobs, your ex's endless faults, murder, war, negative aspects of other people's appearance, negative things about other people, urination and defecation all have the potential to shut down communication, embarrass yourself and others, and aggravate other people. Leave these topics alone until you can talk about them in private or by necessity.

Tuning Into Topic Sensitivity

Focus on your breathing and pay attention to your thoughts. Keep your mind in the same place as your body. By focusing your awareness in these ways, you will be able to clearly observe the subtlety of your surroundings and the people in them. Deliberately chosen topics of conversation build rapport with other people. When you open a conversation to the grimaces of people around you, it is a good time to select a new topic. Redirect uncomfortable conversations back to something pleasant about the present moment. Asking people to talk about themselves and their interests will almost always prove successful.

Acceptable Topics According to Context

Talking about Jesus at a public gathering at your church is fine. Discussing Jesus at the bar with your atheist friends might upset them, especially if its all you ever talk about. Talking about sex at a strip club is completely acceptable, but talking about sex at your grandmother's birthday party at the nursing home is not. Consider the context of each public situation carefully to determine acceptable topics for discussion.

Cultural Variance

Different cultures around the world have different customs for what passes as acceptable conversation in public. Chinese law forbids discussion of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. The Chinese enjoy talking about the weather and current events but generally frown upon discussing Chinese politics with foreign visitors. Discussing work salary or the Algerian War is looked down upon in France but discussing French culture, food and family is fine. While cultural differences can be very complex and difficult to discern, body language, facial expression and hesitation all provide clues to let you know when a topic is off limits and is better abandoned.

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Build A Storeroom For Medical Supplies

When you need to stock inventory for durable medical equipment, you need a secure and functional facility that you can quickly access supplies from and use for storage. The facility needs to be temperature controlled, well-lit and secure, either by a keypad or lock, so it will be an adjunct to your provider's office and not a free-standing unit. Keeping that in mind, you can insure that you meet all accreditation guidelines while making it accessible to your technicians and staff.

Instructions

1. Ensure that you have exempt employees with access to the storeroom. Per JCAHO (Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) guidelines, an exempt employee needs to be in charge and on site whenever medical supplies are dispensed from a storeroom. Contact your state's labor board for exempt employee licensing requirements.

2. Program a key code or have a secure protocol in place so that the appropriate employees have access to the items. These are medical supplies, some of which require a medical prescription to dispense, so you will need to protect access to the items to the appropriate employees.

3. Make your inventory and storage areas easily accessible for the technicians so they can access supplies easily and efficiently. Have storage bins available for items they utilize often in the appropriate units. If there is bar coding involved, have a reader nearby so they can quickly scan the product before dispensing to the patient, whether on a walk-in basis or if they will be shipping the items.

4. Devise an area with tables and scales where the items can be easily assembled and placed in shipping containers for distribution through the U.S Mail or UPS. This will also be necessary for returns or exchanges of the equipment.

5. Create an area where used or loaner equipment can be cleaned and returned to inventory or the equipment can be re-used. You should have two tables, one for used (dirty) and refurbished (clean) equipment. Make sure there is a hazardous waste receptacle for disposal of contaminated equipment that cannot go into the normal waste cycle.

6. Set up a cabinet for items to be used in packaging as well as materials necessary for the cleaning and maintenance of equipment. If you are using oximeters that need AA batteries, store the batteries here. If you need plastic baggies to package individual items, such as dressings or filters, have them on hand in the cabinets. This area should also contain any extra cleaning supplies you will need for the equipment.

7. Make sure there are sufficient outlets to plug in any devices that need charging so that a technician will have equipment ready to go out when necessary.

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Treat Infected Wounds

Unless a wound is very recent, you should assume that untreated wounds are likely infected or may become infected. Typical signs of infection include swelling, pain, fever, and the presence of pus. Absence of these signs does not mean the wound is not infected, however. Infected wounds should be treated by a physician or other medical expert. When that is not immediately possible, there are steps you can take to care for the wound until you are able to contact medical personnel. Good sanitation is very important when dealing with any wound and is a necessary part of infected wound care. Make sure your hands are clean before tending to the wound and use only sterile bandages whenever possible.

Instructions

Treat Infected Wounds

1. Wash your hands carefully before treating the infected wound. Be sure to clean beneath your fingernails and use antiseptic soap if available. After sanitizing your hands, put on clean exam gloves if gloves are available.

2. Sanitize the area of skin around the wound with alcohol or an antibacterial solution. Cleaning areas of skin near the wound site will prevent accidental contamination of the wound by any harmful bacteria present on the skin.

3. Carefully wash any foreign matter and pus from the wound. Avoid scrubbing the wound. Scrubbing may open blood vessels, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream. It is better to simply pour water over the wound to wash out debris. If there is dead tissue present and visible within the wound, try to remove as much as possible.

4. Place antibiotic ointment, or an antiseptic solution, on sterile gauze and apply to the wound. Secure the gauze to the wound and try to keep the bandage clean. Bandages may need to be changed frequently, and at these times the wound should be checked.

5. Seek professional medical attention for the wound as soon as possible. Infections can get serious very quickly. Even a small wound should be treated seriously if it shows signs of infection.

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