The Difference Between A Social Worker & A Therapist

Therapists and social workers can provide different levels of counseling service.

Social workers and therapists have similar jobs. They are professionals in the field of human services who assist people in need. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of social worker jobs is expected to grow by 16 percent from 2008 to 2018. The term therapist can refer to both counselors and psychologists. Counselor jobs are expected to grow by 18 percent, while psychologist jobs are projected by the bureau to increase by 12 percent. Although they have similar jobs, significant differences exist between therapists and social workers.

Education

One difference between social workers and therapists such as counselors and psychologists is in the level of education that is required to work in each field. The social worker can generally begin her career by completing a bachelor of science in social work and a supervised internship. Some social workers obtain master's degrees, but it is not always essential to work as a social worker. Therapists, on the other hand, are required to pursue advanced degrees to work in their field. Counselors typically have to obtain a master's degree and psychologists, a PhD or Psy.D.

Job Description

Another major difference between the social worker and the therapist is in the work that each does. While both the social worker and therapist can provide counseling to individuals, it is the primary job of psychologists and counselors. They can collect fees for their services, whereas the social worker cannot. The social worker is paid by the state and only provides counseling at a basic level. Social workers do not typically prescribe treatments for individuals, but rather listen and refer them to the necessary mental health professionals. Social workers provide various types of assistance to people who need it. For example, some social workers help children who are abused and need assistance from the state, while others may provide assistance to someone with a disability or someone needing material assistance through a welfare program.

Training

Aside from the education difference, the amount of required training or hands-on experience to work as a social worker differs from the requirements for therapists. Except in the case of clinical social workers, the novice social worker typically completes an internship of about 900 hours, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the other hand, counselors and psychologists typically need two years or 3,000 hours of supervised experience beyond their education to obtain a license to provide counseling services.

Salary

Another difference between social workers and therapists is in what they are paid and how they are paid. Social workers are paid by the state and thus limited in what they can make. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers made an average salary of $41,880 to $52,270 per year in 2010, depending on their area of specialization. Therapists, on the other hand, are paid by their clients or patients and are limited only by the number of clients they have and how often they provide services. Despite the unlimited potential, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that counselors made an average salary of $44,380 per year in 2010, while psychologists made $86,510.

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Get Bigger Boobs Without Surgery

If you were not lucky enough to be born with a nice set of C-cups, than you've come to the right place! Over half of women are displeased with their breast size, and perhaps you are one of them. Luckily there are a few non-surgical ways to appear to make your boobs look bigger than they actually are! Read on to learn get bigger boobs without surgery: Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Gain weight. No lady wants to hear that they have to lose weight, but perhaps you're just too skinny! Breasts are almost all fat, so with wait gain comes bigger boobs. Consult your physician and see if you are healthy enough to be gaining weight, and if that's a viable option for you.

2. Talk to your OBGYN about birth control pills. Some birth control pills are known to make your breasts larger! Talk to your OBGYN to see if you can be prescribed pills that have a tendency to make breasts larger. Of course, the results are not the same for everyone, but if you are already on birth control pills, you might as well try to kill two birds with one stone! Be sure to research all risks associated with birth control pills before deciding to go on them.

3. Get pregnant! That's right-your breasts grow as your baby grows inside of you, and sometimes your large breasts do not leave you after birth. Of course, be sure you are ready for pregnancy! Not only will you have larger breasts, but you'll have a baby to take care of afterwards! Consult your physician if you are trying to get pregnant.

4. Buy breast inserts. Department stores sell various types of fabric and silicone breast inserts that can be placed inside of a bra or bathing suit! You can also buy padded and push-up bra's for an extra lift. Criss-cross bra's also give an added lift that regular bra's do not. Try wearing 2 bra's for those nights out on the town! Start out with these alternatives before attempting to surgically alter your body.

5. Wear clothes that make your boobs look bigger. V-neck tops, tighter shirts, and wrap tops all make your breasts appear to be bigger than they are. Consider this when clothes shopping.

Tags: birth control, birth control pills, control pills, make your, bigger boobs

List Of African American Genetic Diseases

African Americans are affected disproportionately by genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia.

Medical researchers and health experts recognize that the prevalence of certain diseases tends to be higher among African Americans. While some of these diseases, such as diabetes, are likely to result from unhealthy eating habits or other types of lifestyle choices, many diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, are caused by a genetic predisposition unique to African Americans.

Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia, also just called "sickle cell" or hemoglobin SS disease, is a genetic disorder common in African Americans. The body produces red blood cells that are irregularly shaped; as a result, the malformed cells don't live as long and the person with sickle cell develops anemia. Other problems caused by sickle cell include extreme discomfort due to blood vessels that are blocked by the irregular red blood cells. Strokes, blindness, organ damage, and gallstones are also common secondary conditions that people with sickle cell experience. Sickle cell occurs when a person is born with two sickle cell genes, one from each parent. At present, there is no cure for this disease.

Beta-Thalassemia

Knowing your family's medical history helps identify potential risk factors for disease.

Beta-thalassemia is somewhat similar to sickle cell, in that it is a genetic disease related to blood cells. What makes beta-thalassemia different from sickle cell, however, is that it is a disorder in which the person's ability to produce hemoglobin is compromised. Hemoglobin is an oxygen-carrying protein present in red blood cells. Like sickle cell, beta-thalassemia causes anemia, as well as other discomforts and life-threatening side effects, such as liver damage. There is no cure for this disease; however, blood transfusions, folic acid supplements, and--in extreme cases--bone marrow transplants may help alleviate some symptoms.

Glucose-6-Phosphate Deficiency Disease

Research has shown that genetic mutations may result in some protective features, too.

Glucose-6-phosphate deficiency disease is another blood disease affecting red blood cells and the critical functions they perform for the body. This particular disease is more common among African American men than women, as the trait for this gene is located on the X chromosome. As men only have one X chromosome, they only need one parent to carry the gene for the trait to be inherited, thus resulting in the disease. Anemia is the most common problem associated with glucose-6-phosphate deficiency disease, but other problems are associated with oxygen imbalances that compromise the red blood cell's ability to perform its usual functions. Interestingly, while there is no cure for this disease, research has shown that the disease does seem to provide protection from malaria due to a specific genetic mutation.

Tags: sickle cell, blood cells, African Americans, cell anemia, cure this

Increase Progesterone In Women

The two main hormones in females are estrogen and progesterone. Whenever there is an excess of estrogen in relation to levels of progesterone, a condition known as "estrogen dominance" occurs. According to drlam.com, "progesterone acts as an antagonist to estrogen." Lower estrogen is the cause of many health problems, such as allergies, osteoporosis, fibroids, gall bladder disease, endometriosis and breast cancer. Start feeling better soon by following the lifestyle changes suggested below to increase your progesterone levels.

Instructions

Increase Progesterone in Women

1. Supplement with progesterone. Use a natural progesterone cream to increase the level in your body. These creams are absorbed through the skin into your tissues. If you are having severe problems, a natural medicine practitioner can prescribe progesterone sublingual tablets, which deliver the progesterone directly into the bloodstream.

2. Watch what you eat. You should only eat meats, poultry and dairy that are hormone free. Foods with added hormones will increase your estrogen levels, causing problems because of lower progesterone in relation to your estrogen. You should also avoid other foods that contain estrogenic ingredients, such as soy, red No. 3 and the preservatives BHA and BHT. Mexican wild yam is a good root to eat to increase progesterone naturally.

3. Avoid certain herbs. Some teas and beauty products will increase your estrogen levels. Examples of these are blue cohosh, licorice, vitex, hops, motherwort leaf, saw palmetto berry, rhodiola rosea root, red clover blossom, dong quai, black cohosh, lavender and tea tree oil.

4. Be careful with your personal care and household products. Some of them have ingredients called "xenoestrogens." This means your body confuses them with the real thing, and they will cause the same health problems as too much estrogen. Look for products without sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, triclosan, aluminum, cocamide DEA, phthalates and parabens. Also try to avoid dry-cleaning your clothes and using pesticides.

5. Avoid plastics, including products made of or packaged in plastic, which tend to contain PETE and HDPE. These are xenoestrogens that you should avoid, as they will affect your hormone levels, causing your progesterone level to be low in relation to your estrogen level.

6. Reduce stress. Stress causes your body to produce less progesterone. Take care of yourself and try to sleep well.

7. Take care of your liver. This is a good way to reduce your estrogen while increasing your progesterone. Your liver is the organ responsible for breaking down the estrogen so it can be removed from your body. Exercise is a wonderful way to speed up this process. Vitamin B6, magnesium supplements and herbs such as milk thistle extract will help your liver to perform at its best.

Tags: your estrogen, your body, increase your, your progesterone, estrogen levels

Fibroid Tumor Shrinkage

Uterine fibroids, commonly referred to as simply fibroids, are benign tumors or growths that develop in the wall of the uterus. They can range in size from less than an inch to, in extreme cases, as large as a basketball. There are several treatments to encourage fibroid shrinkage, ranging from the safe and minimally invasive to major surgeries like a hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Compared to surgery, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a relatively safe and noninvasive procedure for shrinking tumors. During a UFE, a catheter is inserted into the artery that feeds the fibroids. When this artery is blocked, blood flow to the fibroids is decreased, and the fibroids will decrease in size.

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy, removal of the uterus via surgery, is the only permanent cure for uterine fibroids. A hysterectomy is usually performed in one of two ways: the uterus is removed either through the vagina or through the abdomen, with latter requiring the longest recovery time.

Myomectomy

Surgically similar to the hysterectomy, a myomectomy aims to remove easily reached fibroids. Myomectomies allow women to proceed with childbearing, but they do not prevent the onset of future fibroids.

Enzyme Therapy

Medications, such as Serracor-NK, claim to shrink fibroids via enzyme therapy, in which the active enzyme attaches itself to fibroids and dissolves them so they can be removed from the body by way of sweat or waste. Please consult a doctor before using medication to shrink your fibroids.

Anti-fibroid Diet

A low-fat, high fiber diet can help balance high estrogen levels that may contribute to fibroid creation. Fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy can also contribute to good reproductive health.

Tags: removal uterus

Ten Questions To Ask Your Primary Care Doctor

Doctors surveyed felt office visits were too short to meet patient needs.

Active participation in your medical care reduces medical error and improves overall health. In 2008, researchers studying health care quality at the University of Chicago reported that the average office visit with a primary care physician lasted between 18 and 21 minutes. These findings illustrate the importance of maximizing the time you spend in your doctor's office. One approach is to prepare a list of questions prior to your visit. This will facilitate a comprehensive and candid conversation with your doctor.

What Does My Diagnosis Mean?

Ask your doctor to clearly explain your condition, including causes, prognosis and duration. Discuss the severity of your condition and request pamphlets or resources for further information.

What Are My Treatment Options?

Understand recommended treatments and possible side effects. Ask about alternative treatments and the benefits and risks of deciding against your doctor's recommendations.

Do I Need Medication?

Review current medications and supplements and how they will interact with any new medicine. Understand the dosage, side effects and special instructions.

What Can I Expect From This Testing?

Find out details of any recommended testing, such as test preparation, how long the test will take and whether someone should accompany you. Know the purpose of the test and what the results will tell you about your condition.

Do I Need To See A Specialist?

Primary care physicians often refer patients to other doctors. If you need to see a specialist, see if your doctor can recommend someone.

What Do I Need To Know About Surgery?

If your condition requires surgical intervention, ask where it will be performed, the expected recovery time, risks and benefits, and any alternatives to surgery.

Are There Any Changes I Should Make To My Lifestyle?

Your doctor may recommend changes in your diet, physical activity and use of alcohol or tobacco. Talk to your doctor about ways to incorporate these changes into your daily life.

Does My Health Insurance Cover What You Have Recommended?

Your doctor and his staff are a valuable resource for insurance questions. They can provide guidance about contacting your insurance carrier for further information.

Is There Anything Else I Should Know?

It is difficult to anticipate exactly what you will need to ask, and including this question gives your physician an opportunity to add information that may have been overlooked. Ask for written instructions on what you need to do after you leave the office.

Can I Call You If I Have Further Questions?

Ensure that someone will be available to speak to if your condition worsens, you experience adverse side effects or you don't receive test results. Your communication with your doctor should continue after your visit has ended.

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Beneficial Effects Of Radiation

Radiation is one of many procedures used in the treatment of cancer. It can be used individually or in combination to other treatments. It is administered externally or internally. There are several beneficial effects in using radiation.

What is Radiation?

According to ehealthMD, approximately 60 percent of cancer patients needs radiation therapy to treat the disease. Radiation can be administered by itself, or with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. At high doses, it can kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Process

Radiation uses external beams or internal radiation, the more common approach (also called brachytherapy). It uses special cells in the body (monoclonal antibodies) to deliver the therapy directly to the cancer cells.

Treatment Period

Radiation therapy are usually one- to five-minute treatments, for four to five days weekly, over a five to seven week period.

Beneficial Effects

Radiation can be used before urgery, to shrink cancer and to allow a complete resection.

Post-Surgery Treatment

It can also be used after surgery to treat any microscopic cancerous cells left behind after surgery.

Combination Treatment

If radiation is given with chemotherapy, it improves chances of survival; and if given after chemotherapy, it consolidates the results of the treatment.

Tags: after surgery, Beneficial Effects Radiation, cancer cells, Effects Radiation, other treatments

Breast Cancer Metastasis Treatment

Breast Cancer Metastasis Treatment

Breast cancer that is recurrent and that spreads is known as metastatic breast cancer. There are treatments available that can allow patients to live productive, long lives. The best type of treatment can only be determined on a case by case basis, but it is beneficial for patients to know what some of their options are.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the administration of chemicals throughout the body that attack cancerous cells. Aside from cancerous cells, chemotherapy affects healthy cells as well; fortunately, cancerous cells are more susceptible to the drugs than healthy ones are. Chemotherapy is typically an option for metastatic breast cancer in patients where hormonal therapies have not been effective, the cancer is hormone receptor negative or it is spreading to the liver or lung tissue (also known as lymphangitic spread).

Hormonal Therapy

Hormonal therapies used in metastatic breast cancer patients are meant to inhibit estrogen from aiding the growth of cancerous cells. For patients who are pre-menopausal, there are a number of options including tamoxifen, megestrol, fluoxymesterone,and ovary shutdown treatments.

Post-menopausal women may be presented with some of the following hormonal therapies as options for treatment: anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole, fulvestrant, toremifene, fluoxymesterone and megestrol.

Investigational Treatments

Patients who have not been responsive to different treatments may be candidates for investigational treatments, or clinical trials. These treatments show promise, but have not been fully tested. Still, the trials give access to treatments that are not otherwise available, and may be better than treatments already on the market. Placebo pills are generally not used in clinical trials of treatments for metastatic breast cancer.

Targeted Therapy

Trastuzumab, known as Herceptin, is a commonly used targeted therapy for metastatic breast cancer. It is only used in patients with cancer that is HER2/neu positive. Herceptin attacks and stops the growth of cells that produce excess amounts of the HER2/neu protein. Unlike chemotherapy, Herceptin does not affect most healthy cells.This treatment is delivered intravenously every one, two or three weeks. It can be taken alone, but may be more effective when combined with paclitaxel, carboplatin or vinorelbine.

Holistic Treatments

Although seldom used on their own, holistic (also known as complementary) treatments for metastatic cancer can alleviate pain and symptoms. Some forms of holistic treatment include acupuncture, massage, herbs, hypnosis, meditation, vitamins, homeopathy, relaxation therapy and yoga.

Tags: breast cancer, metastatic breast, metastatic breast cancer, cancerous cells, have been

What Does An Internal Medicine Doctor Treat

Internal medicine physicians have knowledge of multiple body systems and how they interact, treating diseases of all internal organs and systems. They often serve as diagnosticians and consultants.

History

Internal medicine was simply general Western medicine until the 18th century. Then, as medical knowledge increased, doctors began to specialize in things like cardiology, and those who studied the interaction of all systems were called internal medicine physicians.

Function

Internal medicine doctors are also called internists. They treat adult men and women. They often act as primary care physicians but have more specialized training than general practitioners or family doctors.

Types

Within the area of internal medicine, there are 13 subspecialties in the United States. These are adolescent medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, hematology, immunology, infectious disease, nephrology, oncology, pulmonology, rheumatology and sports medicine.

Conditions

The list of conditions or diseases an internal medicine doctor might treat is long and includes illnesses of most body systems, including chronic conditions, mental health issues and even "external" seeming conditions such as those affecting the eyes, ears and skin.

Exclusions

Internal medicine physicians do not treat children, usually do not treat reproductive conditions or pregnant women and do not generally perform surgery. They do not address trauma or orthopedic problems unless involved in other conditions.

Certification

To be an internist, one must complete medical school and a residency. For subspecialties, further specialized residency is required. In the United States, certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine is voluntary and must be maintained with ongoing certification every 10 years.

Tags: Internal medicine, medicine physicians, body systems, diseases internal, internal medicine, Internal Medicine

Complications Of Smoking & Surgery

Though we know that smoking is bad for your health, it also raises your risk of complications during surgery. Quitting smoking is a difficult proposition, but knowing your risks before a procedure may help you make that decision.

Infection

If you are a smoker one of the most common complications during surgery is infection. Since smoking deprives cells of oxygen, they don't typically heal correctly and you are at a greater risk of infection.

Heart and Lung

Since smoking is hard on the lungs and the heart, your chances of recovery from heart surgery are limited because of the damage to your organs and immune system.

Vasoconstriction

Vasoconstriction, or constriction of the blood vessels, is common in smokers. This makes blood flow more difficult and interferes with the proper transference of oxygen throughout your body.

Expert Insight

According to a study conducted by Bispebjerg University Hospital in Denmark, patients who do not smoke have a two day shorter hospital stay than those who do.

Help

Many hospitals offer ways to cease smoking such as access to medication and advice. If you are due for an operation, it is wise to quit smoking beforehand.

Tags: complications during, complications during surgery, during surgery, Since smoking

Decide If A Cochlear Implant Is Right For A Child

Decide if a Cochlear Implant is Right for a Child

The cochlear implant, which was first approved by the FDA in the 1980s, can enable people with hearing impairments to discern sounds well enough to understand speech. Since the cochlear implant is more effective when implanted at a young age, parents frequently have to make the decision for their minor child. If you are trying to make this decision for your child, here are a few things to consider.

Instructions

1. Form a team of professionals who can assist you in making the decision regarding the appropriateness of the cochlear implant for your child. Professionals that should be on your team, include: Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor (ENT), psychologist, counselor, audiologist, pediatrician and speech and language pathologist.

2. Ask your ENT to complete a thorough evaluation of the ear. This should include a computerized tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The ENT should also consult with your child's pediatrician regarding the safety of anesthesia.

3. Have the audiologist conduct a hearing exam to determine the need for a cochlear implant. If there is a chance that a hearing aid may benefit your child, then that is the appropriate first step.

4. Talk to the team about how effective a cochlear implant will be given the length of time your child has been hearing impaired. Cochlear implants work better in people who have been hearing impaired for a short time.

5. Discuss your child's age with the team. Younger children tend to have more success with cochlear implants than older children.

6. Ask the psychologist to conduct a psychological evaluation to determine if your child is intellectually and socially capable of adjusting to a cochlear implant.

7. Determine your family's commitment regarding continued therapy for the cochlear implant. Your child will need speech therapy and audiological evaluations. He may also need auditory training.

Tags: your child, cochlear implant, been hearing, been hearing impaired, cochlear implant

Decide Between Saline And Silicone Breast Implants

Decide Between Saline and Silicone Breast Implants

Deciding to undergo augmentation is a big decision that should be considered carefully. You will be taking a monumental step in changing your appearance. Selecting the type of implant you will use is an important step in the pre-surgery process. Researching the silicone and saline options will help you become a more informed patient.

Instructions

Research Saline Implants

1. Know that saline implants remain deflated until surgery. Saline implants allow a smaller point of insertion because the implant is flat and doesn't need a large opening for proper positioning.

2. Realize that the surgeon will fill up the implant during surgery. This will allow him to modify the saline level, based on your requests and the appearance of the implant in your body.

3. Choose saline implants to avoid rippling. Unsightly rippling is often seen when a saline implant has been over inflated.

4. Take into account that even saline implants are placed in a type of case. Sometimes called a bag, this case is made of silicone elastomer. There are no approved silicone-free options for implants.

Understand Why Women Choose Silicone Implants

5. Be aware that silicone-filled implants look and feel more natural to patients. This is because the silicone gel in the implant conforms to the shape of a natural breast.

6. Go with silicone implants if you have a smaller body frame. Your breasts will look more natural because the silicone sack is pre-filled.

7. Consider that if a leak occurs, a silicone implant will hold its shape longer. This means your breast won't look like a deflated balloon.

Study Saline and Silicone Implants Carefully

8. Ask about the price difference between silicone and saline implants. Silicone tends to cost more than saline.

9. Consider the difference in appearance between textured and smooth implants. Also, compare shapes and overall sizes before committing to your surgery.

10. Evaluate the side effects and potential risks of silicone implant ruptures. Silicone gel can cause irreversible damage to breast tissue.

Tags: saline implants, Saline Silicone, silicone implant, because silicone, Between Saline, Between Saline Silicone, Breast Implants

Measure A Breast Cup

If your bra puckers inward, the cup is the wrong size.

Seventy to 85 percent of women may be wearing the wrong bra size, according to Ana Marie Cox at TIME. Wearing the incorrect bra size can lead to aesthetic issues such as lumpiness, a visible bra line even through your shirt, or your breasts bulging over the top of the bra. It can also lead to physical issues such as chafing or redness under your breasts or pain from being poked by underwires. Your bra size consists of two measurements: the band size and the cup size. Knowing your cup size can help you select a perfectly fitted bra.

Instructions

1. Wrap a measuring tape around your chest directly beneath your breasts. Keep the tape level all the way around your body; do not allow it to slant up or down. Exhale completely and hold the measuring tape snug against your body to reduce the measurement, but do not squeeze the measuring tape into your skin. Read the measurement in inches. Add 1 if this number is odd. For example, if you measure 33 inches around your chest, you should add 1 for a total of 34 inches. Finally, add 4 to this number. In the example, the final number is 38. This is your band size, which will help you determine your cup size.

2. Measure around the fullest part of your breasts in the same manner that you measured around your chest. Read the measurement on the measuring tape. In the example, let's say your breasts measure 40 inches at the fullest point.

3. Subtract your band size from the measurement from Step 2. In the example, subtract 38 from 40 for an answer of 2. This number reveals your cup size. A number of less than 1 inch means your cup size is AA. 1 inch means your cup size is A, 2 inches means your cup size is B, and so on. See the Breast Form FAQ in Resources for a complete list of cup sizes. In our example, you would have a cup size of B because the difference between your band size and your breast measurement is 2. Your bra size would be 38B.

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What Are The Dangers Of Potty Training Too Early

A child cannot successfully potty train until her body is ready.

Even if your toddler has the cognitive skills to comprehend the potty process, he might not possess the physical development involved for urination or sphincter control. In past decades, parents were warned of dire consequences in a child's development if potty training was not mastered by a certain age. Today's pediatricians and scientists know that behavioral problems and other "dangers" our grandparents were warned about are nonexistent. The dangers of early potty training lie not in behaviors or other false fears, but in the frustration and resistance levels of the child and increased accidents leading to work for the parents.

Constant Frustration for Child and Parent

An adult might sit a toddler on a potty, but the child makes no connection between voiding urine or bowel movements. No matter how much a parent wishes a toddler to perform while on the potty, if the child's body is not mature enough, results will not be positive. Healthy Children's website indicates that a toddler is not able to voluntarily control urination or bowel movements until the age of at least 18 months. Around 12 months of age, a toddler might understand when he has to urinate or void, but "holding it" long enough to get to a potty, provided the child is walking, isn't possible. Insisting on early training results in tears and possibly tantrums.

Increased Resistance to Potty Performance

Insisting that a toddler perform while on the potty results in a tug of war of wills between the parent and the child. Toddlers are testing boundaries on a regular basis. Insisting on potty performance before a child feels successful will result in more tantrums and resistance to anything potty-related. Most children don't possess the motor skills, according to Healthy Children's website, to walk, sit and manipulate clothing when they feel the immediate urge to urinate or void until the child reaches the ages of 18 to 24 months.

Increased Accidents

Attempting to toilet train a toddler before physical maturation only results in more frequent accidents. Toddlers are usually placed into cloth training pants that they might not be able to pull on or off. The process of removing pants to urinate or void is too complicated and overwhelming, and the child "doesn't make it" in time. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that some toddlers are not ready to master toilet training until the age of 30 months. Even more important to realize is that most children cannot voluntarily control bowels or urination until the age of 3 or 4 years old. Pushing a toddler to stay dry results in more wet pants for the wash, or a toddler so fearful of failure that she might "hold" her bowel movements, resulting in constipation, or not empty her bladder, resulting in urinary tract infections.

Tags: bowel movements, urinate void, Children website, Healthy Children, Healthy Children website

Common Early Symptoms Of Colon Cancer

Common Early Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is quickly becoming the most common type of cancer, and in most cases is a silent killer. In its early stages there are very few symptoms, and since screening usually isn't recommended until after age 50, colon cancer can go undetected. Fortunately there are some symptoms to look for, and you can insist on regular screenings starting at an earlier age, especially if you have a family history of this type of cancer. There is a very high success rate for treating colon cancer if it's detected early.

Identification

Colon cancer in the early stages is a small growth that forms inside the colon called a polyp. Polyps are common and usually start to show up in the colon after age 50. During routine screenings any polyps found can be removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer. Not all polyps will become cancer, but since there is no way of telling which will, any found will be removed. If the polyps in the colon start to grow abnormal cells, these cells stick together and form tumors.

Symptoms

When polyps grow in the colon they don't create any symptoms, but leave them to turn into tumors and the symptoms of colon cancer become very real. As soon as you experience any of these symptoms it's important to seek medical advice because some colon cancer symptoms could be signs of another type of intestinal problem other then cancer. The most common symptoms are pain in the stomach, a change in bowl movements (especially if the color becomes very dark and there is blood in the stools), feeling like you cannot finish a bowel movement, fatigue and unexplained weight loss.

Considerations

If everyone was screened for colon cancer on a regular basis, tens of thousands of lives would be saved. That is how serious this type of cancer is and how successful the treatment can be. Colon cancer rarely has early warning signs--it can only be detected early enough to ensure successful treatment by having regular screenings. At age 50+ if you are not already getting screened it would be wise to do so. As with all medical concerns, it's always good to discuss colon cancer with your doctor--he can decide if you are at a higher risk for this type of cancer and if you should start screenings at an earlier age.

Screenings

There are several ways doctors can check for polyps and cancer in the colon, the most common being a colonoscopy. In this procedure a lighted scope is used to see inside the entire colon. A stool sample test or FOBT can be done to look for blood in the stool and detect cancer through DNA. An X-ray can also be used after a barium solution is put into the colon, making the entire colon viewable via X-ray. If any of these basic screenings show potential colon cancer, further tests are done like a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound or full blood chemistry panel. Your doctor will decide which tests are best for you.

Prevention/Solution

It cannot be emphasized enough that the most proven prevention for colon cancer is screening tests. In addition, a healthy lifestyle that includes maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and regular exercise can lessen the risk of developing colon cancer. Also cutting back on alcohol and tobacco use has been found beneficial because those who use these substances have a higher rate of colon cancer.

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Medicare Part B Supplement Options

Medicare comes in four parts, but Original Medicare (Parts A and B) offers most of its benefits. Part C, Medicare Advantage, mainly allows users to purchase their A and B benefits from private insurance companies. Part D covers only prescription drugs. Between them, Parts A and B offer coverage for home health services, inpatient and outpatient hospital and mental health care, preventive screenings, exams and hospice care. Medicare supplements, often called Medigap, help beneficiaries pay for Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs. As of 2011, all Medigap plans have benefits specifically for Part B services.

Part B Copays

The benefits offered by Medicare supplements are standardized. Except for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Massachusetts, which are allowed to sell Medigap differently, as of 2011 all states sell Medigap policies in the same forms. The only differences between them are the prices, which are set by the insurance companies that sell them. All Medigap policies must offer what are called the core or basic benefits. Most of these concern Part A, but one of the core benefits for Medicare supplements is coverage of Part B coinsurance and copayments. This is a major benefit, as most Part B services require a copay or coinsurance amount. Even Medigap Plan A, which has the fewest benefits and is the least expensive, has coverage for Part B coinsurance and copays.

Part B Deductible

Two Medigap plans offer coverage of the Part B deductible. This is an annual amount you are responsible for meeting yourself, after which you only pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost for most services. As of 2011, the deductible is $162 per year. If you purchase Medigap policies C or F, however, they will cover the costs of the annual Part B deductible.

Part B Excess Charges

Health-care providers who participate in Medicare cannot charge more than a maximum amount. However, physicians who do not accept Medicare are allowed to apply a surcharge for treating Medicare patients. As of 2011, this amount is 15 percent. Two Medicare supplements offer coverage of these Part B "excess charges." Plan F, which is available in both a standard and a high-deductible option, is one. Plan G, which has all the same benefits as Plan F minus coverage for the Part B deductible, is the other.

Cost-Sharing Plans

Medigap policies generally cover benefits at 100 percent. There are three cost-sharing plans that cover Part B services at less than 100 percent, which results in lower monthly premiums. Plans K and L cover the Part B coinsurance at 50 and 75 percent, respectively. They do not have a benefit for the Part B deductible or excess charges. Plans K and L also have annual out-of-pocket limits. Plan N, introduced in 2010, has copays for doctor's office visits and emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission. As of 2011, the copay amounts are $20 for office visits and $50 for the emergency room.

Tags: coverage Part, Medicare supplements, Medigap policies, Part deductible, offer coverage, Part coinsurance

What Are The Benefits Of Digital Technology

Digital data offers greater control and precision than analog data.

Digital technology uses digital data -- sets of discrete values, typically the numbers 1 and 0 -- to represent information. This is in contrast to analog technology that uses continuous values to represent data. All modern computer and electronic equipment are digital because they use and manipulate information using the digits 1 and 0. Digital technology has largely replaced slower analog systems due to its numerous security, speed and error control advantages.

Error Control, Detection and Correction

Digital technology provides greater capacity to detect and control errors. Although digital systems provide greater immunity to noise than analog systems, they are still susceptible to a certain degree of noise. Excessive noise can generate incorrect results and errors. Digital systems incorporate control systems that detect and even correct errors, according to Pelin Aksoy and Laura DeNardis in the book "Information Technology in Theory." They do so by reading data before it is transmitted and correcting its structure if it has errors.

Speed and Security

Digital systems are considerably faster than analog systems. Advances in digital technologies, such as improved digital transmission media and miniature transistors, make faster processing possible. Data security is of fundamental importance to most applications, especially those pertaining to sensitive government and business transactions. Sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, account details and personal information must be secured. Digital technology effectively protects data by applying security techniques, such as encryption. It ensures that data, even if it is intercepted over unsecured telephone and Internet networks, cannot be deciphered.

Reliability and Availability

Digital technology systems are reliable and are not susceptible to the same level and frequency of degradation as analog approaches. Most analog technologies degrade under environmental conditions and due to age. Digital technology is less prone to a decline in quality. For instance, music stored on an analog music cassette tends to deteriorate in quality over time and after exposure to excessive dust, moisture and similar factors. Music stored on a flash drive, or another digital format, is less likely to experience deterioration. Similarly, scanned data is likely to last longer than a hardcopy or paper-based format.

Digital technology makes it possible to communicate irrespective of distance. The transmission of digital data is easier since signals are generated with only one of two values, says Aksoy and DeNardis. These values are transmitted via digital communication lines and deciphered at the receiving end to one of two values. Analog signals, on the other hand, are generated with infinite values, the deciphering of which is time consuming, prone to errors and challenging.

Tags: Digital technology, analog systems, Digital technology, than analog, generated with, than analog systems

What Happens When A Man Takes Estrogen

What Happens When a Man Takes Estrogen?

Introduction

Although estrogen is primarily found in a woman's body, it plays an important role in a man's body as well. Although produced in smaller amounts, estrogen plays a part in both libido and sperm production. When estrogen levels drop too low, estrogen supplements may be used to help raise the concentration back to a normal level. However, too high of levels of estrogen can create physical and emotional side effects in men.

Sex Characteristics

Estrogen is the primary hormone responsible for developing the sexual characteristics of women. As such, too much estrogen in a man's body can facilitate the growth of breasts on men, also known as gynocomastia. High estrogen levels may also decrease the size of a man's testicles; in young men going through puberty, it may affect the size and rate in which testicle growth occurs.

Testosterone

Estrogen supplements may also interfere with the production of testosterone. In the brain on the hypothalamus are testosterone receptors. When estrogen levels get too high, they can saturate these receptors, causing fewer signals to be sent to the pituitary gland telling it to make less of the luteinizing hormone. The luteinizing hormone is a necessary ingredient for the gonads to be able to produce testosterone.

Libido

Estrogen supplements also can cause a drop in libido (sex drive) in men. Libido is largely dependent on the levels of testosterone in the body. As the excess estrogen lowers the amount of testosterone being made, the male libido experiences a drop in activity.

Mood

An increased level of estrogen can affect a man's mood stability. Estrogen has been shown to both increase the production of norepinephrine as well as decrease the amounts of dopamine being produced in the body. Both of these neurotransmitters significantly contribute to mood stabilization. A decrease in dopamine can cause depression, while an increase in norepinephrine can lead to agitation.

Tags: estrogen levels, Estrogen supplements also, Happens When, Happens When Takes, luteinizing hormone, supplements also, Takes Estrogen

How Does Cancer Work In The Body

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a collective term for over 100 illnesses characterized by abnormal and unregulated mitosis, or cell division. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, heart attacks being the first. Cancer can arise anywhere in the body and spread to other sites. Cancer is not contagious and can occur at any age.

How are Tumors Formed?

Body cells naturally undergo a process called mitosis, in which the cell divides into two identical cells for the purposes of growth and repair. For instance, when you get a cut, your skin cells replicate to repair the wound. Cancer cells divide at a much more rapid rate than normal healthy cells. The result of this accelerated cell division is a mass of tissue known as a tumor.

Are All Tumors Cancerous?

There are two kinds of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are non-cancerous and will not spread throughout the body. Once the benign tumor is removed, it is highly unlikely that it will grow back. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can be very harmful. They have the potential to metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body and cause further damage. If removed, there is still a chance that the malignant tumor will reappear.

How Do Tumors Affect the Body?

There are several ways in which a tumor can cause damage and destruction to the body. Some release substances that destroy the tissues that are close to them. Some penetrate organs and tissues and destroy or harm them in the process. Organs that have been attacked by tumors are more vulnerable to infections. Tumors also have the ability to put pressure on neighboring tissues and organs, preventing them from carrying out their functions properly.

What is Metastasis?

During metastasis, the tumor releases millions of cancerous cells into the bloodstream. Many are killed by immune system cells or while traveling in the blood vessels. Others survive and attach themselves to the lining of the blood vessels. When these cells replicate, more tumors can form in the new site.

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What Are The Dangers Of Soy Food

Some casserole dishes feature soy beans as the main ingredient.

Extracted through the soybean plant and cultivated for a variety of recipes found in health food restaurants, foods made with soy include cheese, milk and tofu. Soy can also be found in a variety of soups, stir-fried Chinese dishes as well as a large selection of bean casseroles. Dangers associated with soy foods can include causing early puberty in girls from ages 6 and up, which can lead to other health problems as they get older.

Digestive Problems

Since trypsin is a very important digestive enzyme that allows us to digest excessive amounts of protein properly, eating soy foods that contain trypsin inhibitors on a daily basis can cause some people to experience stomach cramps, diarrhea and even bleeding in some instances. Pancreatic diseases can also be attributed to people's diets that consist of nothing but soy foods as well. Health conscious people that cook food with only soy butter, soy milk and use soy enriched cheeses have the most risk when it comes to the inability to digest proteins in a healthy manner.

Thyroid Damage

As soy is one of the main ingredients used in food that contain goitrogens, a substance that suppresses the main functions of the thyroid gland, eating excessive amounts of soy foods can result in thyroid damage over a certain period of time. Goitrogens prevent your thyroid from getting the required amounts of iodine that your body needs to maintain health and when your thyroid ceases to function properly, the end result is a heavy weight gain. You will also get fatigued far more often and your memory can be negatively affected by thyroid damage received by eating too much soy foods as well.

Infertility

Because soy contains a high concentration of phytoestrogens, which basically replicates the estrogen found in humans, eating lots of soy foods can cause infertility among women, as well as contribute to low libidos. People that eat soy foods on a regular basis are more susceptible to health dangers caused by having too much estrogen coursing through their systems, resulting in endometriosis, breast cancer and uterine fibroids. Many medical studies have found that consuming phytoestrogens found in soy foods is generally unhealthy for women who want to conceive in the near future.

Cervical Cancer

A report published by the Cancer Research magazine in 2001 states that one of the isoflavones found in soy, genistein, is carcinogenic in nature and can cause some forms of cancer during the early months of pregnancy in women. Doctors compared the cancerous effects of genistein to the effects of DES, a synthetic estrogen that was given to women in the past but was stopped due to a high incidence of cervical cancer. Doctors have since learned that genistein features a higher degree of carcinogen than DES and have recommended that pregnant women refrain from ingesting a lot of soy food during their pregnancy.

Tags: cause some, excessive amounts, foods well, that contain, thyroid damage

Xray Tech Salaries

Most X-ray technicians work in hospitals, doctors' offices or laboratories.

X-ray technicians and technologists provide vital diagnostic assistance to doctors by providing them with images of internal structures and injuries, such as broken bones. These images help doctors decide on the correct course of treatment.

Salaries

The average wages for X-ray technicians, who are included in the radiologic technologists and technicians category by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), were $26.05 per hour or $54,180 yearly as of May 2009. PayScale reports that X-ray technicians made hourly wages between $15.42 and $23.13 and salaries from $33,132 to $50,503, based on a survey updated in September 2010 of 811 workers in this occupation.

Top Industries

PayScale lists health care, hospitals, orthopedic surgery, medical offices and medical services as popular industries for X-ray technicians, with hourly wages ranging from $14.59 to $23.76. General medical and surgical hospitals are the largest employers of radiologic technologists and technicians, according to the BLS, and pay an average salary of $54,770. Other top employers include doctors' offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories, outpatient care centers and the federal government.

Best-Paying Areas

BLS figures show that Massachusetts, with an average salary of $68,530, was the highest-paying state for radiologic technologists and technicians, followed by Nevada, Maryland, Hawaii and the District of Columbia. PayScale's survey shows that Philadelphia had the highest wages, from $22.19 to $31.54 per hour, with the other top five highest-paying areas including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Phoenix.

Tags: X-ray technicians, radiologic technologists, radiologic technologists technicians, technologists technicians, average salary, doctors offices

What Drugs Are Covered By Medicare Part D

Most prescription drugs that are not covered under Medicare Part A or Part B are included in Medicare Part D coverage. Generally, that means any drug that requires a prescription and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration--and that Medicaid lists in its drug coverage--is included. However, Part D plans, which are sold by private companies, are not required to pay for all covered drugs. Before you decide on a Part D plan, check the plan's formulary (drug list) to make sure your prescriptions will be covered.

Make sure your prescription is covered by your Part D plan.

Parts A and B

Medicare Part A pays for drugs provided and administered during a qualifying stay at a hospital or skilled nursing facility. The drug coverage is included in the Part A payment made to the facility. Medicare Part B covers drugs that typically are not self-administered and are given to you by a licensed health-care professional. As a general rule, that means drugs provided through injection or infusion. If a doctor determines it is unreasonable to expect a patient to administer the drug, it is eligible for Part B coverage. Part B also covers immunizations, including one shot per flu season and a pneumonia vaccination. Before a drug can be submitted as a Part B expense, you generally must fulfill the Part B deductible. In many cases, the portion of the drug not paid for by Part B will be covered by Medigap policies.

Part D Formulary Guidelines

The law that established Part D set up the general guidelines for the drugs that are covered. The law also established the rules by which companies could leave drugs off their formularies. To exclude a drug, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) must determine that the company is not trying to discourage a particular group or class of persons from enrolling. Generally, companies will exclude some brand drugs for which there is a somewhat comparable generic drug available. In some cases, companies will institute a "step" process, in which a brand drug is covered only after other drugs have been tried.

Keep in mind that plans can change their formularies at any time if the change passes the non-discrimination test and all plan participants are given 60-day notification of the change. It's worthwhile to run a check on available Part D policies each year during the annual open-enrollment period, from November 15 to December 31 (see Resources below). A plan that you previously rejected only because of its drug list might have changed its formulary, making it more advantageous for your needs.

Drug Tiers

Prescriptions covered by Part D plans are grouped within the formulary. The grouping assigned to the drug provides a general description of the level of coverage within the plan. Most Part D plans have four tiers: preferred generics; preferred brands; non-preferred generics and brands; and specialty drugs.

Class Exclusions

Certain classes of drugs are specifically excluded from Part D coverage, including the following: fertility drugs; weight-loss or weight-gain drugs; any drugs taken for cosmetic reasons; drugs to relieve common colds and coughs; vitamin and minerals, even those taken by prescription; over-the-counter drugs, including those that must be purchased through a pharmacist; and barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Insulin and smoking-cessation drugs are not excluded.

The excluded classes most problematic for Medicare recipients are weight-gain drugs, which often are used for cancer and HIV patients; barbiturates and benzodiazepines, which are prescribed to control anxiety and seizures in older patients as well as extreme muscle spasm in cerebral palsy patients; and over-the-counter drugs, which often are used by nursing-home residents.

Exceptions Process

Any Part D drug plan approved by the CMS must have a posted process through which plan participants can ask the company to cover a non-formulary drug or to provide additional coverage for a brand drug included on the formulary. By making this kind of request, you're basically asking the company to apply its formulary guidelines to all plan participants except you, so these requests are rarely approved. It's better to make sure your prescriptions are included in the plan's formulary before enrolling in the plan.

Both the Medicare Part D home page and Q1Medicare.com have online tools for screening formularies (see Resources). Check to see if your prescriptions require prior authorization or are subject to a step process.

Pharmacy Discount Plans

Drugs included as part of a retail pharmacy's discount plan also can be covered by a Part D plan. First check the list of drug providers allowed by your Part D plan. If your preferred pharmacy is included, you may well benefit from staying in that store's discount plan (for example, stores that sell some generic drugs for $4 or $5).

If you have a Part D plan that charges you a 25 percent co-pay and your drug is part of the discount program, you will pay $4 for the prescription until you meet your deductible, then you will pay only $1 through the covered portion of the plan. In addition, the lower total cost will delay pushing you into the uncovered portion of your Part D drug plan. Generally, such discount programs cover only drugs purchased at a retail outlet.

Tags: Medicare Part, Part plan, drugs that, drugs which, Part coverage

Build Bone Density

A loss of bone density greatly increases the risk of fractures and disability. Osteoporosis, a term that means porous bones, is the most common cause of reduced bone density. In the United States alone, more than 10 million people are estimated to suffer from osteoporosis, and another 34 million suffer from some degree of bone loss. It is crucial to begin building bone density early in life to prevent the devastating effects of osteoporosis and brittle bones.

Instructions

Build Bone Density

1. Engage in regular, weight-bearing exercise to increase bone strength and density. Activities such as stair climbing, walking, jogging, weight lifting and tennis require your muscles to work against gravity. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, engaging in these activities for 30 minutes, three or more times each week, can help prevent bone loss and increase bone strength.

2. Eat a diet high in calcium, regardless of your age. Peak bone mass is obtained during the 30s, which means even young women must take steps to protect their bones. Calcium-rich foods include milk, yogurt, canned fish with bones, cheese and dark green leafy vegetables, according to the University of Arizona.

3. Include foods in your diet containing vitamin D, such as egg yolks, liver, saltwater fish and fortified milk. The current recommended daily amount of vitamin D is between 400 and 800 IU, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

4. Spend 15 minutes each day in the sun. This small amount of sun exposure is not enough to cause negative effects, but is sufficient in most cases to increase your body's level of vitamin D.

5. Supplement with calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium if your dietary sources of these important minerals are insufficient. If you are on a restricted diet due to allergies or lactose intolerance, are vegetarian,or have been diagnosed with other health conditions, you should speak with your doctor about undergoing blood work to test your levels of these nutrients.

6. Take medications to increase bone density if you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia. A diagnosis of osteopenia is given when bone density is subnormal, but is not yet reduced enough for a diagnosis of osteoporosis. A number of medications have been approved by the FDA to prevent or treat osteoporosis, including bisphosphonates, calcitonin, raloxifene, teriparatide, and estrogens.

7. Have your hormone levels checked if you are a post-menopausal woman. Loss of estrogen following menopause reduces bone density and increases bone loss. Hormone replacement therapy might help rebuild bone mass, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

Tags: bone density, bone loss, have been, increase bone, been diagnosed

Get A Second Opinion Before Hernia Surgery

Get a Second Opinion Before Hernia Surgery

Before submitting to hernia surgery, you might consider your options to get a second opinion. There may not be a question about the need to have hernia repair, but there are choices in the types of procedures that are performed. If you have any doubts about what your surgeon is offering, get another opinion before submitting to surgery.

Instructions

Realize the Value of a Second Opinion

1. Understand that you have a right to get a second opinion before scheduling hernia surgery if it is not an emergency. Ask your surgeon for specifics about the type of surgery she recommends and her reasons for her choice. Compare this information with that from another surgeon.

2. Make an informed decision when you get a second opinion about hernia surgery. Ask the same questions as you did to your primary surgeon.

3. Request your surgeon to send a copy of your records to the doctor you've selected for a second opinion. This may avoid the need for having duplicate testing performed.

4. Make a call to the doctor you've selected to get a second opinion from prior to your scheduled office visit to verify he has received your records. You may need to hand carry the records with you to the visit.

5. Ask your local medical society for the names of surgeons who perform hernia operations. These societies can be located by calling your local hospital's information line.

6. Search the list of providers given with your insurance policy if you're in a managed care plan. If you have difficulty locating a surgeon for a second opinion, give your provider a call to get the name of a surgeon near you.

7. Get a second opinion only from a surgeon who practices in an accredited health care facility. A hospital should be accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH). When you choose your hospital, ask if the surgeon you're considering has privileges to operate in that facility.

8. Talk to family and friends who have had surgery recently by a general surgeon or one who specializes in hernia repair. A second opinion by someone you know about may give you more confidence in the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Tags: second opinion, second opinion, your surgeon, Before Hernia, Before Hernia Surgery, doctor selected, doctor selected second

Figure The Profit Of An Ira Or Cd

The ultimate goal of putting money into an IRA or a CD is to make a return on your investment. After you put money into one of these two entities, you may be interested in calculating the total amount of profit that they have generated. When you own either a CD or an IRA, calculating the profit that has been generated is simple.

Instructions

1. Access the available information about your investment. With an IRA, you can typically log into your account through your broker's website. If you have a CD, you may be able to look at your online banking information to see the value. You may also receive a statement from your broker or bank that provides information about these investments.

2. Locate the account balance or the total value of your CD. When you have an IRA, it will be comprised of several investments that you choose. The value of each investment adds up to give you the total amount of your account value. With a CD, you simply look at what the CD is worth. This is the value at maturity.

3. Subtract the amount that you originally invested in the IRA or the CD from the account balance or CD value. For example, if the account balance of your IRA is $100,000, and you initially invested $60,000, your IRA has $40,000 of profit. If the value of your CD now is $1,000 and you initially invested $950, the profit of the CD is $50.

Tags: account balance, information about, initially invested, money into, profit that, total amount, value your

How Do You Transfer A Patient Using A Hoyer Lift

Patient in hoyer lift

A hoyer lift, or mechanical lift as it is also known, is a caregiver's co-worker when he needs to transfer an immobile patient from one spot to another. It is beneficial in many ways. It eliminates the need for a second person to assist in the lifting of the patient, it reduces the strain on the caregiver's body, and it reduces the risk of injury for the patient during the transfer. However, proper use of the hoyer lift is essential in order for these benefits to take place.

Instructions

1. Explain what you are doing. Before you begin, explain to the patient what you will be doing. There are some who may be nervous about being elevated, regardless of the number of times they have been transferred with the hoyer lift. Taking a few moments to reassure a patient of their safety will make the process smoother for both of you.

2. Raise the bed. You will need the bed at its highest level, or at your waist level. This will ease the strain on your back while you are placing the hoyer pad under the patient and preparing him for the transfer. You will also want to be sure that the side rails of the bed are raised as well to ensure the safety of the patient.

3. Prepare the patient. Roll the patient away from you and have him hold onto the side rail if he is able to. While he is in this position, roll the hoyer pad in half and align it with the body so that the cut out on the bottom is just below his tail bone. You will then roll the patient back toward you and pull the pad out, unrolling it so that it is completely flat. The patient can then roll slowly onto his back.

4. Pull the leg straps through. Once the hoyer pad has been positioned, you will pull the leg straps under each thigh. If the person you are lifting is extremely small and fragile, you may want to criss-cross the straps for added safety. Once this has been completed, lower the bed back down to reduce the height the patient will need to be elevated.

5. Attach the loops. Roll the hoyer lift under the bed and lower the bars down to meet the loops of the hoyer pad. First hook the loops of the pad which support the shoulders, and then hook the loops of the pad that support the thighs. When hooking the leg straps, use the shortest loop possible.

6. Raise the patient. Once the pad has been attached to the bars of the hoyer lift, slowly begin to raise the patient off the bed. As you do, the pad of the hoyer lift will place him into a sitting position. You will then take his legs and place them over the side of the bed, turning them to face you in the process. Before moving the lift, be sure that you have the base spread apart to properly balance the weight of the patient.

7. Lower the patient. Place the patient directly over the object that he is being transferred to. If it is a wheel chair, be sure that the breaks are locked before you lower him into it. As you are doing so, you may need to gently push the patient back simultaneously to ensure that he is in a completely upright position. Once lowered, you will then unhook the hoyer pad and either tuck the sides of the pad under the patient, or remove the pad so it may be used on someone else.

Tags: hoyer lift, hoyer lift, sure that, will then, hook loops, patient back, that completely

About Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Diagnostic medical sonographer professionals are trained to operate ultrasonic imaging devices for medical purposes. These experts use the ultrasonic devices to produce images, scans, videos or 3D displays of anatomy and diagnostic information. They are highly-trained in operating ultrasonic imaging equipment and are educated in view, capture, analyze and modify the scanning procedure to optimize the image's potential information for diagnostic purposes.

History

Dr. George Ludwig performed the first ultrasound on the human body (for medical purposes) in the late 1940s. It was done at the Naval Medical Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland and opened a gate of opportunity within the world of medical sonography. The development of the color Doppler ultrasound by Geoff Stevenson a few years later greatly led to progression in ultrasonic medicine.

Function

When a doctor needs a non-invasive way of looking at a specific area of the internal body, the physician sends the patient to a diagnostic medical sonographer. Thus, diagnostic medical sonographers are required to have knowledge in many areas of the body. In fact, they must be educated in advanced human anatomy and physiology. They may be required to take scans of various body parts, within any given day. The images captured by diagnostic medical sonographers can help doctors in diagnosing and treating hundreds of illnesses and diseases.

Types

While some diagnostic medical sonographers work with only one type of specialty doctor, others are general sonographers. General sonographers most often work in the emergency areas of a hospital or clinic. However, diagnostic medical sonographers can specialize in cardiac, obstetrical, vascular sonography or other in areas. The seriousness of the sonographer's job is high. Doctors are often looking for something serious when they order a sonographer's services (blood clots, cancer, or cysts).

Features

Another term for a diagnostic medical sonographer is an Ultrasound Technologist. In other areas of the world they are simply called sonographers. However, the job description is largely the same and all are required to be educated in cross sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology, communication and psycho-motor skill areas.

Considerations

The job of being a diagnostic medical sonographer is most often safe. However, nearly 82% will develop some sort of repetitive motion injury (like carpal tunnel) from their job. The injury is most often due to the constant pressure and movement of the transducer to obtain sonographic images. In addition, there is no known risk of being around ultrasonic equipment much like there is with other radiology equipment (x-rays).

Tags: diagnostic medical, diagnostic medical sonographers, medical sonographer, medical sonographers, diagnostic medical sonographer, most often, anatomy physiology

Be Successful In The Radiology Program

Radiology and radiography encompass the study of medical images such as x-rays, ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Radiologists are medical doctors who have completed medical school and a specialized residency in radiology, while radiographers are technicians who assist in generating medical images. Because there are several ways to enter the radiology field, the first step to being successful in a radiology program is to properly identify what job you want to do within the discipline of radiology.

Instructions

1. Gain volunteer experience at a hospital or medical care center working in the medical field and becoming familiar with practices and procedures for success once you enroll in a radiology program.

2. Determine if you want to pursue a medical program in radiology or a technician program in radiography before enrolling in any higher education program.

3. Search for and select a technical college or a four-year college or university that offers either an associate's or bachelor's degree in radiography, if you are interested in working closely with the medical imaging technology itself.

4. Choose a radiography program only if you have strong math and science skills in addition to a basic level of physical endurance and mobility, since radiographers must be able to stand for long periods of time, work in confined spaces and lift and position patients.

5. Make sure that you have strong vision and hearing, as well as dexterity and hand-eye coordination in order to succeed in radiography, since these skills are necessary to respond to patient needs and to operate machinery.

6. Develop the ability to deal with incontinent patients and dispose of bodily wastes if necessary, since people who are uncomfortable dealing with these issues are not successful in most medical fields.

7. Prepare for a radiology program, which is a medical specialization requiring medical schooling, by taking a robust selection of math and science courses in a four-year undergraduate degree program.

8. Search for and choose a medical school that is associated with a strong radiology residency program if you know you want to pursue radiology in order to begin making contacts and gaining experience early.

9. Catch up on any science or math skills that you need to improve with graduate and post-graduate courses offered at your medical college or nearby universities, since these skills are essential to success in a radiology program.

10. Seek out a residency program and a post-residency fellowship within a specific focus area of radiology once you have completed medical school coursework.

11. Stay organized and manage your time well, maintaining a clear and detailed schedule of all residency rotations and keeping up with all dictations of studies and conference schedules associated with clinical work. Know all relevant contacts in case of emergency and be responsible and professional in collegial relationships.

Tags: medical school, radiology program, associated with, completed medical, completed medical school, have completed, have completed medical

Create Lightsabers In After Effects

The special effects industry was transformed in 1977 by a low budget film called "Star Wars', and its team of crack artists at "Industrial Light and Magic". They took time honored techniques and elevated them to a level that many had dreamed impossible. Fortunately, with all of the new computer technology available today, many of these classic special effects can be achieved in the comfort of your living room. So, in this tutorial, we will take a look at use Adobe After Effects to create one of the classic effects from the Star Wars films: the lightsaber.

Instructions

1. Open After Effects. In the edit window, right click and select "File". Now scroll down and select the footage you want to apply the effect to, and then click "Open". After Effects should then import the file. Now drag the footage into the timeline at the bottom of the screen. This will create a new composition.

2. Create "Solids". Do this by going to "Layer" then "New" and then "Solid" in the toolbar menus at the top of the screen. Make the first one black. Then hit "Make Comp Size". Now, create another solid, and color it white. Hit "Make Comp Size" for this solid as well.

3. Drag the black solid below your footage in the timeline toolbar. The white solid should remain above your footage.

4. Create a mask. Select the pen tool, and create four points. The white area that is outside the box that we have created should now disappear, leaving only the shape you just created on top of your original footage. Select the arrow tool. Drag each corner of the shape you created so that it covers up the stand-in lightsaber that you used in your original footage. It should be as close to the original as possible, as this white overlapping shape will eventually become your saber blade.

5. Select "White Solid 1" from the time line. Hit "N". It should expand into the mask options. Check the "Time Arch" box in the mask options.

6. Rotoscope the lightsaber. Remember how we clicked and dragged the points of your shape until they covered your original saber? Well now we need to do that for each frame. This is a process that is known as "Rotoscoping". Simply hit "Next Frame" in the time control toolbar, and drag the shape so that it covers the lightsaber in every frame of your footage. Be prepared, this process takes time.

7. Delete your footage in the timeline. I know that this sounds crazy, but this is actually the way to get the best results. You should now be left with "White Solid 1" and "Black Solid 1" in the time line. Select "White Solid 1" and check the "Motion Blur" boxes to the right and above the timeline. This will create a blur when the saber moves. Now, duplicate "White Solid 1" three times by pressing Control+D. There should now be a total of four while solids, your original plus the three duplicates.

8. Select your first duplicate. Go to "Effects" then "Blur and Sharpen" then "Gaussian Blur". Set the value to "10". Select the second duplicate. Go to "Effects" then "Blur and Sharpen" then "Gaussian Blur". Set the value to "20" Select the last duplicate. Go to "Effects" then "Blur and Sharpen" then "Gaussian Blur". Set the value to "40". When you play the video now, you should get something that actually looks like a white lightsaber moving around, rather than a blocky white shape.

9. Take your original footage and drag it into the timeline to create a new composition. Then take the lightsaber footage (what you were just working on, with all the blurs, solids, and masks) and drag that into the time line. You should now have two files in the timeline. Put the lightsaber footage on top of your original. The screen should go to black, with your white lightsaber showing. Now, hit F4. Next to the lightsaber footage a box should appear that says "Mode". Click "Mode" and set it to "Screen". The black should disappear leaving your original footage with the edited lightsaber spliced on top.

10. Add color. Select the lightsaber footage. Go to "Effects" then "Color Correction" and click on "Color Balance". Check Preserve luminosity in the effects window. Play with the color balance sliders to create your ideal saber color. Replay the footage to make sure that it is exactly the way you want it, export, and you are finished!

Tags: your original, After Effects, Effects then, lightsaber footage, original footage, your footage, your original footage

Create Holographic Pictures

You can make simple holograms at home.

Now you too can create holographic pictures in your own home, and you won't need a laser either. This means you won't be concerned with eye safety. You won't need an isolation table, or a darkroom, or any expensive film plates. You may not be able to recreate the film "Avatar" on your first try, but you will achieve some cool effects.

Instructions

1. Using your magic marker, make about a one-inch "H" (or your initial) on a six-square-inch piece of Plexiglas or clear acrylic plastic mounted on your work board.

2. Take the pencil out of your drawing compass and put the hard metal point in instead. Your compass usually comes with it if you purchased it at an art store.

3. Place one of the sharp metal tips right at the top of one of the arms of the "H". Spin the compass so that you make a slight scratched arc in the surface of the plastic.

4. Move the compass to another spot on the "H." Keep the distance between the arms of the compass the same. Create a new scratched arc, until both sides of the "H" are full of little holes from the point of your compass. Repeat until you have at least a dozen arcs.

5. Take a dark magic marker and coat the unscratched side of the Plexiglas. Hold the Plexiglas at shoulder level, and turn until you are facing the sun or a powerful light source. Move the Plexiglas plate up and down. As you tilt it, you'll see moving highlights.

Tags: magic marker

Side Effects Of Breast Enhancement Pills

Side Effects of Breast Enhancement Pills

While a bottle of breast enhancement pills may seem like a cheap and easy way to a bigger bust, these pills could cost you in the end. Before taking these largely untested medications, consult this list to see if they're the best choice for a better body.

The First Effect

The primary effect of breast enhancement pills is a lighter wallet...and little else. Breast growth pills simply don't work, and are by and large a scam.

Estrogen-Like Ingredients

Depending on what the pills contain, there could be side effects from herbs or natural ingredients that are similar to estrogen. Of course, it's best to take hormones, real or otherwise, under a doctor's care. Without that, there's a risk of adverse effect.

Odds Are, the Pills Are Empty

An article on Science Daily quotes Thomas Lawrence, MD, Chair of the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation (PSEF) Device and Technique Assessment Committee: "There are upward of 30 different herbal products advertised widely on television, in magazines and on the Internet alleging to enhance the size of women's breasts; however, there have been no scientifically sound clinical trials proving they work."

Natural Means Nothing

A natural breast enhancement supplement isn't necessarily better for you, and it could actually be worse. There's always the possibility of allergies when taking natural products, and many of these pills haven't been tested or certified by the Food and Drug Administration.

Messing With Your Prescription Meds

Several breast enhancement pill ingredients interfere with the effectiveness of prescription medications. "For example, chaste-tree berry, which has been used to treat female reproductive problems since ancient times in Greece, contains active ingredients that may interfere with birth control pills. Black cohosh may increase the toxicity of anticancer drugs. Fenugreek contains elements that can interfere with medications designed to stop blood clotting and regulate diabetes," states Science Daily.

Tags: interfere with, breast enhancement, breast enhancement, Breast Enhancement Pills, Effects Breast, Effects Breast Enhancement, Enhancement Pills

Create Barcode Metal Asset Tags

Using bar codes on asset tags will save you time and money.

Asset tags are strips of strong paper, plastic, leather or metal used to label tangible company assets such as furniture and equipment. Assets tags typically contain a code that will allow it to be tracked and identified for accounting purposes. Attaching a bar code to a metal tag makes it easier to identify a tagged asset because uploading the asset code can be done instantly using a bar code scanner. A quick scan of the bar coded tag using a scanner will allow you to instantly retrieve computer records pertaining to the tagged asset.

Instructions

1. Visit the website of Barcode Soft, Barcoding or Barcode Generator to be able to use a free online bar code generating software program.

2. Observe the website's homepage and view the program interface. Select the kind of bar code you wish to create from the presented list. Type-in the asset code or information that you wish to encode in the space provided, and click on "Generate Bar code" button to create the bar code image. View the image and right-click on it to show a drop-down menu. Click on "Save Image As" in the drop-down menu to save the bar code image in your computer.

3. Load a sheet of sticker paper into your printer. Locate the folder where you saved the bar code image, and open the folder to view the bar code image. Right-click on the displayed bar code image to display a drop-down menu. Click on "Print" in the resulting menu to print the bar code.

4. Cut the printed bar code image according to the size of the metal asset tag. Clean the metal asset tag surface to remove any oil or dirt that will prevent the sticker form adhering to the metal. Peel off the backing of the sticker paper, and attach the bar code sticker neatly onto the metal asset tag.

5. Plug the bar code scanner into its corresponding port at the back of your computer. Turn on the computer and open the software program that will use the data from the metal asset tag. Scan the bar code, using the bar code scanner, and check the uploaded data for accuracy.

Tags: code image, code scanner, drop-down menu, metal asset, that will

How Much Does An Xray Ultrasound Technician Make

Ultrasound techs make decent annual wages in the field of sonography.

Ultrasound technicians, also known as sonographers, are trained to take diagnostic images similar to X-rays. However, unlike X-rays, sonographs use sound waves rather than radiation or radio waves in order to capture an image. The amount of money an ultrasound technician makes varies depending on experience and employer.

Qualifications

Ultrasound technicians may follow one of several paths to pursue their career, each of which will lead to a different salary. They may train in hospitals, colleges or universities or vocational institutions and earn either an associate or bachelor's degree. One year vocational certificates are also an option, though those with higher degrees will likely make more money.

Salary

The average salary for ultrasound techs in the U.S. is $63,640, or an average hourly rate of $30.60. The median salary is $63,010, with those in the bottom 10 percent earning $43,990 and those in the top 10 percent earning $85,950. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2009)

Facility

Ultrasound technicians are most commonly employed by hospitals, though they also frequently work at doctors' offices, laboratories and other medical clinics. Sonographers at general medical and surgical hospitals earn $63,770 annually on average, while those at specialty hospitals earn more at $67,070. Those in offices of physicians earn $63,820, while medical and diagnostic laboratories pay $63,820 and outpatient care centers pay $64,560. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2009)

Area

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that no states require ultrasound technicians to possess a license, although organizations such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers credentials and certification. Techs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, Calif., earn the highest wages in the country at $97,530, followed by another California area: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, which offers $92,680. Ultrasound techs in Worcester, Mass.-Connecticut earn $90,440 a year, while those in Boulder, Colo., and Santa Rosa-Petaluma, Calif., both earn more than $83,000.

Tags: Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, Labor Statistics, Ultrasound technicians, earn more, hospitals earn, Labor Statistics 2009