Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Radiology Programs In Meridian Mississippi

X-rays are one type of test performed by radiology students while training.


Radiology programs teach students to perform exams on patients by using test such as x-rays, cat scans, MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) and ultrasounds. These students are trained to follow doctors orders, and these test diagnose problems in patients. Schools located in Meridian, Mississippi and surrounding areas offer programs that produce entry-level workers and are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.


Meridian Community College


Meridian Community College has a two-year accredited associate's degree program in radiologic technology. This program applies critical thinking, effective communication skills and problem solving to train radiography students. The program covers six semesters and students must maintain a C average to continue from course to course. Interested students must be 18 or older and need an ACT score of 18 with at least a 17 on the math portion or a 69.5 on the ACCUPLACER reading section, and a 62.5 on the algebra section. Further requirements are an anatomy and physiology class taken in the last five years, a 2.0 grade point average on all previous college or high school work, two references, 28 hours of observation work in a radiology department and a background check. Submit all theses requirements along with the application and the college will notify potential students if selected for an interview.


Meridian Community College


Radiologic Technology


910 Highway 19 North


Meridian, MS 39307


601-484-8779


meridiancc.edu


Jones County Junior College


Jones County Junior College is one hour from Meridian and has a two-year accredited program. This department has two tracks for interested students: pre-radiologic technology, which prepares students for a four-year college, and medical radiologic technology, which prepares students for the entry-level radiology field. Interested students must submit an application, take a medical exam, have two references and submit to a background check.


Jones County Junior College


900 South Court St.


Ellisville, MS 39437


601-477-4159


jcjc.edu


Copiah-Lincoln Community College


Copiah-Lincoln Community College is two hours from Meridian and has a two-year accredited medical radiologic technology program. Students are trained for the radiology workforce through laboratory work, clinical training and class work. Interested students must be 18 years old, have an ACT score of 19 or greater, submit to a drug test and submit to a background check. Once an application packet has been received, students will be notified for interviews.


Radiology Technology Program


Copiah-Lincoln Community College


P.O. Box 649


Wesson, MS 39191


601-643-8307


colin.edu


Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College - Jackson County Campus


Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's Jackson County Campus has a two-year radiologic technology program and is three hours from Meridian. This accredited program trains students to think critically and problem solve with regards to all aspects of radiology. Interested students need a 2.5 grade point average, and an ACT score of 21 or better, and must submit to a drug test. Selected applicants will be called for an interview in the department. All application packets should be taken to the secretary of the health occupations department.


Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College


Jackson County Campus


Health Occupations


P.O. Box 100


Gautier, MS 39553


228-497-7710


mgccc.edu







Tags: Community College, radiologic technology, students must, background check, Coast Community, Coast Community College

Occupational Safety Guidelines

Occupational safety guidelines were established to prevent employees and employers from getting ill, injured or killed on the job. The occupational health and safety guidelines that have been established must be followed by both the employer and the employees at all times, unless the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) makes changes to the regulations. Although the act has not prevented injuries or deaths, both have decreased over the years.


OSHA History


Congress established OHSA in 1970. Since the administration was formed, the number of workplace injuries nationwide has decreased by 42 percent, and the number of deaths have decreased by 62 percent. OSHA ensures employers and employees comply with the safety guidelines of the act by sending representatives into the businesses to do checkups and inspections. Any employer that is in violation, or has an employee in violation of the guidelines, could face a citation, fine or even be forced to close the business down until all health and safety requirements are met.


Safety Hazards


There are safety guidelines outlined in the OSH Act that prevent employers from allowing employees to work in safety hazards. All employers are to provide employees with a working environment that is free of hazards. Hazards include any harmful situations likely to cause death or injury to employees.


Safety Training


The employer must properly train an employee on do his job effectively and safely. Training must be provided to the employee before he begins working. If an employee is hurt while training, the employer may not allow the employee to work on the job until he can pass through the training without being injured. Training includes using and operating machinery and equipment.


Safety Gear


An employee should be provided with the safety gear she needs to wear in order to perform her job safely. Employers are not required to provide the employees with safety gear, such as hard hats, safety goggles or steel-toed boots, but the employer is required to notify the employee that she needs to wear these types of safety gear. If an employee chooses not to wear her safety gear when directed to, the employer may not allow the employee to work, because this can cause the employee to be injured or killed.


Posting Safety Guidelines


Not all employees are aware of the safety guidelines they must follow at work, or their safety rights. Therefore, an employer is required by the OSH Act to have a visible poster, flyer or document of some type that details OSHA guidelines and rights of the employee. If an employee would like to keep a copy of his rights and the safety guidelines, the employer must give the employee his own copy. Not having the guidelines and rights posted is a violation of the act, and the business will be cited.







Tags: safety guidelines, safety gear, with safety, allow employee, allow employee work, decreased percent

Games For Senior Citizens On The Ds

Games for Senior Citizens on the DS


Older adults who want to play video games often face a bit of conundrum. Many games are geared toward the interests of children and teenagers and hold little interest for them; yet the Alzheimer's Association recommends games, puzzles and other brain-engaging activities as protection against Alzheimer's disease. The Nintendo Dual Screen system is an excellent solution. The DS is easy to use and carry, and there are games made specifically for the system which are designed to be both interesting and mentally stimulating for adults.


Brain Age


Brain Age and Brain Age 2 are a series of puzzle-based games for the DS. Each Brain Age title actually contains several different kinds of puzzles, from word puzzles and number puzzles to concentration, connect-the-dots and sudoku. The game provides a tracking system for your to keep account of your "brain age" as it progresses over the time you spend playing the games, with the goal being to attain a brain age younger than your chronological one.


Nintendo actually developed Brain Age with seniors in mind, and consulted the Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the Discovery Channel and various health publication when creating its marketing strategy for the games.


Big Brain Academy


Big Brain Academy is the second title in Nintendo's planned series of brain games. In Big Brain Academy, you must use five mental skills: thinking, memorizing, analyzing, computing, and identifying. The faster you can complete the activities at the academy, the heavier your "brain weight." The object of the game is to keep increasing your brain weight, and to help you do this, there are three game modes. A practice mode helps you to get ready for the challenges, the Test mode is the challenges themselves, and the Vs. (versus) mode lets you challenge up to seven friends using the same game card.


Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney


Phoenix Wright stars in a series of mystery games which ask the player to use their problem-solving skills and logic to help him defend his innocent clients. Upon its initial release, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney was scored highly by Game Spot, critics and users, and is recommended by the AARP for its visuals, fun quotient and ease of play.


Clubhouse Games


Also recommended by the AARP, Clubhouse Games packs more than 40 classic board, card and parlor games into one little video game cartridge. Not only does it have standards like solitaire and hearts, it also features hangman, checkers, backgammon, mah-jongg, chess, dominoes and poker games such as Texas hold 'em and five-card draw. You can also play rummy, old maid and blackjack. Clubhouse Games also has the ability to play with up to seven people.







Tags: Brain Academy, Clubhouse Games, Phoenix Wright, your brain, Brain Brain

How Do Insurance Companies Make Money

Insurance Company Premiums


Although there are variations between insurance products and insurance companies, the basic principals they use to make money are the same. To provide insurance, insurance companies charge a premium, which is the price for the insurance. You can pay premiums in several ways, depending upon the type of insurance and your preference. For example, auto insurance was traditionally paid every six months. Now, many companies will allow monthly payments or annual payments as well. These premiums are the money the insurance company receives from its customers.


Insurance Company Payouts


An insurance company pays out money according to the terms of the insurance when a certain event happens to a policy holder. In the case of homeowner's insurance, the insurance company may pay if there is a fire. Typically, the maximum amount the insurance company will pay is stated in the policy. These payouts represent expenses to the insurance company.


Shared Risk and Large Numbers


If a customer pays $500 in auto insurance premiums, but does not have an accident, the insurance company keeps the $500. Likewise, if a customer pays $500 in auto insurance premiums and has an accident that causes $50,000 in damage, the insurance company will pay out $50,000 regardless of the fact that the customer paid far less.


This concept is called shared risk. In the example above, if the insurance company can get 100 customers to each pay $500 per year in premiums, but those customers have no claims for every one customer who has $50,000 in claims, the insurance company would break even. Every customer over 100 per one represents a profit, or every dollar charged over $500 represents a profit.


Of course, the real world isn't this tidy. However, over a large number insurance customers, statistical trends emerge. With bigger numbers, these trends become increasingly accurate.


Reserves


Because claims are not filed on any sort of regular timetable, there are times when the insurance company will have more cash come in reserve than it needs to pay claims. In our example above, if one out every five people file an average claim of $5,000 each year, that means that in one year, there may be five claims of $100 each (and other years where they are higher). In this year, the insurance company will have received $5,550 in premiums and paid only $500 in claims. The extra $500 charged over the required break-even amount is still profit. However, the company now has taken in $4,500 that the statistics say they will need later to pay claims. So, the company will keep that money as a "reserve." This money is not profit. Is is simply being held to pay expenses later.


Investing Reserves


An insurance company's reserves are not held in a savings account. Rather, the insurance company invests those reserves. If the insurance company makes a positive return on those investments, then that money would be a profit. So, if the company makes a 10 percent return on the $4,500 before it needs that money to pay out claims, then it would make $450 in "extra" profit just by holding its reserves.


The combination of charging profitable premiums, plus making money on invested reserves, is how an insurance company makes money.


Coverage Selection and Rejection


In order to make the models work, an insurance company must have a way to statistically measure the amount of risk involved in any insurance product. If it cannot measure such risk, an insurance company may not sell a certain product to a certain segment of the population or to a certain area. Furthermore, if an insurance company can project the risk, but cannot figure out a way to offer a product to cover such a risk in a way that is profitable, the company may again not offer that product.


For example, many companies have stopped writing homeowner policies in areas that are subject to a high frequency of hurricanes, such as some coastal areas in Florida. In this instance, the insurance companies have determined that there is no way to profitably offer such policies because the premiums would need to be so high that few people would buy the insurance, and then the model for spreading risk over large numbers will not work.







Tags: insurance company, company will, insurance company, insurance company will, auto insurance, company makes, insurance premiums

Monday, November 29, 2010

Get Low Cost Dental Work

Get Low Cost Dental Work


Millions of Americans remain without dental insurance yet still need dental work and care. Dental costs can get expensive and you need to research your options to get low cost dental work and save money in the long run.


Instructions


1. Join a dental discount club offered by a major network or well-known company. This is a great option if you have no way to get dental insurance. Your choice of providers is limited but you'll pay less out of pocket for any dental work you need.


2. Explain to your dentist your financial situation and see if you can negotiate a price or at least work out a payment plan. If you have a long-standing relationship with a dentist, negotiating fees is easier and less intimidating to do. Walking into a brand new office and trying to negotiate fees may not work as well.


3. Select a dentist that is in your dental insurance plan, if you have one. It isn't worth paying the premiums on dental insurance if you aren't seeing a provider in your network.


4. Choose treatments that are the least costly. Different grades of dental work, like dentures, crowns and fillings, do exist and they all cost different amounts. Save yourself money by choosing the least expensive treatment that still treats your condition effectively.


5. Check with your local Department of Health Services. They may be able to offer dental services to you for a lower cost based on your income and your ability to pay.


6. Search your local area for a dental school that provides low cost or free dental work. Having a student perform your dental work may not sound appealing but remember that these programs are run by professors of dentistry.







Tags: dental insurance, dental work, Cost Dental, Cost Dental Work, dental work, plan have, your dental

Reasons Why I Shouldn'T Sign Up For Medicare Part B

In most cases, when you turn age 65, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare, the government-sponsored health insurance program. Medicare Part A covers major items such as hospitalization and requires no additional premium, as it is paid for through employee payroll taxes. Part B covers items such as outpatient care and doctor visits and requires an additional premium, currently $110.50 per month for new enrollees as of 2010. You are not required to take Part B, however, and there may be some situations where you may choose to decline it.


Other Coverage


Perhaps you are 65 or older and are still covered by an employer-sponsored health insurance policy, either from a current or former employer or from a spouse's coverage. In that case, you would be likely be paying for duplicate coverage if you signed up for Medicare Part B. However, if you are over 65, you can still enroll within eight months of the termination of your current health plan. Even if you did not have prior coverage, you can also enroll after age 65 between January 1st and March 31st of each year. However, you will be required to pay a penalty in addition to the premium.


Self-Insured


Your financial situation may be such that you may be able to afford to pay for such care as doctor visits and feel that paying the Part B premium would not be worth the expense. You may feel that you are in relatively good health and aren't concerned about possible medical expenses. In that case, you may decide to participate in Medicare Part A and decline Part B. You will have the coverage for major medical expenses like hospital stays but you won't be required to pay additional premiums.


Affordability


On the other hand, your income may be limited and you are having difficulty making ends meet on Social Security benefits and any other retirement income you may have. In this situation, you may need to make the difficult decision not to enroll in Medicare Part B. If so, you may want to consider looking into lower-priced supplemental plans for seniors. Most states have government programs that can assist in paying Part B premiums.







Tags: Medicare Part, additional premium, care doctor, care doctor visits, doctor visits, feel that, health insurance

Kansas Banking Laws

Kansas banking laws regulate finance.


Kansas banking laws help define the character of the state. The Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) takes the lead in educating about the state's banking laws and regulations. In doing so, it's hoped that fairness in banking conduct will result with the consumer being protected from unscrupulous activities.


Historical Law


A state law passed in 1891 has been called the start of a renaissance in Kansas banking, notes the book "Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History." With the passing of the law, the office of a bank commissioner was created, and just six years later, a more comprehensive law comprising 65 articles was passed, which included the establishment of fines for delinquent banking officers as well as further explanation of the bank commissioner's duties.


Kansas Banking Code


The banking law code most recently published by Kansas' OSBC (2009) outlines major laws that regulate modern banking activity. For example, all Kansas banks incorporated after July 1, 1975, must have at least $250,000 in capital. If it's observed that the bank fails in meeting this minimum, the bank commissioner will notify the bank and give it 90 days upon receipt of notice to restore its capital.


Limitations imposed on Kansas banks include being prevented from investing in the stock of another bank or corporation, unless given specific authorization from the banking commissioner.


Banking officers, directors, agents and employees guilty of violating banking laws will be subject to misdemeanor charges and a maximum penalty of $1,000 a year in prison or both.


Banking Administrative Regulations


As banks grow in their business, they must comply with administrative regulations as established by state law. For example, in what is called "financial modernization," or the acquiring of additional commercial interests that go beyond traditional deposit-and-withdrawal banking, a bank must provide written notice to the banking commissioner, which details how the bank will take control of additional entities and in what percentage.


Further, strict documentation regarding the bank's interests and activities must be kept and maintained throughout each year. Examples include recorded minutes of stockholders' and directors' meetings, as well as records regarding loans, bonds, bank-owned real estate and insured bank property.







Tags: banking laws, bank commissioner, banking commissioner, Kansas Banking, Kansas banking

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Business Objects Predictive Analysis

Managers use Business Objects as a business forecasting tool.


If you can forecast or predict customer buying patterns, you can design new products and services to serve those buying patterns. This is the focus behind Business Objects Predictive Analysis software and tools. Companies use these tools to design better products and services and increase profits


Definition


BusinessObjects Predictive Analysis is a predictive or business forecasting tool for companies. This tool comes in the form of database mining software with supporting analytical tools.


Application


Corporate managers can use BusinessObjects Predictive Analysis to make well-informed proactive decisions. It's a decision support tool. For example, often valuable customer buying patterns are spread among multiple non-related corporate databases and BusinessObjects Predictive Analysis software is designed to comb this data, stitch together the hidden value and deliver that value to corporate decision makers.


Benefits


The valuable data delivered to corporate decision makers may result in an improved product or service or the creation of new products and services. For this reason, large retail companies, such as Wal-Mart, often track sales data in real-time as sales are made at retail counters nationwide and funnel it back to key analytical tools and decision makers.







Tags: Predictive Analysis, Business Objects, BusinessObjects Predictive, BusinessObjects Predictive Analysis, buying patterns, decision makers, products services

Friday, November 26, 2010

Calcium Supplements For Dogs

A healthy dog needs calcium.


Dogs need calcium for healthy bones, nerves and muscles. The Texas Veterinary Medical Association advises that pet foods certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO, must provide complete nutrition. You will not need to add supplements. Too much calcium can cause kidney stones, developmental diseases, elbow dysplasia or early arthritis. Your veterinarian, however, may recommend calcium supplements for medical conditions or if you feed your dog homemade food.


Bones


Although all dogs love bones, splintered bones often cause injuries resulting in major surgery or death. Many people now feed their dogs raw diets and, because bones are a good source of calcium and phosphorus, include raw chicken bones daily. They believe that raw bones will not splinter.


Bone Meal


You can purchase bone meal or grind it yourself. Bone meal, considered a good calcium supplement, provides calcium and phosphorus in the correct ratio. As a powder, you can just add it to your dog's food. However, bone meal can contain contaminants from the environment. Too much bone meal may add high levels of heavy metals and lead to your dog's diet. Born Free cautions that bone meal must be food grade. Do not feed bone meal sold for gardening.


Dairy Products


Dogs easily digest cottage cheese and yogurt. Yogurt also replaces good bacteria in their systems if they have taken antibiotics. If your dog can tolerate nonfat milk, it is a good source of calcium. Most dogs love cheese, but you must consider the amount of fat in it.


Fish


Canned salmon and sardines with bones contain calcium. Tuna and trout are other choices. Vet Info recommends that you cook the fish before feeding it to your dog to avoid stomach upset or disease.


Egg Shell Powder


Eggshells represent the least expensive source of calcium. With a little preparation, you can use the shells that you would normally discard. Collect about a dozen eggshells and rinse them. To make them brittle and easy to grind, place on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes. Grind the shells with a coffee grinder or blender. Add the amount to your dog's food that your veterinarian recommends.


Over-the-Counter Supplements


Most pet stores carry calcium and mineral supplements. The calcium is often combined with phosphorous and vitamin D. You may find this to be the easiest source of calcium supplements when feeding your dog a homemade food.







Tags: source calcium, bone meal, bone meal, calcium phosphorus, calcium supplements, dogs love, feeding your

Does Omega3 Speed Up Metabolism

Popularly known for their heart health benefits, omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients needed by the body and should be included in every diet. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation, lower fat and cholesterol in the bloodstream, prevent obesity, improve the body's response to insulin, help treat cancer and speed up metabolism.


Omega-3 Fatty Acids


Omega-3 fatty acids promote healthy cell membranes that encapsulate cells in the body and provide nutrients to---and remove waste from---those cells. Omega-3 fatty acids also play an important role in the production of prostaglandin, a powerful hormone-like substance that regulates essential physiological functions, such as blood pressure, nerve transmission, inflammatory and allergic responses, kidney and gastrointestinal functions, blood clotting and hormone production.


Food Sources


The best dietary sources for omega-3 fatty acids are flax seeds including flax seed oil, walnuts, salmon and fish oils. However, many vegetables and herbs such as cloves, oregano, cauliflower, cabbage, mustard seeds, broccoli, lettuce, Brussels sprouts, squash, collard greens, spinach, kale and turnip greens are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Cold-water fish and soy products provide another way to consume omega-3 fatty acids. Try eating halibut, shrimp, cod, snapper, tuna, scallops and tofu.


Metabolism


The term metabolism refers to a set of chemical reactions in the body where cells chemically alter dietary fats, carbohydrates and proteins into usable energy.


Omega-3 Speeds Up Metabolism


According to the June 2009 issue of Women's Health and the National Institutes of Health, omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that trigger "I'm full" signals to the brain and help quash hunger signals. Additionally, a study by William S. Harris and The Lipid and Arteriosclerosis Prevention Clinic, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City revealed that fish oils, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can influence metabolism. Further, regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids reduces an individual's risk for becoming obese and stimulates the secretion of leptin, a hormone that helps regulate metabolism, according to the World's Healthiest Foods by George Mateljan.


Other Considerations


Vitamins B6, B3 and C help the body absorb and utilize omega-3 fatty acids. However, saturated fats and partially hydrogenated fats---such as those found in processed foods---can inhibit and impair the body's ability to utilize omega-3 fatty acids.







Tags: omega-3 fatty, fatty acids, fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, fish oils, Omega-3 fatty

Have A Healthy Eating Lifestyle

Replace salty snacks with fresh fruit.


Developing healthy eating habits is a way to help you and your family maintain good overall health. If you have been practicing unhealthy eating habits, such as eating a lot of fast food and drinking soft drinks, it may take some work before you get used to a new lifestyle. But think of the changes as improvements to your overall well-being and not just tools for weight loss. Start slow;y and gradually improve your healthy eating habits to maintain a healthy lifestyle.


Instructions


1. Replace soft drinks and sugary juice with water and organic juice. Gradually replace high-fat foods with fruits, vegetable and whole grains.


2. Practice portion control. How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Educate yourself on the proper portions, such as how large a 1/2-cup is and what three ounces of chicken breast looks like.


3. Drink a full glass of water before each meal to avoid overeating.


4. Eat only when you are hungry. It is helpful to eat only at the dinner table and avoid snacking in front of the television or computer.


5. Eat small, healthy meals throughout the day to maintain that full feeling and raise your metabolism.


6. Cut back on your salt intake by avoiding processed foods, frozen dinners and canned vegetables and soups.


7. Eat breakfast within one hour of waking up to raise your metabolism and boost your energy for the day.


8. Stick to a routine on a daily basis by eating your meals and snacks around the same time every day. This helps your body get used to when it will be fueled with energy and avoid the hunger feeling in between meal time.


9. Prepare your snacks for work or school ahead of time to avoid snacking at the vending machine.







Tags: eating habits, avoid snacking, healthy eating habits, raise your, raise your metabolism, soft drinks, your metabolism

Thursday, November 25, 2010

A List Of Texas Universities Not Requiring Gmat

The University of Houston-Victoria's MBA program does not require the GMAT.


The Graduate Management Admissions Test is a standardized test usually considered as a prerequisite for graduate business schools in the U.S. Scores in the mid-600s or higher are seen as necessary for admission to most graduate programs. Like the SAT, the GMAT features multiple choice questions in math and verbal and can be demanding. Naturally, some business school applicants seek an alternative to taking it, and if those candidates are looking at schools in Texas, they're in luck.


Texas A&M


Texas A&M University in Commerce offers graduate programs in business and technology. The school's website states that provisional admission is offered to students who do not have a GRE or GMAT score on file. The university expects students to submit their scores by the end of the first semester. Students whose files are not complete will not be permitted to re-enroll until the documentation is turned in. However, according to the graduate program's FAQ page, if an applicant's undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or better the GMAT/GRE test score requirement is waived.


University of Dallas


The University of Dallas' Graduate School of Business is one of the largest in the southwest. It offers an unusual 13-week pre-MBA program that allows students who have successfully completed it to be admitted directly into the Graduate School of Management MBA program at the Catholic university. The pre-MBA program does not require a GMAT score.


University of Houston-Victoria


The University of Houston at Victoria has a clear and detailed waiver policy for its graduate students in business. The policy allows the student to apply to the Assistant Dean for a waiver if he has already completed a graduate degree or has a current GRE score of 900 or higher. Alternatively, if the student has an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher; has two years professional experience; writes a letter outlining his career goals; and earns a B or better in two particular courses, the GMAT could be waived. But the waiver is not automatic.


University of Texas, El Paso


UTEP's College of Business Administration offers several MBA programs designed for working professionals with flexible schedules. According to UTEP, its MBA program was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. by "Hispanic Business" magazine. Although several of UTEP's MBA programs do require the GMAT, there is one that doesn't--the Executive MBA. This 18-month program in serves business leaders who have at least eight years of managerial experience. Classes are held every other week on Fridays and Saturdays and the program offers an International Research course that includes a study abroad trip.







Tags: require GMAT, does require, does require GMAT, GMAT score, graduate programs

Types Of Stomachrelated Cancer

Stomach or gastric cancer refers to any cancer that originates in the stomach. Stomach cancer usually develops slowly over years and there is often an asymptomatic precancerous change in stomach lining.


Adenocarcinoma


Most cases of stomach cancer are adenocarcinoma, which develops from cells along the innermost lining of the stomach (mucosa).


Lymphoma


Lymphoma in the stomach involves cancerous cells in the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), which is a part of immune system that is located in the wall of the stomach.


Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)


Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare tumors that begin in the cells of the stomach wall called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs).


Carcinoid Tumor


These rare tumors begin in the hormone-making stomach cells, are generally asymptomatic until an advanced stage and increase the risk of developing cancer elsewhere in the digestive tract.


Age Factors


Approximately two thirds of people diagnosed with stomach cancer are over the age of 65, according to the American Cancer Society.







Tags: rare tumors

Causes Of Stomach Cramping

The term "stomach cramp" is rather vague. What exactly people are referring to when using the term isn't always clear and can differ between people. Stomach cramps are best defined as muscle spasms within the lower abdomen that cause mild to severe pain. There are many conditions known to cause stomach cramping, most of which are easily remedied.


Menstruation


Menstruation is one of the most common causes for stomach cramps. Cramping is usually caused by excessive production of hormone-like substances in the body known as prostaglandins. Too much prostaglandins will result in inflammation and pain.


Food Intolerance


Many people find it difficult to digest certain foods, particularly those made with dairy products (lactose intolerance) or raw or processed foods. If an individual's stomach is sensitive to such substances, it may cause a high gastric concentration within the digestive system, resulting in stomach cramps.


Indigestion and Overeating


Overindulging in food will typically cause problems for your digestive system. When eating, food requires enough space and time to be digested properly. Overeating requires the stomach and intestines to work harder simply to absorb all the excess food. This extra work, plus the stretching of the abdominal walls, often results in cramping.


Food Poisoning


If food is not handled or prepared properly, it is likely to become contaminated with bacteria or viruses. These dangerous micro-organisms can wreak havoc in your stomach and intestines, not only causing cramping, but diarrhea, nausea and vomiting as well.


Chronic Constipation


Constipation is uncomfortable enough without causing cramping. But an individual who experiences chronic constipation is often susceptible to stomach cramps. If there is a problem with chronic constipation, fecal impaction can occur. When this happens, hardened stools gather at the bottom of the large intestine, causing blockage that results in cramping. As the fecal matter continues to build up, pressure also builds, resulting in further cramping. Such complications should be checked out by a doctor.


Diarrhea


Diarrhea can be caused by any number of things, including tainted food, a bacterial or viral infection, or an intolerance to a certain type of food. However, it is often accompanied with stomach cramps. When dealing with diarrhea, the stomach muscles may spasm, causing painful cramps.


Excercise


Any time the muscles of the abdomen are stretched in a manner that the body is not used to, cramping is likely to occur.







Tags: stomach cramps, causing cramping, chronic constipation, digestive system, results cramping, stomach intestines

Train With A Torn Pectoral

The repair of a torn pectoral requires patience, time and moderate exercise.


A torn pectoral muscle doesn't mean you must stop working out. After the tear has been medically treated, and you've been cleared to work out again, you can accelerate the healing process with the guidance of a skilled physical therapist or physician. A physical therapist will help you devise a workout program that will prevent further stress to the pectoral muscle and help prevent atrophy during the recovery. While the repair of a torn pectoral muscle can take months, continue to work out by patiently using a modified program.


Instructions


1. Lie down on the flat bench, and place the foam roll underneath your torso so that it lies vertically along your spine. Allow the arm that corresponds to the torn pectoral to hang over the bench, palm up with slight bend in the elbow. Gently stretch the muscle for a minute. Return your arm to the bench, and let it rest for a minute. Repeat the stretch 10 times.


2. Stand in an open doorway, and place your forearms on the door frame. Your upper arms should be parallel to the floor and your elbows bent to 90 degrees. Adopt a staggered stance. Gently press your chest between your arms while keeping your arms in place on the door frame. As you exhale and relax, try to lean further forward to increase the stretch. Hold the most stretched position for 30 to 60 seconds.


3. Stand facing a wall, and ex-tend your arms in front of you. Lean forward slightly, and place your palms against the wall. Bend your elbows until your nose nearly touches the wall. Push back out to start. That's one rep. Do two to three sets of 15 reps.


4. Lie face down on the floor with your palms in line with your shoulders, fingers pointing forward. Push yourself up until your body weight rests only on your palms and toes. Lower yourself and repeat. To accent the chest, place your hands wider than shoulder-width; to target the back and triceps, bring your hands close together with thumbs and index fingers touching.







Tags: pectoral muscle, place your, torn pectoral, your arms, your palms

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

3d Sonogram Safety

3D Sonogram Safety


A sonogram, or ultrasound, is a device that is used during pregnancy to give a picture of a developing fetus. The device uses sound waves to generate images. A 3D sonogram is simply a sonogram that shows a three-dimensional image.


Uses of 3D Sonograms


During pregnancy, 3D sonograms are used to rule out ectopic pregnancies, to diagnosis multiple pregnancies, to estimate delivery date and fetal weight, and to identify a number of fetal abnormalities. Preferred over 2D sonograms, 3D sonograms allow better views. Parents also appreciate being able to see their unborn babies more clearly.


Frequency of Sonograms During Pregnancy


Sonograms are used routinely during pregnancy in the U.S. The number of sonograms done is usually based on the health of the mother and any suspected problems with the fetus. Most women have two or three sonograms during an uncomplicated pregnancy.


Are Sonograms Safe?


Sonograms have been used during pregnancy since the 1950s and are generally considered safe. Unlike X-rays, there is no radiation involved. However, despite the fact that most obstetrician view sonograms as safe, studies show mixed results. Some studies found no risk from sonograms, and some studies found potential problems.


Potential Risks from Sonograms


There have been studies that have suggested a correlation between the use of sonograms during pregnancy and all sorts of problems with the baby, including low birth weight, neurological problems during early childhood, speech and hearing problems, learning disabilities, and brain damage. However, these studies have not been confirmed. Attempts to duplicate results were not successful. At this point, it does not seem clear whether or not there is risk from sonograms.


Reducing the Risk


To reduce the potential risk from sonograms, woman can elect to have fewer sonograms done during a normal pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association recommends that sonograms only be used when medically indicated.







Tags: during pregnancy, have been, risk from, risk from sonograms, from sonograms, problems with, Sonogram Safety

The Best Health Industry Jobs

According to the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, the health-care industry was projected to generate more jobs between 2008 and 2014 than any other industry. Statistics show that more than 3.2 million new jobs are expected to surface during this period. If you're considering a job in the health-care field, get a hold of listings of the best health industry jobs compiled by authorities on careers and finance.


CNN Money


In April 2006, CNN Money published the article "50 Best Jobs in America," which outlined job descriptions, salary information and general statistics for a number of professions. Among CNN Money's top-10 are three health-care careers -- pharmacist, psychologist and physician assistant. Psychologists ranked No. 10 on the list, with the top-paying position in the field earning upwards of $95,000 a year. Pharmacists came in at No. 9, with average salaries of about $92,000, and physician assistants earning $75,000 to $100,000 ranked No. 3 in the report.


Careers On MSNBC


MSNBC reported in 2008 that more than 50,000 nursing jobs were made available that year with an average salary of $57,000 per year. Nursing was deemed one of the three "best first jobs" for recent high school or college grads in 2008. Dental hygienists, meanwhile, landed on the MSNBC's list of the 20 fastest-growing jobs in 2008. Dental hygienists earned an average of $63,000 per year in 2008, according to MSNBC. The U.S, Bureau Of Labor Statistics projects that the employment rate for dental hygienists will increase by 36 percent through 2018.


Administrative Health-care Careers


Health care administrators focus on the clerical and "office-type" duties involved in running a medical center, clinic or hospital. Typical responsibilities include planning and development, human resources, finance, bookkeeping, marketing, patient care and services and public relations. The MyNursingDegree.com website recommended a number of administrative health-care careers in 2009. The nursing education and resource site says that the "Five Top Health Care Administrator Careers" are clinical department director, health organization and non-profit director, group practice manager, hospital executive and health care consultant. In such positions you can expect to earn anywhere from $81,670 to $167,280 per year.


Allied Health Careers


The term "Allied Health" is used to describe a group of occupations in the health-care field outside of doctors and nurses. The Health Degree website reports that one-fifth of all new jobs created in the United States between 2010 and 2014 will be related to the health-care industry -- and a majority of those jobs will require less than four years of college.


The online publication's listing of the top-10 fastest-growing allied health careers included medical assistants, who earn $24,610 per year; diagnostic medical sonographers, who can make $52,490 a year; and medical health services managers, who can earn up to $117,990 annually.







Tags: 2008 Dental, 2008 Dental hygienists, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, Dental hygienists, health-care careers, health-care field

Use Xrays To Detect Arthritis

Use X-Rays to Detect Arthritis


The use of X-rays began in the late 1800s and has continually been improved to accommodate the need to detect abnormalities in the bone structures. From the beginning, the value of peering into the skeletal system has been recognized. The latest X-ray technology is designed to emit minimal radiation to make it safer for patients of all ages.


Instructions


Learn to Use X-rays to Detect Arthritis


1. Expect an X-ray to be performed in a doctor's office, outpatient clinic, diagnostic clinic or other radiology unit when a diagnosis of arthritis is considered. The damage to joints can be evaluated by a trained radiologist to confirm or rule out arthritis.


2. Prepare for a radiology technician to perform the diagnostic study. Radiology technicians are specially trained and certified to use the X-ray equipment safely and accurately to avoid overexposure to radiation.


3. Remove all clothing and jewelry (such as body piercings) if the affected bone structure is in the hip, shoulder or back. For extremities such as the hands, knees or feet, you will not need to undress.


4. Anticipate uncomfortable positioning if the affected joints include the hips or back. To get the best view, it may be necessary to lie down on a hard table for some views and stand for others.


5. Remain still for the duration of the radiation exposure. From the time the technologist initializes the picture until she is finished, it is imperative that you do not move the part that is being X-rayed. Holding still is necessary whether the system is the traditional X-ray machine or if it is digital.


6. Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the X-rays to be taken to detect arthritis. The amount of time will vary depending on the number of joints affected and the cooperation of the patient during the process.


7. Consider X-rays a preliminary diagnostic tool. Depending on the results, further testing such as an MRI may be required to obtain more precise imaging of the joint tissue and damage.







Tags: Detect Arthritis

Programs In Florida For People With No Health Insurance

Options for Floridians without health insurance include low-cost clinics and drug discount programs.


According to a U.S. Census Bureau report released in July, 2010, Florida had the third highest rate of uninsured residents in 2007 at 24.2 percent. Meanwhile, health-care costs and jobless rates continued to increase. If you don't have health insurance, there are options: Check retail pharmacy chains for drug discount programs, as well as pharmacies in grocery and department stores. Some also offer periodic clinics. Local health departments provide an array of services. Consider as sources of assistance state and national associations oriented toward specific medical conditions.


ACCESS Medical Assistance


Low-income individuals and families meeting income criteria may qualify for Medicaid. The program is administrated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and is divided into six categories: Medicaid for low-income families with children, Medicaid for children, Medicaid for pregnant women, Emergency Medical Assistance for noncitizens, Medicaid for the aged and/or disabled not currently receiving Supplemental Security Income and the Medically Needy program. Eligibility requirements vary with family size and income. The Medically Needy program provides benefits after recipients meet a share of cost. While there is no income limit for the Medically Needy program, there is an asset limit. Contact information for each of the six programs is available at the state's Department of Children & Families Website.


Cover Florida


Cover Florida is a health insurance plan available to Florida residents between the ages of 19 to 64 who have been without health insurance for a minimum of six months. It covers pre-existing medical conditions; however, there is a 12-month waiting period for coverage of those conditions. Those who have lost a job that provided health benefits, lost COBRA coverage or were enrolled in a health insurance program offered by a spouse's employer and are now separated by death or divorce from that spouse are also eligible. Blue Cross of Florida and United Health Care offer plans in each of the state's 67 counties; additional insurance companies provide coverage in Broward, Miami-Dade, Flagler and Volusia counties. Benefits caps for each of the plans are set low.


Florida Discount Drug Card


The Florida Discount Drug Card is open to all Florida residents regardless of age, income or pre-existing condition. It offers discounts on generic drugs, according to the Florida Discount Drug Card website. There is a one-time $1.50 activation fee added to the cost of the first prescription purchased through the program.


Florida Healthy Kids


Coverage is available to Florida children between the ages of 5 and 18 who are uninsured, not eligible for Medicaid and are not the offspring of a state employee. Low and no-cost policies operate on a sliding scale; premiums are assessed using family income amounts. The program offers medical and dental plans; medical benefits include no copays for well-child care, vision and hearing screening, diagnostic testing, preauthorized hospital inpatient medical and surgical care, durable medical equipment and substance abuse and rehabilitation. The maximum annual dental benefit is $1,000 per child; covered services include preventive services, oral exams, x-rays, fillings, crowns, extractions and root canals.







Tags: health insurance, Discount Drug, Discount Drug Card, Drug Card, Florida Discount, Florida Discount Drug

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Colorado Grants & Resources For Women

Colorado offers several types of resources for women. Health, educational and business resources and grants are just a few of the types of assistance available to women in the state. Women's associations and divisions of government departments devoted to women offer help to women from all walks of life who live in Colorado.


Violence


The website known as An Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collections publishes a list of the safe shelters and victim's advocacy resources throughout the state of Colorado. Entries are listed by county, and phone numbers are provided with each entry (see Resource section).


Study Abroad


Colorado State University maintains a helpful website with a collection of resources for women students who are traveling abroad. It includes articles on safety and choosing appropriate clothing when traveling, among other topics (see Resource section).


Mammograms


The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Women's Wellness Connection program provides cervical and breast cancer screenings for free to some women. The program also provides free diagnostic services for women screened at a screening site in the state, of which there are 125. To be eligible, women between the ages of 40 and 64 have to live in a state bordering Colorado or in Colorado and get cervical and breast health care in Colorado. Women between the ages of 40 and 49 can get a mammogram only by a doctor's order.


In addition, to be eligible, women must live at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level, which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sets every year. They must not have health insurance that has a low-cost or free screening option. Women who are unemployed and have thus lost their health coverage can get assistance through the program if they received abnormal mammogram or Pap test while under their former insurance plan. They also must not have had a mammogram or Pap test in the previous year, and must meet Colorado citizenship verification and identity rules. Women who have Medicare Part A and the Colorado Indigent Care Program can get help through this program.


Business and Education


Women business owners and professionals can benefit from joining a women's business association in their communities. For example, the Southern Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce is a helpful place to network with other women business owners in that part of the state. The Chamber also offers scholarships to young women and non-traditional students.


Foundations


The Rose Community Foundation's Jewish Women's Fund of Colorado provides grants to organizations to support women in Colorado. Some of its grantees have included the Center for Domestic Violence at the University of Colorado Denver, the Girls Athletic Leadership School and the Junior League of Denver. This organization does not participate in competitive grant-making. Instead, it seeks out grant-making opportunities on its own.


Prenatal


The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offers resources to women in the general population and women of low income. Much of the department's focus revolves around pregnancy and prenatal care for low-income women. For instance, it provides a nurse to visit low-income women who have had their first child to offer care for both mother and baby.







Tags: between ages, business owners, cervical breast, Colorado Department, Colorado Department Public

Cpt Codes & Ama Guidelines

CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology. In other words, these are medical procedure codes. They're used to indicate what types of procedures have been performed so insurance companies can pay bills correctly, and statistics can easily be tracked. These codes are managed by the AMA, or American Medical Association, on a yearly basis. They have a set of guidelines for each of the six main categories of CPT codes that help instruct how they're to be used, as well as clarifying guidelines for the subcategories of each level.


CPT entails coding approved by the AMA


Evaluation and Management


Evaluation and management codes are also known as E&M codes. These codes are used to indicate who is seeing the patient and what level of care the patient is getting. The codes in this category cover physician's offices, clinics, inpatient visits and emergency room visit charges. The AMA guidelines in this category address things such as definitions between new and existing patients, levels of complaints and services, a patient's history with that physician and examination times.


Anesthesia


The anesthesia guidelines are short because there aren't a lot of anesthesia charges. These CPT codes address either which part of the body required anesthesia or services that might have required a different level of anesthesia, such as treating burns. The guidelines concern reporting how long anesthesia was given, the types of anesthesia and the types of procedures.


Surgery


Surgery has the most number of CPT codes for any category. The guidelines cover topics that can be complicated. One guideline tells users combine some of these codes with E&M codes when necessary. Another says determine which charges can and cannot be billed together. A third explains the differences between diagnostic and therapeutic services.


Radiology


Radiology encompasses scanning services, including obstetrical scanning, nuclear medicine and arteriograms. The guidelines show when these services are charged as separate procedures or as part of a more complicated procedure.


Laboratory


The laboratory has one page of guidelines as a whole, and not many guidelines for specific groups of lab tests, either. The main guideline is for determining which tests must be bundled, which means billed under one CPT number instead of multiple numbers for multiple tests. The secondary guideline is determining which lab test is primary when certain groups of tests are performed.


Medicine


The medicine area of the CPT manual is the most diverse as far as services are concerned, but the guidelines for the department are sparse. The main guideline is determining which service is actually being performed, as many of the CPT groups can seem similar based on wording, but are totally separate items. Most of the guidelines are contained within each subsection since this category contains so many different types of services.







Tags: determining which, guideline determining, guideline determining which, this category, groups tests, main guideline, main guideline determining

Get Easy Grants

Teachers often purchase educational tools with their own money.


Educators are often eligible for a host of educational grants, also called classroom grants. These help teachers provide a better educational environment for their students. It is well known that many educators fund their own classroom tools. Educator grants are free money provided to enrich the classroom experience. Classroom grants are probably the most plentiful grants in existence today. Most of these grants are very small and are under $500 dollars, but they can be used to purchase many educational aids for the classroom like writing and drawing tools, models, chemistry sets and other devices.


Instructions


Grants For Educators Abound


1. Research teacher grants by doing a general query at grants.gov. You can then take this list and build a sub-set of grants for which you qualify. Please remember that the grant process is very long and involved, so you won't be ableto apply for all of the grants you find.


2. Make a list of all the uses you will have for the money. Understand that misuse of funds is a crime. Enumerate these uses from the least important to the most important. You will use this list when you make out your grant request.


3. Complete your grant applications with this information. It is critical that you take your time and complete each application right. Educator grant applications are simple but you must indicate that your uses of the money are for the purposes prescribed by the grantor. This is the most crucial part of the application.


4. Wait for the results. Educator grants are easy to complete and require less paperwork than most other grant applications, but their waiting period can be very long and can easily span several weeks. Be patient and wait for the results.







Tags: grant applications, Educator grants, this list, very long, your grant

Clean A Ccd Camera

Clean a CCD Camera


Dust on your camera lens can ruin your best photographs. To remove this dust, you'll need to clean off the CCD sensor of the camera so it can take dust-free photographs. This is a tricky procedure and should be done carefully to avoid damaging the camera. Once you're done, your camera will be as good as new.


Instructions


1. Plug the camera in. If the batteries were to die while you're cleaning, the camera will automatically close on your cleaning tools and will need expensive repairs


2. Read your camera's manual to find out lock the mirror and hold open the shutter. It may be a custom function on your camera, and your manual will describe do this. Each camera is slightly different.


3. Use an air blower to blow air onto the mirror to clean off larger particles of dust. Do not stick the air blower inside the camera. If the camera closes, or the mirror moves, it will scratch it. A foot-powered air pump works well.


4. Use a sensor brush to clean the camera's sensor. Only use a sensor brush if this is not the first time the camera has been cleaned. Move the brush gently from left to right, take it out and spray it off with the air brush, then stroke the sensor again. Repeat this until the sensor appears clean.

Tags: your camera, camera will, sensor brush

Monday, November 22, 2010

Diy Taxes

The IRS offers multiple tax preparation tutorials.


Plenty of online resources offer advice, instructions and programs to help you do your taxes yourself, not least of which is the Internal Revenue Service itself. Depending on your income bracket and the number of things you must report, you may be able to use tax preparation software for free. Regardless of your situation, the IRS publishes detailed instructions and explanations for every part of the tax code.


What You Need


To do your taxes yourself, you must have all the requisite documentation. You need last year's tax return, your W-2 (compensation report from your employer), and 1099 (miscellaneous payments, usually given to independent contractors), any tuition statements, important sales (bonds, stocks, houses or cars) and the receipts for any items you think you can deduct. Try saving and organizing this information throughout the year to avoid a headache on tax day.


Free Tax Preparation Software


If you cannot afford to pay someone to prepare your taxes for you, tax preparation software provides the second easiest way to file your taxes. If your adjusted gross income was less than $58,000 for tax year 2010, you can use tax preparation software from corporations such as TurboTax and H&R Block for free through the IRS website.


Foms and Instructions


If you are in the 30 percent of tax payers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $58,000, you can still do your taxes yourself through the IRS website. The IRS publishes forms in PDF format that you can fill out, print and mail to the IRS. The forms perform basic calculations and will help you take the totals from one part of the form to another, deduct, add, etc. Alternatively, you can print the forms and write in the numbers while following the online instructions. For every form the IRS publishes detailed instructions that define and explain every step and question.


Considerations


If you have multiple sources of income, extensive investments, a business, new inheritance or any other complicated financial arrangement, consider hiring an accountant or buying specialized tax preparation software. An accountant or professional software can help you separate out your finances, avoid double taxing and help you take advantage of credits and shelters.







Tags: your taxes, preparation software, taxes yourself, your taxes yourself, adjusted gross, adjusted gross income, detailed instructions

Types Of Breast Augmentation

The term "breast augmentation" does not apply only to getting surgery for larger breasts, it also refers to making breasts look nicer. The two main types of breast implants are silicone and saline. While both types have benefits, they also have their drawbacks. In addition, cohesive gel implants are in the process of being tested.


Silicone


Silicone breast implants are filled with an elastic silicone material that has changed since they were created in 1961 and first implanted in 1962. Even though the formula for silicone breast implants has been altered over the years, it is purported by both surgeons and patients that the saline substance feels most like a natural breast.


Saline


Saline breast implants, first used in France in 1964, are filled with sterile salt water. The amount of water that is inserted into the implant can have an effect on the size, firmness, and natural shape of the breasts.


Saline vs. Silicone


Even though silicone implants feel more like real breasts than saline implants, they are also considerably more risky than saline implants. Silicone implants leak more easily than saline ones, and when they leak, it can cause different levels of illness and poisoning in the patient. If a saline implant leaks or is popped, it will simply be absorbed into the body without consequence. This is something that women must consider when thinking of getting breast implant surgery. Both types sag with time, just as a natural breast might. In terms of shape and a natural look, women with saline implants have reported rippling of the breasts.


Cohesive Gel


A new technology that is currently being tested is cohesive gel. While silicone implants are liquid gel (or silicone), cohesive gel implants are a solid gel. These implants were created so that the breast retains a more natural look and does not sag as easily as saline and silicone implants. To obtain these implants, women must participate in a trial as these implants are not available to the general public (as of 2009).


Talking With a Doctor


To determine which implant would be best for her, a woman should seek out an American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) board certified surgeon and set up a consultation. The doctors offices keep samples of breast implants on hand so that patients can feel them. The surgeon can provide additional information about what kind of implant would be appropriate for the current and desired breast size of the individual.







Tags: breast implants, saline implants, silicone implants, than saline, being tested

What Is The Average Starting Salary For A Pharmacy Technician

Beginning pharmaceutical technicians can earn comfortable wages.


Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists prepare prescriptions and perform customer service and administrative tasks in a pharmacy. There are no standard certificates or training mandated to become a pharmacy technician, although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) points out that in a competitive field, those with certification and experience are typically favored. The average starting salary for a pharmacy technician will depend on the type of setting he works in, as well as his location.


Average Salary


Overall, pharmacy technicians earn a mean annual wage of $28,940 in the United States, or a mean hourly wage of $13.92, according to the BLS as of 2009. The bottom 10 percent of those technicians earned an average salary of $19,480, or $9.36 an hour. This lower percentage falls within the hourly rate range for pharmacy technicians with less than one year experience as recorded by PayScale.com as of January 2011, which is $8.31 to $10.82 per hour, or $17,284 to $22,505 per year.


Industry


More than 75 percent of pharmacy technicians work in retail settings, making the industry of health and personal care stores the highest paying industry, with a mean annual wage of $27,590, according to the BLS. General medical and surgical hospitals also employ pharmacy technicians and offer an average annual salary of $32,710. Those working in grocery stores earn an average of $28,610, while other general merchandise stores and department stores offer averages of $26,310 and $25,660 respectively.


Location


The highest paying area in the United States for pharmaceutical technicians is San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, California, at an average annual salary of $43,500. While California does have the top five highest paying cities for pharmacy technicians, it is only the second highest paying state overall for this occupation at $36,770. Alaska is the highest paying state, with a mean annual wage of $37,090, for pharmacy technicians.


Outlook and Training


The employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow by 31 percent, according to the BLS, although those with this job title are increasingly expected to take on additional administrative duties once performed by pharmacy aides. Opportunities for advancement and significant raises in pay are limited, although in some cases technicians in large pharmacies may be promoted to a supervisory role or specialize in a certain area, such as chemotherapy.







Tags: pharmacy technicians, highest paying, annual wage, mean annual, mean annual wage

Get Cheap Health Insurance In California

If you cannot get health insurance through your employer in California, you can buy your own. When you buy your own health insurance, you can pick any of the insurers that operate in California, which means that you can go with the cheapest insurance policy that you can find. Even if you have little or no income, you can obtain health insurance. Health insurance can be purchased in individual and family plans.


Instructions


1. Get quotes from multiple health insurance companies in California. You can do this by visiting and contacting agents in your area or by submitting quote requests online. Health insurance companies in California include Aetna and Kaiser Permanente. Sites where you can get multiple quotes at once include eHealth Insurance and CalHealth (see Resources). You can also use the HealthCare website to learn more about the options in your area. If you cannot afford your own health insurance, or need a subsidized plan, the California Department of Managed Health Care website (see Resources) has a list of state programs that can assist you.


2. Review the costs of both the monthly premiums and services. The premium is what you must pay each month to keep the insurance. The rates for the services vary, such as a $20 co-pay for doctor visits and a $50 co-pay for an emergency room visit. You may discover that the cheapest monthly plan has the highest service rates. If you do not expect to use your insurance except for emergency situations, this may be the best option for you. However, if you need to see a doctor regularly, the co-pay amounts can add up and make this a more expensive plan. Estimate the number of times you expect to visit a doctor and compare plans based on the total cost of premiums and estimated doctor visits. You will also want to look at the deductible amount, which is how much you must pay out of pocket before the insurance covers everything. Usually the cheaper insurance has a higher deductible.


3. Eliminate any coverage quotes that include coverage that you will not use. Depending on your needs, this might include chiropractic or mental health care, for example. Keeping a plan that only has the coverage options you need may minimize the premium.


4. Check the network of doctors and hospitals that the insurance is affiliated with, if you have specific needs. It can be cheaper to be flexible about this, but if you do not want to lose a certain doctor then you should ask.







Tags: companies California, doctor visits, health insurance, health insurance, insurance companies, insurance companies California, your area

Sunday, November 21, 2010

How Does Mouth Cancer Start

Detection by Dentists


Mouth cancer can be detected in its early stages by dentists, usually as white or red areas inside the mouth or on the lips. Early cancers can cause problems with swallowing, moving the jaw or tongue, chronic sore throats and the feeling that something is always caught in the throat. These symptoms do not necessarily depict throat cancer, but can be signs of cancerous lesions and tumors at the rear of the mouth as well. Tobacco is often the contributing factor with oral cancer and it is not limited to the use of chewing tobacco. Smoking tobacco can also come in contact with portions of the mouth and can cause lesions to form. Mouth cancers can be caused by untreated sores on the inside of the cheeks, tongue and lips caused by biting those areas repeatedly, or by the constant rubbing of poorly fitted dentures, though these causes are a bit more unusual.


Repeated Injuries to the Mouth


Any sores in the mouth that are repeated injuries can lead to changes in the cellular structure of those tissues, so it is wise to never allow mouth injuries to go untreated. The use of peroxide, baking soda or mouthwash as soaking agents is an excellent idea as well as using non-toxic antibiotic formulas designed for use in and around the mouth. Lumps can form on the gums, inside the cheeks, on the lips, or on the tongue, and these can cause numbness in those areas, which can result in the slurring of speech so commonly suffered in mouth cancer cases. This is especially prevalent with cancers of the tongue. The first symptoms of oral cancer are usually leukoplakia, which is a white patch or erythroplakia, a raised red patch that bleeds easily. If the cancer is detected at this stage the prognosis is very good and the chances of a full recovery are nearly 100 percent. However, most mouth cancers are detected well past this stage, greatly reducing the survival rate.


Abnormal Cell Multiplication


Men are much more prone to developing mouth cancer than women are, likely due to the fact that men are the ones most likely to use snuff. In places where women use snuff, the mouth cancer rates for women rise as well. Mouth cancer is caused by abnormal cell multiplication. Rather than the new cells waiting until the old ones have died, they begin to replace the old cells before they die, causing cells to pile up atop one another, creating abnormal lumps and raised areas in the flesh. Alcohol can be a contributing factor just as much as tobacco can as the alcohol permeates every cell of the body and can cause cells to reproduce at alarming rates. Sometimes the cellular growth is fungal in nature and can be successfully treated through the use of anti-fungal agents such as baking soda, without causing any further symptoms. It is best to see your doctor as soon as possible if you detect a sore that won't heal within 3 weeks, or an odd lump that was not there before.







Tags: baking soda, cancer detected, contributing factor, inside cheeks, mouth cancer, Mouth cancer, oral cancer

Friday, November 19, 2010

Windows Mobile 6 1 Backlight Issues

Windows Mobile 6.1 was a minor update to the Windows Mobile operating system, but various backlight issues occur with this build. The screen backlight's actions are configured differently, so if you upgraded from Windows Mobile 6, or even Windows Mobile 5, you will notice some changes, not all of them intentional. Some issues are easy to fix, while others, as widely reported on the Internet, require additional general computer knowledge.


Can't find the backlight Options


The backlight options moved slightly with this OS build, so you will find them in a different place. Click "Start," "Settings" and "Power Management" to load the backlight settings. You can change various settings from here.


Screen Increasing in Brightness


Various users online report that, instead of the backlight dimming when the phone is "asleep," it brightens. This requires you to edit some of the mobile operating system's registry files. The registry on the phone acts much like a computer registry, storing configurations settings for the phone and its applications.


Screen Decreasing in Brightness too quickly


Some users, when they upgrade from Windows Mobile 6, find that the screen decreases in brightness too quickly. This initially required a registry fix, but AT&T has issued a software update, which can be found on its software download site.







Tags: Windows Mobile, with this build, from Windows, from Windows Mobile, operating system

Know When It Is Time To Go To The Doctor

Doctors are there to help when you need them.


No matter your age, gender, or conditions it can be difficult to know when it is time to go to the doctor. Colds and flus can be dangerous to people of all ages. Babies and elderly people may need to respond faster to health issues than healthy adults, but adults still need health care. Doctor visits cost money, and many people are uninsured or under-insured. Due to this, people sometimes put off doctor visits longer than they should, and this can be a risk to their health.


Instructions


1. Determine your symptoms and conclude whether you have a cold or flu. Colds almost never cause fevers or headaches, and flus do. The common cold has no cure except rest, but flus can be fought with the use of antiviral drugs that your doctor may prescribe.


2. Wait 24 hours for conditions that do not cause you unmanageable pain to improve. Low fevers, vomiting and other flu or cold symptoms that are lessened by medicine are not emergencies.


3. Take your temperature regularly if you have a flu or signs of a fever. A temperature over 104 degrees is considered dangerously high for adults and you should immediately go to a doctor.


4. Test your breathing often if you have a chest cold or flu. If your breathing becomes restricted in any way, immediately go to the doctor.


5. Drink clear fluids and water to stay hydrated, especially if you have diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or runny nose; these issues can cause dehydration. If you cannot keep liquids down, immediately go to the hospital.


6. Call a doctor if you are unsure if a doctor's visit is required; explain your symptoms and they can advise you of the best way to handle them.







Tags: immediately doctor, your breathing, your symptoms

Grants For Adaptive Recreation

Adaptive recreation grants exist for individuals with disabilities.


According to the UCLA Recreation website, adaptive recreation enhances health and wellness, self-esteem and autonomy for individuals with cognitive and physical challenges. With the help of assistive devices, individuals with specific hardships may enjoy recreational activities alongside able-bodied individuals. Individuals and organizations can take advantage of the adaptive recreation grants that exist.


Hunting Grants


Founded in 1993, the Buckmasters American Deer Foundation's Disabled Hunters Services provide assistance for more than 1.5 million people with severe physical disabilities. Hunters with a disability are encouraged to apply for adaptive equipment grants that provide financial assistance for mechanical gun rests that let quadriplegics discharge a crossbow or firearm. Special consideration is given to applicants who are not able to work full-time and receive less than $10,000 annually in wages and benefits.


Buckmasters American Deer Foundation


10540 Daystar Dr.


Tuscaloosa, AL 35405


205-366-8415


buckmasters.com


Spinal Cord Injuries


The Kelly Brush Foundation offers grants to assist individuals who are paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury. Grants allow injured individuals who are in financial need to participate in adaptive sports programs. The foundation provides financial assistance for the purchase of adaptive sports equipment. To be eligible for a grant, an applicant needs to live in the United States and must be a paraplegic or quadriplegic as a result of a spinal cord injury. The foundation is named after Kelly Brush, a native of Vermont who was injured in a skiing accident in 2006.


Kelly Brush Foundation


7 Aspen Dr.


South Burlington, VT 05403


802-846-5298


kellybrushfoundation.org


Tennis


The United States Tennis Association Florida, a nonprofit agency made of more than 1,000 members dedicated to promoting and developing the sport of tennis in the Sunshine State, offers grants for the creation and enhancement of adaptive and wheelchair recreational tennis programs for individuals with varying disabilities. An applicant must be in good standing with the United States Tennis Association and must establish program fees at minimal cost to maximize participation. Grants ranging from $300 to $1,000 may be awarded for expenses related to adaptive equipment, marketing, and training needed to establish an adaptive tennis program.


U.S. Tennis Association Florida


1 Deuce Court, Suite 100


Daytona Beach, FL 32124


386-671-8949


usatennisflorida.usta.com







Tags: individuals with, Kelly Brush, Tennis Association, United States, adaptive equipment, adaptive recreation

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Job Description For An Obgyn

An obstetrician/gynecologist, or OB-GYN, is a physician who specializes in the health of the female reproductive system (gynecology) and manages women before and immediately after pregnancy (obstetrics). These doctors attend four years of undergraduate school, four years of medical school and participate in a two-year residency that includes specialization in the female reproductive system. Afterward, the doctors are able to sit for the certification exam to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology provided by The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). OB-GYNs work in hospitals, private practice or as part of a group of doctors.


Pregnancy Matters


As an OB-GYN, professionals tend to the needs of women through pregnancy to childbirth. The doctor's obstetrics duties include monitoring the mother and fetus to ensure both are healthy during the nine-month process. In addition, through the use of an ultrasound, the doctor can detect the presence of multiple births or birth defects, such as Down's syndrome. They are also responsible for delivering the baby, either naturally or by cesarean section, and making sure the baby and mother are healthy.


Keeping Women Healthy


The OB-GYN treats and diagnoses ailments specific to the female reproductive organs. Their focus includes examining patients for breast, cervix and ovarian cancers, treating urinary tract and pelvic disorders, and hormonal disorders. Some OB-GYNs perform minor laser surgeries. Pap smears and breast exams are the most common tests OB-GYNs provide. Treating sexually transmitted disease is also a duty. In addition, their family planning duties include prescribing birth control medications and recommending fertility drugs.


Referral System


Some disorders in women are diagnosed by an OB-GYN, but are out of the doctor's treatment area. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the OB-GYN to refer patients to other physicians. For example, a woman who exhibits symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder--an illness in which a woman exhibits severe depression before her menstrual cycles--is usually given a physical and pelvic examination by the OB-GYN and referred to a psychiatrist for additional treatment options.


Informing the Public


Education and consultation are important duties of OB-GYNs. Some of the areas in which they consult include HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, birth control options and pregnancy health. One of the most common education areas OB-GYNs take part in is breast examinations for cancer. OB-GYN offices have information to help women self-monitor their bodies and learn what to do if they find a lump in their breasts.


Beyond Specialization


The ABOG offers certification in four subspecialties for board-certified obstetrician-gynecologists. The areas are maternal-fetal medicine (care of high-risk pregnancy); gynecologic oncology (care of women with cancers of the reproductive system); reproductive endocrinology and infertility (care of women who have hormonal or infertility problems); and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (care of urinary tract dysfunction and disorders stemming from loss of support of pelvic structures). Candidates must have three years' experience as an OB-GYN and pass an oral and written test.







Tags: female reproductive, reproductive system, birth control, care women, duties include, female reproductive system, four years

How Does Consumer Credit Counseling Work

Consumer Credit Counseling Services Offer Aid to U.S. Families


As the U.S. goes further into debt as a nation, many families are finding it harder to pay the credit card bills established over the last decade. Rising costs of living are cutting into money set aside for unsecured debt payments. Making a late payment on a credit card can wind up costing hundreds of dollars in late fees and force a family to make some tough decisions. Consumer credit counseling service offices are now available in every major U.S. city to help families start a budget and get back on the right financial track. Credit counselors act as liaisons between creditors and struggling debtors, working out a payment plan to satisfy both parties.


Organizing Financial Paperwork for Credit Counseling


The key to utilizing consumer credit counseling services is to enlist them before there is a need for bankruptcy. Waiting too long can lead to financial disaster. To know exactly where your family is financially, go through every bill coming into the home. Write down every payment going out monthly and all of the income for the family. It is best to have full awareness of the situation prior to the counseling appointment.


Setting Budgets and Repayment Plans Through Consumer Credit Counseling


Make an appointment with a local consumer credit counseling office. Always choose a reputable local office if possible, they will be dealing with all of your personal financial information. A debtor will be required to bring identification, most recent pay stubs, and most recent outstanding bills. The counseling service will then set a monthly budget for you which will include a payment to every debtor. Home foreclosures usually require a separate agreement with the mortgage company and may require an attorney on your behalf. The Consumer Credit Counseling office will contact all credit card and unsecured debt holders to agree to the specified terms of repayment.


Completing a Consumer Debt Counseling Plan


Most credit counseling budgets are set up to pay off unsecured outstanding debt in five to seven years. The key is to stick to the budget. Be completely honest with the credit counselor from the start and don't agree to a repayment plan that you can't live up to. There is usually a clause in the repayment contract that states the debtor may not open any new credit accounts during the repayment period. Doing so may nullify the repayment plan and allow the creditors to come after the debtor for full payment on outstanding balances including additional fees.


How Consumer Credit Counseling Affects Credit Rating


Using a credit counseling service may save a family from bankruptcy, but it still reflects poorly on a credit report. Even if a person fulfills a repayment plan completely and timely it will most likely cost interest points on a major purchase such as home or auto loans. Still, the comparison is that a bankruptcy on a credit history can lead to a complete denial of credit for major purchases.







Tags: counseling service, credit card, Credit Counseling, repayment plan, Consumer Credit, Consumer Credit, Consumer Credit Counseling