Read Old Newspaper Articles For Free

Knowing where the newspaper article originated is essential in being able to view it, without cost.

Newspapers are filled with facts about our country, ourselves, our families and our world. Newspapers contain valuable information for researchers and amateur genealogists. Finding old papers can be a challenge, especially when trying to access papers for free. Many websites charge a fee and some newspaper companies require you to pay for a subscription. There are a few ways to read old articles for free.

Instructions

1. Go online to a newspaper's website. Some newspapers will allow you to access recent editions for free. Some newspapers have electronic archives that date back to the 1980s. Most newspapers charge a fee for online access to these archives. In some cases, you can search the archives for free, or read one article for free. Some newspapers require that you provide your email address for access, even to free articles. The fees to view the older editions, before electronic archiving began, can be higher, to cover the cost of scanning the pages and organizing the content.

2. Check with your local library. Many public libraries have recent copies of local newspapers that you can read while visiting. Older newspapers can be accessed by using computers at the library. Ask a reference librarian about their newspaper archives. This is the best option in being able to view articles for free.

If the library doesn't have the newspaper you are looking for, and you are looking for one article in particular, get in touch with the library closest to the city of publication. Inquire about the possibility of having a copy of the article emailed, faxed or perhaps mailed to you. The library may charge you for the cost to print or copy an article, not the article itself.

3. Visit the source. In other words, get in touch with the newspaper you are interested in reading. Most newspapers have research librarians who supervise access to back issues. Ask about ways to access archives for free.

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Read Mammogram Images

Mammograms are a method for detecting potential abnormalities that can be caused by breast cancer and other disorders. Mammograms are made by squeezing the breast between two photographic plates and taking an image of the tissue. Abnormalities can indicate problem areas and require further testing. Although mammograms should be interpreted by a health professional, there are opportunities for individual patients to look at an interpret their own mammograms.

Instructions

1. Get a current mammogram. Mammogram images are designed to monitor changes in breast tissue over time. The most important step in reading a mammogram is to have a current image to consult.

2. Obtain a copy of a previous mammogram. This will help you compare the two images. It is best to obtain images of several mammograms, spaced apart over several years.

3. Look for irregularities. Look for areas that are abnormally white and spherical, or areas near the surface that look unusually thick.

4. Compare with a previous mammogram. The most important diagnostic test for medical professionals is to compare a current mammogram to a previous one and to look for changes. Because every woman has different breasts, there are no absolutes. Instead, mammograms are best examined via comparison to previous ones.

5. Read the mammogram report. Most mammograms come with an official diagnostic report of the findings, which can be very informative and can alert you to changes and problem areas within the mammogram which may require additional testing, such as biopsies.

Tags: current mammogram, most important, previous mammogram, problem areas

Starting A Portable Radiology Company

Starting a portable radiology business includes becoming a licensed healthcare provider.

Mobile radiology and imaging technology units provide crucial health screening to isolated regions of the U.S. The units transport Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, mammography systems or ultrasound technology in a vehicle that resembles a mobile home. The units travel to a designated community and screen the local population on a first-come, first-served basis for diseases such as breast cancer. Establishing a portable radiology business involves the creation of a business plan, compliance with licensing requirements, acquisition of equipment and vehicle, carrying malpractice insurance, and compliance with public health privacy laws for healthcare providers.

Instructions

1. Develop a business plan that includes information about how the business will be funded (Small Business Administration loan, venture capital, grant). Make budget projections for start-up costs, including costs to purchase the vehicle that will carry the radiology imaging equipment, and the imaging equipment itself, and make plans for hiring licensed personnel to operate the equipment. Determine the clients and communities to be served.

2. Check for and comply with licensing requirements in the states where the mobile radiology unit will travel. Each state has a different procedure for licensing of radiologists. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists provides information about state registration requirements.

3. Form an entity to own the business. Choose the form of ownership for the business partnership, non-profit organization, sole proprietorship, or for-profit company. Register the portable radiology company with the Secretary of State in the states where the business will operate.

4. Acquire mobile vehicle and imaging equipment. Contact companies that manufacture mobile imaging equipment and trailers such as OshKosh Specialty Vehicles, Philips Medical Systems or Siemens Medical Solutions USA.

5. Become a healthcare provider. Contact the Department of Health in the state(s) where the portable radiology company will provide services and become licensed as a healthcare provider. Become a healthcare provider for all of the health management organizations and healthcare insurance companies operating in the region served, as well as with Medicare, to ensure that your company can provide service to the broadest range of the population.

6. Enroll with an insurer for malpractice insurance. Consult with an insurance company about the amount of coverage necessary. Cover the business and all medical personnel.

7. Comply with medical-records privacy laws, available at the website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Be familiar with state and national laws regarding medical-record keeping. Draft a privacy policy and make it available to all patients.

Tags: healthcare provider, imaging equipment, Become healthcare, Become healthcare provider, business plan, business will

Online Sommelier Certification

Learn about different wine grape types in an online sommelier certification course.

Stuffy sommeliers are something of the past. In this new age of the Internet, it is possible to become a sommelier online. Online courses can help anyone interested in becoming a sommelier learn the intensive instruction required to become a master of wine in a timely manner. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Types of Online Programs

Online Sommelier programs offer a variety of courses and styles to suit the professional or wine lover. The United States Sommelier Association, Wine Spectator and Wine Campus offer online courses from introductory to continuing education levels. The class teaching style can range from group tutorials held in Napa Valley, California to one on one with Master Sommeliers, and are often self-paced. Some schools even offer free trial courses, and bursaries for people in need of financial assistance.

Online Education

Students should expect to learn wine sensory evaluation of sight, smell and taste; viticulture-soil, climate and grape varieties, vine training and farming practices; vinification, meaning the actual process in making of old world, traditional and modern wines including white, red and sparkling wines; wine laws and growing regions of different countries. Once certified, this education can be used to spark up interesting conversations at dinner parties, or even enhance your resume or curriculum vitae to impress an employer in the hospitality industry.

Online Certification

Introductory sommelier exams may consist of 70 to 100 multiple choice questions resulting in a certification. An increased merit exam can be taken over the course of a few days and include blind tastings, a written theory exam and a practical service exam. Written exams are often timed, and require a minimum score of 60 percent in all three sections to pass the examination. Certification courses often vary in length.

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The Pros And Cons Of A Career In Photography

There are advantages and disadvantages to a photography career.

Photographers are highly skilled professionals who can tell a story through scenes they capture through their camera lenses. Although photography is often viewed as a glamorous profession, it has a variety of pros and cons. Many professional photographers are trained at universities or in vocational programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of salaried photographers in May 2008 was $29,440.

Pro: Choice of Specialties

Photographers have a wide area of available niches to choose from. Some photographers specialize in taking baby and wedding photos, while others work in fine arts or the world of fashion. Media and sports photographers cover news and sporting events, while others take photographs for businesses and institutions.

Pro: Action and Adventure

Some photographers work in interesting and adventurous environments. A wildlife photographer may travel to remote areas of Africa or Australia to photograph wild or exotic animals in their native environment. Others may get a thrill from attending major news or sporting events or being able able to photograph famous people.

Pro: Autonomy

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over half of professional photographers are freelancers. This provides them with a great deal of autonomy and some freedom when choosing assignments. Freelancing can also allow for greater creativity since the photographer may have more freedom over the choice of setting and the types of photos that she takes.

Con: Unpredictable Hours and Conditions

Some photographers may work long, irregular hours and spend time away from family and friends. A photographer who works for a news organization may be "on call" and have to be at an accident scene in the middle of the night. Outdoor photographers often have to face difficult weather conditions.

Con: Uncertain Income

Freelance photographers are not guaranteed a salary or regular income. In addition to being skilled at their craft, they must also be good businesspeople and be able to market their services. Some freelancers may be forced to accept assignments they do not want in order to earn a living.

Con: Possible Danger

Photographers who work in certain settings may put themselves in harm's way. A wildlife photographer may run the risk of being attacked by a dangerous animal or slipping and falling in rugged terrain. A news photographer covering a live crime scene or war zone could become caught in the crossfire. Photographers who cover football games run the risk of being hit by a player on the sidelines.

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Bone Cancer & Lower Leg Pain

Cancer is a result of an assembly of cells that divide past normality, invade, and sometimes spread to other areas in the body. Cancers normally form a tumor, however, some do not. Leukemia is an example of a cancer that does not. Diagnosis, treatment, study and the prevention of cancer, is the branch of medicine referred to as Oncology.

Cancer and the Legs

Bone cancer occurs in the bones of the legs. It may be a primary cancer (one that originates in the leg/s) or a secondary cancer (one that is spread from another part of the body or an organ in the body to the bone/s of the leg/s). The three most common forms of bone cancer are Osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing's tumor. Leg pain, swelling and possible growths may occur with cancer in the legs, and are the most common symptoms experienced with the disease.

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer and the sixth most common in children. Osteosarcoma develops from ostoblasts. These are the cells that make growing bone. The most common symptom is pain or swelling in the leg or arm.

Ewing's Tumor

Ewing's tumor is a rare childhood disease. There are three different types of Ewing's tumor. The first, Ewing sarcoma of bone, which is the most common in children, Extraosseous Ewing tumor, which starts in the soft tissues around the bone, and Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, which starts in the bone or soft tissues. The most common sites for Ewing's tumor is the chest, legs, pelvis and middle of the long bones.

Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma is a cancer affecting cartilage cells. According to the Mayo Clinic online, it is said to be the second most common type of bone cancer.. Chondrosarcoma develops in the arms, legs, or pelvis of adults ages 50 to 70.

Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms of cancer include weight loss and fatigue. When cancer spreads to internal organs additional symptoms may occur, such as trouble breathing if it spreads to the lungs. Bone swelling and pain are more often due to other condition than cancer, such as arthritis and injuries. However, if the condition persists, it is necessary to schedule a visit with your physician.

Tags: most common, Ewing tumor, cancer that, bone cancer, cells that

Advantages & Disadvantages Of Gamma Rays

Gamma radiation will not give you super powers.

Gamma rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like x-rays, radio waves and visible light. Like light, gamma rays are composed of photons, which behave in some ways like a particle and in other ways like a wave. Of all types of electromagnetic radiation, gamma waves have the shortest wavelength, highest frequency and most energy. Scientists have harnessed gamma waves for such purposes as killing cancer cells and understanding the universe, but they can be very dangerous tools.

Cancer Therapy

Gamma rays are extremely powerful. The incredibly high-energy photons can ionize atoms they come in contact with. That means they knock electrons off the atom, leaving them as electron-deficient ions. If the atoms in question happen to be part of a cell in a living organism, this can kill the cell. Doctors aim focused beams of radiation, including gamma rays, at tumors. The high-energy radiation either directly damages the DNA of the cancer cells or creates highly reactive free radicals that in turn damage the DNA of the cancer cells, killing them.

Cosmology

Scientists measure gamma radiation in their attempts to understand how the universe works. The first gamma-ray telescope was carried into orbit on the Explorer XI satellite in 1961. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, gamma-ray detectors on the Vela satellite series recorded bursts of gamma rays from deep space. Scientists are still trying to determine the source of these bursts of gamma rays and hope their continued observation will reveal clues as to the origins of the universe and its rate of expansion.

Mass Extinction

These gamma ray bursts release an enormous amount of energy. Fortunately, they typically originate thousands of light years away. But scientists speculate that a gamma burst from as far away as 6,500 light years could still wreck havoc. And there is significant evidence that they already have. About 440 million years ago, about 70 percent of all marine species disappeared in a massive extinction, and scientists think a gamma burst may have been responsible. It could happen again, eventually, but nobody should panic. The likelihood that one of these bursts could happen again during the next 1,000 years is very close to zero.

Dangers of Radiation Exposure

While the ability of gamma rays to kill cells by breaking down DNA has been exploited as a cancer therapy, gamma radiation can kill regular cells, too. That's why cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy get sick. Long-term exposure to low levels of radiation is associated with increased risks for cancer. Gamma radiation is teratogenic, and pregnant women exposed to gamma radiation have an increased risk for birth defects when they deliver. Acute exposure to gamma radiation, that is exposure to a high level of radiation in a short period of time, can cause immediate negative effects, including nausea, hair loss, skin burns and diminished organ function resulting from damage to cells and tissues. Exposure to a lethal dose of gamma radiation will usually kill the victim within two months.

Tags: gamma radiation, cancer cells, bursts gamma, bursts gamma rays, could happen, could happen again, electromagnetic radiation

Read A Bone Density Scan

A bone density scan, also known as DXA scan, is a test used to measure bone strength. It can determine whether you have osteoporosis (brittle bones) or osteopenia (less severe than osteoporosis). The scan requires the patient to lay on a table for about 20 minutes while an X-ray machine scans his or her spinal bones, hip bones and wrist bones. The bone scan generates scores for the bones called the T-score and Z-score measured in standard deviation (SD). According to the Mayo Clinic, the T-score is a value that compares bone strength to normal bone strength values. The Z-score is a value that compares the patient's bone strength to the normal bone strength of someone the same age, race and gender.

Instructions

1. Read your T-score value. Compare it to the T-scores expected in a normal patient (-1 or higher SD), osteopenic patient (between -1 and -2.5 SD) and osteoporotic patient (below -2.5 SD).

2. Read your Z-score. Call your doctor if your Z-score is below -1.5 SD. This means that your low bone density is due to another medical condition other than menopause or aging.

3. If your test reveals that you have osteoporosis or osteopenia, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Continue to eat and drink products rich in calcium to improve your bone strength.

Tags: bone strength, bone density, bone strength normal, have osteoporosis, normal bone, normal bone strength

Replace An Eye Lens

Clear, healthy eyes are possible at any age.

Replacing the lens of the eye is a medical procedure that is usually completed as an out-patient surgery in a hospital or surgical center. Replacing the lens is the most effective treatment for cataracts, a filmy coating of the lens. In some cases, a lens can be inserted that not only replaces the filmy lens, but also corrects near or far-sightedness. This procedure is called Refractive Lens Exchange,or RLE. Your surgeon can help you decide what options are best for you.

Instructions

1. Visit your ophthalmologist if you suspect that you have cataracts. Your doctor will test your vision and help you determine if surgery is the right option. Before the procedure, you will be asked to use antibiotic drops to lower the risk of infection. You will also fast 12 hours before surgery.

2. Sign into the surgical center the day of your surgery. You may be given a mild sedative to help you relax before the procedure.

3. Hold your eyelid open while the surgical assistant uses drops to numb the outer portion of your eye. A second set of drops dilate your pupil, giving the surgeon access to the lens.

4. Relax as much as possible and hold your eye still as the surgeon makes a small incision in the front of your eye. The surgeon inserts a small ultra-sonic probe that breaks up the lens and removes the pieces with a suction device. The surgeon then slips the new lens into the incision and slides it into place. Finally, the surgeon stitches the incision closed.

5. Keep your hands away from your eye following surgery. To further protect the eye, some doctors require a metal mesh eye-patch be worn.

6. Follow your surgeon's instruction and use the eye drops provided as directed.

Tags: Replacing lens, surgical center

Read An Xray Film

X-ray films are taken of different areas of the body. If the body part contains bone it will show up as white because bone is dense and absorbs X-rays more than muscle or fat. If the body part contains gas or air it will show up as black because X-rays easily pass through gas.

Instructions

Different Tissue Types

1. Chest X-ray

When you look at this chest X-ray, notice that the lungs look black because they are filled with air and the X-rays can pass through the air. The spine, ribs and shoulders appear white because they are dense and stop the X-rays from passing through. The heart appears gray because it is more dense than air and lung tissue but less dense than bone.

2. Abdomen X-ray

The image on the far right is of the abdomen of a patient who was injected with radiographic contrast material. The contrast medium contains iodine and when injected the body gets rid of it by excreting it through the kidneys. If you look closely toward the top of the image you can see the patient's kidneys. You can also see contrast media running from the kidneys to the bladder located toward the bottom of the image.

3. What you cannot see

You actually see only the inside of the kidney called the renal pelvis because that is where the contrast medium gets excreted. You do not see the body of the kidney and you do not see any other internal organs, such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, gall bladder or spleen because they are not dense enough to stop the X-rays from penetrating.

4. Knee X-ray

This is an X-ray of a patient with a knee replacement. As before you can see the bones, in this case of the femur, tibia and fibula but notice how much more dense or white the replacement parts are. They are made of metal which is more dense than bone and shows up on the X-ray as being even more white than bone. Notice also that you cannot see any muscle, tendons or ligaments.

5. Femur X-ray

This X-ray is a lateral view of a thigh bone or femur with the knee and knee cap on the right side of the image. You can see a small dark vertical line about two thirds of the distance from the left side of the image and the end of the femur; that line is a fracture of the patient's femur.

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Rate Children'S Charities

Thousands of nonprofit organizations currently benefit children in the United States, even more if you count those operating internationally. If you're considering several charities, or trying to decide to give to one, it helps to rate the charity. Rating the charity is a personal experience, as you set your own criteria. Many resources and tools (included at the bottom) are at your disposal to help you rate a charity.

Instructions

Rating Guide

1. Evaluate your priorities. To rate a children's charity, take stock of things that matter to you. For example, you might pick categories like health, education, nutrition or leadership. Select a target age range of children you'd like to help. Being clear on what's important to you will help you evaluate your philanthropic impact in the long run.

2. Verify the organization. Children's charities are not immune to scammers and spammers trying to use their cause to take advantage of generous donors. If you've never heard of the organization or are in any way uneasy about giving, check them out. Go to BBB.org/us/charity to see if any complaints have been filed on the children's charity in question. Go to GuideStar.org to check their 990, a tax form that all nonprofits must complete and make public. Call them to request their certificate for 501(c)(3) determination letter, which certifies that they are recognized by the IRS as a charitable organization.

3. Friend and family factor. It can be fun and incredibly rewarding to join a friend or family member in giving to a children's charity. If a trusted friend or family member has already done the leg work of evaluating a charity or otherwise knows the children's charity is effective, give to the same one. Giving as a group can help expand your philanthropic impact.

4. Charity's impact. Read impact stories and examine statistics presented in the children's charity reports. Refer to your priorities. For example, if you care about elementary-aged girls and their access to health education, evaluate how the children's charity is reaching that target group and what types of programs they provide. The children's charity should back up marketing and public relations claims with factual evidence that their programs work.

5. Financials. Examine the children's charity's financial statements, which are usually found in the annual reports. You can request any financial statement from the children's charity or you can find it on the charity's website. Visit CharityNavigator.org and search for your children's charity. The site provides ratings on organizational efficiency, capacity, income, privacy standards and leadership.

6. Sustainability. Make sure the program or organization has sufficient resources or the capacity to secure resources to maintain the program or the organization itself. View the organization's list of donors and compare trends over the years. The organization should be diversifying and growing their donor base. For new organizations, they should have a solid plan and adequate resources to sustain itself and its programs.

Tags: children charity, family member, friend family member, health education, philanthropic impact, program organization

Alternative Treatments For Menopause

Alternative Treatments for Menopause

As the negative side effects of doctor-prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are publicized, more women and their physicians are seeking alternative treatments to relieve menopause symptoms. During the end of their child-bearing years and the cessation of their monthly cycle, as many as two-thirds of all women experience physical symptoms due to changing hormone levels in their bodies.

Time Frame

Perimenopause begins as early as a decade before the end of a woman's menstrual cycle and her ability to become pregnant. At this time, the production of estrogen and progesterone in her body gradually decrease. By age 45, most women will enter the perimenopause phase; for some, this may occur as early as their mid 30s. Most women have completed menopause by the time they reach 55, although there are exceptions.

Features

Hot flashes are the most common complaint of women approaching menopause. Striking without warning, a woman's body temperature suddenly spikes and she may experience flushing and profuse sweating. A hot flash may last a minute or longer. Insomnia is another common complaint and some women report additional headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, mood swings and night sweats.

Diet

Fortunately, nature provides an alternative to HRT in the form of phytoestrogens, which may alleviate the symptoms of decreasing hormone levels. Soy-based foods are high in phytoestrogens, and thanks to today's food manufacturers they are found in milk, cheese, tofu and many other food items. A diet low in saturated fat may reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms and avoiding spicy foods may reduce hot flashes.

Physical

In addition to getting regular aerobic exercise at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes, some women find relief from practicing yoga or meditation. When a hot flash begins, deep, slow breathing may prevent the episode from becoming severe.

Holistic

Some women need an extra boost to regulate their hormones; wild yam cream is one of the most popular progesterone ointments on the market. Rubbed into a fatty area on the body, wild yam cream releases plant hormones into the bloodstream to offset many of the symptoms of menopause. Although this cream is sold over the counter, consult your physician before you begin using it. Some women also benefit from acupuncture treatments.

Herbal

Black cohosh tea and red raspberry leaf tea are readily available in health food stores, and they may ease menopausal symptoms. Dong quai, evening primrose oil and ginseng supplements show promise in reducing mood swings and insomnia in some women.

Warning

Consult your doctor before embarking upon an alternative method to reduce your symptoms of menopause, especially if you are currently taking any prescription medication or you have a history of chronic illness.

Tags: some women, Alternative Treatments, Alternative Treatments Menopause, common complaint, hormone levels, menopausal symptoms, mood swings

Become A Veterinary Radiologist

Veterinary radiologists play a huge role in animal health and wellness. Like their human counterparts, veterinary radiologists are doctors who specialize in imaging techniques that help diagnose and treat myriad diseases. They using technology like radiographs (X-rays), computed tomography scans (CT scans), ultrasound (US), nuclear medicine imaging (NMs), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs). To have a career as a veterinary radiologist you have to study for many years and than apply that knowledge in a practical setting.

Instructions

1. Earn good grades in high school. This will help you develop study habits that you need for the rest of your career, as well as helping you to get into a good college and veterinary school.

2. Volunteer at a local shelter or animal hospital. This will help you learn the ins and outs of animal medical practice. A career as a veterinarian radiologist will involve a lot more than cuddling puppies and petting kittens, and volunteering will help you gain a medical perspective of animals' needs.

3. Attend college, choosing a major like biology or a related science. As in high school, study well so that you can earn good grades.

4. Apply to and get accepted into a veterinary school. This will usually involve a written application, standardized test scores, writing samples and an interview. Contact the program you are interested in for the specific details of their school.

5. Graduate from veterinary college and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. Follow any additional requirements that your individual state may require for veterinary careers.

6. Work in an internship or in private practice as a veterinarian for 1 to 2 years. This is to gain some practical experience, so that you can be readmitted to veterinary school for advanced study in radiology.

7. Return to veterinary school in an American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) accredited residency program. These programs are typically 3 to 4 years in length, and will provide the advanced training you need for a career as a veterinary radiologist. Upon graduation from the residency program, you will be eligible to take your board certification exams.

8. Pass the ACVR's board certification exams, both written and oral. Upon passing these exams, you will become a Diplomate of the ACVR (and you can denote this title by writing the initials DACVR after your name).

Tags: veterinary school, This will, will help, board certification, board certification exams, career veterinary

Personal Characteristics Needed To Become A Radiologist

A radiologist does a lot more than look at X-rays all day. Radiologists also interpret medical images obtained by fluoroscopy and computed tomography (CT) scans as well as those produced as a result of radioactive substances, ultrasound and MRIs. In addition, radiologists treat diseases by using radiation or through interventional radiology, which is practiced by using minimally invasive, image-guided surgery. Certain characteristics and skill sets can help radiologists excel at serving both patients and their referring physicians.

Medical Private Eyes

What's wrong with this picture? That's a job for a radiologist. Dr. George D. Soltes, director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, says a radiologist serves foremost as a medical detective. That means radiologists must be curious and inquisitive with a quick eye for detail and an uncanny ability to spot the abnormal.

Physician's Physician

Radiologists must have a knowledge base that spans all other medical specialties. Dr. Soltes refers to that as being a "physician's physician." And that knowledge base must be available upon quick recall. Radiology patients are referred by other doctors, so when a radiologist enters a case, she has little advance warning what ailment might be lying in wait.

Keep the (Background) Noise Down

Radiologists need to be dispassionate and clinical in reaching their conclusions. According to a recent study, "personal characteristics and background" contributed to the variability in mammography results. Radiologists strive for consistency and uniformity in the information they provide to referring physicians.

Judgment Call

Dr. Soltes jokes that a "radiologist's favorite plant is the hedge." But although a radiologist must keep an open mind and consider a wide swath of possibilities when interpreting a case, he must be able, in the end, to provide a definitive and clinically useful answer.

The Nice Section

Because all radiology patients are referred by other physicians, a patient enters the radiologist's world fearing the worst. More than a bedside manner, the radiologist needs a personality that quickly connects with patients, making them feel comfortable and less fearful so the examination can be conducted in a less stressful fashion.

Training

Typically, a specialized radiologist will have four years of medical school, a one-year internship, four years of residency in radiology and one to two years of specialty training through a fellowship program.

Tags: four years, knowledge base, patients referred, patients referred other, referred other, referring physicians

Connect A Usb Camera To A Computer

Most photos are now downloaded rather than developed.

Digital cameras were first used in spy satellites. The technological breakthrough was the invention of a light sensitive plate called a charge-coupled device or CCD. CCDs made it possible to electronically transmit images from the satellite to a ground station instead of having to physically parachute exposed film back to earth. Digital cameras with CCDs and personal computers began to connect in the 1990s. The first connections, as with the Apple QuickTake 100 camera in 1994, used a serial port. Now the connection is invariably made using a USB cable.

Instructions

1. Boot up your computer. Install the drivers for your camera on your computer using the compact disk included with your camera.

2. Turn on your camera. Some cameras allow you to choose whether you want to send your images to a printer or a computer. Choose "computer" when presented with this option.

3. Plug the small end of the mini-USB cable included with your camera into the mini-USB port on the side or bottom of your camera.

4. Plug the large end of the mini-USB cable into any available USB port on your computer. With drivers pre-installed, all Windows and Macintosh computers will recognize your camera as peripheral device.

Tags: your camera, your computer, Digital cameras, included with, included with your

Contraceptive Pill & Breast Growth

Contraceptive Pill & Breast Growth

When using oral contraception, it is important to understand the changes that may take place. The hormones in birth control pills can have several effects, one of which may be increased breast size.

Increased tissue

The progesterone and estrogen in contraception pills may cause actual breast tissue growth. This will be a more consistent and unchanging type of growth than edema-related breast growth experienced while on the pill.

Hormone levels

Some pills contain different levels of hormones than others. Oral contraception that has higher hormone levels is more likely to increase breast size.

Edema

Edema, also known as water retention, can also take place. Water retention can take place specifically in the breasts while using contraception pills due to the hormones.

Temporary enlargement

Women who experience enlargement due to edema may notice only a temporary change in breast size. A decrease in size after using oral contraception for several months is normal.

Monthly decrease

A monthly decrease in breast size may take place in women who experience edema-related enlargement. When hormones are withdrawn during the placebo pill phase, water is not being stored, so breasts may decrease in size during this time.

Tags: breast size, take place, contraception pills, Contraceptive Pill, Contraceptive Pill Breast

Use A Pc To Answer The Telephone

You can use your computer to answer the telephone.

As technology becomes more and more advanced, there are fewer and fewer things that we can't do with computers. For instance, you can use your computer to answer your phone if you want. All you need is to connect your computer to your telephone and to have the proper software. These instructions are geared toward those who are using a computer with a landline telephone, not those who want to answer their cell phone.

Instructions

1. Connect your telephone cable to your computer. It's important that your computer can actually monitor your phone line if you intend to answer your phone calls with the PC.

2. Download a program that allows you to make and receive calls from your computer. Programs like PC-Telephone can be used with a landline. Programs like Skype are also popular, but Skype cannot answer landline calls, and when it places calls it does so via an Internet connection.

3. Install the program. Once fully installed, you can turn on the program and set it to monitor your telephone line to answer calls. As long as you have a microphone and a sound card you can use your computer to both send and receive calls through your PC.

Tags: your computer, your phone, your telephone, answer your, answer your phone, computer answer

Qualify For Medicaid

Qualify for Medicaid

If you cannot afford your own private health insurance, you may qualify for your state's Medicaid program. There are certain guidelines and income requirements that you must qualify under, but those restrictions can be less restrictive than some people expect. There are many families who qualify, who never thought they would. There are several steps that you need to take in order to qualify for your state's Medicaid program. Read on to learn qualify for Medicaid.

Instructions

1. Confirm that you are a United States citizen. If you are not, you will need to establish citizenship before you can qualify for Medicaid in most areas. In a country where many are born to illegal immigrants, it is important that potential applicants sit down with their loved ones to ensure that they were born within U.S. borders and have proper citizenship, before moving forward with the application process.

2. Determine if you meet the applicant status requirements. There are three main groups of people who are eligible for Medicaid: children under 18 (under 21 in some programs), pregnant women of any age and those in families with small children. So, if you are a 35-year-old male with no children, you likely will not qualify for this program.

3. Calculate your income and see if it meets the guidelines under the Medicaid program. You can calculate by day, month or year, as you often will be given guidelines that are broken down by all three categories. The more people who reside within the household, the more money you are allowed to make a still qualify for the program.

Tags: Medicaid program, your state Medicaid, citizenship before, qualify Medicaid, qualify your

Information About The Girl Scout Badges

Only U.S. girls are called Girl Scouts. In other countries they are called Girl Guides.

Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. has many badges that girls at each level can earn. To achieve the badges increases in difficultly significantly from one level to the next, both in the number of activities that must be completed and their complexity.

Daisy Petals

Daisy Girl Scouts are in kindergarten and first grade. In recent years they have started earning a patch and petals of the daisy for learning The Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Brownie Try-Its

Brownie Girl Scouts -- in second and third grade -- earn triangular badges called Try-Its for trying new activities. To earn a Try-It, they need to complete four of the possible activities listed for that badge.

Junior Badges

Junior Girl Scouts are in fourth and fifth grade. Their round badges are earned by completing six activities out of the ones listed for that badge.

Teen Interest Projects

Girl Scouts in grades seven to 12 -- called Teen Girl Scouts -- earn rectangular shaped badges called Interest Project Awards, or IPs. Girls must complete at least one activity from the Skills, Technology, Service and Career sections, and their choice of others to make a total of seven activities.

Tags: Girl Scouts, badges called, called Girl, Girl Scout, listed that

How Get Rid Of Pinworms

Children

A pinworm infection sounds like a disgusting and unusual condition. However, pinworms are common among children and sometimes even adults. Even though pinworms are highly contagious and can cause discomfort, they are easily treated and prevented.

Symptoms and Detection

According to FamilyDoctor.org, pinworms are "small, white worms that live in the intestines," and they are more common in children than adults. One sign of infection in a child is itching and scratching around the anal area. FamilyDoctor.org says that children with pinworms may move around in bed and have difficulty sleeping. KidsHealth editor Dr. Mary L. Gavin suggests seeing a doctor if a child is itching and scratching in the anal or vaginal area; ask if pinworms may be to blame if your child has trouble sleeping or has begun to wet the bed. Pinworms can "irritate the urethra---the channel through which urine leaves the bladder and exits the body---and lead to bedwetting." Children spread infections to playmates and families when they scratch the affected area, do not wash hands and touch things they share with others.

Determining if pinworms are to blame for symptoms is a task shared by parents and doctors. Pinworms may be visible at night while a child is sleeping; use a flashlight to look for them around the anus. Another way to diagnose pinworms is the tape test. FamilyDoctor.org says to do the tape test by patting a piece of clear tape on the skin around the anus. You can then take the tape to your doctor, who can use a microscope to check for pinworms or eggs.

Medications

If a doctor has diagnosed pinworms, be reassured that the problem is common--children and parents should not panic about a pinworm infection. MotherNature.com reports that Dr. Robert Pond, physician with the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, says studies show that between 10 and 30 percent of children get them.

According to FamilyDoctor.org, doctors prescribe one of two oral medications: mebendazole (brand name: Vermox) or pyrantel (brand names: Pin-X, Pin-Rid). Patients take both medications in two doses two weeks apart. Several over-the-counter treatments are also available (WebMD.com warns that women who are pregnant or breast-feeding and children younger than two should not take over-the-counter medicine without first talking to a doctor). Some doctors treat all family members at once while others treat one infected person at a time.

Home Treatment and Prevention

Due to the contagious nature of pinworms, prevention of future infections is imperative. Families can take steps to reduce the risk of transmitting them from person to person. Children and adults can practice good hygiene to prevent picking up an infection at school or other public places. FamilyDoctor.org recommends washing all bedding and towels in hot water. Keep fingernails short and encourage hand washing. MotherNature.com suggests buying fun soaps to make hand washing appealing to children. Discourage scratching of the anal area and change underwear frequently. Gavin says itching can outlast oral medications, so creams may ease symptoms and prevent spreading by reducing scratching. Another preventive measure is to open bedroom blinds and curtains during daylight hours. FamilyDoctor.org says pinworm eggs are sensitive to light. Pinworms are irritating but are easily treated with medication and vigilant hygiene.

Tags: FamilyDoctor says, According FamilyDoctor, anal area, around anus, child itching, child itching scratching, easily treated

How Do Pink Flamingos Defend Themselves

Flamingos are easily recognizable, but they certainly don't look very sturdy. How do they avoid becoming prey in the wild?

Natural Habitat

Flamingos are aquatic birds living near water and feeding from it. They live in Southern Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Their beaks are uniquely designed to filter out brine shrimp from other material as they "graze" in the water. Their pink coloring is not natural, but rather comes from elements of their diets. Flamingos in captivity will not be the vibrant pink they are in the wild unless their diet is supplemented with shrimp.

Threats

Flamingos have few natural enemies. Because of their aquatic nature, they are most vulnerable to attack by predators such as crocodiles. Humankind, is also a substantial threat. Some Andeans believe that the fat of the flamingo is curative for tuberculosis, putting some South American flamingo populations at risk.

Defenses

The flamingo has only one natural defense, and that is escape. At the first sign of danger, a flamingo will take flight, and all the other birds of the flock will follow suit, taking to the sky. This makes them difficult targets for natural predators.

Other Perils

Like any animal, flamingos also face danger from changes to their environment, corruption and scarcity of food sources and destruction of habitat.

Prognosis

Flamingo populations are considered at risk in various areas of the world at this time. While no flamingos are listed as endangered or threatened, there are areas where their survival is not assured. However, their simple and effective defense will help ensure that flamingos will survive.

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What Are Roth Medical Components

Roth Medical Components products were sold exclusively in South Africa until 1992.

Roth Medical Components is a medical supply company started in 1989 by H.F. Rothig. The company, which is a family-run business, is located in Cape Town, South Africa. Roth Medical Components produces specialty surgical supplies, such as bone screws and plates, and distributes them to more than 40 countries.

Company History

Roth Medical Components was started in 1989 under the name Trauma Surgical Services C.C. The name of the company was changed in 1991, after Thomas and Sandra Rothig joined the company, to better reflect that the business was run by the family. By 1992, the company began exporting its products outside of South Africa. In 1994, the company began developing and patenting its own range of medical devices.

Types of Medical Supplies

Roth Medical creates medical supplies, such as bone screws, bone plate, bone plate bending presses, fragment sets, different bone nails, medical wire and pins, staples and staple sets, compression hip screw systems, endoprostheses, spinal systems, traction devices, external fixation systems and bone-harvesting systems. These supplies are made from stainless steel, unalloyed titanium, wrought titanium 6, aluminum 4 and vanadium alloy.

Servicing Medical Supplies

Roth Medical Components will also service or repair certain medical supplies, including surgical instruments, orthopedic instruments, orthopedic implants, sterilization cases, sterilization trays and titanium rods and bars used in implants.

Quality Assurance and Membership

The motto of Roth Medical Components is "Quality Without Compromise." The company complies with and is certified in the International Standardization Oranization 9001:2000, 13485:2003, and 14971, which are quality management system certifications for medical devices. The company is also certified in Medical Device Division 93/42 with the European Economic Community. It also has the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate (issued by the Republic of South Africa Department of Health), Certificate of Free Sale, the "Proudly South African" founder membership and the "Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry" Founder Membership.

Tags: Roth Medical, Medical Components, Roth Medical Components, South Africa, bone plate

What Is Type B Lymphoma Cancer

Type B lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. There are two types of lymphatic cancers. One is Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is the cancerous growth of tumors on the lymph nodes. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the white blood cells. B lymphoma is the proliferation of white blood cells without the following death of the cell to lower the white blood cell count when disease is not present.

Symptoms

Symptoms of B lymphoma are normally mild, so the development of the cancer may not be noticeable until later stages. The most common early symptom is pain in the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes span the height of the body in places like the neck, chest and groin area. These nodes swell and become sore when disease is present, so people may disregard early symptoms of B lymphoma. Additional symptoms are fatigue, weight loss and breathing problems.

Causes

Normally, when disease is present in the body, the white blood cells (including B cells) proliferate, multiply and build a defense against the invading microbe. When the disease is cleared from the body, the normal function of white blood cells is to trigger programmed cell death to lower the count back to normal. With B lymphoma, these cells do not die. Instead, they continue to circulate and proliferate, causing disease themselves.

Risk Factors

Cancer is caused by mutations in the cells that cause them to multiply without dying. However, the direct cause of the mutation can vary widely. Risk factors for B lymphoma are mostly environmental, but poor immune system regulation from diseases such as AIDS increases the risks. Chemicals and age also play a role in the chance of developing B lymphoma.

Diagnosis

When making B lymphoma diagnoses, doctors will conduct several tests to confirm their suspicions. Blood tests are drawn to send to a laboratory to count the amount of white blood cells circulating. Biopsies are conducted by taking samples of the tissue in the lymph nodes. Because white blood cells recirculate back to the lymph nodes, the tissue taken can be examined for abnormal tumor growths. A doctor may also take samples of bone marrow to determine if the cancer has spread to the bone.

Treatment

Treatment is of B lymphoma is mostly conducted through radiation and chemotherapy. While chemotherapy is taken orally or through injection, radiation is given only on the source of the tumor growths. For B lymphoma, this may be on the lymph nodes. Occasionally, radiation is used in conjunction with chemotherapy. For more advanced stages, transplants may be necessary. Transplants are used to replace bone marrow, which is where blood cells develop. Biotherapy is also used in the form of a treatment called Rituximab. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody treatment, which helps the immune system identify and destroy cancerous tumors.

Tags: blood cells, white blood, lymph nodes, white blood cells, disease present, when disease present, bone marrow

Effects Of Hypertension

Effects of Hypertension

Although about 42 million Americans have hypertension, only about 10 million have it under control (See Resources). The remaining 32 million may not even be aware they have it. Known as the silent killer, hypertension often strikes without warning. It's the main cause of heart attacks and strokes. Fortunately, 95 percent of all hypertension is controllable.

Identification

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is when the pressure of blood against artery walls is higher than normal. A blood pressure reading is made up of two numbers. The upper number (systolic pressure) represents the highest force of blood as the heart pumps it. The lower number (diastolic pressure) signifies when the heart is filling before the next heartbeat.

Normal blood pressure for adults over 18 is below 120/70. High to normal is 130-139/85-89 and high is over 140/90. When blood pressure is this high, the body is forced to work harder pumping blood, placing it in jeopardy.

Types

There are two main types of high blood pressure, primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension, which doesn't have a main cause, is the one that's diagnosed in most people. On the other hand, secondary hypertension is caused by several reasons and is very treatable.

Other rare types include malignant hypertension, as well as isolated systolic, white coat and resistant hypertension.

Effects

Consistent hypertension has several serious effects. Strokes are usually because of hypertension. High blood pressure puts a strain on blood vessels, causing them to rupture. This leads to bleeding in the brain. A stroke can occur if a blood clot blocks one of the narrowed arteries. Strokes can also occur because of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), also caused by hypertension.

Heart attacks and other heart problems happen when the heart is strained, because of hypertension. Blood vessels carry needed oxygen to the heart muscle. If the blood flow is blocked, there's chest pain (angina), which can result in a heart attack and even death. Congested heart failure, when the heart can't pump enough blood to needed body parts, is another heart problem.

Kidney damage can result from hypertension. Kidneys filter wastes from the body. Because hypertension can either narrow or thicken the kidney's blood vessels, kidneys can be damaged or even fail. Waste gathers in the blood when kidneys filter less fluid. As a result, a kidney transplant or dialysis may be necessary. If they fail altogether before a new kidney is replaced, it can be fatal.

Dementia in older people is also linked with hypertension. This is because mini-strokes, due mostly to high blood pressure, can lead to memory loss.

Warning

If two or more blood pressure readings, taken at least six hours apart, are 140 (top number) or higher systolic, call a health professional. On the other hand, if you have a 90 or higher diastolic (bottom number), seek immediate medical attention.

Considerations

When taking a hypertension reading, take in consideration a few factors. A person's age can affect a reading. Other considerations include weight, height, health and pregnancy. Race should also be considered. For example, African-Americans are known for having more hypertension.

Prevention/Solution

Although hypertension isn't to be taken lightly, you can make several lifestyle changes to reverse it.

Exercise more and eat healthier, omitting foods high in cholesterol, such as fried foods. Limit salt intake. Often getting your weight to a normal range can lower your blood pressure.

Stop smoking. Nicotine temporarily increases blood pressure, for only about half an hour or less. Smokers should check their blood pressure after thirty minutes following a smoke, especially if they have high blood pressure.

Check medications. Many prescription drugs can intensify high blood pressure, such as corticosteroids.

Tags: blood pressure, high blood, high blood pressure, when heart, about million, Effects Hypertension, main cause

Colleges With Accelerated Programs In Michigan

Accelerated degree programs are common in the field of nursing.

Accelerated degree programs allow students to finish school early and enter their chosen field much more quickly than more traditional programs. One of the most common types of accelerated degree programs is in the field of nursing where students with a bachelor's degree in another field or registered nurses needing to complete their baccalaureate studies can do so in a truncated time frame.

University of Michigan--Flint

The Department of Nursing at the University of Michigan in Flint offers an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The program is designed for students with a baccalaureate degree in another field who want to break into the field of nursing. The length of the program is 16 months, and it requires that the student be able to provide a full-time commitment to his studies at the time of matriculation into the program. A good portion of the program requires hands-on clinical training in the hospital setting. Michigan's program is fairly selective and admits about 30 students on an annual basis. Students must meet some of the course prerequisites before being admitted to the program and the remainder once accepted.

Department of Nursing

2180 William S. White Building

303 E. Kearsley St.

Flint, MI 48502

810-762-3420

www.umflint.edu/nursing/

Michigan State University

Like the University of Michigan, Michigan State University's College of Nursing also offers an accelerated BSN program for students pursuing a second bachelor's degree. This program is designed to last 14 months and is also highly selective in the applicants it admits. Prerequisite courses include nutrition, statistics, chemistry, microbiology, pathophysiology, human physiology, human anatomy, introductory psychology and lifespan human development. These courses can be completed at Michigan State or taken elsewhere with an equivalent course offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.

Michigan State University

College of Nursing

A117 Life Sciences Building

East Lansing, MI 48824

800-605-6424

nursing.msu.edu

Oakland University

Oakland University, located in Rochester, Michigan, also offers an accelerated BSN nursing degree program for students with a bachelor's degree. This program is designed to last only 12 months and prepares students for a fast transition into the nursing field. Students are required to obtain admission to Oakland University before admission to the nursing program. Introductory courses in biology, chemistry, psychology, math and philosophy are also prerequisites for the program. Students are also required to complete three nursing course requirements before beginning the program. These include courses that introduce students to nutrition in nursing practice, pathophysiology and pharmacology.

Oakland University

School of Nursing

2200 N. Squirrel Road

Rochester, MI 48309

248-370-2100

www.oakland.edu/nursing/

Tags: Michigan State, Oakland University, bachelor degree, degree programs, field nursing

Treatment Options For Breast Cancer In The Elderly

According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, accounting for to close 192,000 new cases annually. This cancer rarely develops in men, with close to 2,000 cases diagnosed annually worldwide. People ages 50 to 60 are most commonly affected by breast cancer, with close to 10% of them being diagnosed with the condition. Generally, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the preferred ways to treat elderly breast cancer patients, as surgery might be risky for an older person.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, also commonly known as radiotherapy, is one of the common methods used to treat people (especially older people) suffering from breast cancer. Generally two forms of radiation--internal radiation technique and external beam radiation therapy--are administered to the patients.

Internal radiation technique, also commonly called brachytherapy, involves placing radioactive seeds near the cancerous cells in the breasts. These seeds help focus high-energy rays on the malignant cells and damage them.

External beam radiation therapy involves irradiating the cancer cells with high-power radiations (commonly X-rays) to kill the cancerous cells and prevent their spread.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, also called chemoembolization, is another commonly administered method used to treat people with breast cancer. Chemotherapy involves injecting anti-cancer medications like interleukin and pacitaxel directly into the cancer cells. These drugs help destroy the malignant cells and avert their spreading to other body parts.

Targeted Drug Therapy

Targeted drug therapy attacks specific abnormalities associated with the cancer cells and prevents their growth and survival. According to the Mayo Clinic, drugs that have been approved to treat breast cancer include trastuzumab (Herceptin), lapatinib (Tykerb) and bevacizumab (Avastin). Lapatinib and and trastuzumab attack the HER2 protein (the protein aiding the multiplication of the malignant cells) of the cancer cells and ultimately causes them to die. Bevacizumab blocks the blood flow through the cancer cells and damages them, preventing their spread.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is often used to treat breast cancer patients. This treatment utilizes medications such as tamoxifen, letrozole and others to block the hormones from attaching to the cancer cells and help in their multiplication process. Tamoxifen helps in prevent estrogen from attaching to the malignant cells, thus slowing the growth of the tumors and ultimately resulting in their death.

Tags: cancer cells, breast cancer, malignant cells, breast cancer, used treat, also commonly, beam radiation

Breast Size Reduction

Breast-reduction surgery, surgically known as mammaplasty, is an operation that involves the removal of fat and tissue from the breast in order to restore and reshape the breast to a more natural size and proportion to the women. It is most commonly opted for by women who experience pain as a result of having overly large breasts

Consultation

During the first phase in getting a breast reduction, you must consult a plastic surgeon to decide what operation is right for you. In this phase, you will decide what size and shape you would like for your breasts to become. It can be helpful to bring in pictures of what you like, so the doctor can have a comparison. Lastly, you may be required to have a mammogram, also known as a breast X-ray, for future comparisons of the before and after surgery discussions.

How the Operation is Performed

Breast reduction often takes between one and three hours per breast and is commonly an outpatient procedure. The most used technique for a breast reduction surgery is the "Key-Hole Anchor." This results in an incision around the areola that moves down under the breast, ending in a horizontal cut under the breast and leaving an anchor shape. From that incision, the surgeon will remove the excess tissue, move the areola to the new position and finally wrap the skin around the areola to form the new breast shape.

Risks

Fortunately, there are no fatal risks involved with breast-reduction surgery. However, there are some serious considerations to be made before opting for the surgery. In minor cases, patients will see bleeding, negative reactions to anesthetic or get small infections around the nipple which can be easily cured with antibiotic cream. Worst-case scenarios involve losing all feeling of the nipple and entire breasts or possibly losing all blood flow to the nipple, resulting in tissue death.

Recovery

Post-surgery, the patient must wear a surgical bra that will support the new breasts all hours of the day until the bruising and swelling have completely dissipated. All of the post-operation bandages can be removed between one and three days after the surgery and the stitches will be removed after two or three weeks have passed, according to Ienhance.com. Although all of the bandages and stitches are removed after three weeks, it is recommended that no heavy activity such as lifting or pulling motions are undertaken for a minimum of six weeks.

Cost

Unlike cosmetic procedures, breast reduction surgery can be covered by your medical insurance if your case can be medically proven to be a necessary operation. However, if your situation is not deemed medically necessary, the national average cost for surgeon fees for breast-reduction, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Surgery, was $5,429 in 2009. Although the surgical fee is $5,429, that number does not include the full cost of the operation. According to docshop.com, the surgical fee does not include the anesthesia, medical facility fee, prescriptions, surgical garments, medical testing or any other charges related to pre- and post-operative care.

Tags: breast reduction, after surgery, after three, after three weeks, around areola

Medical Transcriptionist Jobs Without Any Experience

Medical transcription is tying recorded information into documents.

Medical transcription involves typing medical reports dictated by physicians in emergency, acute and routine medical environments. Those who work in this field often meet strict deadlines, have a sound understanding of medical terminology and operate specialized digital equipment. If you desire to enter into this field with no experience, it requires diligence.

Education

Medical transcription is distinctly different from any other career due to the medical terminology associated with it. Therefore, educating medical transcriptionists to learn the extensive vocabulary is essential. If you have no medical training, it's beneficial to take a course in medical terminology. Community colleges and transcription schools offer one- and two-year programs in medical transcription. If you currently have a job in the medical field, such as a nurse, medical assistant or paramedic, finding a medical transcription job without taking a terminology course may not be difficult. If you want to avoid having to take courses and you have a clerical background, look for work in a doctor's office where the terminology may be less complicated than, say, a job in a hospital.

Salary

If you don't have any medical transcription experience, expect to start at the bottom of the salary scale. As with any career, those with the most experience are paid higher. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, the average hourly wage for a medical transcriptionist in 2008 was $15.41. Medical transcriptionists can work as employees or independent contractors and be paid by the line or page. A person who lands a job without any experience can expect the salary to increase as experience is gained and skills are sharpened.

Technology

To transcribe medical reports, you need to know type and operate a computer. Doctors' dictations are now often transmitted online to a transcriber's computer. Although not particularly difficult to operate, transcription software must be mastered. Transcription companies usually train their new medical transcriptionists in operating their software.

Job Search

Finding a medical transcription job without any experience can be a challenge. Perform searches on jobs boards and medical transcription information websites and in your local classifieds. If you decide to enroll in a training program, the school should either contract with companies that hire graduates or give you a list of companies to apply to. Transcription companies sometimes have training programs through which they hire individuals after completion of a medical transcription curriculum without any prior experience.

Tags: have medical, medical terminology, medical transcription, experience expect, medical reports, medical transcription, Medical transcription

Health Insurance Rules & Regulations In Michigan

Understand the rules and regulations regarding health insurance in Michigan before you buy a policy so that you know what the insurance company is and is not allowed to do.

Michigan laws on health insurance provide very specific rules and regulations on group health insurance as well as individual health policies. These laws are enacted to provide a way for you to obtain health insurance. However, while some of the laws in Michigan are designed to benefit you, some laws are in place to benefit insurance companies. Make sure that you understand what insurers can and cannot do in your state.

Discrimination In Group Health Insurance

Group health insurance policies in Michigan cannot discriminate against you by denying your coverage based on your health status. However, your employer can limit or restrict coverage based on your employment status and number of hours worked. This means that if you work less than 30 hours a week, for example, your employer could deny you health insurance coverage. This rule must be universal for all employees.

Denial of Coverage

Health insurance companies in Michigan are allowed to turn you down for health coverage if you are buying an individual health insurance policy. This differs from group health insurance where you cannot be turned down due to health reasons. However, unlike a group plan, your individual plan is not tied to your employer. Thus, if you lose your job, you won't lose your health insurance. Blue Cross/Blue Shield is the exception to this rule. In Michigan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield must sell a guaranteed issue policy. This means that they must sell an individual health insurance policy to any resident in the state regardless of their health status.

Child Coverage

Children are automatically covered under your heath insurance if they are newborns. This coverage lasts for 31 days. After this time, you must amend the policy to reflect the new addition to your family and pay the premiums for the additional subscriber (the child). If you do not, your child will not be covered under the policy after 31 days.

Disabled Children

Disabled children are allowed to remain on their parent's health insurance policy for as long as they are unable to care for themselves. The parents must prove that their child is primarily dependent on them for care as well as financially dependent. Finally, the parents must provide this proof within 31 days of the disabled child reaching the maximum age limit for the coverage of dependent children (which will be specified in the policy).

Tags: health insurance, health insurance policy, individual health, insurance policy, your employer, based your, Blue Cross

Breast Enhancement Alternatives

Do you yearn for larger, firmer, fuller breasts but don't want to go to the expense or risk of breast enlargement surgery? While nothing but a breast augmentation can actually make your breasts larger permanently, there are several ways you can affect the appearance of your breasts. These options come with much less risk and a much lower cost than a breast augmentation, which can run from $5,000 to $15,000. What works and what doesn't? Read on for options and figure out what might work best for you before going under the knife.

The Right Bra

Never underestimate the power of the right bra. First, make sure you are wearing the correct size. Go for a professional bra fitting in the foundations/lingerie department of your favorite department store. Your shape can change as you get older, even if you maintain the same weight. Make sure you adjust your bra straps daily to keep your breasts high. Your straps can easily slip from everyday wear and laundering.

To enhance the size and shape of your breasts, look for a padded push-up bra. These wonders of underwire technology fill out the bottom and sides of your breasts while pushing them up and in, giving you optimal cleavage.

Silicone Breast Enhancers

Sometimes you need a little more fullness and lift than your favorite push-up bra can give. Enter the silicone breast enhancer, or as the "Sex and the City" girls call them, "chicken cutlets." Silicone breast enhancers are bra inserts made of silicone gel that can add anywhere from a half to a full cup size to your shape. The inserts sit snugly between your bra and your natural breasts and have a similar feel and movement as your own breast tissue. Since they are so flexible they can easily be slipped into the lining of swimsuits and bras, eliminating the risk of the inserts slipped out of place.

The cons? Silicone breast enhancers are not breathable, and your breasts will become rather sweaty after a couple of hours. Plan on making a couple of trips to the ladies' room to mop up. Keep the inserts away from anything sharp as they are easily punctured.

Breast Enhancement Pills

You've read the ads in the back of your favorite beauty magazines: take this simple herbal pill and watch your cups overflow, so to speak. Sounds easy. If it was that easy, however, plastic surgeons would be quickly out of business.

Most breast enhancement pills contain herbs that are phytoestrogens, or plant-derived estrogens. They claim to work by increasing the amount of estrogen in your system, supposedly stimulating breast development. However, no research exists that show any of these pills are both safe and effective. You might want to save your money. If you do choose to give these pills a try, check with your doctor first to avoid any harmful reactions.

Exercise

"I must, I must, I must increase my bust!" Using exercise to add inches to the bust line has been attempted for generations. Does it work? Sort of, but not how you might think.

Strengthening your pectoral muscles--the muscles that lay under your breast tissue--can give your breasts a perkier appearance and raise them slightly higher on your chest. However, it will not enlarge or firm your actual breast tissue, or shrink skin that has been stretched by age, childbirth or previous surgeries.

Push ups, chest extensions and pullovers are all effective exercises to strengthen your pectoral muscles and give your breasts some lift.

Tags: your breasts, your favorite, breast augmentation, Breast Enhancement, breast tissue, give your

What Does "Friends Online" Mean On Facebook

Facebook provides its users several ways to stay in contact with friends and other contacts, whether you prefer sending direct, private messages or posting to the public "News Feed," which is visible to your entire Facebook network. Send instant messages to others who are currently online using Facebook's "Chat" feature.

Online Friends

Facebook Chat is a tool which allows you to chat in real-time with other friends who are online, whether using a computer or certain mobile devices. Friends appear in Facebook Chat only if they're signed into their accounts -- you can always send someone a direct message, post on his "Wall" or tag him in a "News Feed Post," but the only way you can contact a friend via chat is if he's online in some capacity.

Available vs. Idle

When you click on the Facebook's "Chat" box at the bottom, right corner of the page, you'll notice your friends divided into two categories. The first grouping of friends have green circles next to their names; the second grey, "half-moon" shapes. Friends in the former category are online and actively using their Facebook profiles, be they chatting, viewing the "News Feed" or posting on others' walls. The rest of your friends are "idle" and may or may not be using Facebook, or even sitting at their computers.

Going Offline

Someone's name not appearing in your chat list does not definitively mean he's offline. One option Facebook Chat gives you is the ability to "Go Offline" -- in other words, to remove yourself from friends' chat lists, even as you actively use the site. A key difference between Facebook's "invisible" mode and those you find on other websites is that when you "Go Offline" in Facebook, you can't use the chat feature at all.

Alternate Communication Options

If you believe that one of your friends is, in fact, online, in spite of her not appearing in your chat list, send her a direct message or post on her wall and wait for her to respond. If she responds to you within a few minutes, it's likely that she's chose to "Go Offline" from chat. Another possibility is that she's using a mobile device to access Facebook -- not all of them support "multitasking" or, for example, using chat while performing other Facebook operations.

Tags: Facebook Chat, News Feed, your friends, appearing your, appearing your chat, chat list, direct message

Document Payments Of Medical Bills With Hsa For Taxes

Document Payments of Medical Bills With HSA for Taxes

Documenting payments of medical bills with Health Savings Account (HSA) funds for tax purposes may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually relatively easy. The structure of an HSA allows you to fund the account with pre-tax dollars in the same way as contributing to a 401K retirement plan. However, you must use this tax-free money during the year for qualified medical expenses. There are a few simple steps to follow to ensure you retain the proper documentation.

Instructions

Document HSA payments for taxes

1. Save receipts for qualified medical expenses when you use money in your HSA for those expenses. If you did not save receipts or have misplaced them, use a copy of your monthly HSA statement and note on the statement the purpose of the expense. A list of qualified medical expenses is available on the IRS website.

2. Add up the amount of money you spend using HSA funds for qualified medical expenses. Although you do not have to attach receipts to your tax forms, you will need a list of these expenses and the total amount of money they represent. Keep the receipts, copies of HSA statements, tax worksheets and your notes with your tax files for the year in case the IRS requests them.

3. Complete IRS Form 8889 and attach it to your personal tax return. Form 8889 asks you to document the amount of money contributed to an HSA during the tax year as well as the amount of money spent out of the HSA on qualified medical expenses. This money is not subject to tax, so you will need to use your calculations to figure what proportion of your income is tax-free.

4. You must meet all eligibility requirements each year to continue receiving this tax-free benefit. You do not qualify for HSA benefits in any year if another taxpayer claims you as a dependent or if you receive Medicare assistance.

Tags: medical expenses, qualified medical, qualified medical expenses, amount money, Bills With Taxes, Document Payments Medical, during year

Sterilize Medela Pump Supplies

Sterilize Medela Pump Supplies

If you choose to use a breast pump, either occasionally or exclusively, proper cleaning and sterilization of your pump supplies are critical for protecting your baby. The process of removing and storing breast milk for later use creates an opportunity for harmful bacteria, viruses and other germs to contaminate your baby's milk. Conditions such as thrush, increase the risk of contamination from dangerous germs. If you use one of Medela's breast pump kits, following the manufacturer's guidelines for sterilizing will ensure your expressed breast milk only contains the beneficial nutrients and antibodies your baby needs.

Instructions

1. Boil your pump supplies in a pot on the stove for 10 to 20 minutes using distilled water, if possible. Do not apply pressure on the outside of the supplies while sterilizing them, as this may damage the parts. Drain the water off and let them dry in the pot.

2. Disinfect your pump supplies with a Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam bag. Add water to the bag, place it in the microwave and run the microwave for three minutes. Reuse each bag up to 20 times.

3. Sanitize your pump parts in a stove top autoclave. Autoclave the parts at a maximum of 272 degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes at 29 PSIG or 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes at 15 PSIG.

Tags: your pump, your pump supplies, your baby, breast milk, breast pump

Histology Technician Training

Histology technician training programs prepare students to enter this growing field.

Histology technicians prepare tissue samples for pathologists to analyze, according to DegreeDirectory.org. These professionals place tissues from humans, animals and plants on microscope slides, and their work involves sectioning, freezing, dehydrating or staining the tissues. Histology technician training programs teach students the medical background and technical skills they need to prosper in this career field.

Degrees

Individuals who are interested in becoming histology technicians typically complete a certificate program that lasts about one year. These types of programs are available for a student to take independently or with another medical field degree. Students also can complete a two-year associate degree in histotechnology or in laboratory technology with a focus on histology technician work. Some of these degree programs focus on genetics, allowing students to find and remove specific DNA molecules from human tissue, according to Education-Portal.com. Other schools offer specialized training in cell biology, which teaches students how animal and plant life vary.

Associate degree programs also prepare students to earn a four-year degree in clinical or medical laboratory science. To get into an associate degree program, students typically need to have their high school diploma or GED. Many histology technician training programs also require that students earned at least a "C" in high school chemistry, algebra and biology.

Certification

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences accredits histology technician training programs. These programs prepare students to pass an examination to become certified as well. The American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Certification awards certification to applicants. Being certified increases a professional's employment opportunities.

Courses

Classes in a histology technician training program cover topics such as microbiology, anatomy/physiology and organic chemistry. Students also might study technical report writing, microscopic anatomy and medical terminology. Programs allow students to practice handling tissue samples in lab classes and to complete clinical practicums in histology along with their classroom work. Other classes in this type of program cover microtomy, cellular biological staining and the chemistry of fixation, according to Phoenix College in Arizona, which offers certificate and associate degree programs in this field.

Prospects

Students who have completed histology technician training programs can find jobs in hospital laboratories, research institutions and industrial laboratories as well as veterinary and medical clinics. Usually they work under the supervision of licensed pathologists. These professionals also can work for public health departments or government agencies, according to Maricopa Community Colleges in Arizona.

Projection

The career outlook for histology technicians remains strong, according to Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota. Employment of clinical laboratory workers is projected to increase by 14 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median expected salary for a typical histology technician in late 2009 was $46,021, according to Salary.com.

Tags: histology technician, technician training, technician training programs, training programs, associate degree, degree programs