Signs Of Breast Cancer In Dogs

Signs of Breast Cancer in Dogs

The Land of PureGold Foundation, a dog-related site, estimates that 6 million dogs are diagnosed with cancer each year. Breast cancer is one of the most common types, yet it has easily recognized signs and can often be treated successfully if it is diagnosed and removed as soon as possible. Knowing the signs will allow a dog owner to detect it early.

Definition

Cancer occurs when cells in a dog's body become mutated and grow abnormally. Often, these cells become solid and localize themselves in a particular area, such as the breast area. If left untreated, cells from the tumor may move into the dog's circulatory system and spread to other tissues.

Prevalence

According to Drs. Foster and Smith, breast tumors are most common in unspayed female dogs between 5 and 10 years old, although they can happen in dogs as young as 2. In females that are unspayed or spayed after their second heat, 26 percent develop malignant tumors. Male dogs can develop breast cancer, but it is very rare.

Signs

According to Drs. Foster and Smith, the main sign of breast cancer in a dog is one solid mass or a number of swellings in the mammary area. They can easily be noticed when feeling the area. At first, they may feel like a tiny stone under the skin, and they grow quickly. They may double in size every 4 weeks.

Treatment

Cancerous breast tumors in dogs are usually treated by surgical removal. Drs. Foster and Smith say breast cancer in dogs can be completely removed over 50 percent of the time. Chemotherapy and radiation have not been proven effective in treating breast cancer in dogs.

Prevention

Breast cancer in dogs can often be prevented by spaying, especially if the dog is spayed before going into her first heat. Drs. Foster and Smith report that only .05 percent of female dogs who were spayed before they went into heat will develop breast cancer.

Tags: Foster Smith, breast cancer, According Foster, According Foster Smith, breast cancer dogs, Breast Cancer Dogs

Guidelines On Pap Smears

A Pap smear is a procedure in which the cervix is examined for abnormalities caused by infection or sexually transmitted diseases, and a sample of cells is taken and tested in order to minimize the risk of cervical cancer developing from an untreated condition.

When to Begin Getting Pap Smears

A woman should begin getting Pap smears as soon as she is sexually active. However, guidelines vary on the appropriate age for women who are not sexually active to begin getting Pap smears. The Family Doctor website recommends that women have their first Pap smear at age 18. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggess that a woman can wait until she is 21.

Frequency of Pap Smears

After your initial Pap smear, medical experts from The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, as well as experts from The Family Doctor website, agree that Pap smears should continue on an annual basis. However, after three years of normal results, The Family Doctor suggests that the frequency can be reduced to every three years. However, the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians suggests that annual Pap smears continue until age 30, at which point the frequency can be reduced to every 3 years.

Older Women and Pap Smears

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests that women over 65 may be able to have Pap smears less frequently or discontinue having them if they have a history of normal Pap smears and don't have any other risk factors.

Reading Pap Test Results

Pap test results are provided by a lab which evaluates the tissue sample using a standard system. The system, called the Bethesda System, has 4 categories. First, the results can be normal and a regular schedule of Pap tests is appropriate. The second category is called ASC. This indicates that there are some atypical squamous cells, but the cause can't be determined. The third category is classified as either HSIL or LSIL and refers to samples that contained either high grade (H) or low grade (L) intraepthithelial lesions. Finally, the fourth category is identified as atypical glandular cells or cervical cancer.

Dealing With Abnormal Pap Smears

Women with ASC may be told to return in 4 to 6 months for a follow up Pap smear. In some cases, an HPV test may given to look for high-risk strains of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer. If an HPV test is ordered and comes back positive, a colposcopy is usually performed. For patients with LSIL, follow up or a colposcopy may be appropriate. For patients with HSIL, a colposcopy is almost always recommended. If a doctor identifies abnormalities during a colposcopy, the abnormal cells are removed either by freezing (cyrosurgery) or by being burned off with a laser. If cervical cancer is identified, referral to an oncologist is appropriate.

Tags: American College, cervical cancer, Family Doctor, suggests that, American College Gynecologists

Radiology Jobs In Maine

There are a number of jobs for radiology professionals in Maine.

Radiology involves performing and interpreting imaging studies of patients, including x-ray, ultrasound, CT scans, PET scans and MRI. In Maine, there are a number of jobs available for radiology technicians, who perform many of the day-to-day tasks involved in medical imaging. A smaller number of jobs are regularly available for radiologists, who head a department or practice.

Radiologist: Job Description

There are jobs in Maine for radiologists who would serve as the senior member of a radiology department in a hospital. The job requires managing the radiology department and overseeing department staff. There are also jobs in imaging centers, where imaging studies of all types are performed by a group of radiologists. In all cases, a radiologist is responsible for performing imaging studies and interpreting study results. In addition to the patient-related aspects of the job, a radiology department director is responsible issues related to legal and regulatory compliance regarding imaging equipment and procedures. Radiologists are salaried in Maine and work regular hours, for the most part.

Radiologist: Job Requirements

A radiologist is a physician specializing in radiology. To be hired to manage a radiology department or as a radiologist at an imaging center, applicants must have a medical degree in radiology. Prior experience is also important, in many cases. Institutions also require a state radiology license.

Radiology Technician: Job Description

There are a number of jobs available in Maine for technicians to work under the supervision of a radiologist or radiology manager. These may be x-ray technicians or, in many cases, ultrasound technicians. The technicians deal directly with patients who are having imaging studies performed, preparing them for the procedure, performing the procedure and providing the results to the radiologist for interpretation. A radiology manager would have similar responsibilities but would also supervise one or more technicians.

Radiology Technician: Job Requirements

A radiology technician or manager is required to be licensed by the state and many positions require two years of prior experience for a technician and up to 10 years for a radiology manager. A degree from an American Medical Association approved school of radiology is typically necessary. Certification in advanced cardiac life support or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation may also be required, along with certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians. Ultrasound technicians may be required to be credentialed as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). Aside from professional credentials, working in a radiology position requires the ability to work well under pressure and to maintain a professional demeanor when interacting with patients and colleagues. Technicians are generally paid hourly, while managers are likely to be salaried. Both may be required to work flexible schedules. Being "on call" periodically is often part of the job, depending on the type of facility.

Tags: imaging studies, number jobs, radiology department, radiology manager, Description There, from American

Foods That Help With Constipation

There are many foods that you can incorporate into your diet to help relieve and prevent constipation, without resorting to harsh medications that can upset your system.

Increase Fiber

Fresh vegetables, grains, beans and wheat products provide necessary fiber, which helps the digestive process.

Hydrate

Besides drinking water, you can eat dark greens and fruits to help hydrate and flush the body.

Add Good Bacteria

Yogurt, greens and wheat-grass products replenish the good bacteria in your digestive tract that help break down and digest food properly.

Fast Relief

To get things moving, swallow a few spoons of corn syrup, or drink a glass of prune juice or apple juice. This will usually do the trick within a few hours.

Effects of Fiber

While fiber foods are useful for relieving constipation, too much can occasionally have the opposite effect. So, while it is beneficial to add fiber to your diet, be sure to moderate the amount.

Tags: your diet

Salary Of A Radiology Manager In Texas

Radiology managers are grouped with other medical and health service managers by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are a several types of managers who work in a radiology office, including finanical, administrative, billing, supervisory and nurse managers. There are also a variety of settings such as large departments in major hospitals, private labs and specialty hospitals or clinics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes radiology managers in the broad classification "medical and health services managers," of which there were 18,640 earning a mean annual salary of $90,070 as of May 2010.

Radiology Managers by City

According to SimplyHired Inc, employees with the title "radiology manager" earned the following average salary in cities throughout Texas: Austin, $56,000; Houston, $55,000; Bryan, $54,000; San Antonio and Beaumont, $47,000; Waco and Corpus Christi, $44,000, El Paso, $43,000 and in Laredo, $40,000 as of July 2011.

State Employees

As of July 2011, radiology managers were employed at five Texas state agencies, according to the Texas Tribune. A mid-level provider manager at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston earned $120,130, followed by two nurse managers earning over $105,000 each . Two financial managers, from the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, earned $89,573 and $87,659 respectively. An operations manager at MD Anderson earned $81,021 and a special procedures manager earned $ 78,994. Five administrative managers earned between $79,325 and $48,172.

Dallas Multiple Manager Titles

As of July 2011, the average salary for a radiology manager in Dallas was $56,000; for a radiology program manager the average salary was $51,000, according to SimplyHired Inc. A radiology department administrative manager in Dallas earned $52,000 on average, a

radiology department financial manager earned $46,000 and a radiology department nurse manager in Dallas earned $55,000. When the full-time descriptor was added, the radiology manager salary increased to $59,000.

Billing Manager

A billing office manager is responsible for all aspects of the daily operations in the billing office. They typically manage a staff of medical coders, are certified in coding (CPC) themselves and have hands on experience in charge and payment posting, denials, managed care and regulatory guidelines. As of July 2011, the average salary for a medical billing manager in radiology in Texas was $47,000.

Director of Imaging

The Director of Imaging is a manager responsible for the operational, service and fiscal management of all diagnostic imaging services in one or more locations, which generally includes radiology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), interventional radiology (I/R), nuclear medicine, ultrasound, mammography and imaging files. As of July 2011, the average salary for a director of imaging manager in radiology in Texas was $64,000.

Tags: average salary, July 2011, 2011 average, 2011 average salary, Dallas earned, July 2011 average

Early Signs Of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer affects the large intestine, or colon, and begins in most instances as small groups of cells known as polyps that eventually grow into cancer. Colon cancer presents few if any symptoms in its beginning stages, making it difficult to diagnose without some sort of examination that is specifically looking for it. The fact that most cases of colon cancer come with no signs makes such screening imperative, especially for individuals who have been identified as being at a high risk of developing this type of cancer.

Blood in the Stool

The polyps that can develop in the walls of the colon and then turn into cancer take a long time to grow large enough to become a problem. This means that there will be very few signs of the cancer early on. Some signs that may appear include blood in the stool, but this sign can come from other conditions such as anal fissures, hemorrhoids and other digestive tract troubles. Blood in the stool should never be taken lightly; when it is consistently present a check-up should be scheduled as soon as possible.

Bowel Habit Symptoms

Another potential indicator that colon cancer may be present is a change in bowel habits. This could mean that constipation is a problem. Diarrhea, featuring loose and watery stools, may also be a sign of colon cancer, as can a change in the consistency and make-up of the stool. If such a change lasts for more than two weeks, then colon cancer may be the reason. However, because so many other digestive-related conditions can cause such a change in bowel habits, these early signs of colon cancer are often overlooked.

Pain Symptoms

Pain that develops in the abdominal region can be one of the earliest signs of colon cancer. Such pain would be persistent and can manifest itself in the form of cramping. Excess gas and pain while having a bowel movement can signal colon cancer as well. But in most cases such pain symptoms will not appear until the colon cancer has grown in size. Other signs of colon cancer in an advanced stage are weight loss despite eating normal meals and a feeling of constant fatigue. Another is feeling as if there is still stool left in the bowel after having a bowel movement.

Screening for Colon Cancer

Since most colon cancer comes from polyps it is wise to screen for these growths, since symptoms of the disease rarely present themselves until the cancer is advanced. A stool blood test and a stool DNA test can detect colon cancer at an early stage, but both tests do not always find cancer even when it is present. A colonoscopy is often the best way to determine if colon cancer is present. It is a procedure in which a long tube with a lighted camera mounted on one end is sent up through the rectum and into the colon to look for polyps and other abnormalities. Colonoscopies are recommended for people beginning at the age of 50, when they are considered to be of average risk at developing colon cancer; such a procedure is prudent at a much earlier age when the risk of colon cancer is high.

Increased Risk

There are many factors that put a person at having a higher risk of developing colon cancer than normal. Nine out of 10 people diagnosed with colon cancer are over 50 years old, so age is one factor. Having inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract, such as colitis, or inherited conditions that contribute to colon cancer are also factors. If someone has a family history of the disease or consumes a diet high in protein and fats but low in fiber, then the risk of colon cancer increases. Lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, excess alcohol consumption and being treated with radiation for other forms of cancer all can heighten a person's risk of developing colon cancer.

Tags: colon cancer, risk developing, colon cancer, colon cancer, developing colon, developing colon cancer, risk developing colon

The Average Pay For A Respiratory Therapist In Louisville Kentucky

Most Louisville respiratory therapists earn at least $39,000 per year.

Respiratory therapists treat individuals with breathing difficulties, ranging from premature babies to patients with asthma or emphysema to persons who have been in a drowning accident. Kentucky, like nearly all states, requires respiratory therapists to be licensed. Respiratory therapists must have a minimum of an associate degree and be certified or registered with the National Board for Respiratory Care. The effort to become a respiratory therapist pays off with high salaries.

Employment

Of the estimated 107,270 respiratory therapists working in the United States in 2009, about 2,030 were employed in Kentucky, as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Kentucky, in fact, had the third-highest number of respiratory therapists per capita by state, with only Delaware and Mississippi ranking higher. Bowling Green had the fifth-highest number of respiratory therapists per capita by metro area, with an estimated 120 there. About 640 respiratory therapists were working in Louisville and the surrounding Jefferson County area in 2009.

Averages

Respiratory therapists in Kentucky had an average salary of $21.43 per hour in 2009, or $44,580 per year. In Louisville and Jefferson County, the average pay was higher, at $22.60 per hour, or $47,000 per year. The Kentucky statewide average pay for respiratory therapists ranked in the bottom 25 percent nationwide, but Louisville ranked in the middle 50 percent.

Salary Range

The middle 50 percent of Louisville respiratory therapists on the earnings scale were making $39,750 to $53,260 per year in 2009, according to the BLS. The bottom 10 percent had salaries of $34,920 and below, and the top 10 percent were making at least $60,530 per year. In comparison, the middle 50-percent range statewide in Kentucky was $37,240 to $51,330, with the top 10 percent earning $33,640 and less, and the top 10 percent making $58,280 and higher.

Comparisons

The Louisville metro area was the second-highest paying area on average in Kentucky for respiratory therapists in 2009, but the average salary of $47,000 was nearly the same as that in the top-ranking Kentucky area of Lexington-Fayette area, at $47,110. Average pay for respiratory therapists was higher in nearby Cincinnati, Ohio, at $51,950 per year, and slightly higher in nearby Evansville, Indiana, at $47,410 per year. Respiratory therapists were earning $45,680 per year on average in Bowling Green and $46,700 in Owensboro.

Tags: respiratory therapists, Respiratory therapists, average salary, bottom percent, Bowling Green

Which Charities Are Best To Sponsor A Child Through

While there are many different charities around the world that help children, some of the best charities allow donors to sponsor children. Sponsoring a child means that you give a monthly donation through the charity that pays for a specific child's needs like food, water, shelter and education. It can be difficult to choose a charity to donate to, which is why the American Institute of Philanthropy has ranked the best charities for child sponsorship.

Christian Foundation for Children and Aging

The Christian Foundation for Children and Aging was the only child sponsorship charity to receive a rating of A+ from the American Institute of Philanthropy. Founded in 1981 by several devout Catholics, the foundation now operates in 22 countries. Employees and volunteers at all levels of the foundation help over 300,000 children every year with basic and educational needs. There are over 250,000 current sponsors, and donations are only 30 dollars a month to sponsor a child.

Children Incorporated

Children Incorporated is a child sponsorship charity that supports over 20,000 children in the United States, as well as 24 other countries. It has an A-rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy and just celebrated the 46th anniversary of its founding. Sponsorship donations are 28 dollars every month and primarily provide medical and educational support for sponsored children. Sponsors in Children Incorporated also receive detailed information about their sponsored children every two years.

Plan USA

Plan USA is an independent, non-profit organization that supports over 1.5 million children in 48 countries. Plan USA received an A- from the American Institute of Philanthropy. The foundation focuses on educating children in developing countries in several key areas, including proper nutrition and sanitation, cultural communication and modern health care. Child sponsorship through Plan USA is 30 dollars a month. Sponsors also receive a tax-deductible receipt for every year of the sponsorship.

Save the Children

Save the Children is a non-profit, charitable organization that received a rating of A from the American Institute of Philanthropy. Save the Children operates in over 50 countries around the world, including Haiti, Sudan and India. The foundation has several different sponsorship programs, including a rebuilding fund for children in Haiti, and an education fund for children in conflict-torn countries, such as Sudan. Sponsorship is only 28 dollars a month, and sponsored children receive food, proper sanitation services and educational supplies.

Tags: American Institute, American Institute Philanthropy, Institute Philanthropy, from American, from American Institute, Children Incorporated

Natural Ways To Make Breast Grow

Most women--and men, for that matter--enjoy a large set of breasts. While not all women are blessed with large breasts, and some either don't want or cannot afford breast implant surgery, there are still a few natural ways to make breasts grow. From breast-enhancing supplements to ditching the bra, there are some easy-to-follow ways to make breasts grow naturally. Does this Spark an idea?

Breast-Enhancing Supplements

There are a number of all-natural breast enhancing supplements available on the market. These pills are filled with natural nutrients and herbs that increase estrogen production within the body, leading to larger breasts. Consult with a doctor before taking these pills if you have any medical conditions, and remember to follow the instructions for maximum results. Breast Activities is a reputable breast-enhancing supplement; it can be found in most nutritional supplement stores and online at Health and Beauty Source (see References section).

Avoid Caffeine

Caffeine, when consumed in large amounts, is known to stunt growth, preventing the body--including the breasts--from growing. Caffeine causes the body's metabolism to speed up, thereby burning more fat, which is what large breasts are composed of. Limit your daily intake of caffeinated coffee, soft drinks and chocolate.

Breast Massage

Massaging the breasts is an easy way to stimulate blood circulation, which will promote breast growth. Lightly massage the breasts one to two times per day, and also consider purchasing a breast-enhancing cream made of all-natural ingredients. A combination of massage and enhancing cream will produce fast results, allowing you to achieve larger breasts in a short period of time. Max Enhance is one of the most popular breast enhancing creams and can be found in most vitamin stores and through online retailers such as LuckyVitamin.com and eVitaminStore.com.

Get Rid of the Bra

Studies show that wearing a bra constricts the breasts, preventing the breast tissue from growing and expanding. While most women cannot go without a bra for the entire day because of work, school, etc., try to ditch the bra while at home, especially when sleeping.

Tags: large breasts, breast enhancing, breasts grow, found most, larger breasts, make breasts

Bandaid Work

How Does a Band-Aid Work?

Understanding Band-Aid Construction.

Regardless of size or end use Band-Aids consist of a blending of sterilized cotton gauze embedded onto flexible plastic or vinyl tape.

A crinoline-like fabric is used to cover the exposed ends of the the tape to prevent the tape from sticking to itself prior to use. Over the years the manufacturers of Band-Aid products have improved both the tape and the sterilized gauze cotton padding to improve the performance of the Band-Aid. In the early years Band-Aids made use of cotton-based surgical tapes on which the gauze pad was embedded. These Band-Aids often failed to remain on the wound as contractions of the skin on which they were attached, human perspiration and muscular contractions would cause the tape to fail and fall away from the wound. Through extensive research and development and working with tape manufacturers Band-Aid manufacturers developed more flexible and more adhesive plastic, and later, vinyl tapes that not only remained in place overcoming these conditions, but offered the advantage of proving improved protection from dirt and contact bacteria. Band-Aid manufacturers also worked to improve the gauze pad itself. In he early production of Band-Aids readily available, off-the-shelf gauze was used to make Band-Aids. Depending of the size of the Band-Aid sterilized gauzes utilized plain-weave gauzes with 16-20 cotton threads per inch in both directions (horizontal and vertical). After years of development gauze pads were reconstructed to provide a tighter weave and a thicker pad, often woven in three-dimensional weave that was designed to provide improved wound protection, but still allow air circulation to the wound.

Understanding How Wounds Heal

While major wounds, such as stabbings or other deep internal penetrations of the body require surgery and stitches to repair the wound lesser cuts and scrapes can often repair themselves without the requirement for surgery or stitches. These wounds heal by themselves as blood fills the open wound and coagulates, forming a scab to cover the wound. As the scab thickens it seals off the exposed wound and gives it time to form new skin and over time, heal.

How a Band-Aid Works

Band-Aids play the same healing role as the scab that forms and protects the site of the wound. Prior to a scab forming a Band-Aid is placed over the open wound, protecting the area from contamination and bacterial infection. While it may come as a surprise one significant role of the Band-Aid is to prevent the scab from forming. Studies have found that wounds covered by thick scabs often break open as the scab dries and becomes cracked and brittle, often before healing has taken place. This allows contamination and bacterial infection to enter the wound. Band-Aids of today are designed to draw the blood away from the wound as the sterile absorbent tri-dimensional pad draws blood away from the wound and prevents a heavy scab from forming. The Band-Aid itself serves the function of the scab, protecting the wound and sealing out bacteria while allowing air circulation to the wound site. The newer tapes provide improved sealing around the wound site and the redesigned tri-dimensional sterile pads play a vital role in absorbing the excess blood while protecting the wound without sticking to the wound. Recent studies have shown that the use of Band-Aid protection provides the added advantage of healing faster and with less scarring than wounds on which scabs have been allowed to form.

Tags: away from, away from wound, from wound, bacterial infection, Band-Aid manufacturers, blood away, blood away from

Evaluation For Involuntary Weight Loss

Involuntary weight loss is a common finding in medical examinations, and is associated with a number of serious ailments, including psychiatric disorders, endocrine disorders, nonmalignant gastrointestinal disease and cancer. Despite the potential implications of undiagnosed weight loss, it is sometimes overlooked or discounted by doctors searching for other signs of disease. Proper evaluation of this condition involves a multistep approach to isolate and identify its underlying causes.

Identifying Significant Weight Loss

According to the journal Resident and Staff Physician, involuntary weight loss becomes medically significant when 10 pounds or more of body weight are lost during a six-month period without explanatory changes in diet or exercise levels. If you experience this symptom, see your doctor for proper evaluation. Your doctor may also initiate an evaluation on his own if testing shows you have lost 5 percent or more of your body weight.

Medical History, Physical Examination and Blood Tests

The first step in evaluating involuntary weight loss is an assessment of your medical history and reported symptoms, combined with a physical examination. During your physical exam, your doctor will pay special attention to certain areas of your body, including your chest, abdomen and teeth. He will also look for any obvious lumps, masses, bumps or signs of unusual lymph gland activity.

Particular signs that may indicate the presence of cancer include sores that do not heal, bowel or bladder changes, swallowing difficulties, unexplained bleeding or discharge, persistent coughing or visible changes in any warts or moles.

To round out your overall health picture, your doctor will also ask you questions regarding your appetite, alcohol and/or drug use, changes in physical activity, recent travel history, sexual activities and medication usage, among other factors.

Your doctor may also use any one of a number of lab tests to better assess your condition. Common examples include urinalysis, complete blood cell (CBC) counts, metabolism analysis and measurement of your output of thyroid-stimulating hormones. Depending upon the particulars of your situation, tests given may also include blood cultures, prostate-specific antigen testing, HIV testing, hemoglobin A1c testing or drug screening. You may also undergo a nutritional assessment to determine your body's use of available food calories.

Imaging Techniques

The next step in a thorough evaluation is imaging to uncover the presence of any solid masses within your body. The most widely used method of testing here is computed tomography (CT) scanning, enhanced with the use of an oral or injected contrast material to highlight any abnormalities. If you are female, your imaging tests may also include a mammogram for further cancer screening. If your doctor suspects the presence of osteomyelitis (infection of the bone or bone marrow), he may also order a procedure called nuclear bone scanning.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

A third step in evaluating involuntary weight loss is a technique called gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, which involves the use of a small camera mounted on a flexible tube to examine your GI tract. Typically, this procedure is only performed if other methods of evaluating your weight loss are inconclusive. For this reason, if you undergo GI endoscopy it will probably occur well after any other examinations. Consult your doctor for details of this procedure.

Tags: weight loss, your body, involuntary weight loss, your doctor, also include, body weight, doctor also

Where To Get Affordable Dental Work In Jacksonville Fl

Jacksonville offers dental-health services for uninsured patients.

Low-cost clinics and "volunteers in medicine" events offer affordable dental care in Jacksonville, Florida. Individuals who are uninsured or under-insured can garner free or low-cost services at dental-care providers around the city.

Community Clinics

Community clinics offer basic dental services for patients in need. The guidelines and sliding-scale fees associated with services vary by location. Typically, patients who do not have dental insurance and meet income guidelines qualify for services.

Urgent Care

Urgent-care offices and emergency rooms offer services to anyone who walks through the door and needs emergency care. A dental emergency might entail an infected tooth, bleeding gums, a broken tooth with exposed nerve endings or a painful cavity. If a patient doesn't have insurance and does not have any means of payment, the care giver issues forms to complete for a low-income exemption.

Mobile Dental Events

"Volunteers in medicine" events and mobile clinics offer care to low-income and under-insured patients. Dental cleanings and minor tooth injuries are cared for on-site. Dental-care professionals refer major dental issues such as root canals and bridges to specialists who have agreed to work on a sliding-scale or free basis for patients who meet the income and lack-of-dental-insurance guidelines.

Tags: clinics offer, medicine events, meet income

Types Of Primary Doctors

There are several types of primary care providers.

Primary care doctors can come in a number of varieties. These doctors can treat adults and families, children or women. According to the National Institute of Health, any primary care doctor is responsible for maintaining medical relationships with patients when standard treatments or assessments are needed. Primary care duties often include physical examinations, blood work, specialist referrals and prescription writing.

Medical Doctor Profile

A medical doctor is the most standard form of primary care provider. Medical doctors serve as the first line of defense for anyone requiring basic health care needs. According to the NIH, most medical physicians master internal medicine before specializing in family care practice. Adult and family care doctors can treat most general health care symptoms and prescribe remedies for illnesses. Additionally, these physicians often require yearly check-ups for patients to check for inconsistencies in eyes, ears, throats, blood levels and body mass index.

Pediatrician Profile

A pediatrician is a medical doctor concentrating on patients younger than 18 years old, according to Health Degrees. In addition to the duties of general medical doctors, pediatricians are responsible for assessing babies and children regarding growth patterns and diagnosing and treating their illnesses. Pediatricians administer infant and childhood vaccinations. Additionally, pediatricians may build relationships with new parents to guide them through the early years of raising and caring for a child.

Gynecologist Profile

Gynecologists are additional primary care doctors for women. Gynecologists examine the health of female reproductive organs, according to Degree Dictionary, and guide women through the process of becoming pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Gynecologists are often experts in fertility and can prescribe medications, conduct treatments and perform gynecological testing. These physicians also monitor women throughout pregnancy. Gynecologists do not typically deliver babies, although a few do perform the dual role of gynecologist and obstetrician.

Tags: care doctors, primary care, doctors treat, family care, health care, Primary care

Shrink Fibroid Tumors

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors, in the breast, uterus and ovaries. Many women suffer from these growths, which can cause pain, discomfort and excessive bleeding. Fibroids can get so pervasive that they being to attach themselves to other internal organs, ultimately causing the need for major surgery. Once you discover that you them, what can you shrink them or slow their growth?

Instructions

1. Diet: Removing dairy, meat, processed and fried foods can help shrink fibroids. Change to organic meat and foods, eating lots of fresh fruits and salads. Drink juices made from dark fruit like, grapes, cranberry and pomegranate.

2. Low estrogen: Find alternative non-estrogen substitutes, for birth control and menopause treatment. Birth control, and hormone replacement therapy feed fibroids and cause them to grown larger.

3. Power greens: Eat dark green leafy vegetables, like broccoli, kale and cauliflower, that help reduce estrogen in the body.

4. Water: Drinking lots of water will help fibroids tumors become smaller. Many illnesses and conditions are caused by chronic dehydration.

Tags:

About Breast Cancer & Leg Pain

Breast cancer refers to cancers that originate in the tissue (sarcomas) or glands/ducts (adenocarcinomas) of the breast. Although breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in females, it can affect males as well. Breast cancer is usually characterized by a lump in the breast, although inflammatory breast cancer can appear as a breast infection with reddened skin and no lump, and some early stage breast cancers are asymptomatic. Leg pain is generally not a symptom of breast cancer, unless the cancer has metastasized (spread) to the bone. However, leg pain is a common result of breast cancer treatment.

Symptoms

The symptoms of breast cancer are different for each person, and many patients have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do exist, a woman typically finds a lump in her breast, although the skin may also appear swollen or otherwise changed. Again, leg pain is not a symptom or common result of Stage I, II, or III breast cancer. Leg pain experienced prior to treatment may be a sign of bone metastasizes, or may be unrelated to the breast cancer.

Leg Pain

Medications used to fight primary breast cancer often cause leg pain. However, leg pain can also be a sign that the cancer has metastasized to the bones of the legs. Metastasizes occurs only in Stave IV breast cancer, and once metastasizes has occurred, the cancer is no longer curable although the metastasizes and the resulting pain are treatable. It is important to discuss any leg pain with your doctor, because although it is a common and normal result of breast cancer treatment, metastasizes should still be ruled out.

Non-metastatic Bone Pain

Chemotherapy used in the treatment of breast cancer can impact nerves, ligaments, joints or muscles. This impact can cause pain in the arms, as well as in the hips and the legs. Typically, the pain begins during a chemotherapy session and gets progressively worse with each treatment. This leg or hip pain may last for one year or longer after treatment ceases. NSAIDS (pain relief medications such as Tylenol and other over-the-counter non-steroid medications) may ease the pain, or your doctor may prescribe a stronger anti-pain medication, including various opiates or tricyclic antidepressant. This pain will eventually go away on its own, but it takes time.

Tamoxifen, one drug used to fight primary breast cancer, is specifically identified as causing pain in the hips and legs. Pain caused by tamoxifen can resemble the stiffness and aches caused by arthritis.

Treatment

In addition to painkillers, certain other treatments are recommended to help with leg pain caused by breast cancer treatment. Physical therapy is often recommended; swimming and yoga especially may help build strength and reduce pain.

Metastatic Bone Pain

Pain in the bones of the leg may indicate that the cancer has metastasized to the bone. The bone is a common site for breast cancer metastases. Certain treatments, including laser beam radiation therapy and tamoxifen, are used to treat bone metastases. Although metastatic breast cancer is not curable, new drugs including bisphosphonates such as Zometa and Aredia, have greatly improved survival time for patients diagnosed with metastases in the bone. These bisphosphonates help to slow the growth of the cancer, reduce bone destruction, and keep blood calcium levels normal.

Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer treatment, cancer metastasized, cancer treatment, Bone Pain

Lab Tech Interview Questions

Lab technicians are reviewed on their knowledge of the occupation.

Job interviews typically follow a particular format, but most have a specific focus. Laboratory technician jobs require specialized skills and training, and the interviewer will touch upon the education and qualifications of the applicant. Interview questions for lab tech jobs focus on the career goals of the applicant and the applicant's knowledge of the competencies of the job.

Job Competency

Job competency interview questions are important because they give the interviewer an idea of how qualified the applicant is for the position. Lab tech job competency questions vary depending on the specific job type. Employers may begin the interview with, "Describe your experience working in a laboratory or clinical environment," or, "Describe your experience with the development of lab sampling procedures."

To assess the applicant's familiarity and comfort level with the hazards associated with many laboratory tech positions, the interviewer may ask "Do you have experience working with infectious specimens, and if so, please describe." Also, applicants may be asked "Describe appropriate infection control protocol" or "are you comfortable working in a potentially hazardous environment?"

Terminology

Laboratory technicians are familiar with medical jargon that sounds foreign to people outside of the profession. Interviewers may ask the applicant questions regarding laboratory terminology to determine the applicant's experience level and familiarity with the occupation. For instance, the interviewer may ask, "Do you know what trace metal clean technique is?" She may also ask, "Do you have experience using cell counters?" or say, "Describe the laboratory equipment used in your last position."

Situations and Tasks

Lab tech applicants will be required to answer questions regarding specific situations and tasks they have been exposed to in previous jobs and the steps taken to remedy problems or provide a service or response. These interview questions usually begin with, "Tell me about a time." For example, a lab tech interview situational question may be: "Tell me about a time when you had to meet a deadline. How did you handle the situation and what was the result." Another request could be, "Tell me about a time when you had to work independently," or, "Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team." These types of questions are designed to give the interviewer a sense of how well the applicant responds to certain situations on the job.

Work Ethic

Employers want to know how an applicant views her job with respect to attendance, work hours and overall willingness to complete tasks. Lab technicians may be asked, "Are you flexible to change?" or, "How do you feel about a work environment that constantly changes?" Because many laboratories function during nontraditional hours, applicants may also be asked, "Are you willing to work evenings or weekends?"

The laboratory technician occupation is always evolving with new technologies and procedures. Opportunities for advancement occur regularly with many positions. A prospective employer may ask an applicant "what are your career goals in the next five years." More specifically the interviewer may ask "are you currently pursuing or do you plan to pursue professional certifications to advance your career and if so, which ones?"

Tags: about time, Tell about, Tell about time, about time when, time when, career goals

Handmade Halloween Costume Ideas For Teens & Adults

A number of teen and adult costumes can be made at home.

Dressing in costume is a big part of the celebration of Halloween. It's an opportunity for adults and teens to enjoy the childhood game of make believe. In an online survey conducted by the Family Fun website, a majority of people chose Halloween as second favorite holiday. There are a number of costumes that can be handmade, at least in part, for adults and teens to wear for Halloween.

Robot

Find a cardboard box that will fit over your torso and cut holes for it to be worn. Paint the box silver. Wear black or, if you have it, silver clothing. Silver dryer hose can be cut to fit over the arms and legs. Silver makeup on the face and hands adds to the costume. In a pinch, white will work. A string of battery-operated Christmas lights can be arranged on the front of the cardboard box to add an electronic effect.

Cereal Killer

A cereal killer costume is a play on words that requires a little planning. Save empty cereal boxes. Make cuts in the boxes and generally maim them. Glue or sew them onto a sweatshirt or other clothing. Splatter the whole thing with some fake blood or red paint. If prop knives are available, glue one or two coming out of the wounds in some of the boxes. Carry another prop knife. If need be, knives can be cut from wood or cardboard and painted.

Picture

A number of costumes can be made that focus on the concept of a picture. A portrait and wanted poster are two of the possibilities. Wear all black clothing to appear more or less unseen. Make a picture costume by cutting a face hole from a square or rectangular piece of wood or cardboard. Paint or print and glue the picture (minus the face) to the main costume piece. Secure the costume with belts or suspenders to the body. The face goes into the whole. For a portrait, use wood to build a frame around the outside.

Closet Costumes

Many times handmade costumes are hanging, nearly ready to wear, in closets. Look around for some ideas and build from what's there. A sports jersey along with some old sports equipment create a professional athlete's costume. Some jeans and a tie-dyed T-shirt is the start of a hippie getup. Dress clothing, particularly worn and tattered, can serve as the beginning of a zombie costume. In fact, any clothing works for a zombie, because someone who has been killed and transformed could be wearing pretty much anything.

Tags: adults teens, costumes made, number costumes, Wear black, with some, wood cardboard

Fibrocystic Disease

Fibrocystic Disease

Fibrocystic disease is a term used to identify benign changes that occur in a woman's breasts. This common condition affects roughly 60 percent of women. Doctors use the term "fibrocystic breast changes" more so than "fibrocystic disease." Although the cause of fibrocystic disease or the conditions relating to it is relatively uncertain, diagnosis and treatment is important to monitor the breasts for potentially more serious illnesses.

Identification

Fibrocystic disease causes a woman's breasts to feel ropy, bumpy or lumpy. Women between the ages of 30 and 50 are prime candidates for fibrocystic disease. Conditions relating to fibrocystic disease are also called mammary dysplasia, benign breast disease, and diffuse cystic mastopathy. Rarely does fibrocystic disease affect women during menopause, and it's less likely to occur in women who take birth control pills.

Causes

The cause of fibrocystic disease may result from reproductive hormonal changes in estrogen levels that occur in a woman's ovaries that stop functioning when she reaches menopause. Although direct causes are unknown, fibrocystic disease generally develops as the result of cysts (sacs filled with fluid), fibrosis (fibrous tissue that has been scarred), hyperplasia (excess cell growth occurring in the milk ducts or tissues) and adenosis (enlarged breast lobules).

Symptoms

Symptoms of fibrocystic disease typically flare up right before a woman's menstrual period and get better when the flow stops. Symptoms can be very minor to severe, depending on the condition. For example, upper breast tissue can feel lumpy and uncomfortable, and one breast may be shaped differently than the other. Common symptoms include discomfort, fullness, heaviness, swelling, pain and tenderness in one or both breasts. Some women may also experience a non-bloody discharge in one or both nipples.

Diagnosis

A doctor may perform a manual breast exam to feel for rubbery-type masses that move around and sometimes change shape. Breast ultrasounds are used to identify the presence of cysts, and aspiration is sometimes used to diagnose larger cysts. Biopsies may be necessary to rule out other, more serious, problems. Mammograms are rarely used to diagnose fibrocystic disease because dense breast tissue may stand in the way from an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment

Doctors perform a fine-needle aspiration to drain fluid from large cysts to relieve discomfort. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to remove a cyst that keeps growing back. Some women are prescribed birth control pills to lower estrogen or other hormone levels. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are used to relieve normal pain. Doctors prescribe Danazol, a male sex hormone, or Tamoxifen for more severe breast pain.

Risks

Women with fibrocystic disease may have family members with a similar condition. Eating a diet high in fats and consuming lots of caffeine may also be a risk factor. A woman who has fibrocystic disease isn't necessarily at risk for developing breast cancer, unless atypical hyperplasia (abnormal cells in the breast lobules and ducts) is present.

Lifestyle Remedies

Women are encouraged to eat a low-fat diet, limit caffeine consumption, perform monthly breast exams at home, and wear a bra that fits well to provide optimal support.

Tags: fibrocystic disease, birth control, birth control pills, breast lobules, breast tissue, cause fibrocystic, cause fibrocystic disease

Get Dna Tests Done While You Are Pregnant

A DNA test can be performed via a CVS or amniocentesis during pregnancy.

Uncertainty about the father of an unborn child can be stressful and upsetting to a pregnant woman. Two tests, available during pregnancy, can determine the father of the unborn baby.

DNA Testing

DNA testing compares samples of DNA from a child and from an adult to determine paternity. Tests can be performed during pregnancy or after the birth of the child.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

During a CVS, a doctor uses an ultrasound to guide a thin needle or tube through the abdomen or into the vagina and through the cervix to collect a sample of chorionic villi. According to the American Pregnancy Association, chorionic villi are attached to the wall of the uterus and contain identical DNA to the fetus. CVS is generally performed between weeks 10 and 13 of pregnancy.

Amniocentesis

Performed in the second trimester, typically between weeks 14 and 20, an amniocentesis tests a sample of the amniotic fluid, collected by inserting a thin needle through a woman's abdomen and uterus. An ultrasound is used during the test to guide the needle.

Risks and Side Effects

According to AmericanPregnancy.org, CVS and amniocentesis both carry an increased risk of miscarriage due to their invasive nature. Other side effects include spotting, cramping and infection from a CVS, and leakage of fluid and irritation at the puncture site from an amniocentesis.

Warning

Talk to your doctor to ensure proper DNA testing and/or recommendations based on your individual case. A doctor's consent is required for a CVS or amniocentesis when used for DNA testing.

Tags: during pregnancy, between weeks, chorionic villi, father unborn, thin needle

The Pros & Cons Of Labor Unions

There are pros and cons for labor unions.

As a result of the rapid industrial development in the 19th century, many employers made successful ventures in which their workers were exploited. Uneducated country folk migrated en masse to city factories in search of work and ended up in substandard environments, often for low wages. Labor unions began in the United Kingdom as a way for the downtrodden workers to band together and achieve a measure of equity for themselves. Because the only bargaining tool they had was their labor, they withdrew that labor in the form of a "strike," which was effective in achieving the necessary changes in their workplaces. The labor movement spread throughout the whole world over the resulting decades and even entered politics. Unions, being a mechanism of change, became allied with the left side of politics and have generally been painted with the same brush.

The Pros

Labor unions can help their members by negotiating collectively for wages and benefits that are often better than individuals could negotiate on their own. A worker would have little chance of success in going to an employer as asking for a pay raise simply because he couldn’t make ends meet. He would likely be fired on the spot, especially in the 19th century, for making such a demand and cutting into the employer’s profits. Unions, however, can make the same requests and have the benefit of representing the entire workforce, with a greater chance of success.

The Cons

There are times when wages need to be raised to be equitable, but the power of the unions is that they can sometimes raise wages and benefits to unrealistically high levels. These levels can be above what the market can sustain, which will cause the manufacturer to raise the costs of items that it produces. The trickle-down effect and the increases in costs are passed on through the distribution chain to the end user, who inevitably is the worker initially represented by the union. Strikes also make union members look greedy, especially if they are in a high-earning job compared to many other workers.

Safeguards

Labor practices have been written into law in most countries, and this makes the union-sanctioned strike a legal process, ensuring that the employer cannot fire a worker for striking. Strikes are usually resolved quickly, as the employers realize that employee downtime will cost them production as well and a solution is better for everyone. Unions in some countries have lobbied for unfair dismissal legislation that protects a worker’s rights in the case of unfair dismissal.

Unions were created for the furthering of a worker's lifestyle and employment prospects, and to this end many unions will provide extra training for their members. They may offer night courses for workers to advance in their fields or community courses such as first aid or workplace safety practices.

Cheaper Labor Overseas

Another disadvantage of labor union agitation is that the work may vanish all together. Unrealistic wages will encourage employers to either reduce the number of workers or to outsource the work to countries where labor unions aren’t involved in the manufacturing process. This confrontation has produced an "us" and "them" atmosphere in many workplaces instead of trust and cooperation.

Unfair Dismissal

Unfair dismissal laws have a way of backfiring also, in that they can be used to protect the positions of incompetent or dishonest employees who should be fired. The law also can have the opposite effect of reducing employment, as has been seen in Australian State laws since the 1970s and federal law in the 1990s, where employers were hesitant to hire new employees because removing them for incompetence was too costly.

Tags: 19th century, chance success, labor unions, Labor unions, that they

Items Which Have An Effect On The Risk Of Breast Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women. To lower the risk of breast cancer, several items should be avoided.

Oral Contraceptives

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) states that certain oral contraceptives may increase the risk of breast cancer.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

According to the NCI, the use of hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of breast cancer. The NCI states that a recent study done by Swedish researchers has determined that breast cancer survivors who took hormone replacement therapy (HRT) had three times the risk of breast cancer recurrence than those who didn't take HRT.

Alcohol

Drinking one alcoholic drink a day slightly increases a woman's risk for breast cancer. Consuming two or more drinks daily increases a woman's risk 1.5 times more than the risk that exists for women who do not consume alcohol.

Breast Radiation

The American Cancer Society says that the risk of breast cancer increases for women who have had breast radiation prior to age 40. The risk level is higher if the radiation occurred during teen years.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

Women who were given diethylstilbestrol (DES) and women whose mothers were given DES during pregnancy have an increased risk of breast cancer. Diethylstilbestrol is a drug that was given to pregnant women from the 1950s to early 1970s to prevent miscarriages.

Tags: breast cancer, risk breast cancer, breast cancer, risk breast, risk breast

What Is Medical Transcribing

Medical transcribing is executed by a medical transcriptionist who turns confidential medical records into documented text. The text is then printed and placed in a patient's medical files for future reference. It can also be kept electronically in computer files or databases.

Individuals may transcribe documents from home as a telecommuter or within the hospital or physician office environment. The report or transcription involves the physician meeting with a patient on specific dates. It provides a history of a patient's medical condition.

Typing and Formatting

Medical transcribing is the typing and formatting of medical files via voice recognition software and transforming it into a document. Before the doctor performs the dictation, the voice or speech recognition software has to be trained to become familiar with the doctor's voice as well as the relevant phrases and words. Knowledge of medical terminology is of primary importance during this process as well as the exact words being spoken.

Meeting the Patient

During a doctor's visit, the patient discusses medical issues with the doctor, which includes medical history and any existing problems. A physical examination is performed by the doctor. The diagnosis may require treatment that includes medication, which the doctor will explain to the patient. After the patient exits the doctor's office, the doctor, then, records the encounter with the patient using a voice recorder or other internal device set up. This information is sent to a transcription service or transcriber who will listen to the recording and accurately convert it to a written report from it.

Medical Knowledge

Medical transcribing involves simple or advanced familiarity about anatomy and physiology as well as diseases. Transcribing will also entail an above average typing speed. Good grammar, correct spelling and experience with editing reports are also an essential part of transcribing. Listening and verbal skills are paramount in the transcribing process.

Change in Medicine

The constant change in medicine, medications, medical devices and equipment suggests that transcribing is an ever changing process. There is no room for errors because the patient's medical information is at risk. A typing error or incorrect dictation by the doctor can put the patient in a precarious situation. Foreign accents and mispronunciations should be double-checked for accurate results.

Communication

Medical transcribing allows doctors to communicate in written form with other health care professionals who have to access patient's records. These professionals include worker's compensation insurance companies that have to approve benefits for the patient. The physician will also have immediate access to this information.

Tags: Medical transcribing, patient medical, medical files, recognition software, will also

Government Insurance Policies

Insurance is a vital tool for protecting wealth and managing risk. The federal government, along with individual state governments, use a series of policies to regulate the insurance industry and require insurance in certain key areas. In some cases, governments make policies of offering low-cost insurance directly to citizens who can't afford it on their own.

Access

Federal and state governments have a number of laws and policies that protect consumers' rights to access insurance. For example, the federal government guarantees access to health insurance, even for consumers with existing health problems, under the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Other federal laws, such as the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act of 2007, prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to consumers based on genetic information and testing history.

Requirements

Governments also require consumers to purchase insurance in certain cases. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 mandates health insurance for most Americans as of 2014. State motor vehicle bureaus and insurance departments require all drivers to have auto insurance up to specified limits before obtaining vehicle registrations or driving on public roads. Employers pay payroll taxes to fund state unemployment insurance programs. Governments also allow third parties, such as mortgage lenders, to require borrowers to buy insurance for property they use loans to purchase.

Contractors

Governments mandate that contractors who bid on government jobs, or jobs that receive government funding, have adequate insurance. This includes employer's liability, bodily injury and damage insurance. A contractor without the necessary insurance will not be able to take on government contracts. Those that do have the right types of coverage are better able to complete jobs on time and protect their workers and investors.

Assistance

Government policies provide insurance assistance, including government-sponsored coverage, in a limited number of cases for individuals in need. This is the case with Medicare and Medicaid health coverage, which rely on government subsidies to provide health care to the elderly and low-income families. General assistance comes in the form of information guides and shopping tips on state insurance department websites to help consumers make appropriate and affordable insurance purchase decisions.

Tags: Care Education, Care Education Reconciliation, Education Reconciliation, Education Reconciliation 2010, federal government, Governments also

What Are The Dangers Of Magnetic Resistance For People With Pacemakers

Doctors can treat heart arrhythmia with pacemaker implantation.

A pacemaker is a small electronic device surgically implanted under the skin in the chest, near the heart. This device is used to treat arrhythmia -- abnormalities in the heart rate. These abnormalities can be caused by genetic diseases, heart attack, old age and other damage to the heart muscle. The battery life of the average pacemaker is 5 to 10 years and people with pacemakers must take certain precautions to prevent the device from becoming damaged and malfunctioning.

Medical Procedures

People with pacemakers must be cautious about undergoing medical procedures that use electromagnetic energy, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiation treatments. Exposure to other strong magnetic fields can damage the pacemaker and cause it to malfunction. X-rays can also adversely affect pacemakers. Surgical procedures may require the surgeon to temporarily turn off your pacemaker. Certain modalities used in physical rehabilitation -- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and diathermy (a form of electrical heat) -- can also interfere with pacemaker function.

Cellphone Use

People with pacemakers should take certain precautions when using a cell phone. Cellular phones should be kept at least six inches from the pacemaker at all times, whether they are on or off. Pacemaker recipients should used their cell phones with their right hand and always listen with their right ear -- the opposite side from their pacemaker. Cell phone interference with pacemakers is temporary and improves when the phone is moved away from the body.

Metal Detectors

People with pacemakers are advised by their doctors not to pass through metal detectors, whether they are free standing or hand-held, since they use strong magnetic fields. Research has not proven, however, that metal detectors negatively affect pacemaker function. Patients are issued medical identification cards for use in these situations.

Other Electromagnetic Fields

People with pacemakers also risk exposure to other electromagnetic fields. Sources include anti-theft devices in stores, electric welders, radio and television transmitters, power-generating facilities, power lines, satellite dishes and gas-powered devices with electrical starters. Household appliances like microwaves also produce current that can interfere with pacemaker function. Pacemaker patients can still use a microwave oven, but they should not stand too close when it is running.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pacemaker malfunction include dizziness, abdominal muscle twitching, lightheadedness, chest pain, shortness of breath, frequent or constant hiccups and blackouts. When possible, remove yourself from the vicinity of the suspected electromagnetic field as soon as you experience any of these symptoms. Once you are safely away, check your heart rate and call your doctor.

Tags: People with pacemakers, with pacemakers, pacemaker function, People with, with pacemaker, certain precautions

Digital Mammography Training

Mammography training programs teach students produce relevant diagnostic images.

Mammography is a diagnostic procedure conducted by radiologic technologists for the purpose of locating and diagnosing abnormalities in breast tissue. Individuals interested in employment in this field must complete a college-level radiologic technology program and complete a training course in mammography.

Requirements

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, radiologic technologists interested in working in the field of mammography must obtain mammography-specific training, if their initial training did not include this specialty. Radiologic technologists must also complete training in full field digital mammographic (FFDM) examinations prior to performing any examinations using this method.

Training

Radiologic technologists, registered prior to Jan. 1, 2001, with no previous training or experience in full field digital mammographic (FFDM) examinations must perform at least 25 supervised examinations and obtain a minimum of eight hours training in full field digital mammography. Individuals that obtained an American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certificate after Jan. 1, 2001 do not need to complete the 25 supervised examinations, only the eight hours of FFDM training.

Continuing Education

Radiologic technologists must also complete 15 continuing education units in mammography every 36 months. Continuing education credits can be obtained through in-school courses, manufacturer-provided training and professional practical training. A minimum of six of the continuing education units must be completed in digital mammography.

Tags: field digital, full field, full field digital, also complete, complete training, continuing education

About Progesterone Cream For Men

Progesterone is a female hormone used for reproduction but it is also found in men. While progesterone still largely functions as a female reproduction facilitator, it can also be beneficial to men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate. One way for men to increase their progesterone levels is through a topical cream.

Even though progesterone is a female hormone, it can aid in the treatment of prostate conditions.

Progesterone

Progesterone is often called the pregnancy hormone because it produces changes in the female anatomy that promote conception and pregnancy. These changes include the thickening of the uterus, the formation of the mucus plug and the production of milk ducts for breastfeeding. While progesterone is a female reproductive hormone, men also produce it. Men produce about half as much progesterone as women. They use it to make testosterone, the main male hormone, and produce cortisone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The prostate is a gland a little larger than a walnut that wraps around the urethra just under the bladder. It helps the fertilization process by producing a fluid filled with nutrients that mixes with the sperm to form semen and helps the sperm survive in the vagina's environment. The prostate experiences a growth spurt from male puberty to about the age of 20. It begins to grow again during a man's 40s as a natural part of aging. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia and most men will have it by their 50s and 60s.

How Progesterone Cream Can Help

Men produce both testosterone and estrogen, another female hormone. The ratio of testosterone to estrogen is very high in a healthy man, but as men age that ratio can change. Many scientists believe that this is what causes the growth of the prostate as men age. Progesterone counteracts the effects of estrogen in men and improves the testosterone/estrogen ratios. It prevents testosterone from being converted into DHT, a weaker version of testosterone that dilutes the male hormone ratio.

Using Progesterone Cream

Progesterone cream can be bought over the counter. You can massage up to half a teaspoon into your chest and arms each day for treatment. Even though you don't need a prescription for this cream, you should talk to your doctor before starting to use it. He will exam your prostate and test your blood for prostate specific antigens. If he diagnoses you with benign prostatic hyperplasia, you can discuss using progesterone cream as treatment. Always follow your doctor's advice about your condition.

Warnings

Each brand of progesterone cream is different. Read all the directions and warnings. It is possible to use too much progesterone cream. Too much of it can reduce the maturity of your sperm and make it hard to conceive. On the other hand, if your benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms are not getting better, you should speak to your doctor. He may suggest discontinuing progesterone cream and trying another form of treatment.

Tags: benign prostatic, prostatic hyperplasia, female hormone, testosterone estrogen, your doctor, benign prostatic hyperplasia

North Carolina State Health Insurance Plan

North Carolina's State Health Plan encourages its enrollees to engage in "healthy goal" activities.

Over 665,000 active employees, retirees and their dependents (including teachers and government employees) receive coverage as of 2011 through the North Carolina State Health Plan, according to that office. Employees have the option to enroll in one of two preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, and they can also apply for insurance coverage for their children through NC Health Choice.

PPO Plans

North Carolina State Health Plan offers a basic or standard option. The basic plan has lower monthly premiums, but employees are responsible for more out-of-pocket medical expenses. It is a 70/30 plan, meaning that they pay 30 percent of the costs of covered services. Employees pay 20 percent of costs in the 80/20 standard plan. In-network deductibles are $200 to $600 lower in the standard plan in comparison to the basic option, according to 2010-2011 rates. A copay is required for employees receiving care from primary physicians, urgent care facilities and chiropractors. Copays are also required to receive short-term rehabilitation therapy and office-based mental health services. Emergency care, inpatient services, outpatient hospital care and more comprehensive mental health services are subject to the deductible.

Prescription Coverage

Prescription drug benefits are the same in both the basic and standard olans, according to the 2010-2011 benefits summary. Employees pay $10 for a month's supply of generic medications. Their out-of-pocket costs for preferred-brand drugs with no available generic is $35 for a 30-day supply and $55 for non-preferred brands. However, employees must pay the generic copay and the difference in cost between the generic and brand-name drug if they take a brand drug that has an available generic. Specialty drugs are subject to a 25 percent coinsurance up to a maximum of $100 for each monthly supply.

Preventive Services

The State Health Plan offers members several preventive benefits including coverage for immunizations, annual physicals, gynecological exams, hearing exams and prostate testing. Screens for colorectal, cervical and ovarian cancer are also covered. Female employees age 35 and up are eligible for one mammogram per year. Well-baby benefits cover required immunizations and wellness visits for members' children up to two years of age. Members can also receive online and phone support from health coaches to encourage them to meet healthy goals including weight loss, exercise and stress management.

NC Health Choice

Members who cannot afford to pay for insurance for their children through the State Health Plan can apply for NC Health Choice. This program offers coverage for children when parents can't afford insurance but do not qualify for Medicaid. Formerly handled through the State Health Plan, NC Health Choice is administered through the state's Division of Medical Assistance as of July 2010. Members accepted into the program can obtain primary health coverage in addition to dental, vision and hearing benefits for their kids. The NC Health Choice program follows Medicaid's benefits structure.

Tags: State Health, Health Plan, State Health Plan, Health Choice, Carolina State, Carolina State Health, North Carolina

Organize The Middle School Math Class

Letting your students work together on assignments will make learning math more fun and less frightening.

Understanding math is tricky, even for the most intelligent middle schoolers. The techniques a teacher uses to organize her class can help her students understand the material and feel confident about their abilities to complete assignments and pass examinations. Additionally, adhering to a schedule will familiarize students with what to expect and motivate them to get as much as they can out of their short time in class.

Instructions

1. List a few math problems on the board and instruct students to quietly work on them as they enter class. The problems can be related to previous lessons, or introduce new concepts you plan to teach during that day's lesson. Provide students with enough time to confidently complete the assignments, but not so much that they get distracted and lose focus. A couple of minutes for each problem--ten minutes total for 4-6 problems, depending on the nature of the equation--should be enough for most students.

2. Select students from the crowd to walk to the board and demonstrate how they solved a particular problem. Each student should be assigned just one problem, although they should be allowed to consult each other should any confusion arise. After problem completion, students should then explain to their classmates, step-by-step, how they knew which approach to use. Allow students to bring their notes with them to the board; even the most confident students may feel nervous in front of a crowd, despite their knowledge about the material.

3. Divide the classroom into groups of three or four students and instruct them discuss how they completed the previous night's homework. To avoid cheating, check each student's assignment for completion before dividing them into groups. Although many teachers are reluctant to allow their students to socialize during class, close monitoring and a group evaluation system will prevent most students from getting distracted.

4. Select samples of the various types of problems students need to solve and complete them on the board. Address small discrepancies in format, as these are often the cause of students' confusion. Be sure to encourage open communication--many students have questions but are afraid to ask them because they do not want to look silly. Remind the class that no question is stupid and making inquiries is a basic component of subject mastery.

5. Give students their homework assignment and allow them to work on it for the remainder of the class. This will allow them to consult their classmates for advice and ask you any questions if they are still unable to understand.

Tags: allow them, complete assignments, even most, into groups, most students

Identify Face & Skin Problems

Identify face and skin problems.

Skin problems can be caused by many factors, both internal and external. Some of these factors include genetics, allergies, air pollution, weather conditions, harsh detergents, medications and lack of proper nutrition. In order to successfully treat skin problems it is important that the problem be correctly identified. Identifying face and skin problems is not that difficult, as long as you know what to look for. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Check the skin on your cheeks, forehead, scalp, neck, elbows, legs, knees, forearms, or ankles for hot, dry and itchy patches. This generally indicates a condition known as eczema. Eczema is generally caused by genetics but symptoms can be aggravated by environmental factors such as extreme heat or cold.

2. Check the scalp, elbows, knees and trunk for dry, itchy, cracking and painful skin featuring red, inflamed, raised lesions that are covered by silvery white scales. These are all symptoms of the skin disorder called psoriasis. The causes of psoriasis are not clearly known, however genetics seem to be a common factor. Stress, weather, infection, and medications can all trigger a psoriasis flare up.

3. Look for signs of redness and swelling on the scalp, face, chest, ears and back accompanied by skin lesions that look like pimples. Rosacea, a chronic skin disease, is usually associated with these symptoms. The cause of rosacea is still unknown as it has not been scientifically proven, however many believe that rosacea is a vascular disorder.

Tags: face skin, lesions that, skin problems

Radiology Tech Certificate Programs

Radiology tech certificate programs prepare students to become a radiologic technician

A radiology technician performs imaging examinations for diagnostic purposes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics considers this a fast-growing profession and expects demand for trained technicians to increase about 17 percent from 2008 through 2018. Accredited programs in radiologic technology provide students with the education needed to become certified as a radiologic technician by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Dalton State College

Dalton State College offers a radiologic technology certificate program that prepares students to become certified registered radiologic technologists; this program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The program includes courses in fundamentals of computer applications, introduction to radiologic technology, radiology terminology and radiographic anatomy. Students also take courses such as radiologic procedures, radiation protection, radiation biology and introduction to clinical radiologic technology.

Dalton State College

650 College Drive

Dalton, GA 30720

706-272-4436

daltonstate.edu

San Diego Mesa College

San Diego Mesa College offers a certificate of achievement program in radiologic technology that prepares students to become certified as a full diagnostic radiographer. Throughout this program, students learn use x-ray equipment, process and expose films and apply protective shields. To complete this program, students also take courses such as basic radiologic technology, radiographic exposure, recording media and processing and radiographic positioning. The program also includes courses in radiologic science, organization of radiology, sectional anatomy, and radiation biology.

San Diego Mesa College

7250 Mesa College Drive

San Diego, CA 92111

619-388-2684

sdmesa.edu

University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama offers a program in radiologic technology that leads to a certificate of completion upon completion. This program takes two full years of study and prepares students for entry into the field of diagnostic imaging. Students will take courses such as principles of radiographic exposure; patient care and ethics pertinent to radiology; radiography of the skeletal system and radiographic contrast media. Courses that include radiologic physics, radiation biology, survey of pathology, cross-sectional anatomy, and pediatric and geriatric radiography also are required.

University of South Alabama

307 University Boulevard North

Mobile, AL 36688

251-460-6101

southalabama.edu

Tags: radiologic technology, Mesa College, become certified, courses such, Dalton State, Dalton State College

Job Description Of An Office Clerk

Office clerks posess strong computer, typing and word processing skills.

Office clerks perform basic office tasks. These tasks may change on a daily basis, but general office clerk responsibilities include data entry, sorting and answering emails, answering phones and operating office machinery. Clerks mostly perform these general tasks in smaller offices, while clerks working for larger companies perform more specialized tasks. Though mostly employed in small businesses, office clerks work in a variety of fields, such as education, government, medicine and law.

Industries That Employ Office Clerks

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), industries with the highest number of office clerks include local government; general medical and surgical hospitals; elementary and secondary schools; colleges, universities and professional schools; and employment services. Office clerks also work in law firms, department stores, insurance companies and other small businesses.

Education and Skills Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum education requirement of an office clerk. According to the BLS, employers prefer that office clerk applicants have basic computer skills and knowledge of word processing, office machinery and business software. Employers may also require that applicants have previous office or customer service experience. However, office clerks can sometimes learn these skills and other general office tasks while on the job. Other qualifications include the ability to work independently or with a team, and strong writing and communication skills. Office clerks are also self-starters with a strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Office clerks are responsible for using computers and computer software; communicating with supervisors and coworkers; processing and documenting information; organization and planning; and other administrative duties.

General office clerk tasks include filing; data entry; operating office machinery, such as fax machines, copy machines, scanners and printers; typing and word processing; delivering messages; sorting and answering emails; answering phone calls; greeting customers or clients; sorting and delivering mail; preparing outgoing mail; and creating or proofreading documents.

Specific responsibilities and tasks vary depending on the type of office a clerk works in or on a clerk's experience level. For example, a medical office clerk might organize prescriptions, while a law firm clerk might help prepare or proofread a legal brief. Less experienced office clerks mostly perform general office tasks, while more experienced clerks may work directly with customers or clients, or perform financial duties such as payroll, billing and maintaining financial records. Highly experienced office clerks may also oversee clerks in entry-level positions.

Advancement

Office clerks eligible for advancement display strong communication, writing, computer and analytical skills. Employers often promote clerks with these strengths to supervisory positions or specialized administrative positions, such as bookkeeper, secretary or administrative assistant. However, advancement may require a college degree.

Hours and Salary

Full-time office clerks typically work 40 hours per week. However, office clerk positions are commonly part-time or temporary.

An office clerk's salary depends on experience, the types and amount of responsibilities and the size and location of the employer. In May 2008, the median salary for office clerks was $25,320, according to the BLS.

Occupation Outlook

In the 2010-11 edition of its Occupational Outlook Handbook, the BLS states that office clerks held 3 million positions in 2008. Job openings for this occupation will remain high, due to employment growth and strong replacement needs. Employment is expected to increase by 12 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment opportunities will be greatest for office clerk candidates with communication, writing and basic computer skills, as well as knowledge of office machinery and office tasks.

Tags: office clerk, office clerks, office machinery, office tasks, clerks also, office clerks