June 25, 2011
Helping Parents Quit Smoking - Health Care
As a pediatrician, I’ve seen too many children whose health problems could have been avoided if they hadn’t been exposed to cigarette smoke. And when parents smoke, it’s especially dangerous to their children.
Exposed to smoke, children are at greater risk of serious lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. They are more prone to ear infections. If they have asthma, they have more frequent and severe attacks.
In pregnant women, smoking can cause serious complications. Babies born to mothers who smoke are more likely to be lower birth weight, have lung problems, and other health problems. They’re more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome.
But it’s not easy for a person with a tobacco addiction to quit. That’s why it’s so important to reach pregnant smokers, with services like face-to-face counseling, telephone quit-lines staffed by specially-trained coaches, and—in very limited cases—medication, if a woman and her doctor determine that it’s necessary.
It’s why the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to all state Medicaid directors today, reminding them that state Medicaid programs now must fully cover tobacco cessation services for pregnant women, as a result of the Affordable Care Act. In addition, CMS is making it easier for states to fund tobacco use treatment for all Medicaid beneficiaries by making funding available for quit-lines.
And smoking adults model unhealthy behavior for children. Every day, an estimated 4,000 children try their first cigarette; 1,000 of those kids become daily smokers. Helping the adults in their lives to quit is a powerful message to them not to start.
The State Medicaid Director letter was issued in conjunction with National Prevention and Wellness Month, to bring attention to the power of prevention to improve health and quality of life for millions of Americans. It’s just one way we’re making access to preventive services easier.
The Affordable Care Act also eliminated the Medicare Part B deductible and copayments fora host of preventive tests and screenings for seniors. We’re working on closing the Medicare Part D donut hole, since we know that making prescription drugs more affordable increases the chance they’ll be taken as needed to stay well.
If we’re successful at preventing disease and promoting health we might also bring down the high cost of health care. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the reduction in preventable health problems resulting from an investment in tobacco cessation services would create savings for states and the federal government. According to the American Legacy Foundation, we could save $9.7 billion over five years if every Medicaid beneficiary stopped smoking.If you add in the intangible costs of pain and suffering, the costs of chronic illness are simply unacceptable. Everyone in the community—including parents and children—benefits when essential services that people need to stay healthy are within their reach.
June 10, 2011
Pancreatic Cancer Symtomps
Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas an organ in your abdomen that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of sugars.Pancreatic cancer often has a poor prognosis, even when diagnosed early. Pancreatic cancer usually spreads quickly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it is a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and signs may not appear until pancreatic cancer is advanced and surgical removal is not feasible.
Signs & signs of pancreatic cancer often don't occur until the disease is advanced. When signs & signs do appear, they may include:
Upper abdominal pain that may radiate to your back
Yellowing of your skin & the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Depression
Blood clots
When to see a doctor
See your doctor in case you experience unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, jaundice, or other signs & signs that bother you. Lots of diseases & conditions other than cancer may cause similar signs & signs, so your doctor may check for these conditions as well as for pancreatic cancer.
June 08, 2011
Dietary Benefit - Principle of Mediterranean diet
More importantly, while on a Mediterranean diet given that the amount of calories is adjusted to reach or maintain a desirable weight.
This Mediterranean diet is a balanced and nourishing diet followed by such populations as the Italian, Italians, Italian and Greek as well as the general countries around the north eastern Mediterranean basin of southern Europe. These populations have definitely shown a lower rate of heart disease amongst them. The Mediterranean diet is thought about to be a high fat diet.
The quality of fats in play a determining role in overall health. The most common feature of most Mediterranean populations is the extensive use of olive oil as a principal source of fat. Olive oil substitutes for the saturated animal fats so typical in northern European cuisine.
The strong taste of extra-virgin olive oil is partly caused by the presence of significant quantities of flavonoids, which are polyphenolic antioxidants that have been shown to inhibit LDL-C oxidation. Foods rich in flavonoids (including berries, apples, onions, tea, and red wine) are also part of the Mediterranean diet.
Olive oil may have a cardioprotective effect studies indicate, by lowering blood pressure, inhibiting oxidation of LDL-C, providing antithrombotic effects, and improving insulin sensitivity.
In general the Mediterranean diet has shown its beneficial effect on human health and is attributable to its low in content in saturated fat, high in monounsaturated fat, chiefly from olive oil, high in complex carbohydrates, from legumes, and high in fibre, mostly from vegetables and fruits. The high content of vegetables, fresh fruits, cereals and olive oil, guarantee a high intake of b-carotene, vitamins C and E, polyphenols and various important minerals. These key elements have been suggested to be responsible for the beneficial effect of diet on human health, and cardiovascular disease
Consumption of alcohol, notably red wine in moderation is recommend to protect against CAD? A substantial portion of the protection may be attributable to increased levels of HDL-C. Alcohol also has an antiplatelet effect that may protect against cardiac events in much the same way as aspirin.
June 06, 2011
Understanding Insurance for Health
Health insurance helps protect you from high medical care costs. Many people in the United States get a health insurance policy through their employers. In most cases, the employer helps pay for that insurance. Insurance through employers is often with a managed care plan. These plans contract with health care providers and medical facilities to provide care for members at reduced costs.
You can also purchase health insurance on your own. It usually costs you more than employer-based insurance. People who meet certain requirements can qualify for government health insurance, such as Medicare and Medicaid. If you do not have health insurance, you must pay your medical bills directly or rely on health care providers or organizations that donate care.
What are "covered services"?
Your health insurance policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company. The policy lists a package of medical benefits such as tests, drugs and treatment services. The insurance company agrees to cover the cost of certain benefits listed in your policy. These are called "covered services."
Your policy also lists the kinds of services that are not covered by your insurance company. You have to pay for any uncovered medical care that you receive.
What happens if my doctor recommends care that isn't covered by my insurance?
Most of the things your doctor recommends will be covered by your plan, but some may not. When you have a test or treatment that isn't covered, or you get a prescription filled for a drug that isn't covered, your insurance company won't pay the bill. This is often called "denying the claim." You can still obtain the treatment your doctor recommended, but you will have to pay for it yourself.
If your insurance company denies your claim, you have the right to appeal (challenge) the decision. Before you decide to appeal, know your insurance company's appeal process. This should be discussed in your plan handbook. Also, ask your doctor for his or her opinion. If your doctor thinks it's right to make an appeal, he or she may be able to help you through the process.
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