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When Should Men Consider Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy is increasingly becoming part of the national health conversation for men. Most men didn’t think about hormone therapy a couple of decades ago. We were men! We were strong! But today we know a little more, and hormone therapy can actually give men a lot of aid, without many side effects if properly handled. Here are some of the reasons men might decide to receive hormone therapy as directed by a doctor.
Breast Formation. Male breast formation, also known as Man Boobs, are a frustration for most men when they start to sprout. Men can form breasts during infancy, adolescence, old age, or anywhere in between. It all start with lowered testosterone and increased estrogen levels. Male breasts can be reduced or removed through gynecomastia surgery, but in other cases a simple adjustment of body sex hormone levels may be enough to provide the change desired.
Bone Density. Men start to lose bone density as testosterone starts to be produced less by their bodies. The same thing happens to women (though by a different mechanism), and typically starts to be noticed during old age. However, the groundwork for healthy bones for life starts in young adulthood, when your body starts to store calcium that will last for the rest of your life. If you don’t have sufficient testosterone, you can’t form bones that are strong enough to last until you die. Get tested for testosterone now to learn about how your health will be as you age.
Libido and Sexual Development. Testosterone has an enormous impact on secondary sex characteristics like body hair, but it’s absolutely central to sexual desire and performance. If you are having trouble in bed, you may need to get checked for testosterone. Many men have seen improvement that changes their lives for the better after getting testosterone therapy, without ever having to resort to the blue little pill.
Reproductive Function. This aspect of health is related to the previous function, but has some details all its own. Not only will testosterone help you desire sex more, it will help you be more fertile when you have it. Your body makes sperm and semen at the bidding of testosterone. The more you have and the healthier they are, the more fertile you will be. This isn’t a panacea for men’s reproductive health problems, but it’s one of the first you will address if you are having trouble having kids.
Red Blood Cell Formation. Red blood cells do a lot, more than we can cover here, but they won’t be formed in adequate supply without adequate testosterone.
For all of these reasons, it is important for men to understand how much testosterone they are producing and its implications for their health, present and future. Hormone can be replaced through injections, through patches, even simple gels. These are easy fixes, but if you are in need, the differences will be profound. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about testosterone production, and whether you might need a boost in this area.
Staying healthy is the ultimate mantra of life in 2017
Are you serious about losing weight by working out? Have you resolved yet again in 2017 that you’re going to embrace a healthy lifestyle which is free from all kinds of bad health habits? If you’re earnestly thinking of following whatever you’ve resolved, you need to stay on the right health track. There are hundreds of jobs that you need to get done if you want to take care of your health. If you’ve been confused about the best steps to take to live a healthy lifestyle, here are some tips that you may consider. Read on to know about some ways in which you can enhance your health.
- Start moving: No, you don’t always need a gym membership in order to get into the best shape. You just need your smartphone along with you. Download any of the numerous 7-minute workout apps that are there in PlayStore and challenge yourself to complete few high intensity workouts within a short span of time. You can also add jogging or brisk walking around your neighborhood.
- Stop overeating: Do you catch yourself overeating sometimes? If you could control over-eating, this could reduce your food intake by at least 30%. Make sure you don’t eat while watching TV as that may make you eat more. Eat on small plates, cook small portions, cut down your food intake and chew your food very well. Put away leftovers before you eat and also use a thin glass to cut down on drinks.
- Say good morning with lemon water: Lemon water is very easy to make and it has also got a number of health benefits too. Take a tall glass of water and squeeze lemon into it. Vitamin C increases immunity and improves digestion. People who feel dehydrated find it good to drink lemon water. Drink lemon water with straw and wash your mouth later on so that you can do away with the effects of citric acid.
- Try deskercises: Don’t be a couch potato, rather be a work potato. A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of all kinds of bad effects on health as compared to an active routine. Don’t commit the mistake of sabotaging your health just because you’re spending 9-5 in your office. Try desk squats, book pressing exercises so that you can also remain active while you’re working in office.
- Treat yourself by a massage session: Eliminate the stress of 2016 and treat yourself well. There is always something soothing about the healing touch of a masseur. Massage is usually deemed to be a part of alternative medicine and is a physical therapy. Massage can reduce pains and headaches and it can also relieve you from pain in shoulders and neck.
Therefore, follow the tips mentioned above to lead a healthy lifestyle in 2017. Don’t let health issues blow a hole in your wallet as medical costs are rising like never before. Also get your insurance coverage in place.
Side Effects: What You Should Know About the Medications You Take
For most people in the United States some type of medication is a part of their daily life. Whether it’s a birth control pill or an anti-inflammatory for a sore knee we trust that the medications we obtain over the counter or via a doctor’s prescription be safe and effective and in most cases that’s true.
The United States has a very good medication vetting system in the form of the FDA and we can usually be certain that the medication we take is the right one for our particular needs and has been carefully considered by our physicians and pharmacists. However, mistakes happen and some of these mistakes can have severe and lasting consequences, particularly in the case of prescription medication.
If you take a medication prescribed by your doctor how much thought have you put into it? Are you fully aware of its side effects? Do you know if there is another medication that should never be combined with the one you’re taking? We place a great deal of trust in the professionals who administer our medication but in some cases that trust ceases to exist. If you’re taking any medication for any reason these are just a few of the things you should know before it’s time to take your next dose.
Side Effects
No medication is completely without the risk of side effects no matter how small. For most people and in the case of most medications the side effects are mild or barely noticeable. Some antibiotics can cause nausea if not taken with food and too much ibuprofen can contribute to bleeding in the stomach.
However, your doctor should take the time to discuss all the side effects with you and give you instructions regarding what you should do if you experience anything severe. For instance, the popular drug used to treat Parkinson’s disease, Mirapex, has some interesting yet potentially harmful side effects such as heart failure and an interesting link to loss of impulse control. If your physician hasn’t taken the time to explain this you might not be able to make the connection between sudden, strange feelings and the medication.
Pharmacists are considered to be a doctor’s wingman so to speak. He or she has a record of what medication you take and might notice something the doctor didn’t, then intervene. This is one reason why it’s important to use the same pharmacy for all of your medications if possible so a complete record of your medication history is readily available.
Off Label Prescribing
One thing doctors sometimes do that patients are rarely aware of is the practice of off label prescribing. Simply put, this means that a drug intended for one purpose is prescribed for something else. The FDA neither forbids nor endorses this practice; they are only allowed to regulate what a doctor prescribes, not how the doctor prescribes it.
For instance, a medicine called nadolol is intended to treat symptoms of high blood pressure but is often prescribed to migraine sufferers who have no history of high blood pressure.
Many experts estimate that at least one if five of every prescription written in the United States is done so off label, and your doctor is not required to tell you that. Informed consent is vital to the doctor/patient relationship and without the knowledge that you’re taking a medication that is not necessarily intended for your condition can in some ways be construed as a violation of the trust you place in your doctor.
In addition, the fact that you might not be fully aware of the side effects of this drug could mean that you ignore those side effects and put yourself at risk.
What Can I Do?
One great way to stay informed about your healthcare is to talk with your doctor, all the time and about everything. Do the same with you pharmacist. When you’re prescribed a new medication be vocal. What is this drug intended to do? What side effects should I be aware of? Are you prescribing this off label? If your doctor truly wants you to be an active participant in your health care they will happily answer your questions.
On the other hand, if you feel that you’ve experienced negative side effects and weren’t fully informed about the risks of a medication then it might be time to take your case from the doctor’s office to that of an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
Your healthcare is important and the trust you place in the people in charge of that are important too. Keeping yourself informed about your medical conditions and the medications used to treat them is the best way to ensure your treatment protocol is the right one for you.
Understanding Opiate Addiction: Seek Help Before It’s Too Late
Addicts come from all walks of life. There is no gender, race, age group, or financial status that will keep you safe from developing an addiction. The real problem is that too many people are making the mistake of assuming that in order for someone to become an addict, they had to pick up an illegal substance and use it “ therefore, in a roundabout sense, making the decision to walk the path of an addict. While that is not entirely true for those who do decide to use an illegal substance. It is more alarming that people are not yet understanding the clear connection between prescribed opiate pain relievers for legit pain and becoming an addict.
Noticing When You May Need Help
It is vital that you are seeking help with an opiate addition the moment you realize that you are dealing with a problem. The longer you wait, the worse the addiction will become and the harder it can be for you to beat the problem. Should you notice that the amount of paid relief that you use to get from your prescription is no longer the same, then your body may be starting to require more in order to get the same relief. Increasing your dosage may help with the pain, but it could be making things a lot worse for you.
If you also find that you begin to experience mood swings, excessive perspiration, night terrors, restless leg syndrome, or irritability if you do not have your medication, your body has most likely become very dependent on the opiates. You may also experience fatigue, insomnia, vomiting, and aching muscles. The exact combination of things that you would experience will vary depending on your physical makeup, the type of opiate you were using, and how much and how long you have been using it. This is when you may want to look into a treatment center such as the Hollywood rehab and medical center.
It may seem impossible for you to become an addict from something a doctor prescribes you. You will want to be proactive in order to help ensure that you do not become fully addicted to the opiates that you are prescribed.
How To Avoid The Addiction To Opiates
If you are not currently addicted to opiates and you want to keep it that way, you will want to take certain steps. The one thing you will want to do is to make sure that you are taking your prescription as directed. Never take an extra pill. Never try to take your doses too close together. When possible, try to lengthen the time between your doses of opiate painkillers so you are not taking them like clockwork.
You will also want to check out some natural remedies for the treatment of some of your pain. Some of the things that you might want to check into for some pain relief include yoga, meditation, osteopathy, and traditional Chinese medicine. This does not mean that you should not make use of any of the prescription medicine for your pain, especially if you are right out of surgery or coming out of an accident. However, you will find that a mixture of natural remedies, along with the pain medication from your doctor, will be enough to help you feel better without putting you at as much risk of becoming addicted.
Biking Expert – How to Stay Fit Cycling
To gain the most from an exercise regimen, the routine needs to be done consistently. Many forms of exercise become tedious and are more of a chore than a challenge. Cycling is a form of exercise than can be constantly modified to present new challenges and provide a constant change of scenery. As people are becoming more economically and environmentally aware, many are discovering, or rediscovering, cycling as a means of becoming fit as there are many benefits that comes with it.
The Basics
According to the Mayo Clinic, a minimum of 2 ½ hours a week is required to obtain and preserve good physical and cardiovascular fitness. Experience and ability should be taken into consideration prior to plotting out a bike route. Beginners or those getting back into cycling might want to opt for flat terrain with minimal automotive and pedestrian traffic while the experienced rider will appreciate the challenge of conquering steeper hills or maneuvering through city traffic.
Cycling is a great way to build leg strength and cardio endurance, but does not do as much for the upper body. W.D. Adkins, of Livestrong.com, suggests that cyclists incorporate a weight training program as part of their exercise regimen to maximize the benefit of physical activity and minimize the risk of injury.
Stretching prior to riding is also recommended to minimize the risk of muscle strain. Muscles that have been warmed up are less likely to cramp. For maximum benefit, stretches should be slow and gentle, not jerky or forced.
The Benefits
*Cardiovascular Health
Cycling gets the heart pumping, benefitting the heart itself as well as the blood vessels and the organs that are critically dependent on a strong, steady supply of blood. Regular cardio exercise helps to prevent or hasten the progress of diseases related to poor cardiovascular health such as Coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease.
* Multiple Muscle Conditioning
When peddling a bicycle, the main muscles used are the quadriceps, hamstrings, and, to a lesser degree, the calf muscles. However, those are not the only muscles that become engaged during cycling. When cycling, the stomach should be pulled toward the lower back, with the torso elongated and the chest lifted. This positioning strengthens both the back and abdominal muscles as the muscles constantly work together to keep itself upright and balanced.
*Stress and Anxiety Reduction
According to ADAA.org, there is scientific evidence that people who are physically active have lower rates of anxiety and depression than people who are sedentary. One study found that people who exercise regularly are 25 percent less likely to experience depression or anxiety over the next five years. It has also been found that regular exercise may improve mental health by boosting the brain, helping it to better cope with stress.
*Ease Depression Symptoms
Exercise such as cycling has physical has benefits that can ease some of the symptoms of depression. While exercising, naturally-occurring chemicals such as neurotransmitters, endorphins, and endocannabinoids are released in the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, these “feel-good” brain chemicals often create a sense of well-being and contentment.
The social interaction involved with cycling can also be a mood changer. Riding with cycling groups, meeting new people, or just exchanging a nod and a smile with a fellow cyclist can negate some of the feelings of solitude and isolation that comes with depression. While a diagnosis of clinical depression often requires a medical prescription as part of its treatment, easing some of the symptoms with cycling is a bonus that accompanies the physical benefits of the sport.
The Bike
It is important to choose the appropriate bike for the type of cycling you plan to do. There are four main categories of bicycles: Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes, Hybrid Bikes, and Cruisers. A bike size is based on the style of the bike, and the build and inseam of the rider. The reach between the seat and the handlebars should be comfortable. Your arms should not have to stretch to the point of being uncomfortable to reach the grips. Having the proper seat height eliminates undue joint stress and muscle strain.
Because most bikes are built for men, women may have special considerations when selecting a proper bike fit such as shorter arms and legs, longer torsos, or smaller size and weight. However, there are many information on bikes for women, where you can look for the one that will fit you most.
Healthy road map to help you hit your fitness goals for 2017
(When it comes to resolutions, especially for mid-January, everyone loves to be specific. Not being specific will lead you back to square one, next year a time like now, making the same resolutions and the cycle continues)
Everyone wants to set straight fitness goals. Who does not want to look back at 2017 and say, “it is the year that made me a better person”? However, with so much advice on the internet, each source claiming to be directly from a qualified trainer, it is quite easy to get overwhelmed by loads of information and end up making the wrong decision. Here’s a collective broad view to ensure that you remain on track for the larger part of the year, here’s how you can hit your fitness goals for 2017:
- Plan for it
Would it really be a new year if there were no fitness goals? Well, for you to actually realize them, you have to mean them, write them down, and swear to follow them. This will prevent you from hitting the gym pretty hard while the resolutions are still fresh and then getting tired and eventually giving up along the way. Fitness is a part of your life and that means that you have to be in it for the long run.
- Regular check-ups
Most people just assume that they are okay as long as they are not struck by major illnesses. This should not be the case. Regular blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol level checkups could help a lot. They will help you know if you are exercising too much or when to pump up your workout regime a little.
- Healthy feeding habits could make all the difference
For every fitness success story, dieting is always mentioned first. Eliminate junk food from your diet completely. Funny enough, people decide to go vegan as a new year’s resolution. This is not the only way, though. Just include more veggies, liquids, and fruits in your diet.
- Strive to do better each time
To attain even better results, you will have to step out of the comfort zones and go the extra mile. For instance, if you can only pull off a plank for 2 minutes, try to extend to 3 minutes next time. Do not focus on the misery periods, focus on the end results.
- Make SMART goals
Your fitness goals must be smart, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. . Break down your complex goals into smaller attainable tasks. For instance, a single day set aside for workouts only will be a long shot. Working out every day for a minimum of 15 minutes will be a better choice.
- Yoga
Yoga stole the show for the whole of 2016. There is a good feeling that it will continue to be popular in 2017. Joining a class won’t be necessary with the thousand yoga videos and illustrations available on the internet.
Surprise yourself
Nothing makes you feel special than achieving something you thought was impossible. Have you been dreaming of hitting the finish line in a marathon or volunteering at a charity event? Well, 2017 is just the perfect year for you to challenge your inner self.
Exploring the 5 Biggest Healthcare Technology Trends in 2016
Exploring the 5 Biggest Healthcare Technology Trends in 2016
Health care technology is complex. As a result, identifying trends in this sector is difficult. But certain developments that are of interest to HIT executives have emerged recently. The executives must now include these trends in their strategies. So that you can understand them better, here are the five biggest healthcare technologies of 2016.
1) Data Storage
Recent health reforms have resulted in the use of electronic health records (EHR). And as EHR databases grow, the industry must figure out how to store and organize such large amounts of data. Information that contains images and genomic information is proving to be the biggest headache.
And so is having storage systems that can accommodate big data. As expected, health organizations are struggling under the weight. A proper master's in healthcare management, or an online MHA degree, should prepare a healthcare manager for IT and big data problems.
2) Information Sharing and Interoperability
EHR databases must be in a position to better exchange health information by the year 2018. This is as mandated by the CHIP Reauthorization Act and The Medicare Access laws. And the Department of Health has announced the way forward. Apparently, everyone involved in information sharing has committed to doing three things. They are; allowing the sharing of data, not restricting access, and sticking to specified standards.
3) Cyber Crime
Cyber criminals have changed tactic and are now targeting healthcare organizations. They have two aims. The first is to get the data in EHRs. It fetches a high price on the black market because of its personal nature. Unlike credit card information, health data such as dental records contains personal markers.
The second is to ask for a ransom. Criminals are hacking into the simple defenses of small medical practices and organizations. They then hold the data hostage until a ransom is paid. This practice is now so common that it has caught the eye of the Federal Communications Commission. Just recently, it issued cyber security tips for small businesses and medical practices.
4) Network Security
As cyber-attacks on health organizations increase, network security must become a priority. And the number of attacks on the industry is staggering. A recent study by the Ponemon Institute found out that 9 out of 10 health organizations have come under attack in the past two years alone.
Of these, at least half have had their systems breached more than five times in the same period. In response to these threats, healthcare organizations are now spending more on network security. But because of their tight budgets, they are not allocating enough on it.
5) Unique Patient Identifiers
The push to have a foolproof unique patient identifier is on. At the head of this push is the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). CHIME has even gone as far as running a $1 million challenge aimed at coming up with a viable solution.
But why is patient identification and record matching so important? Russ Branzell, the head of CHIME, answers this question. He says that mismatching patients to EHRs is costing the lives of countless Americans every day. To him, the situation is very grave. And this is why the organization is pushing for an identifier that can match patients to their EHRs with 100% accuracy.
Conclusion
Recent developments in the healthcare technology sector have changed the industry for good. They include data storage issues and the sharing of health information. And close behind them is the rise of cybercrime and its response, network security. Finally, there is the development of a unique patient identifier.
What Superbugs Are Caught In Hospitals?
Superbugs will kill someone every three seconds by 2050 unless the world acts now.
That was according to a report in 2016 by BBC News. It's an alarming statement and a review commissioned by the UK government says that wide-ranging action is required at a global level to prevent a post-antibiotic future. It's well known that these life-threatening superbugs have been taking hold in our hospitals, but which bugs do we need to worry about and what can be done to reduce the spread of infection?
What is classed as a superbug?
It is a bacteria that has developed a resistance to multiple antibiotics. While MRSA (methicilllin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is the most widely known, the latest superbug to affect patients is MSSA (methicilllin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus) and it is on the rise. Superbugs can kill by causing pneumonia and an infection of the heart lining. This can particularly affect people who have lowered immune systems and are already very sick.
How can you catch a superbug?
Bacteria is usually spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the infection or has the bacteria living on their skin. It can also be spread through contact with contaminated objects such as sheets, clothes, towels, door handles, and floors. A recent study showed that a quarter of superbugs are spread by nursing staff, and emphasised the importance of washing hands and wearing disposable gloves, even when just talking to patients to reduce the transmission of pathogens (bacteria).
Why don't antibiotics work?
The NHS says that over time, bacteria can evolve in response to their environment and develop mechanisms to survive antibiotic treatment. The ˜resistance' starts as a random mutation in the bacteria's genetic code or the transfer of small pieces of DNA between bacteria. These mutations can enable them to survive treatment and when they replicate, they pass on their resistant nature to future generations of bacteria. In the government commissioned review, chair of the panel – economist Jim O'Neill – says that if action is not taken against superbugs they could be responsible for an estimated 10 million deaths a year by 2050.
Can anything be done?
At the moment limited treatment options exist in dealing with the superbugs. One of the few drugs that has been used to fight MRSA, called daptomycin, has been shown to only cure a third of patients. There are, however, things that can be done to prevent the spread of superbugs. The NHS says that rates of MRSA have fallen in recent years because of increased awareness of the infection. Ways to prevent the spread include washing hands regularly, especially after using the toilet and before and after eating, following any advice you have been given about wound care and devices that could lead to infection, such as catheters and reporting any unclean facilities in the hospital to staff.
If you are visiting a patient, again ensure cleanliness and clean your hands before and after entering a ward and before touching the person you are visiting. While it is possible to contract a superbug outside hospital this remains less common.
How to Get Ready for Rehab
Going to a rehab clinic is a big step toward taking back your life and becoming a happier and healthier person. But, as with any big step you are about to take in your life, you may feel immobilized by fear. After you make your move, the rest will fall into place, but actually making the first move can be the hardest part.
Planning ahead will make it a little easier to take that first step. Here are a few things that experts from this top Georgia drug rehab clinic and others recommend you do to get yourself ready for rehab so that you get off to the right start:
Tie Up Loose Ends at Home
You may be in rehab for several weeks or several months. Life will go on without you outside rehab, such as a phone bill that will keep coming or a job that will need to be done in your absence. You must make provisions for these responsibilities while you are gone.
Let your boss know that you will be going into rehab and take your Family and Medical Leave Act. Your job should be held for you for when you get back, and you can help your boss train the person who is going to fill in for you on the tasks that you do.
If you are a parent, make arrangements for someone to take care of your children, such as your co-parent or other family members. Your children will need to stay with these people while you are gone, and you will need to let the caretakers know about your children's schedules and everything they need.
Put your bills on autopay or put someone in charge of paying them. Ask someone to collect your newspapers or water your plants. Tie up as many loose ends as you can before you enter rehab.
Pack the Essentials
Every rehab facility will provide some basics for you, such as a bed and sheets. But other offerings will vary from place to place, so it is important that you bring along a few things to keep yourself comfortable and to take care of yourself while you are away. Bring along your favorite throw, a good book that you love re-reading, and a picture of your family. Bring your clothes and your toiletries.
Don't worry too much about what you pack. You can always have someone bring you items that you forget later. The most important thing is to get yourself to the facility, not your stuff. Check that anything you do bring doesn't violate the rules for the facility.
Manage Your Anxiety
Going into rehab can be an overwhelming prospect. You are about to do something that will “ hopefully “ change your life for the better. You may be feeling anxious about whether you are up to the task. Or you may have anxiety over the conversations you will have to have with family and friends who you have wronged. Or maybe you will feel anxiety about the withdrawal process.
Now is the time to start practicing tools to manage your anxiety. You can use relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or muscle relaxation. You can practice calming exercises like yoga or tai chi. You can also get cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches you how to manage your feelings and your symptoms. Some rehab facilities will have therapists who can continue this cognitive behavioral therapy with you so that your progress will not be inhibited.
Enjoy the People in Your Life
Now is the time to stay as positive as possible and avoid any triggers that can set you back on your path to recovery. Spend time with the people in your life who you love and who support what you are doing. You can talk through your feelings with them, or you can just spend time together having fun and relaxing. Both scenarios will do you good and help prepare you to do the tough work you are going to do in rehab.
Keep a Journal
Rehab is a journey of self-discovery and growth. Start documenting that journey by keeping a journal. You can look back at how you were feeling during these early days to draw insights during therapy later or to draw strength when you are struggling.
Bring the journal with you to rehab and keep track of your progress. If you ever doubt what you are doing, you can read the journal and feel empowered. You can also look at the early days when you were struggling and reaffirm to yourself why you went to rehab in the first place.
Rehab is a big undertaking. Get yourself physically and mentally ready for it by following these tips. Then rely on all the support available to you as you start building your new life and recover from the wounds that led to your addiction.
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