Economic Recovery and Healthcare Reform - Opportunities for Mental Health and Addictions
March 26, 2009 by
Filed under Mental Health
2009 is a critical year. Promised economic recovery and healthcare reform legislation are opportunities for meaningful financial commitments to mental health and addictions services and mental healthcare organizations are offering a practical actionable agenda:
- The integration of primary care services in behavioral health settings: The Healthcare Collaborative Project brings together behavioral health and primary care organizations offering a bi-directional approach for care. The need for behavioral health services in primary care is widely accepted. But the integration of primary care services in behavioral health settings remains controversial despite the fact that individuals with serious mental illness appear to have the worst mortality rates in the public health system. Therefore, mental healthcare organizations are actively pursuing single points of accountability to enhance continuity of care for this underserved population.
- Cost-based-plus financing that supports service excellence: People want and deserve quality services but quality services depend on skilled staff. Low salaries have created - and are perpetuating - a recruitment, retention, and quality crisis for behavioral healthcare. We need a workforce of skilled staff delivering nationally recognized practices within organizations that live by the rule “If you don?t measure it, you can?t improve it.”For mental healthcare organizations, healthcare reform is an opportunity to bring “parity” to public mental health services by ending the second class status of community mental health and addiction providers in America?s safety net.
- Federal mental health funding stream dedicated to mental health and integrated treatment services for the uninsured: The uninsured have exceptionally high rates of untreated mental illnesses with co-occurring addiction disorders and there is no safety net. State plans to cover the uninsured have all but disappeared and federal universal coverage plans may well be incremental. We have large numbers of individuals with treatable mental illnesses and addictions in our overburdened emergency rooms, in jails, and on the streets with no access to services that can engage them, treat them and return them to work. We must stop denying our economy productive taxpayers and wasting human lives.
- Eligibility for social security disability for people with addiction disorders: Addiction has come a long way from the days when it was perceived as merely a failure of will. Today, there is growing public awareness and acceptance of addiction as a chronic, relapsing condition that requires continual monitoring and management, as do other chronic illnesses like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension and yes, mental illness. If we accept addiction as a chronic illness then we must advocate that people with addiction disorders be eligible for disability support.
- Funds to support investments by behavioral healthcare organizations in information technology: We talk about information technology and service transparency, but behavioral healthcare organizations that move forward to automate their clinical systems get no support, funding, or technical assistance. We and those we serve cannot continue to be marginalized. Healthcare reform and economic recovery will depend upon the expansion of information technologies and behavioral health providers must be included.
- Expansion of research-based education and prevention practices: There are mental health and addiction prevention and education programs that work. These include research-based prevention initiatives that reduce the risk of childhood serious emotional disturbance by treating maternal depression, the Nurse-Family Partnership Program that has an array of consistent positive effects across multiple trials, and Mental Health First Aid - an evidence-based mental health literacy program. Now we must adequately fund and support the spread of these interventions to communities across the country.
Effective Natural Health & Beauty Products
March 26, 2009 by
Filed under General Health
All we know well that herbal nutrients are required to support healthy metabolism and maintain functions of our body. Available data indicate that many more vitamins and vitamin-like nutrients are yet to be discovered in herbs today. That is why herbal medicines were used for thousand years to fight diseases and improve body functions. Herbal nutrients have been shown to help heal many maladies, improve general health and specific pathological conditions. Herbs can help fight disease and premature aging, maintain sustainable and enjoyable lifestyle.
Alternative health professionals is a NZ based online shop, offering you the largest range of natural health products, including vitamin supplements. We also offer natural beauty products, herbal medicines and remedies.
At Alternative health professionals you will find information on alternative treatments for mind body and soul within our articles section, and in our online store, you will find naturally good products from aromatherapy supplies to herbal balms and lanolin skincare.
Our all natural herbal supplements are obtained from the herbs proven to be the richest natural sources of specific essential nutrients and are provided in the formulation optimal for assimilation by the body. Herbal antioxidants and essential unsaturated oils are not produced by the body but are required for multiple body functions and promote immunity to keep away diseases.
The essential oils used in aromatherapy are extracted from many parts of the aromatic plant: leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, roots, barks, fruits and resins. The oils are a concentrated form of plant energy possessing the qualities of the particular plant, and are usually many times more potent than the comparable dried herbs.
Now a days mostly people face skin problem. All we have different kind of skin so the treatment must be different. We help you to get the best herbal treatment for your skin. When you start shedding the winter layers of clothing upon spring’s arrival, you will possibly find your skin and scalp are dry and flaky, itchy and uncomfortable. Winter weather dries your skin out. You can bring skin back to a youthful glow by cleansing your body internally and exfoliating and moisturizing your skin.
Advanced Medical Technology for Hip Replacement Surgery in India
March 25, 2009 by
Filed under Medical Technology
Hip replacement surgery in India is cheaper than that in western countries. Over the years, it has become a global centre of excellence in orthopedics surgery including the total hip replacement surgery by promoting the notion that medical services in India can be bought off the shelf from the lowest priced provider anywhere in the globe, care. The concept has broad appeal, as Indian private facilities offer advanced technology and high-quality procedures on par with hospitals in the major industrialized countries at a fraction of the cost. It is a deepening of the whole notion of health care that is being pushed today which emphasizes on technology and private enterprise. More and more western patients seeking surgery are looking towards eastern destinations, for their medical needs. Once in India you can be rest assured about your proper diagnosis and medication. Furthermore, if situation demands, surgery packages are also within your reach. Here medical treatment is amid the best in the world, facilitated by the most skilled doctors and up to the minute super sphere hospitals. In India hip replacement surgery is a common surgical procedure with a high success rate.
Total hip replacement surgery replaces the upper end of the thighbone (femur) with a metal ball and resurfaces the hip socket in the pelvic bone with a metal shell and plastic liner. It replaces damaged cartilage with new joint material in a step-by-step process. Doctors may attach replacement joints to the bones with or without cement. Cemented joints are attached to the existing bone with cement, which acts as glue and attaches the artificial joint to the bone. Uncemented joints are attached using a porous coating that is designed to allow the bone to adhere to the artificial joint. Over time, new bone grows and fills up the openings in the porous coating, attaching the joint to the bone.
Doctors most often use general anesthesia for hip replacement surgeries, which means you’ll be unconscious during surgery. But sometimes they use regional anesthesia, which means you can’t feel the area of the surgery and you are sleepy, but you are awake. The choice depends on your doctor, on your overall health, and, to some degree, on what you prefer. Your doctor may recommend that you take antibiotics before and after the surgery to reduce the risk of infection. If you need any major dental work, your doctor may recommend that you have it done before the surgery. Infections can spread from other parts of the body, such as the mouth, to the artificial joint and cause a serious problem.
Cost of hip replacement surgery
The patient can go back to his country by the 12th day in case of single hip joint replacement and by 20th day after the surgery. The stay is shorter after double hip replacement surgery as the intervening period between sequential knee replacements is avoided. The total cost of the hip replacement surgery in India is very less as compared to USA or UK.
To know more about hip replacement surgery in India:
http://www.fly2india4health.com
Submit your case details at:
enquiry@fly2india4health.com
Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid for Good Dental Health
March 25, 2009 by
Filed under Dental Health
Dental decay is the most common form of disease known to mankind. It is a known fact that any food that contains carbohydrates, when left in contact with teeth for a prolonged period of time, can cause cavities. The normal micro organisms present in the mouth produce acid through fermentation of the carbohydrate. Unfortunately, we see this happen often. As a practicing dentist, I routinely advise my patients to maintain a healthy diet to prevent such problems.
It is important to remember that altering the diet alone cannot guarantee good oral health. But diet does make a difference when it comes to oral health.
The Dos and Don’ts
Food that contains too much sugar, like candy, leads to acid formation. That, in turn, causes cavities. Repeated exposure to such food can be just as bad as prolonged exposure. Sticky food, chips and taffy, can stay stuck to the teeth and be equally bad. The need for brushing teeth after every meal cannot be emphasized enough. Have children brush their teeth right away after they have candy. Flossing on a daily basis provides extra protection for the hard-to-reach surfaces.
Frequent snacking between meals should be avoided. Diets that contain too much acid can cause damage to the tooth structure. Even healthy foods, like milk and orange juice, contain a lot of acid. Soda or any other carbonated drink can be caustic. Also, when combined with the water in the saliva, these carbonated drinks produce carbonic acid. Both forms can cause chemical erosion and a breach in the enamel layer of teeth.
How to Combat Acid
Don’t let any of the acidic food to stay in your mouth for long. Rinse out your mouth immediately. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to neutralize any acid that might be produced in the mouth. Remember, there is no significant difference between the harmful effects of regular soda and diet soda. The difference between the two is only in the amount of calories and not in the degree of damage to the teeth.
Hard food
If you chew a lot of hard foods, like pretzels or ice, you may develop symptoms consistent with teeth grinding. Chewing too hard may also crack the teeth.Fillings and other restorations can become loose because of the constant flexure of the tooth structure. Eat hard food in moderation.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Extremely hot or cold food should be avoided. Both metal and resin fillings expand and contract with extreme changes in temperature. As a result the teeth may crack and the fillings may leak.
Do not eat ice cream and then rinse out your mouth with hot water. Even water at room temperature might not be ideal in this situation. Use cold water to rinse out your mouth and allow the teeth to shift to the body temperature gradually. Sudden changes in the temperature produce minute fracture lines in the teeth. Similarly, do not rinse out your mouth with cold water after drinking a cup of hot tea or coffee. Use warm water to do so.
During Pregnancy
A mother’s intake of calcium is crucial to ensure strong bones and teeth in the fetus.
During Childhood
It is necessary to have adequate amounts of calcium in children’s diet. However, a parent’s responsibility does not end there. In terms of improving dental health, a comprehensive approach has to be taken. On top of ensuring good oral hygiene and adequate diet, children have to be encouraged to brush their teeth after every meal.
Changing the Outlook
I would like to mention that we should not be focused on dental health as an isolated entity. We should start thinking about how dietary habits can affect oral health and most importantly, overall health. Some behaviors that are bad for the body also negatively affect oral health. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to oral cancer and liver failure. Smoking can lead to periodontal disease, oral cancer and lung cancer. Eating too much junk food not only increases the risk of cavities, there is likelihood of obesity, diabetes and cardiac problems. Untreated eating disorders can lead to dental problems like chemical erosion of teeth. Skipping meals also result in increased acidity, and therefore, chemical erosion of teeth and Halitosis.
Have You Considered a Natural Health Remedy?
March 25, 2009 by
Filed under Health Remedies
If you are feeling a little under the weather your first thought may be to visit the doctor. This is especially true if your symptoms remain even though you have tried various over the counter products. This is exactly the right thing to do. You should always seek the assistance of your healthcare provider if your symptoms become chronic and will not go away.
In some cases the following scenario develops. You see the doctor and get a prescription based upon the diagnosis from your doctor. You return to the doctors office because the prescription did not help you. The doctor says well if that medicine did not work we can try this one. This can repeat itself several times and still you do not feel any better. Eventually you ask your doctor about natural health remedies and learn there really is no medical reason not to try an alternative medical approach. At this point you may be ready to try something new as you feel you have nothing to lose.
A natural remedy is really just that. It is something produced by nature rather than in a laboratory. Natural healing remedies involve using healing substances and techniques that are not generally found in mainstream medicine. These include things like acupuncture, hypnosis, herbal medicines, biofeedback, massage therapy, and homeopathy. Alternative medicine does not involve traditional medicine approaches such as surgery and prescription medications.
Some practitioners such as massage therapists are licensed and have acquired specific skills and education to practice their craft. However herbal healers are not licensed. You need to develop a sense of their skills based upon personal recommendations and their years of experience. Of course the internet is another source of herbal remedies. The more reputable internet companies offer consultation services and provide detailed information on the usage of their products.
One difference with natural remedies is that when you choose this option you will need to take greater charge of your health care than you might have under a doctors care. Alternative medicine may be the right choice for you if traditional medicine has not helped. You can purchase natural herbal remedies through skilled and reputable providers for far less than many prescription medicines. They often have few if any unpleasant side effects those traditional medications are prone to have. The Natural Health magazine is a good source for information on the safe and effective use of herbal remedies. Remember that herbal remedies are not tested by the FDA so you use them at your own risk.
You should not experiment on your own with natural health remedies. Herbs and homeopathic remedies are easily obtainable. That may not be a reliable indication of how safe they are. Do your homework and if you do not know for sure, assume a herb could be dangerous to you and proceed with caution.
There are many great resources. One resource book on how to safely use herbs is Natural Health magazine’s Complete Guide to Safe Herbs by Chris Meletis. Chris is a certified naturopath. This book is quite comprehensive and defines the natural properties of herbs. It clarifies their safety when combined with other herbs or prescription medicines. Chris also covers toxic herbs that should be avoided.
When used appropriately natural health remedies often provide relief from symptoms where traditional medicine has not helped a person. There are fads in natural remedies that should be avoided as well as scams and over hyped infomercial products. Do your homework and find a skilled, reputable practitioner that you can trust.











