If You Dread Colonoscopies, Try This New Exam

0
Posted by Heather Aarons on May 15, 2012 at 12:31 pm

If you are like most people, you dread getting colon cancer tests because of the painful and excruciating preparation that is required. A traditional colonoscopy requires that the patient’s colon be free of solid matter and that the patient begin flushing out their colon by taking strong laxatives and drinking clear fluids such as apple juice or chicken broth one to three days prior to the exam.

Medical clinic Houston doctors at IMC, for example, help their patients properly prepare for any exam prior so that the results are as accurate as possible. This new exam for colon cancer screening known as a CT colonography, however, does not require taking strong and multiple laxatives or much prepping at all beforehand. According to a new study this new test is very comparable in effectiveness to a traditional colonoscopy at identifying polyps that are early signs of cancer.

The traditional colonoscopy calls for the patient to be sedated while a doctor inserts a camera called an endoscope to detect early signs of cancer in both the colon and rectum. The CT colonography, which does not required sedation, uses a gas to fill the colon while images are taken with the endoscope.

Currently CT colongraphy is not covered by government insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

To learn more about IMC’s cancer screening, wellness program, and other medical services visit their family practice Houston website.

Posted in: Cancer Prevention
Tags: ,

Continue Reading

Infertility experts say women with cancer should seek fertility preservation

3
Posted by Franco Cignelli on May 4, 2012 at 11:00 am

Fertility PreservationInfertility experts stress that when a woman of childbearing age receives a cancer diagnosis, it’s imperative to research and ask questions about fertility preservation.

Patients need to ask their oncology team about the potential risks of infertility, even if they do not presently want to have a child, or they are unsure about their desire to have a child in the future. They need to be vocal about their desires so they are able to make an active rather than a passive decision about their future fertility. There are established treatments for preserving fertility and seeking a fertility specialist as soon as possible will give women the most options.

In many cases women can take four to six weeks to preserve their fertility prior to starting cancer treatment and have time for options such as embryo freezing or egg freezing.

Egg freezing is an option that has improved dramatically over the last few years due to a faster freezing technique called vitrification. Fertility doctors stimulate a woman’s ovaries to produce eggs with fertility drugs and retrieve them in the same manner as is performed in IVF.

For girls that have not gone through puberty or women who can’t delay cancer treatment, there is an option called ovarian tissue cryopreservation in which an ovary is removed via laparoscopy, an outpatient surgery that takes 30 to 45 minutes. The procedure requires no fertility drugs and does not delay cancer treatment for more than a couple of days. Tissue from the removed ovary is sliced into strips, frozen, and stored.

Even experimental techniques like egg freezing and ovarian tissue freezing have produced babies. Egg freezing has over 1,000 babies born worldwide and ovarian tissue freezing has 15 children born worldwide. Embryo freezing is still the most successful, say infertility experts.

Posted in: infertility treatment
Tags: ,

Continue Reading

Breast Cancer Survivor Deals with Medical Debt

1
Posted by Heather Aarons on April 24, 2012 at 4:05 pm

A breast cancer survivor from Illinois was put in jail for a medical bill that was in her name by mistake, according to an article recently published in the Huffington Post claiming that this is the latest example of aggressive debt collector tactics.

However, it is hard to think that a revenue cycle management company is scheming against cancer patients, when they generally would have the integrity of the business in mind. What happened was that breast cancer survivor Lisa Lindsay of Herrin, Illinois was put in a debtor’s prison for a $280 medical bill that was accidentally sent to her, according to the Associated Press reports. The bill was then sent to a collections agency and Lindsay ended paying $600 to settle the charges.

The Huffington Posts reports that situations like that one that happened to Lindsay are becoming more common due to the fact that one third of the states in the United States allow people that owe a significant amount of money to become imprisoned. This problem is reported to be very common particularly in Illinois. In fact, in order to control the situation, a bill to prevent debtors from going to jail is going to be heard in the Illinois state Senate after passing the House of Representatives.

It is important to recognize that Lindsay’s case and others in Illinois are isolated events and do not necessarily apply across the collections industry.

To learn about sound practices and medical collection offerings visit this revenue cycle management solution website.

Posted in: medical collections
Tags: ,

Continue Reading

Diesel Exhaust Exposure Increases Risk of Lung Cancer

2
Posted by Amanda Rahi on April 11, 2012 at 3:32 pm

High levels of diesel exhaust significantly increase the risk of lung cancer among miners that are exposed on a regular basis, according to a new government research study conducted by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. If you are worried about your risk for lung cancer due to a high degree of exposure to diesel exhaust there are many healthcare resources and clinics available that you can contact immediately.

Occupational medicine Tyler Texas specialists, who are committed to providing comprehensive patient care for almost any work injury, for example, operate an occupational injury hot line and offer chest/lumbar x-rays and pulmonary testing.

The findings of the research not only have important implications for people exposed to diesel exhaust in the workplace, they are also apply to those living in urban areas, according to the researchers from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Diesel fuel is derived from crude oil and is commonly used to fuel trucks, buses, and large industrial vehicles. Exhaust produced from burning diesel has been found to contain a large amount of toxic air contaminants and fine particle pollution, which are believed to be very damaging to human lungs.

CareFirst Medical Associates are leaders in providing quality occupational medicine in Jacksonville, Tyler, Flint, Whitehouse, and Longview Texas.

Posted in: pain management
Tags:

Continue Reading

Painkillers No Longer Just for Cancer Patients

1
Posted by Amanda Rahi on April 10, 2012 at 12:02 pm

Before the mid 1990’s, painkillers made from opiates were used solely for cancer, postoperative care or when a patient was on their death bed. However, all that changed about 15 years ago, when painkillers began to become more mainstream and more demanded. The truth is opiates are very powerfully and were exactly what the healthcare industry was looking for when the term “pain management” began to become more commonplace as well.

However, over the last year, pain management and car accident injury Dallas specialists, for example, have had to be extra-cautious about prescribing painkillers in light of new regulations and health concerns surrounding their applications.

Painkillers became commonplace also as a result of the pharmaceutical companies that have been promoting opioid formulations like OxyContin. According to the consulting firm IMS health, sales of these painkillers amounted to approximately $8.5 billion in 2011, compared to $4.4 billion ten years ago in 2001.

Although medical professionals have long known about the highly addictive properties of painkillers such as Oxycontin and how they are widely abused by teenagers, it isn’t until recently that the red flag was raised.  In fact, there are many cases were these powerful drugs are used to treat long-term pain for conditions like back injuries and arthritis.

To learn how pain clinics are incorporating a more comprehensive, integrated approach to pain management visit Accuhealth’s, back pain car accident specialist, homepage.

Posted in: pain management
Tags: ,

Continue Reading

FDA Warns of Another False Cancer Drug

0
Posted by Amanda Rahi on April 4, 2012 at 12:10 pm

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an warning to all healthcare professionals about another counterfeit cancer drug that has been purchased by medical practices in the United States. The drug, which is of foreign origin, has managed to make its way into the healthcare system, putting patients and doctors at risk of both legal and health problems.

No doctor treating patients for cancer wants to face the legalities of issuing false cancer drugs, which can become serious felonies. Criminal defense lawyer Silver Spring experts, for example, do everything to help free their clients from criminal charges; however, it is a very dangerous position for any doctor to confront.

The FDA is warning that illegal drugs purchased from foreign sources do not meet adequate quality, safety, and efficacy standards and as result are greatly putting patients at risk that are in need of proper treatment. Health professionals are highly encouraged to discuss any concern they have with purchased cancer drugs with the FDA. The counterfeit cancer drug that has been discovered to into the U.S. system an injectable cancer medication called is Roche’s Altuzan. The false version has no active ingredients and therefore does nothing to help patients with cancer. In order to avoid any problems, it is important to notify the FDA immediately if you have any information about counterfeit drugs.

Kennedy & Dolan Lawyer Silver Spring office has 25 years of legal experience have representing thousands of clients to successful ends.

Posted in: accident attorney
Tags:

Continue Reading

The Organic Rage May Not Be All that Healthy

2
Posted by Amanda Rahi on March 22, 2012 at 10:32 am

Almost seven years later after the United States federal government began its certification for organic food the industry took off for the better or for the worse.

In one way it’s relieving to see people being health conscious about what they eat. On the other hand it’s disturbing to see what people will actually buy into and what businesses can get away with. Now just because it is labeled organic doesn’t mean that it’s a healthy food option, especially when processed foods have the label “organic”.

Diet doctor Dallas specialists, for example, are helping their patients to learn the real value of whole foods and how to make good food choices. In a world, where everyone is trying to sell you something, it’s not easy to weigh out the good from the bad.

Just because I buy an organic microwave dinner doesn’t mean it is the best thing for me to eat.  It means that this specially designed packaged meal in plastic and cardboard met government regulations and standards to be marked as organic. The fact that such a supermarket item could be labeled “organic” has me question what exactly these standards in place are.

As we look to be healthier, prevent disease, and fight cancer, it’s important to talk to health experts about the best food choices and not rely on the money-making food business industry to tell us what is best for us.

To learn more about healthy food choices and expert health opinions read about diet center Dallas programs and their commitment to long-term well-being.

Posted in: health
Tags: ,

Continue Reading

Aspirin May Prevent Cancer, Says Study

1
Posted by Amanda Rahi on March 21, 2012 at 10:33 am

A daily regime of aspirin has been linked to reducing the risk of a number of cancers and to the prevention of tumor growth and spreading, according to new studies published on Tuesday.

However, taking aspiring on a regular basis has not been promoted due to the negative side effects and health risks such as gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, pain management San Marcos specialists, and other pain management clinics alike that are committed to healing chronic pain, have a found a number of effective, healthy, and non-medicated approaches to relieving pain such as trigger point injections and soft tissue injections. The result is that many medical professional are beginning to look away from aspirin and taking other daily pain relievers.

The findings of this new study on aspirin and cancer, however, are now drawing attention to the power of a cheap and widely available drug in fighting cancer. While previous research has shown that side effects of aspirin outweigh the benefits, especially among patient with good health, scientists, in light of its effectiveness against cancer, are now having us reconsider that assertion. Daniel a Frederick MD, at his clinic in central Texas, has found many effective treatments for pain that do not depend on the reliance of medication for pain relief.

The new studies on aspirin, led by a professor of clinical neurology at the University of Oxford, Dr. Peter M. Rothwell, pulled date from a large number of trials that involved tens of thousands of men and women. What they found was that after three years of taking aspirin daily, the risk of developing cancer was reduced by 25 compared to those that did not take aspirin. Additionally, after five years the risk of cancer was reduced by 37 percent.

While the findings revealed the effectiveness of aspirin against preventing cancer, medical experts like those at pain management San Marcos center, and other specialties that do not focus on cancer prevention, may need to further evaluate the risk and benefits associated with promoting aspirin among patients.

Posted in: Cancer Prevention
Tags: ,

Continue Reading

Coke and Pepsi Change Recipes to Avoid Cancer Warning Labels

1
Posted by Amanda Rahi on March 9, 2012 at 12:37 pm

PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, the largest producers of soft drinks in the world, will modify their soda recipes with caramel coloring that have been linked to cancer, in order to evade a new California law that requires drinks to notify consumers of the amount of carcinogens present.

Given its high sugar content and complete lack of nutrients, soda and soft drinks have been linked to diabetes and heart disease. Cardiologists in Florida specialists, who are committed to providing exceptional cardiovascular care, help patients determine their 10-year risk of having a heart attack. Drinking soda and soft drinks regularly has been linked to weight gain and increased risk for weigh-related health problems.

California State added ammonia sulfite to an official list of carcinogens last year. Additionally, the consumer group, the Center for Science in the Public Interest claimed that a chemical in the coloring added to soda recipes is linked to cancer in animals. The reported that the amount in soda is exceeds the U.S. food supply permitted limits.  However, the FDA told Reuters that the average person would have to drink 1,000 cans of soda each day to exceed the limit found in animals.

While researchers have not found a direct link between the caramel coloring in sodas to cancer, Dr. Richard Besser, chief health and medical editor for ABC news, was reported to warn consumer against the known health risks of soda, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

The Cardiovascular Institute of Northwest has a leading Florida cardiologist team offering comprehensive non-invasive and invasive cardiovascular care. 

Posted in: heart health
Tags: ,

Continue Reading

Omega-3 Intake Decreases Risk for Colon Cancer, Says Study

1
Posted by Amanda Rahi on March 1, 2012 at 9:59 am

Omega-3 fatty acids consumption in women can reduce the risk for one kind of colon adenomatous polyps, a benign growth on the lining of the colon or large intestine, according to a new study.

Omega-3 fatty acids over the years have been linked to a number of important health benefits, including weight loss, inflammation reduction, improved memory, and prevention from heart disease. Pain management doctors nj specialists, for example, offer a nutrition for pain relief program that is designed to help patients through nutrition recover faster and stronger from their injuries and chronic pain problems. Weight loss programs also incorporate omega-3 fatty acids as they have patients improve their overall health and decrease intake of harmful omega-6 fatty acids.

Unfortunately, among all the health benefits of omega-threes, research from human epidemiological studies do not show concluding evidence that they have anti-cancer effects. A few animal studies do, however, make this suggestion.

In this new study, conducted by two Tennessee hospitals over seven years on 5,307 colonoscopy patients, 60 percent of which being men, a connection between omega-3 consumption and a decreased risk for colon cancer in women was found.

The researchers, after controlling for age, race, body mass index, and smoking, found that women that had the highest omega-3 consumptions were 33 percent less likely to have adenomatous polyps, a condition with a high likelihood of developing into cancer.

To learn more about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids visit this nutrition for pain relief and non surgical orthopedics practice’s homepage.

Posted in: pain management
Tags: ,

Continue Reading
1 2 3 4 5 6