If your child is too young to talk and cannot therefore explain what is wrong, it is difficult to assess the effect of that little “knock to the head”. It could well be benign. However, it could also be a lot more serious.
If you suspect your child has incurred some form of brain injury, the first 24 hours are the most critical. It is during this period that the first symptoms appear. If you can diagnose the problem during this time and get prompt medical attention, the chances are that you can limit the damage and prevent any permanent effect. A good free resource to get up to speed in the cause and effect of brain injuries is www.brain-injury-hotline.com. Consult that site for more detailed information.
So, how do you determine whether or not your child has suffered brain injury? There are three simple tests you can apply to children from about 9 months to about 3 years of age:
Test for Alertness. During waking hours, most children are alert and playful. So, if your child’s behavior is normal, he/she is probably OK. However, if the infant is lethargic during his normal “active time”, there could be a problem. This is especially true if he or she fails to respond to any stimulation.
Test for Inactivity. Irrespective of their age, children are always active during their waking hours. (Obviously this excludes infants!). If the child displays no desire to move or has “sluggish” actions, you will want to continue with the other tests to help determine whether or nor there is any damage.
Test for Vision. Hold your hand about 5 inches from your child’s face. Wave it back and forth. If your child follows the movement with his eye, you know that – at a minimum – he or she can see and the brain can react to an external stimulus. This is a positive sign.
It is important to note that these tests should be considered as guides only. Even if they all indicate that nothing is wrong, there could still be a potential problem which you should investigate. However, if the child fails even one of these simple tests, seek medical attention urgently.
Russell Clark owns and operates www.brain-injury-hotline.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russel_Clark
Online Pharmacies - A Welcome Alternative To Drug Purchase
The manifold benefits of Internet pharmacies have made them an instant favorite among customers. Less than a decade back, patients had to depend upon the traditional drugstores to get their prescriptions filled. The severely sick patients and the older lot had to depend on others to bring them the medicines. Those who could manage to go down to the nearby drugstore often ended up queuing in front of it. Patients then had to deal with an array of problems like, unavailability of drugs, insecurity with respect to their medical status and definitely the ever-increasing drug prices.
Such patients now have a much better alternative in the form of Internet pharmacies. Canadian Internet pharmacies have been a welcome relief for a majority of patients. They no longer have to go queue up in front of a drugstore nor do they need to purchase medicines in full public view. The ones who are dependent on others can even order their drugs without even moving out of their bed. All they need to do is to log in to an online pharmacy website and then look for the drug they want. Once their desired purchase is tracked, it can be ordered online right away.
Canadian pharmacies offer a range of value added services that go a long way in satisfying patients’ needs. Prescriptions can be refilled with a single call to their toll free number. Some good online pharmacies have the infrastructure in place to attend a patient’s requirement to deliver the drugs anywhere in the world. On request, prescriptions can be filled in Canada and mailed to the patient’s doorsteps. Apart from that, the pharmacy staff is well trained to handle customer queries. Patients who get all the prescription medicines filled from a single drugstore enjoy extended benefits like drug interaction check. This safeguards them from possible harmful drug interactions.
Apart from these, the low cost of drugs and increased degree of confidentiality with respect to the patient’s details are the major advantages of ordering drugs from an online pharmacy. The Canadian government has regulated the prices of prescription medicines, which in turn has made drugs a lot cheaper in Canada. Time to time discounts further lowers the cost of medicines. Besides, the drugs are delivered to the customers with utmost security and confidentiality.
Quality drugs at low prices, easy ordering process, confidentiality and a host of other services has made online pharmacies a welcome alternative to the community drugstores. With increase in Internet usage, the popularity of online Canada drug pharmacies will exceed unimaginable limits in times to come.
Alfred Anderson has rich experience in the field of online brand marketing. His interests includes Internet marketing and research on emerging online business trends. Canadian Pharmacy Drug
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alfred_Anderson
What Are The Best Herpes Simplex Medicines, Conventional or Alternative?
Although there is no cure for the disease, there are plenty of herpes simplex medicines out there that can help you manage the virus effectively. Whether you suffer from the oral or genital variety, your outbreaks may not require much treatment at all. Some cases are very mild, only lasting one to two weeks. For more severe cases, treatments may help lessen the pain and shorten the length of the outbreak.
Herpes simplex medication comes in many forms. Treatments range from home remedy solutions and herbal options, to the vast array of prescription meds out on the market. Understanding the virus and your body will help you decide which route to take when it comes to remedies for your outbreaks.
Your doctor will know which prescription herpes simplex medicines will work best for you. Some popular types of drugs your physician may prescribe are antivirals such as Famciclovir, Pancyclovir, Acyclovir and Valacyclovir. These names may not seem familiar, as they are not the brand names you might have heard of. Therefore, doing a basic search on these meds before visiting your doctor can be quite helpful.
Herpes simplex medication can also be found in nutritional supplements, as well as herbal form. Some supplements that may help control your outbreaks are Propolis, Lysine and Zinc. These supplements can help boost your immune system, which helps keep frequent outbreaks at bay. Some herbs that can also help manage herpes are tea tree oil, lemon balm, aloe, and peppermint oil. You must keep in mind that many of these herbs and supplements are soothing agents. This does not mean that herbs and other supplements will cure your outbreaks immediately or completely. This only means that it may help make the length of an outbreak shorter and less uncomfortable.
Sometimes, herpes simplex medicines aren’t needed at all. In many cases, where outbreaks are mild, a simple lifestyle change will do. Wearing loose fitting clothing and taking lukewarm baths can help soothe any discomfort you may have. Always remember to dry the infected area completely after taking a bath or shower. Be sure to wash with mild or unscented soaps to avoid extra irritation. Another trick that tends to work is applying ice to affected area. Again, make sure you dry yourself completely.
If you’re not a huge fan of taking herpes simplex medication, in any form, because your outbreaks are extremely mild, there are other ways to minimize discomfort. Stress can cause more frequent outbreaks, so when you feel tense, go get a massage. Acupuncture, self-hypnosis and other relaxation techniques may help, but there hasn’t been enough research to support this claim.
As mentioned earlier, there is no cure for herpes. However, the above options for herpes simplex medicines can help you keep living life to the fullest. With proper care, you can stay in control for many years, having a long and rewarding life.
Sheldon Miller is a health researcher who has been studying natural remedies for herpes and other STDs for many years. He is a regular contributor to Herpes Symptoms Guide. Discover the different types of herpes simplex medication as well as how to recognize symptoms on our site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheldon_Miller
The Use of Muscle Relaxants for Lower Back Pain
The muscle relaxing properties of "muscle relaxants" arise not from direct activity at the muscular or neuromuscular junction level but rather from an inhibition of more central polysynaptic neuronal (nerve cells that end in synapses) events. These agents have also been shown in some studies to demonstrate superior analgesia to either acetaminophen or aspirin.
Muscle relaxants are often prescribed in the treatment of acute low back pain in an attempt to improve the initial limitations in range of motion from muscle spasm and to interrupt the pain-spasm-pain cycle. Limiting the muscle spasm and improving the range of motion will prepare the patient for a therapeutic exercise.
Soma is a muscle relaxant used to relieve the pain and stiffness of muscle spasms and discomfort due to strain and sprain. It blocks signals between nerves in the brain and the spinal cord. However, its action is not completely understood--- Soma does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles and its action may be related to its sedative properties instead. So for many patients, the reduction of muscle spasm associated with lower back pain brings considerable relief. The outcome is favorable such as pain is being reduced, the body relaxes and their ability function normally is enhanced.
Soma comes in a 350 mg round white tablet. Its onset of action is rapid, and its effects last for 4-6 hours. The usual dose for one 350 mg tablet is 3 times a day. It is also important to be aware of the side effects of Soma; moreover, this is to ensure about safety and to avoid any adverse reactions.
Soma is a sedative and it can cause: drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo, agitation, irritability, headache and insomnia. Occasional allergic reactions are known to occur, including a skin rash and itching. Like all medications, there can be rare idiosyncratic reactions as well. A word of precaution---avoid taking Soma when drinking alcohol for it will increase the sedative effect of the medication, when driving or operating machinery.
Lower back pain tends to resolve on its own. Most patients feel significantly better one week after the first onset of pain. About 4-6 weeks, the pain will be completely resolved. As this drug is proven to be beneficial, many patients now prefer to order this medication from the online pharmacies.
If you would like further detailed information regarding muscle relaxants, please feel free to visit our website at http://www.drugstoretm.com
DrugStoreTM.com Online Drug Store is a leading online drugstore and information site for health, wellness, and pharmacy solutions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janice_Bell
Medical Tourism - A Cure for the High Price of Medical and Dental Costs
Did you know that over 47 million people have no medical insurance in the United States? Yes, 47 million people! The entire United States population is estimated at close to 300 million people. To give you a perspective of that number – it is more than the estimated aggregate populations of Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and South Carolina. The number of people without dental insurance is estimated at 120 million. And, we have not started to talk about the under insured of our population. But I suppose these numbers will do. They are so large that it’s hard enough for most of us to grasp anyway.
When we talk about the uninsured many think that we are talking about the poorest of poor in our country. And while that is partially true, it does not make up the majority. Approximately 80% of the United States is made up of small to medium size enterprises or businesses – called SME’s. Many of these SME’s can not afford the cost of providing insurance coverage to their employees any more than the employees can cover the cost of premiums on their own. Many of these uninsured and underinsured are the working population, the retired, the elderly, those on fixed incomes, single parents, and yes, the working poor. But these folks are not the only people who can not afford medical and dental insurance. The owners of the SME’s can not afford insurance for their own families as they struggle to compete in today’s increasingly competitive global market. Even people who have jobs that help cover some of the cost of insurance premiums find they are being asked to assume more and more of the cost yearly. Even big business is struggling under the cost of health insurance in the United States.
Increasing medical costs and decreasing health benefits, is taking a heavy toll on those with either no insurance or a limited coverage. At an age when health benefits are most sought, people struggle to stay healthy instead, for fear of rising medical bills. But an accident or a major illness can completely wipe out a lifetime of savings and quickly put either a person or a business into bankruptcy. We also increasingly see in the news of large health insurance providers systematically dropping those who have paid their premiums religiously just when they need it the most. For a business it’s difficult to hire and then keep good employees when they are seeking medical and dental benefits for their family.
I guess all of us can see why this problem has been given so much coverage in politics today. And while it is a worthy banner to fly at election time – it is one illness that is going to be very hard to cure. And if there is a cure it will be slow arriving.
One of those SME’s of the Tennessee is addressing this issue of health care for businesses and individuals alike. Global Health Care Facilitators (GlobalHCF) of Nashville and Cookeville Tennessee have for the past year been trying to help businesses and individuals obtain medical and dental care for at realistic and affordable prices.
An interview with Dr. Bill Thomas explained the practice and interest that global health care facilitating is producing. He explains that global travel to receive the best medical has been around for centuries. Many people travel to Canada, Germany, the U.S. and the U.K. to receive top level medical and dental care. People in Tennessee have no problems going to Vanderbilt in Nashville or the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Of course these hospitals come with a high price. Even a trip to a local hospital can easily cost upwards of $60,000 for a 3-4 day stay. Medical tourism offers another alternative.
Dr. Thomas explains, “Medical tourism companies like GlobalHCF have contracts with most of the world renowned Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals and physicians worldwide.” He further explains that JCI is the accrediting body for international hospitals similar to what JCAHO is for U.S. hospitals. The primary difference is that the cost is up to 70-80% less than here in the United States.
In a recent procedure, Dr. Thomas explains that a “Birmingham Resurfacing Procedure” which costs approximately $65,000 in Nashville was done for a total of $7500 at the world class Wockhardt hospital in India. Recently a lady had breast augmentation for a total of $2200. This is not unusual. He can tell you of procedures ranging from drug addiction assistance to heart surgery where in every case the cost was a fraction of what it would cost in the Unites States.
“Everyone read the front page of the Tennessean recently which discussed this current trend in businesses and individuals alike” he said. In fact search of the internet also shows several very positive documentaries from CBS, FOX, NBC and 20/20 concerning this practice. In fact this author had difficulty finding someone who had a negative experience with this process. Dr Thomas attributes that to the “increased standards of care a person receives at these hospitals”. Almost all of the hospitals literally cater to the foreign visitor like a dignitary. They are offered the very best care as they know their reputation depends on what is brought back to the U.S. So many people are taking vacations and getting treatment in the medical tourism that it’s difficult to move fast enough. It is very important that the client talk with the doctor about their procedure, that the doctor reviews the files of the patient and that the patient checks out the hospital and physician thoroughly.
Businesses have seen a huge potential with their service. The most reliable medical tourism companies are able to offer what amounts to major medical coverage for some procedures at a fraction of the cost of current medical costs. Small businesses are signing up with companies like GlobalHCF to provide coverage for their employees and owners alike. Dr. Thomas stated that “It’s like having coverage and your premiums never leaving your own pocket. We take care of all the paperwork for the company and individual and lead clients all the way through the process. We are definitely a value added process to any company’s benefit package and employee retention program.”
Dr. Thomas, a seasoned traveler himself says that though life-saving medical procedures like heart surgeries, cancer treatment and elective surgeries like dental implants and cosmetic surgery cost are less than the costs of a procedure in the US, it is not because of a lack of expertise. The industry see’s it as rather a lack of malpractice suits and high administrative costs, which has crippled the health industry here. A surgery which would cost 50,000 dollars and above here in hospital charges alone can be performed for as less as 10,000 dollars all inclusive of medical costs, plane fare and a holiday package, a realistic amount which can be put together with savings and loans. While medical and dental care in the U.S. is overall excellent, the U.S. does not have a monopoly on great physicians or hospitals. Many of the physicians in these foreign hospitals have received the very same training as U.S. physicians, in the very same universities, and then went home to practice their craft.
Countries like India which are actively promoting medical tourism are increasingly seeking JCI certification, to instill faith in the medical tourists coming to them, very well realizing that the publicity generated by one surgery could de-rail a burgeoning industry, expected to jump 30 percent every year. Besides the hospitals equipped with the latest medically advanced diagnostic equipments, Indian pharmaceutical companies also meet stringent requirements of the US Food and Drug administration. Medical advancements have meant that Indian doctors can now perform the hip re-surfacing surgery among others where the damaged bone is scraped away and replaced with chrome alloy, an operation which costs less and causes less post-operative trauma than the traditional hip replacement procedure done in the US. Recently, Tourette’s disease has produced a high number of people looking for the latest in curative techniques.
To those who refuse to believe that anything could surpass the medical treatment available here in the US, there are statistics to show that the doctors in these developing countries, have far more expertise and a higher success rate in handling complicated life-saving surgeries, than the doctors here in the US, thanks just to the sheer volume of surgeries they handle on a daily basis. Besides in most cases, treatment here in the US is hardly an option for those with little or no insurance. In such a scenario, if traveling to an exotic destination would mean that they can be healed and lead a productive life post-surgery, instead of wasting away for want of expensive, medical care, then it certainly seems worth taking that one chance.
T.J. Hall is an advocate for people without insurance or have insurance that does not cover them properly. Ms. Hall has been outspoken in helping small and medium size businesses obtain creative ways to have some kind of medical care for their employees. Ms. Hall is sought after to help find assistance for people who need new or experimental surgeries. She lives in Tennessee and has traveled extensively to review various countries to observe their medical systems and their standards.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=TJ_Hall
Women Special Total Knee Replacement Surgery In India
The Gender specific knee recently launched in India is meant to improve overall function after a knee replacement in women. Women constitute 60 percent of patients undergoing a total knee replacement for knee osteoarthritis. Until now knee implants used were designed on the average measurements of knee shape and size of men & women. The Gender special or Sex special or Woman special knee is the only knee implant specifically designed for women
It is based upon findings presented at the meeting of biomedical and biomechanical engineers in the US last year. It was first introduced in the US last year and has been launched in India last month. Dr. Venkatachalam of www.kneeindia.com is the first surgeon to use the implant in South India and has performed several knee replacements using this implant.
His patients have reported a rapid relief from pain and earlier return of function. They needed hospital shorter hospital stays.
Anatomic differences between the two sexes have been acknowledged for long but only recently applied to design of orthopedic implants says the Surgeon. The gender knee is based on the anatomical facts that women's thigh bone is narrower from side to side, the knee cap rides on a more oblique line and the lower end of the front of the thigh bone is less prominent.
The surgical technique is not significantly different. The new knee prosthesis can be implanted through the highly successful technique of minimally invasive (MIS) or Less invasive surgery( LIS) in which the incision is only 4- 5 inches long. Post operative pain is significantly reduced and hence patients can be discharged from hospital within a week.
Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam, MS, DNB, FRCS (UK), MCh. (Liverpool)has worked with leading Knee surgeons in the UK, Belgium and Dubai earlier.He is affiliated to the Bharathiraja hospital. Recovery from surgery is no longer a painful ordeal as expert anesthetists provide effective anesthesia and pain relief to inpatients. The intensive care unit is monitored by alert physicians round the clock and multi specialty referrals are readily available. There are well qualified physiotherapists to help you recover quickly from surgery.
Our track record
We have had the pleasure of treating patients from the USA, UK, Bangladesh recently and these numbers are increasing. Knee replacements are performed using the most modern techniques and prostheses. Amongst others the following procedures are routinely performed.
Knee
Total knee replacement- normal and high flexion
Unicondylar knee replacement
Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction
Cartilage surgery
Osteotomy for osteo arthritis and knee cap problem
Fracture
http://www.kneeindia.com/aboutus.asp
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alampallam_Venkatachalam
Understanding The Human Growth Hormone
Produced in the human body naturally, the human growth hormone (HGH) consists of a multifaceted network of amino acids and is produced by the anterior pituitary gland. The human growth hormone is vitally important to our bodies as it stimulates and regulates growth, promotes cell regeneration, and orchestrates metabolism.
In children and adolescents, the human growth hormone is responsible for controlling height – gradually bringing young people to the height they will remain. This occurs as the human growth hormone is secreted from the pituitary gland, stimulating the liver and other tissues to stimulate bone growth and muscle mass.
The human growth hormone also controls protein, carbohydrate, and fat metabolism. We can significantly affect the operation of the human growth hormone in this capacity – by making lifestyle choices that will support the production of HGH. This includes a diet of natural, whole foods as well as a consistent exercise program, adequate sleep, and stress management.
Normal levels of the human growth hormone will keep us in balance throughout our lifetime; but there are those conditions that result from an under - or over - production of HGH. For some children who have less than normal levels of the human growth hormone, growth will be stunted. Adults who suffer from inadequate levels of HGH experience fatigue, inability to metabolize fat, and muscle weakness. In these cases, both children and adults are treated with human growth hormone supplements to help bring their bodies back into balance.
When there is an over production of the human growth hormone in children, Giantism can result wherein growth is rapid and continuous. The over production of HCG in adults is most often attributed to pituitary tumors and can be extremely serious. Known as Acromegaly, this condition can result in the thickening of cranial bones, the enlargement of extremities and rib cage, and even the enlargement of the heart. Doctors treat both conditions with medication that blocks the release of the human growth hormone. In some severe cases, surgery must be performed to remove a portion of the pituitary gland.
In normal situations, the production of the human growth hormone drops off after we reach our permanent height and then stays consistent throughout our life until we begin to age. The aging process includes the diminishing of the human growth hormone resulting in a loss of bone and muscle mass, as well as an increase of fat deposits, and overall frailty. However, people can combat these effects of aging by remaining active and living a healthy lifestyle.
For easy to understand, in depth information about human growth hormone visit our ezGuide 2 Hormones.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Bery
