Monday, November 30, 2009

Law Schools In Alabama

Birmingham is home to three of Alabama's law schools.


Five educational institutions in Alabama offer programs for students wishing to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. All but two of these law schools are located in the state's largest city and legal center, Birmingham. Generally, students must hold a bachelor's degree in order to apply, as well as complete the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).


University of Alabama


The University of Alabama School of Law provides traditional courses as well as a broad curriculum in emerging areas of the law, including environmental, international, business, intellectual property and white-collar crime. Located in Tuscaloosa, the law school requires applicants to complete a bachelor's degree before enrollment, as well as submit LSAT scores, at least one letter of recommendation, an application fee and an application form, which includes an essay to assess writing skills.


Samford University Cumberland School of Law


The Samford University Cumberland School of Law offers students some of the smallest first-year law classes in the United States. Established in 1847, the Cumberland School of Law is located near downtown Birmingham. The city is considered the legal center of the state with 3,200 practicing attorneys, federal and state courts, and government agencies. When applying, applicants must submit LSAT scores, an application form and fee, as well as a personal statement.


Faulkner University


The Thomas Goode Jones School of Law is part of Faulkner University, a Christian university in Montgomery. The School of Law offers students a traditional full-time, three-year program leading to a degree. Since more than sixty percent of the required curriculum is completed in the first year, students can undertake courses in areas of personal interest in following years. Applicants must submit LSAT scores, an application form, fee and personal statement.


Birmingham School of Law


Founded in 1915, the Birmingham School of Law is an evening law school offering students the flexibility to attend a nontraditional law school. To be considered for admission, applicants must have a bachelor's degree and submitted a completed application form with an application fee. Applicants are not required to submit LSAT scores, but recommends that any student with a GPA under 2.75 take the test.


Miles Law School


Miles Law School is located in Birmingham and offers evening classes to its students. Founded in 1974, the private law school is independent from Miles College and has its own Board of Trustees. Miles Law School is an approved law school and students may take the Alabama Bar Exam; however, like the Birmingham School of Law, it is not accredited by any state or regional authorities or the American Bar Association. Applicants must complete the LSAT in order to apply.







Tags: application form, LSAT scores, submit LSAT, submit LSAT scores, bachelor degree, Birmingham School

What Does A Smoker'S Xray Look Like

A person's lungs give his body the oxygen it needs to function. Smoking is the leading cause of lung disease and the reduction of lung capacity. Knowing how smoking affects the lungs, especially after seeing an X-ray image of a smokers' lungs, may help smokers decide to quit and dissuade non-smokers from starting.


Function


X-ray machines use a beam of energy that has a very short wavelength to penetrate through a patient's body and cause an image to be formed on specially prepared film. The X-rays pass easily through soft tissue, but are blocked by dense tissue, such as bone. The image on the film is similar to a photo negative of a shadow; the dark parts of the film show where X-rays met little or no resistance and so saturated the film, while the white parts show where the rays were blocked by obstructions. In this way, physicians are able to diagnose ailments and conditions, such as the accumulation of particulate matter in a smoker's lungs.


Identification


This is an X-ray of a healthy patient's lungs. Note the large black areas separated by a thick white line. The lungs of non-smokers, however, are almost at as much risk for cancer or other breathing problems if they are exposed to second-hand smoke; the smoke that comes from burning tobacco or exhaled tobacco smoke. Non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke should tell their physician so that the patient's lung health can be monitored.


Effects


In the lungs of smokers, the black space is usually obscured by large amounts of particulate matter, scarring, and cancer cells which are denser than the relatively-empty lungs of a healthy patient. The result is large masses or "blobs" on the X-ray. The more obstructions a patient has, the less oxygen is reaching their bodies. This may result in shortness of chronic breath, called Chronic Pulmonary Obstruction Disease (CPOD), also known as emphysema. Additionally, according to the American Lung Association, 73 percent of all smokers suffer from chronic lung disease such as CPOD or other ailments such as coronary heard disease, and stroke. 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer patients were, or still are, smokers. This X-ray shows the presence of a tumor in the patient's lung (circled in red).


Significance


According to the American Lung Association, smoking causes the air sacs in a person's lungs to rupture. These ruptures can not be seen in an X-ray and are usually revealed after the death of the smoker (see image). The lungs are also filled with other substances which the body attempts to wall off to prevent its spread. The walled-off contaminants are clearly visible as blackened areas in this image. The shape of these walled-off cells is also irregular and may make the lungs deformed over time.


Prevention/Solution


Stopping smoking is a very difficult task as nicotine is as addictive as cocaine or opiates such as heroine. A smoker may require several attempts, as well as several different approaches, to quit smoking. Smokers who have been smoking for years, or who have a heavy habit, are often tapered off tobacco through nicotine-laden gums, patches, or injections under the supervision of a physician. For those who do quit, the risk of lung cancer and other lung diseases drops dramatically, though their lungs will never return to the "healthy" state they were in prior to smoking. Damaged cells will remain with patients for the rest of their lives, but people who quit smoking reduce their chances of cancer by 20 to 40 percent.







Tags: American Lung, American Lung Association, cancer other, exposed second-hand, exposed second-hand smoke, healthy patient

College Paper Ideas

There are tons of college paper ideas in education, civil rights and pop culture.


When it comes to writing a college paper, there are tons of topics to write about. Some instructors urge students to write about unfamiliar topics, so they can learn something new, while other instructors want students to have some knowledge about their chosen topic. Topics range from homosexual rights, the changing nature of racism and sex and violence in the media.


Homosexual Rights


As homosexuality continually becomes more mainstream, homosexuals are fighting for more rights. For instance, nearly 70 percent of American citizens are opposed to gay marriage. The college paper could go into detail about what religions oppose gay marriage, what struggles homosexuals face and what kind of rights homosexuals are fighting for. The paper could also shine light on positive gay marriages and celebrity homosexuals who are also fighting for gay rights. Although same sex marriage is legal in some states, there are still states out there that have yet to pass that law. The paper could look at states that allow legal same sex marriage and states that don't. Also, the paper could discuss how the world may change if gay marriage was accepted everywhere.


The Changing Face of Racism


Many people believe that racial lines are slowly being erased and replaced with racial equality. Some people believe that racism is still alive.Your paper could reflect your own opinions about whether or not you think racism is still alive in America and support your opinions with quotes from articles, essays and books.


Sex and Violence in the Media


Many people believe that life imitates art in the form of television shows, movies and the media. Many people believe that children are influenced by the violence, sex and other negative behaviors portrayed by the media. Your college paper could reflect your own thoughts about the subject and then move on to explain your point of view about whether or not you think the media has an affect on human behavior. You paper could also voice the concerns of the global audience distressed by how their children may have been influenced by such violence.


Euthanasia


Euthanasia is the intentional killing of a human being with his or her consent by the act of lethal injection or another way of death. Euthanasia is usually a choice by an individual who is in severe pain or simply wants to end life. First explain what euthanasia is and its pros and cons. Declare which side you're on. Explain the origins of euthanasia and if you think people should be allowed to use it even if they aren't in any pain. Discuss potential legalization in the United States.







Tags: paper could, believe that, college paper, people believe, people believe that, Many people

List Of Colleges In Columbia South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina is home to several colleges and universities.


Columbia is the largest city in South Carolina and that state's capital city. The city is home to nine institutes of higher learning which offer a myriad of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs across many academic disciplines. The city's oldest college is the University of South Carolina, founded in 1801.


University of South Carolina


The University of South Carolina is the largest college in the entire state. The school's sprawling Columbia campus is home to over 350 degree programs and 14 schools, including the South Carolina School for the Environment and Institute for African American Research. The university is also home to a NASA-affiliated research center, the Ted W. Mimms Foreign Languages Learning Center and the Center for Digital Humanities. Programs at USC span the gamut of academia and include film and media studies, museum management and linguistics.


University of South Carolina


901 Sumter Street


Columbia, SC 29201


803-777-3867


sc.edu


Columbia College


Founded in 1854, Columbia College is a private women's college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school has an annual enrollment average of 1,500 students from nearly 20 different countries. Columbia offers undergraduate degrees in the arts, science, fine arts and music. Master of arts programs and a master of education degree path also are offered. The college is home to the South Carolina Center for Dance Education and the Leadership Institute Alliance for Women.


Columbia College


1301 Columbia College Drive


Columbia, SC 29203


803-786-3871


columbiacollegesc.edu


Benedict College


Over 15,000 students have graduate from Columbia's Benedict College since its founding in 1870. Recently lauded by Diverse Magazine as one of the nation's top 100 institutions for African American scholars, Benedict College is home to six schools, including a school of education and school of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Benedict Business Development Center was recently opened with the purpose of educating and initiating minority business entrepreneurs.


Benedict College


1600 Harden Street


Columbia, SC 29204


803-256-4220


benedict.edu







Tags: South Carolina, Benedict College, Columbia College, University South, University South Carolina, African American

Friday, November 27, 2009

Make Xrays With Scotch Tape

Scotch tape can produce X-rays in the right conditions.


X-rays are a form of electromagnetic energy, as is sunlight. Electromagnetic energy exists at different frequencies, and these frequencies correspond to different wavelengths. There is a range of frequencies that is visible, and these represent the visible spectrum. X-rays have a much shorter wavelength than visible light and have higher energy levels. These X-rays are used, for example, in medical diagnostic equipment to produce images of bones and teeth. Although there is some amount of radiation received by having a diagnostic X-ray performed, the benefits of the diagnostic test outweigh the risks. X-rays have been found to be produced by peeling Scotch tape.


Instructions


1. Place the Scotch tape in the tape dispenser. Peel the end of the tape from the roll and pull it over the tear bar. Pull down on the tape to tear off the end of the tape, readying the tape for the next pull.


2. Place the tape and tape dispenser into a vacuum chamber and connect the chamber to the vacuum pump. Turn on the pump in order to create a vacuum in the chamber. The vacuum is needed for the tape to produce X-rays.


3. Use the chamber access ports to grab the end of the tape.


4. Pull the tape from the roll. As the tape is pulled, electrons jump from the top of the roll to the adhesive on the layer that has just been peeled up. When the electrons reach the adhesive, they slow, emitting bursts of energy in the form of X-rays. The X-ray energy lasts for about a billionth of a second, according to MSNBC. As with the bursts of energy directed at teeth in dental offices, the X-rays themselves are not visible, although they will show up on nearby photographic film, which is how medical diagnostic images are produced. These images are produced on the film because denser materials such as bones absorb more X-rays than surrounding muscle and flesh, casting a shadow image on the film.


5. The X-rays will continue to be produced as long as the tape is being pulled. Once X-rays no longer are desired to be produced, turn off the vacuum pump and open up the vacuum chamber.







Tags: from roll, vacuum chamber, bursts energy, chamber vacuum, images produced, medical diagnostic

Employee'S Benefit And Health Insurance Regulations

If you own a small business and are considering offering health insurance to your employees, it is essential that you understand the basic regulations involving employee benefits of this type. The insurance industry is regulated at the state level, so each state sets its own laws regarding the implementation of insurance benefits. However, the majority of states have similar, if not identical, laws detailing how group plans and their participants must be handled.


Eligible Employees


Group health insurance coverage must be made available to every eligible employee. Most states define an eligible employee as one who works for your company an average of at least 25 to 30 hours per week. It is against health insurance regulations for any employer to selectively exclude any individual, or otherwise restrict or prohibit enrollment in a health insurance program.


Minimum Participation


A large enough percentage of all eligible employees must participate in the plan offered by your company. If too few employees choose to enroll, the group will be disqualified, leaving everyone without coverage. Most states have adopted regulations stipulating that at least 50 to 75 percent of all eligible employees must participate in your company's group health insurance program. Thankfully, those employees who decline enrollment in your group plan because they already have coverage elsewhere do not negatively affect minimum participation calculations.


Contribution Requirements


The majority of states require employers to share in the cost of health insurance coverage for their employees. Companies are required to pay between 10 and 50 percent of each employee's monthly premium. Depending on your state, the number of workers participating in the plan, and the actual monthly cost of the policy, these mandatory contributions could comprise a significant expense.


Continuation of Benefits


The federal government, and nearly every state, has instituted group health insurance regulations allowing terminated employees to continue their benefits. As the employer, you must facilitate such continuation, and remain compliant with respect to the dissemination of information about the plan, continuation of benefits, and available educational resources. Hefty fines may be imposed on employers who fail to properly follow the rules.







Tags: health insurance, your company, eligible employee, eligible employees, eligible employees must, employees must

Become An Xray Technician In Florida

X-Ray image of a foot.


An X-ray technician, also referred to as a radiologic technician, performs imaging examinations using X-ray film to capture images of the body. X-ray technicians can receive their education through a certificate program, which could take anywhere from 21 to 24 months. They can also receive an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in their chosen field. The average salary of an X-ray technician in Florida is $55,000 a year, as of April 2010, according to Indeed.com.


Instructions


1. Complete a radiology program approved by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida, and Medvance Institute in Miami, have radiology programs that are approved by ARRT (See Resources).


2. Complete a four-hour AIDS/HIV education course. Florida law requires radiology technicians to complete this course. It teaches Florida HIV/AIDS law. Gulf Coast Community College, Boca Raton Community Hospital and Broward Community College are a few establishments that offer this course (See Resources).


3. Submit a completed application for certification through examination and supporting documentation.The application can be retrieved from Florida Department of Health's website. Supporting documentation includes proof of education and HIV/AIDS course certificate. Mail this information to the address listed on the application (See References).


4. Register for the ARRT examination online at arrt.org, by fax or mail, and pay the examination fee. You will receive a letter of eligibility from the Florida Certification Office if you are approved to take the radiology technician exam. You will not be eligible to register and pay until you are approved by the Florida Certification Office. Fax a copy of this letter to ARRT at 651-681-3155 or mail it along with your payment to Attn: FLStateRHC, ARRT, 1255 Northland Dr, St. Paul, MN 55120. Applicants can pay the examination fee online (See Resources) or by mail. Payments sent by mail must be in the form of a cashier's check or money order.


5. Schedule and take your exam. Examination scores will not be mailed to you. It will be available approximately 14 days after you sit for the exam by checking ARRT Testing Services online scoring system (See Resources). Enter your birthdate and the last four digits of your Social Security Number into the appropriate sections.

Tags: Community College, Certification Office, examination online, Florida Certification, Florida Certification Office, from Florida

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Family Reunion Ideas In Wilmington Nc

The North Carolina Azalea Festival provides a family reunion idea in Wilmington.


Wilmington, North Carolina is a coastal destination that provides a variety of options for families looking for a spot for large or small reunion gatherings. Plan a dinner aboard the U.S.S. North Carolina or at historic Poplar Grove Plantation. Tour the "Hollywood East" filmmaking scene. Consider enjoying the great outdoors by attending the North Carolina Azalea Festival or wandering along the riverfront. Does this Spark an idea?


Visit the Historic Riverfront


Shops, restaurants, old homes and museums are all part of the historical riverfront area and many things are within a sort walk of each other. Plan to spend a day wandering among the variety of businesses and parks of the area. Book lodging in the area so that you have a common point of departure. In the summer, reunion attendees could attend a local minor league baseball game in the riverfront area or take in the July Fourth Fireworks show. In October, they can attend a variety of activities at "Riverfest."


Tour "Hollywood East"


Screen Gems Studios is a major tourist attraction in Wilmington, offering guided group tours by appointment. Movies such "Weekend at Bernie's," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Sleeping with the Enemy" and television shows like "One Tree Hill" and "Eastbound and Down" have all been filmed at this Wilmington Studio. You and other reunion visitors can also tour some of the local film location sites through organizations like Hollywood Location Walk of Old Wilmington (hollywoodnc.com).


Attend the Azalea Festival


For a week each April, Wilmington hosts a festival honoring one of the South's most recognizable flowers, the azalea. At this special time of year, the city celebrates these blooming bushes with concerts, parades, street fairs and local garden tours. If you plan to attend at reunion at this time of the year, make hotel reservations in advance to secure rooms a this popular visitation time.


Party at Poplar Grove Plantation


Not only can you and your family tour this historic property built in 1850, but you can rent the facility for a group event or party. Not only is the interior of the house available for rental, but you might choose to utilize the plantation's more casual barn for your get-together. The plantation's website will provide you with some recommendations for area catering, photographers and musical performers, assisting you in creating every aspect of a memorable reunion event.


Climb Aboard the U.S.S. North Carolina


Though this retired battleship is available for rental to the general public for special events, if your reunion is in honor of a military member or members of your family, this venue could be the perfect match. The battleship not only offers space for a special dinner or get-together, but also a free-of-charge space for military memorials and retirement celebrations. The battleship also offers guided tours and has special events and holiday celebrations throughout the year.







Tags: North Carolina, Azalea Festival, available rental, Carolina Azalea, Carolina Azalea Festival, Grove Plantation, Hollywood East

Health Insurance For Senior Citizens

Sufficient health care coverage will help protect retirement income.


In the United States, the No. 1 health insurance provider for senior citizens is the federal Medicare program designed for individuals 65 years of age or older. The Medicare program is not the only option available. A number of private insurers offer standalone plans, as well as supplemental coverage to fill the gaps of what Medicare may not fully provide. Options for senior citizens can be limited by the necessity of living on a fixed income. Finding the right coverage package becomes crucial to worry-free retirement.


Medicare Overview


The Medicare insurance program consists of four distinct parts. Part A, hospital insurance, charges no fees for coverage and enrollees in the Social Security program are automatically eligible when reaching age 65. Medicare Part B, medical insurance, is also part of the standard Medicare package, but is not automatically free coverage for all senior citizens. Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, provides for coverage that may be limited under parts A and B. Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage, helps to defray the cost of medications.


Medigap Plans


Due to the limitations on what types and how much coverage senior citizens may have under a standard Medicare policy, the insurance industry offers policies to fill in the "gaps." Therefore, many Medicare Supplemental policies are said to be Medigap insurance. This type of health insurance policy for seniors is designed to provide specific benefits Medicare lacks, for example, extra days of hospitalization coverage when Medicare provisions have been exhausted.


Long-term Care Insurance


Senior citizens concerned with the possibility of confronting a chronic illness or the need for nursing home care may wish to purchase long-term care insurance. If written as a standalone policy specifically targeted at covering the care for long-term illnesses which require home health care or a stay in a skilled nursing facility, senior citizens interested in this type of health care insurance should closely examine existing coverage such as Medigap policies and any other supplemental insurance to be certain purchasing long-term care insurance would not be duplication.


Making Choices


Insurance experts advise senior citizens to proceed with caution when choosing health insurance plans from private companies. Review contracts closely before signing and pay by check. If an elderly consumer feels uncomfortable making a decision on purchasing health care insurance, a relative or friend may agree to be present. Look to reputable companies with a long stable track record of providing health insurance. The Social Security Administration and the official department of insurance in the senior citizen's home state can provide assistance in determining the validity and need for specific health care insurance policies.







Tags: care insurance, health care, senior citizens, health insurance, health care insurance

How Do Cat Scans Work

How Do Cat Scans Work?


The Beginning


The computerized axial tomography, or CAT, scan machine was invented in 1972 by a British engineer named Godfrey Hounsfield from EMI Labs in England and physicist Allan Cormack from Tufts University in Massachussetts. The CAT scan machine has come a long way since the beginning. Initially it was used for images of the head but now can be used to secure an image from any part of the body. Advances have also come in the speed of reading an image. An image that once took days to construct is now available in 5 to 10 seconds. In 1979 Hounsfield and Cormack won the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their contribution to medical science.


The Technology


During a CAT scan, the patient is placed on a platform bed. This bed moves slowly through a ring which can be built into a wall or in the CAT machine itself. Attached to this ring is a moveable X-ray detector and X-ray tube. As the patient moves through the ring on the bed, a motor turns the ring while the detector and tube scan the body and send the images back to a computer. The body is scanned one "slice" at a time so that the machine can pick up a more accurate photo. Scanning the body in a circular motion gives more accurate information from the shadows and lights that are created by the machine, such as size and thickness of an internal object or mass.


These X-ray beams are much more powerfu than a simple X-ray machine. They not only pass through soft objects such as human body tissue, but they also can pass through dense objects such as bone and rock.


The shadow and light images that are picked up are sent back to a computer which takes all the data and creates an accurate picture of the inside of the body and bone structure.


The Benefits


CAT scan machines take X-ray technology a few steps further. While X-rays can reveal a mass inside the human body, a 3-dimensional reading from a CAT scan can reveal the size, depth and exact location of the same mass. CAT scans take the guesswork and assumption out of medical diagnosis.







Tags: back computer, human body, more accurate, objects such, pass through

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Effective Presentation Skills Training

Keep your audience engaged during training


After effective presentation skills training, participants should leave the session feeling confident that they can give a great presentation to a small or large audience. Make sure your content is interesting and that you meet the needs of your learners. Include interesting, narrated content; visuals to reinforce learning; and hands-on practice sessions in your effective presentation skills training session.


Room Setup


Make sure the room is set up in a way that allows all attendees of the training to be able to see and hear you. Test your audio equipment in advance. Have another person stand at the back of the room to make sure he can hear you and adjust the volume accordingly. Check the room's lighting to make sure it suits your needs. Test your video equipment and make sure that all cables are connected and any remote controls are working properly.


Visual Aids


Use slides to help get your point across. Having slides to show attendees during the training will reinforce what you are telling them by giving them a visual aid. This will help them to retain the information you are presenting.


Content


Your content should include informing the attendees talk in front of a group and combat the effects of stage fright. Include sections on plan a great presentation, make a great first impression and keep an audience engaged. Miscellaneous sections could include body language, the importance of making eye contact and avoid overpreparing.


Role-Playing Activities


Keep your audience engaged by having them participate in role-playing activities. One effective role-playing activity could include having one participant act as the presenter and another act as an annoying person asking many questions. The purpose here would be to help the presenter understand appropriately deal with irritating situations that may develop during his own presentation.


Takeaway Material


Take-away items like manuals or handouts is helpful to participants. They will then have something to refer to after the training is complete. Create a manual that follows your training agenda. It could include slides and notes from your presentation. Participants can follow along with the manual and make necessary notes in the margin. Handouts could include resources such as phone numbers or websites that might be helpful to participants later.


Practice


Leave ample time during your training for participants to practice their presentation skills. This will allow them to practice the material you just gave them while it is fresh in their mind. Also, you are on hand to answer questions or provide assistance if they get stuck.


Following Up


Think about sending participants a survey or questionnaire so you can get their honest feedback. You could hand out surveys to participants to complete in class or you could send one out to them electronically. Either way, let them know how vital their feedback is to future training sessions so they'll be sure to complete the survey.







Tags: could include, audience engaged, make sure, presentation skills, during training

Detect A Blood Clot

Blood clots form when blood coagulates and hardens inside a blood vessel or the heart. Sometimes, the clot may travel to another part of the body. When this happens, it is called an embolus. Untreated blood clots can cause tissue damage or death. Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occurs when a clot develops in a large vein. The CDC estimates that as many as 600,000 Americans experience a DVT each year, with 100,000 of those cases causing death.


Instructions


1. Speak with your doctor about your risk factors for blood clots and DVT. You may need testing to help detect blood clots early if you are at increased risk. Risk factors include immobility, recent injury or major surgery, previous clotting problems, obesity, smoking, increased estrogen, age and certain medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease.


2. Watch for symptoms of blood clots and DVT and report them immediately to your doctor. Swelling, tenderness, pain and skin redness may indicate deep vein thrombosis. Symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs, or pulmonary embolism, include breathing difficulties, increased heart rate, chest pain, coughing up blood and low blood pressure. Small clots may cause no symptoms.


3. Visit your doctor for testing if you have risk factors or symptoms. Lung function tests, such as pulse oximetry and arterial blood gases, may be ordered to check for clots in the lungs or heart. Your doctor may also order chest x-rays, CT scans, a pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan or a pulmonary angiogram.


4. Undergo a doppler ultrasound examination to check for blood clots. Ultrasound tests use sound waves to examine the flow of blood through your veins. The results will be abnormal if a clot is slowing or stopping blood flow anywhere in your body.


5. Agree to venography, a test where your doctor injects dye into your veins to detect blood clots. Once the dye is in your circulatory system, x-rays will be taken to look for clotting.


6. Have an electrocardiogram, or ECG, done to check for heart strain caused by blood clots. This is a simple procedure that involves attaching electrodes to the skin to record the heart's electrical activity. An echocardiogram and chest MRI may also be done to evaluate your heart and help detect blood clots.







Tags: blood clots, detect blood clots, your doctor, clots cause, detect blood

Annual Osha Training

What does OSHA require?


The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has a myriad of regulations governing the safe work practices of the American worker. In every task that is covered in the regulation, OSHA mandates some form of training to ensure the proficiency of the worker to safely complete the task. It is required with some of the tasks that training refreshers be done annually to maintain proficiency.


29 CFR: Parts and Subparts


The OSHA regulations, commonly known as the 29 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), are broken down into parts and subparts. The foundational section is Part 1910: General Industry. Regulations are further broken down into: Maritime, Parts 1915, 1917, 1918, which includes shipbuilding, marine terminals and longshoring; Construction, Part 1926; Agricultural, Part 1928; and Federal Employee Programs, Part 1960.


The General Industry Part serves as the foundation of all the other parts. That is, where the task is duplicated, reference is made to the corresponding task in the General Industry Part. Parts are broken down into subparts and then into tasks. Some of the tasks in the subparts require annual training.


29 CFR 1910 Subpart G


The first mention of annual training can be found in subpart G. Hearing protection is to be taught to all affected employees, according to the regulations, and then annually thereafter to ensure that the employee maintains proficiency in the practice. Part of the annual training can include auditory tests.


29 CFR 1910 Subpart H


If your company deals with Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, the regulation explains the various levels of initial training required. The annual training required varies with the tasks that workers are required to perform. The greater the task, the greater the initial and annual training required.


29 CFR 1910 Subpart I


If employees perform any tasks requiring the use of a respirator, then their initial and ongoing training must be part of a respiratory program. This program is noted in other subparts as part of the ongoing and annual training as well.


29 CFR 1910 Subpart J


Subpart J deals with Environmental Controls, including Confined Space Entry. If your company deals with entrance into Permit-Required Confined Spaces, then you must have a rescue plan for workers who enter these spaces. Initial and annual training must be conducted for the Rescue and Emergency Services for confined space entry.


29 CFR 1910 Subpart L


When a company provides portable fire extinguishers in the work place it is assumed that the employees who work in that area may one day choose to use the extinguisher. With that in mind, the employees must know use them. Subpart L deals with the initial and the annual training of employees on the proper use of fire extinguishers.


29 CFR Subpart Z


Subpart Z deals with Hazardous Communications and lists 28 chemical and biological hazards that employees must be trained on initially and annually. The list begins with awareness to asbestos in the work place and includes blood-borne pathogens, lead, and cotton dust, to name a few.







Tags: annual training, 1910 Subpart, deals with, broken down, broken down into

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Make Spiced Parsnip Wine

Make Spiced Parsnip Wine


This is a spicy wine that is great for making in midwinter, when the seasonal frost has boosted the sugar content of the root vegetables. Add this to my Recipe Box.


Instructions


1. Scrape or peel the parsnips.


2. Bruise the ginger and cut the peel of the fruit into thin slices.


3. Add the parsnips to a pan containing 6 pints of water.


4. Add the ginger and fruit peel and boil until the parsnips are tender.


5. Squeeze the juice from the oranges and the lemon and add to the strained juice from the parsnips.


6. Dissolve the sugar into the wine mix, stirring well.


7. Allow to cool to 70 degrees Fahrenheit then add the yeast, yeast nutrient and the pectic enzyme and cover.


8. Stir every day for five days then pour into the demijohn and add the air lock.


9. Leave in a warm place to ferment until the wine clears (this will take about two months). Rack and leave to settle then rack again in two months and bottle.







Tags: juice from, Make Spiced, Make Spiced Parsnip, Parsnip Wine, Spiced Parsnip

Review Home Health Care Contracts

Review Home Health Care Contracts


Getting a reliable home health care company can be a challenge. When you or your loved one is in need of quality home health care services having a comprehensive contract is essential. Going over the terms of the contract before signing it is the only way to ensure that you or your loved one will have their care needs met.


Instructions


1. Consult with an attorney who specializes in managed care contracts.


2. Determine if the drafted contract is with an agency or an individual. This will let you know who you are dealing with and whether or not several different people will be responsible for you or your loved one's care or just one person.


3. Look for terms that provide measurable outcomes. Words like "high quality" and "affordable" should not be used as these can't be specifically measured.


4. Understand what your responsibilities are as far as reporting of the care giver's taxable income. If you are working with an independent contractor make sure the contractor is responsible for reporting all of their own income to avoid tax issues.


5. Ask for credentials and references as a part of the agreement. Requirements for background checks should also be included.


6. Make sure the duties of the caregiver or agency are specifically listed in the contract. Include all agreed upon items. Don't leave anything to word of mouth.


7. Require that the contract include names of all parties to whom the caregiver or agency is directly responsible. This should also include those who are entitled to reports from the care giver or agency.







Tags: your loved, Care Contracts, care giver, caregiver agency, health care, Health Care Contracts

Education For Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Education for Diagnostic Medical Sonography


A diagnostic medical sonographer is a vital member of the medical team. A sonographer assists in the diagnosing of illness using sonography. Sonography is the use of sound waves to produce an image of the body's insides. While sonography is well known for its use during pregnancy to check on the developing fetus, it also plays an important part in medical diagnosis. As with all medical positions, there are certain education requirements that must be met to become a diagnostic medical sonographer.


Traits and Skills


A diagnostic medical sonographer should possess certain traits and skills to do his job well. Good communication skills are necessary. Sonographers will often have to explain the sonography procedure to patients and may have to reassure them. Since many patients are afraid of medical procedures and tests, it is important for a sonographer to be good at working with people and have compassion for patients. Sonographers should also possess good hand-eye coordination and should have a love of learning, because sonographers continue to learn long after official training has ended.


Training


There is no specific education that diagnostic medical sonographers are required to have. Some sonographers are trained on the job at hospitals or clinics, but most employers prefer sonographers to be graduates of a diagnostic medical sonography program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accredited programs include two-year and four-year programs. Many of the two-year programs are available at community colleges and technical schools.


Certification


Certification is not required for sonographers, but it can lead to better career opportunities. The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers offers a voluntary certification and registration leading to the RDMS, or Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. To become an RDMS, sonographers must register for and then pass a general exam on physical principles and instrumentation and a specialty exam on obstetrics, neurosonography or abdominal sonography. Continuing education is required to keep the RDMS status.


Advancement


Advancement is gained by cross-training in other specialties. A sonographer who specializes in abdominal sonography might study obstetrics or vice versa. Some sonographers go on to management positions or gain further education so they can teach other sonographers. Other opportunities include research, administration and other careers in the medical field.


Employment Outlook


The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that careers in diagnostic medical sonography will grow faster than average. Those who choose this career are likely to continue to find employment as more people seek medical care.







Tags: diagnostic medical, diagnostic medical sonographer, abdominal sonography, Diagnostic Medical, Education Diagnostic

Monday, November 23, 2009

Use One Boot Instead Of Two Compression Boots

Compression boots are commonly used after surgery.


Compression boots promote circulation and help treat conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis, venous stasis and lymphedema. Hospitals use them on patients who have had surgery or who are on bed rest to prevent blood clots from forming in the legs. Typically, patients use both boots at the same time and they intermittently inflate and deflate. However, it is possible to benefit from the use of one boot at a time if the condition exists in only one leg or the patient is uncomfortable with both boots on at the same time.


Instructions


1. Sit in a comfortable position, preferably with legs extended in front and propped up at chest level. This position itself helps promote leg circulation.


2. Place the compression boot on one leg and turn on. Boots cycle through inflation and deflation at different times depending on the type of boot.


3. Leave the boot on your leg for the recommended time. If able, make ankle circles and move the foot back and forth on the leg without the boot.


4. Remove the compression boot from the first leg and put it on other leg. Leave it on for the doctor-recommended amount of time. Move the foot and ankle around on the leg without the boot.


5. Repeat the process as often as prescribed by the doctor.







Tags: boots same, boots same time, both boots, both boots same, compression boot, Compression boots

What Are Fellowship Grants

Fellowships are merit-based, not need-based financial awards.


A fellowship grant is funding designed to help an applicant either financially or by providing valuable on-the-job training. While the terms scholarships, fellowships and grants are interchangeable, fellowship grants tend to offer the most freedom for the recipient. A recipient of a fellowship is a "fellow," and most people refer to fellowship grants simply as "fellowships."


Provisions


In some circles, fellowships go to students in universities who are moving on to advanced studies. Organizations usually provide fellowships by setting up an account with the university to pay for the advanced studies. The difference between fellowships and grants is largely a semantic one. However, the federal government does not bestow fellowships. It only gives out grants.


Merit


Fellowships are typically merit-based, unlike grants, which are need-based. Therefore, if someone applies for a fellowship and is financially sound, that does not affect his fellowship proposal. Organizations giving fellowships base them on submitted projects, but recipients need not use them for their projects. Some, such as the Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship, simply require submission of a script. If the script passes muster from a panel of judges, the applicant becomes one of five fellows. In addition to receiving $30,000, Nicholl fellows tend to have doors opened in Hollywood for their work.


Applications


The process of applying for a fellowship is time-consuming. An applicant has to find a fellowship that applies to whatever project she wishes to pursue. Then, she submits an application along with required essays. In addition, the application package needs to contain resumes and letters of recommendation. The fellowship board reviews the application. If the board is interested in further contact, an interview is set up. Even if the fellowship is not given, preparing an application package can provide valuable insights for the applicant, helping to define goals and possibly even choose a different career path.


Opportunities


Fellowships can provide worthwhile opportunities. For example, the Latin American Security, Drugs and Democracy Fellowship looks for advanced graduate-level students that want to help solve drug problems in Latin America. The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship selects fellows to Washington, DC, setting them up as full-time junior staff members of an organization where they would like to work.







Tags: advanced studies, application package, fellowship grants, fellowships grants

Schools For Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Diagnostic medical sonography programs can be found at specialty schools, community colleges and private schools.


Diagnostic medical sonographers are also known as ultrasound technicians. Sonographers operate ultrasound equipment that produces images of different parts of the body in order to help physicians diagnose and treat patients' problems. Many diagnostic medical sonography programs can be found at specialty schools, community colleges and private schools. According to Indeed.com, as of May 2010 the average annual salary for sonographers in the United States is $74,000.


Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences


Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences is a private college that works closely with Florida Hospital and is owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Located in Orlando, Fla., FHCHS offers a fully accredited diagnostic medical sonography program that leads to an associate in science degree. FHCHS offer two program options. The general ultrasound program includes abdominal, OB/GYN and superficial structures sonography. The cardiovascular ultrasound program includes echocardiography and vascular sonography. The classes you will take depend on the program option you choose. Whichever program you're in, your classes will include introduction to sonography, anatomy and physiology, cross-sectional anatomy and medical terminology. Generally, it will take about two years to complete either program option. Graduates are eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers exam to become licensed sonographers.


Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences


671 Winyah Drive


Orlando, FL 32803-1226


800-500-7747


www.fhchs.edu/


GateWay Community College


GateWay Community College is a public community college in Phoenix, Ariz. GCC's diagnostic medical sonography program is fully accredited and prepares graduates to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers exam to become licensed sonographers. The program is offered as a certificate and associate degree program. The certificate program is shorter and does not require general education classes as the associate degree program does. In either program track, core courses include introduction to diagnostic ultrasound, medical ultrasound physics and instruments, ultrasound anatomy, neurosonography and abdominal procedures. Generally it will take 18 months to two years to complete either program, not including any prerequisite classes you may need.


GateWay Community College


108 N. 40th St.


Phoenix, AZ 85034


602-286-8000


www.gatewaycc.edu‎/


Montgomery College


Montgomery College is a private college in Silver Spring, Md.,just outside Washington, D.C. Montgomery's diagnostic medical sonography program is fully accredited and is offered as a certificate and associate degree program path. Both programs have similar classes, but the associate degree program includes general education requirements. The core classes are the same in both programs. Some of the coursework includes introduction to sectional anatomy, acoustical physics and instrumentation, abdominal sonography, adult echocardiography, breast sonography and vascular sonography. Both program options will qualify you to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers exam to become a licensed sonographer.


Montgomery College


7600 Takoma Ave.


Silver Spring, MD 20912-4197


240-567-1300


www.montgomerycollege.edu‎/







Tags: associate degree, associate degree program, degree program, Florida Hospital, American Registry

Friday, November 20, 2009

Easy Exercises To Make Your Breasts Bigger

The breast is made up almost entirely of fatty tissue. There are no muscles, so no direct exercise will produce larger breasts. Most women will lose breast mass when they begin a regular exercise program, and in fact some will lose significant mass. This does not mean, however, that exercise does not benefit the breasts.


Appearances


A good exercise routine will result in more muscle, which will burn more calories and result in weight loss. This is good, even though some of the weight will be from your breasts. While your breasts might be diminished by as much as a full cup size, the toning and firming of your chest muscles can result in your breasts appearing larger and more perky. A good exercise program will result in the need for a smaller bra, improve your health and make your breasts appear larger.


Best Exercises


The chest muscles are a large and varied muscle group. For best results, concentrate on push-ups, bench presses and flies. You do not need a gym membership. Some small handheld weight, or even wrist weights, are good for the beginner. You can use any solid bench to perform the presses and bench flies.


To properly perform a fly, hold the weights at your side and raise your arms as if trying to fly--but very slowly. Hold your arms at shoulder height for a count of three, then slowly lower them back to the starting position. Perform three sets of each exercise, with a minimum of five to 10 reps per set. Take a brief rest between sets, then push on.


Non-Specific Exercises


There are several yoga stances that are used for breast enhancement. Wall-ups and pec presses are also good for working the chest area. Wall-ups are simply push-ups done against a wall, but they will work a different set of muscles than standard push-ups. To perform a pec press, lie on your back and extend your arms outward. Slowly raise them until they are straight above your chest. Slowly lower then back to the floor, then repeat.


If you have access to a pool, swimming is an excellent exercises to work your chest area. You will also get a good cardiovascular workout.


The most important thing is to stay with your program. You can vary the exercises to keep your workout fresh, but set a time and place to work out and do it. The results will come.







Tags: your breasts, your arms, your chest, also good, chest area

Uterine Fibroid Laser Treatment

Uterine fibroids are quite common, and usually go away on their own. Even when this does not occur, these fibroids are usually benign. However, when they result in continued pain and show signs of growth, they should be eliminated. Laser treatment has emerged as a far less invasive alternative to hysterectomy.


When Is It Used?


This procedure is generally used when the patient experiences pelvic pain or bleeding, or when there are signs that the uterus presses on other organs. Women attempting to become pregnant should avoid this procedure.


How Does It Work?


A small abdominal incision is made, and the doctor guides the laser with help from imaging equipment. The laser's energy either cuts off the blood supply to the fibroid or destroys the fibroid's tissues.


Benefits


Laporoscopic myolysis uses a fiber-optic or electrical instrument that requires no incisions and causes little blood loss, and complications are generally less serious than with surgical removal. Laser treatment also has no effect on fertility, and the uterus and lining remain intact.


Disadvantages


Since the procedure is relatively new, research on long-term effects is not available. And although uterine fibroid malignancies are rare, this procedure does not allow those odd cases to be identified, since no sample is retrieved for biopsy.


After the Procedure


Recovery time is shorter than with surgery; one week is typical. Some pain can be expected because tissues are destroyed during treatment.


Results


Fibroids usually shrink by up to 40 percent within six months of the procedure, but recurrence is possible. Women can become pregnant after the treatment.







Tags: become pregnant, Laser treatment, than with, this procedure

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Does No Health Insurance Mean I Won'T Get Treatment

Hospitals must treat you in an emergency even without insurance.


If you don't have health insurance, you may have difficulty accessing the medical treatment you need. You probably already know medical care can be quite costly, especially if you have a serious illness or injury. Fortunately, options do exist for the uninsured. You may not find assistance for all the treatment you need, but you should manage to find some help.


Outpatient Treatment


If you don't have health insurance and have trouble affording visits to doctors or for other outpatient medical care, you can apply for Medicaid. Eligibility criteria vary from state to state, so you may or may not qualify. Apply at your local welfare agency. Most counties also have clinics that provide services on a sliding scale; they base the fees on your income. Contact your local board of health to find out about such clinics in your area. Such clinics may only provide basic medical care, so if you need specialized treatment, they may not meet your needs.


Emergency Medical Treatment


If you need emergency medical treatment or are in active labor, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act says that hospital emergency rooms have to treat you even if you have no insurance and no ability to pay. If it's not a true emergency, they do not have to treat you but most emergency rooms will anyway because it's hard to determine if you have a serious emergency until a doctor examines you and performs any necessary diagnostic tests.


Inpatient Treatment


Medicaid pays for inpatient treatment as well as outpatient treatment -- if you qualify. If you don't qualify for Medicaid and don't have other insurance, hospitals will often admit you anyway and bill you later. Hospitals often have funds to help cover the cost of treatment for uninsured patients. Contact the financial services department at your local hospital for more information.


Prescription Medications


Many pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance plans that provide free medications for people in need if they have no health insurance and have low incomes. Contact the company that makes the medication you need and ask if they have such a program. Usually, you must provide proof of your income and your doctor must fill out a form confirming that you need the medication. In addition, doctors can often give you samples of medication at no cost to you if you just ask them.







Tags: insurance have, have health, have health insurance, health insurance have, medical care, they have

Canine Lactation Disorders

Canine Lactation Disorders


A dog nursing squealing puppies appears to be a normal picture of motherly love. But puppies that continue to vocalize during and after ingesting a meal signify a possible problem with the mother dog's mammary glands and ability to produce milk. Dog owners need to recognize the signs of lactation disorders in their pregnant and nursing dogs so the veterinary treatment necessary for the continued health of the mother and the puppies can be provided.


Mastitis


Mastitis, an infection of the mammary glands, develops in lactating dogs when bacteria move from the teat opening up into the gland. Poor hygiene and trauma from nursing puppies may contribute to the mother dog contracting the disease. The dog's mammary glands become painful and inflamed, and a smelly, discolored milk or discharge can be detected. The mother dog may develop a fever and become lethargic, with little to no appetite. If the mastitis is not treated, the glands can be abscessed, and the lack of nutritional colostrum will cause the puppies to become sick or die.


Most dogs will recover if treated with systemic antibiotics, veterinary draining of the glands and applications of warm water compresses to the affected teats.


Eclampsia


Eclampsia results from the loss of necessary calcium in the mother dog's body during lactation. Animals with particularly large litters are predisposed to this syndrome due to the amount of milk production needed to feed the puppies. Small dogs with more than one or two puppies can also contract the disorder.


Canines with eclampsia, also called puerperal tetany, will experience restlessness, panting and severe muscular spasms, typically two to three weeks after whelping. Because calcium regulates cell function in skeletal and cardiac muscles, the dog's heart rhythms can become irregular and the mother dog may slip into a coma and cardiac arrest. Treatment consists of infusion of intravenous calcium and removing the puppies off the mother as soon as possible.


Pseudopregnancy


Pseudopregnancy, also called false or phantom pregnancy, occurs when the female dog develops all the signs of pregnancy without the presence of an embryo. She may show signs of abdominal enlargement and her mammary glands can swell, fill with milk and begin dripping. The dog might exhibit behavioral changes, including nest building, hiding and aggression.


Commonly seen in animals 40 to 60 days after a heat cycle, false pregnancy can lead to pyometra (infection and inflammation of the uterus) if not treated with hormones.


Mammary Cancers


Mammary tumors, commonly found in older unspayed dogs, can exhibit as small, benign nodules or larger, metastatic growths in the glands. They can be a mix of both benign and metastatic cells. The overgrowth of cancerous cells in the animal's mammaries interferes with the production of colostrum and milk in the pregnant and nursing dog. These cancers grow rapidly and can quickly spread to the animal's lymph nodes and other organs without veterinary treatment.


An intact female dog appears to contract mammary neoplasia (cancer) due to the increase of estrogen released during numerous estrous (heat) cycles, according to Dr. Allison McCarthy, Dr. Perry Bain and Dr. Kenneth Latimer of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. In their article "Canine Mammary Cancer," the doctors state that the risk of developing mammary gland tumors is 0.05 percent if the dog is spayed prior to the first estrous cycle.







Tags: mammary glands, also called, Canine Lactation, Canine Lactation Disorders, Lactation Disorders

Hide Your Midlife Tummy

Low-cut pants accentuate your bulge.


Women typically face the midlife spread as middle age approaches. Having kids may have stretched out your stomach and left it loose and flabby, while decreased metabolism as you get older leads to weight gain that tends to accumulate around the middle. But it doesn't have to mean resigning yourself to wearing muumuus the rest of your life. With the right clothing choices, you can look as good as you feel.


Instructions


1. Slip into some shapewear. You may fear the girdle, but when it comes to smoothing out your tummy, nothing will work better. Some styles cover your underwear and come up higher than your belly button, while others are tight-fitting tank tops that go down to the hips. Either style will help flatten your belly.


2. Choose long tops whether you're wearing a skirt or pants. A shirt that sits at the waist can emphasize the bulge below. Instead, choose something that sits at mid-hip.


3. Hike up your pants. Low cuts look best on those with flat stomachs and, if you wear them, you may find that your tummy hangs over the edge. Instead, look for mid-rise or high-rise pants.


4. Avoid clothes that have embellishments at the waist, which draw eyes toward your tummy. Something that ties at the side, however, such as a sarong-style skirt, can be slimming.


5. Look for clothes that have ruching, a crinkled look that can hide your tummy.


6. Purchase clothes that fit and don't get caught up by the number on the tag. If something is too tight, it's going to make you look bad.







Tags: your tummy, clothes that, clothes that have, that have, that sits, your belly

Early Signs Of Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer cannot usually be detected by means of an ultrasound or mammogram, although there are definitive signs that--if presented--need to be examined by a qualified health professional immediately. This aggressive, accelerated type of breast cancer that has already advanced from its original starting point makes the breast swollen and tender.


Misdiagnosis


Often inflammatory breast cancer is misdiagnosed as a simple breast infection and the victim is given antibiotics and sent home, when in fact treatment for inflammatory cancer should begin. Misdiagnosis robs unsuspecting women of precious time and delays their treatment by weeks. A second opinion is advised if you think you have been misdiagnosed.


Age Range


Typically, inflammatory breast cancer affects women over 50, although women as young as 30 have also been diagnosed. Rare but deadly, this cancer warrants immediate action by the victim to benefit from early intervention and treatment.


Signs


One breast rapidly changes over a relatively short period of time--days or weeks. The affected breast is bright red and swollen, and tender and warm to the touch. The breast may take on a dark red to purplish, bruised appearance that may fade but doesn't disappear. Signs of breast cancer may include dimpling of the breast or underarm. The dimpling looks similar to the skin of an orange peel; thus, it is called "peau d'orange," which in French means orange peel. Thickening of the breast skin or heaviness may be apparent, including an obvious increase in size. This size increase is due to fluids "water-logging" the lymph nodes and breast tissue that now has nowhere to go. Enlarged lymph nodes may be present in the neck above the collarbone and/or under the arms. Swollen or crusty skin may affect the nipple and the breast. The nipple may have discharge and develop a flattened appearance or an inverted look. Any or all of these signs should be evaluated by a qualified health professional to ensure prompt treatment and a better chance of survival.


Effects


Effects of inflammatory breast cancer may end with a mastectomy of the affected breast or breasts. Death may occur if inflammatory breast cancer spreads to other organs and they fail. Treatments for inflammatory breast cancer include medications, surgery and radiation therapy. Lymph nodes are removed from under the arm and tested to see if the cancer has spread to this area.


Expert Insight


According to the Mayo Clinic, "Inflammatory breast cancer accounts for between 1 and 6 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States. Survival rates are lower than those observed in other locally advanced breast cancers." See "Additional Resources," below, for more information from the Mayo Clinic on inflammatory breast cancer.







Tags: breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, breast cancer, inflammatory breast, affected breast, breast cancer include, cancer include

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Write A Formal Essay Outline

Writing an outline can help you brainstorm and organize your ideas.


Before you sit down to write an essay, it is a good idea to map out the concepts you wish to explore in your paper. Creating an outline is a good way to organize and categorize information before writing an essay. Making an outline can also help you brainstorm your thoughts and streamline the overall writing process. The most recognizable format of a formal outline is alpha-numeric, where sections are labeled with letters and numbers.


Instructions


1. List all of the major ideas of your paper as headings for each section. The major ideas can be listed in phrase form or as full sentences. For example, for your introduction heading could be labeled simply "I. Introduction" or "I. Introduction: My Educational History."


2. List subheadings under each major heading. If following the alpha-numeric format, the subheadings will be labeled with capitalized letters. The subheadings should be details of each heading, in the order that you wish to discuss them. Subheadings should categorically match each heading. For example, if the heading is labeled "II. High School Experience," possible subheadings would be labeled, "A. Worst Math Class" or "B. Favorite English Teacher."


3. List the descriptions for each subheading. Following the alpha-numeric format, the descriptions under each subheading would be labeled with Arabic numerals. The details can be in full sentence format, to help you better organize your thoughts on paper. At this point, a section in the outline would look something like this:


II. My High School Experience: The best and worst of times


A. My Worst Math Class was Algebra III


1. The guy who sat behind me fell asleep and snored loudly every day.


4. Write your essay using the formal outline as a step-by-step guide. You could start your essay by using the outline as a fill-in-the-blank template. Later, during revisions, you could edit out the numbering and labeling system.







Tags: labeled with, alpha-numeric format, each heading, each subheading, essay using

Why Do Body Parts Fall Asleep

Position


Oftentimes a body part will fall asleep as the person sleeps or sits in a certain way, since he may be unintentionally positioning a body part in a way that applies pressure to the nerves, thus cutting off their communication with the rest of the body, primarily the brain. The nerves can also be cut off if blood is restricted from the body part from an awkward positioning of limbs, since the nerves need blood in order to function.


Sleeping Nerves


The nerves themselves are made up of fibers of differing thickness and sensitivity. When a body part is asleep, the messages from the nerves to the brain are inhibited. When a body part is shifted so that the nerves can regain their functionality, they "wake up," either by a lack of pressure or resurgence of blood, and begin sending their messages to the brain in different orders depending on their size.


Waking Up


The smallest nerves awake first and the more sensitive, larger nerves awake last. The first nerves to awake are the ones controlling pain and temperature, thus the tingly sensation. Next, the touch nerves awake, and the limb is no longer numb. Finally, the motor neurons are able to communicate with the brain, and control over limb movement is restored.







Tags: body part, nerves awake, When body, When body part

Give Support To Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

Comforting a terminally ill cancer patient be as simple as just spending time with that person.


Approximately 3.5 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in 2010, according to cancer.org. The survival rate varies on the person and type of cancer. Although many people will battle and beat cancer, many others will be considered terminally ill, meaning the patient will die as a result of the cancer. Knowing support a terminally ill patient is difficult, and the type of support a terminally ill patient needs will vary by the patient.


Instructions


1. Offer to listen and hear what the patient has to say. Avoid being judgmental, and prepare to hear a variety of emotions, including anger and frustration.


2. Ask the patient what he needs or what would make him more comfortable. Perhaps this is music, special books or a visit from a certain person. Try to meet any requests the patient has. If a request is not possible to fill, ask the patient if there is anything else you can do as a substitute.


3. Arrange to help the immediate family. Perhaps the spouse could benefit from having meals prepared and brought to him so he can be at his wife's bedside. Child care might be needed. Reducing stress from the patient's loved ones can also reduce the cancer victim's stress.


4. Offer to record messages for the patient. Some patients might wish to leave a video message for young children, unborn grandchildren or others, which could be nothing more than a legacy of who he is.


5. Be present. If your friend or loved one is afraid to die, be there for her. If you can't be present, arrange for others to sit with her through her fear. You can only do so much and be there so much, but your presence or the presence of another person can be very comforting to a terminally ill cancer patient.


6. Incorporate things the patient likes into visits. If the patient loves flowers, bring in fresh flowers for a visit. If the patient loves a certain cookie, bring this if it's allowed. If the patient loves to read but no longer can, bring a book on CD for her to listen to.


7. Offer comfort and as much understanding as possible. Don't pretend to understand what the patient is going through. You haven't died, and left loved ones so you don't know what it is like to face certain death. Hugs and even holding a hand might bring the patient much comfort.







Tags: patient loves, cancer patient, loved ones, support terminally patient, terminally cancer patient

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Get Free Medical Care

With today's economy and the high cost of health care it can be very difficult to find medical care for you and your family. However, there are ways that you can get free medical care to reduce costs. Find free medical care in your community.


Instructions


1. Free Medical Care in Free Clinics


One way that you can get free medical care is to go to a free clinic. There are free clinics in most cities and larger towns and you can get free medical care in those clinics. Freemedicalcamps.com is a great site to get free medical care through free clinics in your state. They list free clinics in each state that provide free medical care.


2. Medline Plus


Medline Plus is a government site that helps people to find free medical care. Once at the Medline Plus page search for your condition and you can find free medical care for your specific health condition. Free medical care is available through the government and clearinghouses on this site.


3. Get Free Medical Care Through Medical Schools


You can get free medical care through searching local medical schools. You can find a list of medical schools at AAMC and from there search for medical schools in your area that provide free medical care. Call the school and ask about free or low cost clinics that provide free medical care through the medical school.


4. State and County Health Departments To Get Free Medical Care


You can also call your state and county health department to get free medical care. These centers often offer public services to help people in their community find free medical care or low cost medical care. They often sponsor "clinic days" at schools and community centers where people can receive free medical care.







Tags: medical care, free medical, free medical care, free medical care, medical care, care your

About Mastectomy Operations

Among the many vacillating changes in a woman's body, the last thing she wants to face is the possibility of a mastectomy operation, which removes one of the most visible defining factors of her womanhood. On the other hand, there are some preventative measures that can be taken before things ever get to that point, and supportive means to assist during such a process.


Types


After the anesthesia has set in, a horizontal or diagonal incision will be made across the breast. Once the incision is made, the surgeon will proceed to remove the lymph nodes (also known as lymph glands) and breast tissue. In a simple mastectomy all breast tissue is removed; a tube is usually inserted for drainage during the operation. The tube is removed a few days following surgery, usually once drainage is less than 20-30 ml/day. In addition to breast removal, all fatty tissue and lymph nodes are removed during a modified radical mastectomy, and the major and minor pectoral muscles behind the breast are removed in a radical or halsted mastectomy.


Types


To preserve the skin during surgery, the breast tissue is removed via an incision in the areola in what's called a "skin-sparing mastectomy." Historically done for benign tumors, a "subcutaneous mastectomy" will be performed, removing the breast tissue while preserving the areola (the dark part around the nipple).


Considerations


After the operation, your surgeon will consult with you about the different types breast reconstruction. You can have this done during or after the operation. About a week after the operation, your stitches will be removed. If dissolvable stitches were used, they will automatically vanish within 7-10 days. Another thing you may want to consider before undergoing surgery is to make sure any pressing or time-sensitive issues are handled, because it is not advisable to sign any important documents, drink alcohol, drive or operate machinery about 48 hours after the operation.


Time Frame


Depending on the surgeon and type of mastectomy, the operation may last about one to two hours. The hospital stay after surgery is about 10 days, once again depending on the type of surgery performed. Fasting is usually required leading up to the operation, which means you will likely be asked not to eat or drink anything approximately six hours before receiving anesthesia.


Warning


Before opting to have a mastectomy, be certain that you are clearly aware of the possible side affects and/or complications associated. If any complications are to occur, they will likely do so during or after surgery. Some complications may arise out of an unforeseen reaction to anesthesia; blood clotting for excess bleeding may occur. Other possible complications may appear after surgery, such as uncomfortable sensations and/or pain (some numbness may even be experienced). Fluid build up is unlikely but possible, causing pain and swelling in the arm. Pain traveling from the armpit to the hand is another possible complication/side effect; however, an antibiotic and physiotherapy can aid in this recovery process.







Tags: breast tissue, after surgery, about hours, after operation, breast tissue removed, during after, lymph nodes

Monday, November 16, 2009

Duties For A Radiology Resident

Radiologists can find broken bones, tumors and other anomalies.


Radiologists use imaging technology such as X-rays, sound waves and magnetic resonance to produce images of the inside of the human body. These images are used to help pinpoint problems with a patient quickly and painlessly. Radiologists make from $42,000 to $164,000 annually, according to Payscale.com. Like all doctors, they must complete a training period as a resident to perform their job.


Counsel Patients


Patients who are in the radiology department may be suffering from a serious illness. Others may be worried that they have an undiagnosed disease. As a result, they may be highly nervous or even agitated. The radiology resident talks with these patients to help keep them calm. The patients will receive a consent questionnaire that will ask them if they have any concerns about their procedure. The resident will review this questionnaire with the patient and discuss any problems with the patient. This responsibility can include working with a clinician to obtain any medications the patient may need. Having a calm patient helps ensure the procedure goes smoothly.


Maintain Safety


The radiology resident must make sure that the patient is safe while in the radiology department and that all safety procedures are followed and maintained during all scanning procedures. Safety procedures include putting a protective lead apron on the areas of the patient's body that are not being scanned. Goggles may also be necessary for some procedures. All complications that arise must be addressed by the radiology resident. Complications may include a patient complaining about pain, anxiety or an allergic reaction; a machine malfunction; or a sudden interruption in the procedure. If the patient seems to be suffering from a serious medical condition, the radiologist resident must contact a doctor, as radiologist residents are not qualified to treat such conditions. The resident is responsible for obtaining the correct doctor for the situation.


Perform Limited Procedures


The radiology resident will not perform the full duties of a radiologist. However, she will have some limited medical procedure duties that can help prepare her for her job as a radiologist. Performing these minor procedures frees the radiologists to perform more complex duties, such as analyzing scan readings to determine the problem. The resident also has an opportunity to analyze scan readings. The radiologist may seek the resident's opinion on the scans to test the resident's knowledge. However, the radiologist is responsible for the official reading.







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10 Questions To Ask Your Doctor

Asking your doctor questions about your health will keep you informed so you can take action to get healthy.


One of the most important aspects of the doctor-patient relationship is open communication. Oftentimes, a patient will hold a doctor or other health care professional in such high regard that he or she neglects to ask crucial questions. Due to the high volume of patients that one doctor can see in a day, a day's work can become routine, and each patient may not get the individualized treatment that's necessary. Utilize 10 key questions to ask your doctor to ensure you are getting the most individualized treatment you deserve.


How Necessary is This Test?


Many doctors live in fear being sued and therefore institute the better-to-be-safe-than-sorry perspective. Make sure you ask your doctor about the purpose of the test and accuracy of the test. Some tests can have a high false-positive rate, which leads to a different test needing to be done. Also, ask your doctor the benefits and risks of having the test. According to Harvard medical researchers, an estimated 1.5 percent of all cancers in the United States are caused by radiation from CT scans. Ask if there are any alternatives for finding out the necessary information. If you do opt to have the test done, make sure you ask the doctor prepare for the test and if there will be any pain. And don't forget to inquire about how long until you get the results and what the next step will be after the test is over.


What Is My Diagnosis?


After receiving your diagnosis, make sure you ask your doctor what this medical condition is exactly. You need to know what caused it, if it is contagious, and how it will affect your life and the lives of your loved ones. Also, make sure your doctor outlines any lifestyle changes that you'll need to make from now on.


Are There Any Other Possiblities This Could Be?


Many medical conditions share the same symptoms, and misdiagnosing is something that occurs all too often. Make sure you are forthcoming with all of your symptoms, no matter how embarrassing or insignificant they may seem. Ask your doctor why she thinks it is this certain condition.


What Treatments Are Available?


First, ask your doctor what she recommends for your treatment. If your medical condition is rare, few treatment options may be available. But for more common ailments, multiple treatment options may exist, including alternative treatments that your doctor may be unfamiliar to your doctor. Ask about the success rate of certain treatments, the procedure, the duration, and if there are any risks or side effects you should be aware of first.


How Can I Ensure Treatment Goes as Smoothly as Possible?


After deciding on a treatment plan, make sure you find out what the do's and don'ts are while you are in the healing process. There may be certain foods, drugs or activities that need to be avoided, or maybe some that can be of some benefit to you.


What Are You Prescribing Me?


Make sure you know what you're being prescribed and all the risks and side effects associated with it.


The ambiguous names of most prescription medications can leave you at the mercy of your pharmacist if you don't ask your doctor the right questions. Have him explain to you what the medicine is and what is it's function. Are there any side effects associated with it? What kind of foods or other medications should be avoided while taking the medicine? How long should it be before the medicine starts taking affect?


What is Your Board-Certified Specialty?


Just because your doctor has a license to practice medicine does not mean he is qualified to treat your medical condition. Ask your doctor if he is board-certified in the particular specialty of your condition. Only board certification confirms that your doctor has received the appropriate specialized training to treat your condition.


What Are the Possible Complications Associated with this Condition?


For whatever reason, maybe you are resistant to getting treatment for your medical condition. If so, ask your doctor what kind of complications you could be facing should you decide to not go through with any treatment.


What Complications are Associated with the Treatment?


The road to recovery may likely be a bumpy one and it's best to prepare yourself for what you can expect. Knowing what to expect can help you take action to counter any problems. It's also a preventative measure to ensure you don't do anything to reverse or worsen your recovery.


How and When Should I Contact You?


Make sure you ask your doctor what methods of contact are available. Many doctor offices have answering services available for after-hours questions or advice. Find out what constitutes an emergency and what side effects or symptoms would require immediate attention.

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