Personal Health Record

A personal health record also known as PHR for short is an important and confidential tool for maintaining your health related information. A PHR can be looked as a digital record or electronic file which contains your health information and recent medial services comprising and not restricting to medical conditions, medications, allergies, doctors visited, etc. This information can be saved once and can be used later by individuals choice. It is the user who controls how the information in digital health record is used and you can grant permission to different people to access it. These digital health record are hosted on internet which makes it available online whenever you wish to access it. But it is quite secure and no one can access it without your permission.

A typical Personal Health Record will provide full and accurate data on the health and medical history of any individual. It may also has necessary electronic credentials which will help in validating the data.

The PHR can be shared with other individuals such as caregivers, family members and providers, etc based on the consent of the owner of the PHR. Ideally, a Personal Health Record contains fairly complete summary of an individual’s health and medical history.

How PHR can help?

- They can help to gather, store and manage lifelong health related data
- Help you to share information with authorized care providers
- It maximizes the health benefits with quick turnaround

What can be part of personal health record?

1. Your name,
2. Birth date
3. Blood type
4. Emergency contact
5. Date of last physical
6. Dates and results of tests and screenings
7. Major illnesses and surgeries, with dates
8. A list of your medicines, dosages and how long you’ve taken them
9. Any allergies
10. Any chronic diseases
11. Any history of illnesses in your family

Home Health Care

Home is the best and most convenient place for persons who wish to remain independent or have the need for specific care. Home Health Care can help to deliver medical services and it can provide a coordinated system of comprehensive, multi-speciality health care services at the comfort of home. It can help to minimize the effects of illness and disability.

Home health care as the name suggests is the health care or support service provided at the convenience of patient’s home by established healthcare professionals. It cna also be provided by some of the family members or friends. Home health care is different from home care which involves care that is provided by persons who are not nurses, doctors, or other licensed medical personnel. Home health care by definition refers to care that is given by registered licensed personnel only.

Home health care is purchased by the user directly. The care is provided either once or twice a day aiming at keeping disabled people healthy and independent with help from a living in nurse or carer. Professional health services at home can include medical or psychological assessment, wound care, medication teaching, etc.

When to choose Home Health Care?

1. Your doctor shuld decide that you need care at home
2. He can make a plan for your care at home
3. Skilled nursing care or physical therapy or speech language pathology services are some of the areas when you would be suggested to take the home health care.
4. If you are unable to leave your home normally, you can rely on home health services.

Select Affordable Health Insurance Plans

There are many Health insurance plans today that it is sometimes very tough to decide which one will fit best for the current situation. There are plans for consumers which are available in many different types and forms not to mention, the different brands of providers available. There are different ways to pau for different treatment options available.

The online world is so diverse and full of information that it is very easy and very difficult to find the best fit affordable health insurance of oneself and family. Most of the programs can be tailor made to meet the unique and specific needs of ones family.

The plans are available both in temporary or short term insurance plans as well as long term or permanant plans. Student health insurance plans are also available from many providers with lucrative schemes. These plans are permanent and specifically made for college students below 30.

Tips on selecting a Affordable Health Insurance Plan

1. Raise your deductibles. It will guarantee a low premium.
2. Consider the cost of co-insurance.
3. Check weather policy meets your medical provider specifications.
4. Tru y to get a separate policy for each member in family.
5. Always opt for health insurance offered by your workplace.
6. Consider COBRA Alternatives
7. Consider the government assisted health programs as well.

A headache in the Pelvis

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a disease which is characterised by pelvic or perineal pain. This condition is often evolved without any urinary tract infection and it generally lasts more than 3 months. The pain occurs in back and rectum which makes it sometimes very acute and it may also soothe down as well. Dysuria, arthralgia, myalgia, abdominal pain, are some of the symptoms. Frequent urination and increased urgency may also be there.

For a Headache in the Pelvis, analysis of urine and expressed prostatic secretions for leukocytes is often confused with each other.

For chronic Cat III Pelvic Pain also known as CP/CPPS, there is a treatment recommended by Dr. Wise. This treatment is known as “Wise-Anderson Protocol” sometimes also known as “Stanford Protocol“. This protocol lays the proper senquence for the treatment of CPPS/CP. The main points of the treatment are laid as under:

1. Medication (using tricyclic antidepressants)
2. Psychological therapy
3. Physical therapy which involves triggering point release therapy on pelvic floor and abdominal muscles
4. Yoga-type exercises which relaxes pelvic and abdominal muscles

This treatment protocool is now being applied by Dr. Wise at National Institute of Health in Washington inorder to standardized it for national trials in 10-12 centers in the US.

The Wise-Anderson Protocol

It includes a six day Comprehensive Pelvic Pain Intensive program at the Clinic for the Wise-Anderson Treatment Protocol. There is another important read about A Headache in the Pelvis.

Facts about Creatine Supplements

Creatine is a compound that supplies needed energy to our muscles. It is naturally manufactured by the human body, and it is also found in some other foods as well such as fresh meat. It is generated in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys, gets distributed through the bloodstream. As it reaches the muscles, it is transformed into creatine phosphate. This metabolite which is very rich in power and energy is used to generate ATP.

Apart from protien supplements, creatine supplements are the most talked about and effective muscle building supplements. These supplements can provide 10 to 15% energy and strength boost. The lean muscles also attain mass gain of up to 10 pounds. Creatine supplements are available in the following formats:

• Creatine powder
• Creatine capsules
• Liquid creatine
• Creatine Blends

Creatine does not help in some of the misinterpreted benefit of burn fat. Creatine also has numerous health benefits. It strengthens muscle cells, helps combat disease, improves mental functioning, and much more. Creatine is also a must have supplement for vegetarians who don’t derive creatine from fresh meat sources.
Bodybuilders use creatine to increase lean muscle mass, and for extra energy and strength and they do not consume the Creatine to burn fat fast.
Powerlifters use creatine to help endure intense workouts, and for the strength gains that it provides.

Proximal Stressors

Proximal stressful events are the presumed ‘causes’ of depression. Some, such as substance abuse (excessive intake of alcohol or drugs, both prescribed and illegal), are more influential than generally conceded.
In non-melancholic disorders, depression is much more a consequence of an interaction between an immediate stressor and the individual’s temperament and personality style. The same stressful event can evoke a wide range of responses in different people. Some may ignore it, others worry about it. Some may feel that ‘all is lost’ and others that the ability to control life has slipped away. The individual’s reaction to the stressor contributes to both the onset of the depression and its severity.
The most common causes of melancholic, psychotic and bipolar depression appear ‘biological’. In the past, melancholic depression was called ‘endogenous’ depression, meaning coming from ‘within’. It was therefore considered to be independent of stress. However, stress may precipitate a biological reaction, thus bringing on depression. (A number of medical conditions, for example diabetes, can be similarly brought on by stress in those predisposed to the disease.) As the melancholic disorders are more likely to commence from the age of 40 onwards, an ‘age effect’ on the brain must be conceded. Some external factors may be relevant for the more biological disorders. For example, in comparison to non-melancholic disorders, the onset of manic, psychotic and melancholic depressive episodes is increased in spring, indicating a seasonal cause. The rapid increase in hours of bright sunshine is thought to trigger depression and mania by affecting the pineal gland.
It does seem that the principle depressive sub-types show varying susceptibility (or resistance) to certain life stresses. This idea is developed further on the following pages.

Onions and the Heart

Onions have been used for 5,000 years to cure virtually everything under the sun. Researchers have found that onion has a boosting effects on HDL (good) cholesterol. It has been found that cooking destroys this capacity of boosting the HDL, which is best derived from raw onions. Also, the active agent is one that gives onion its strong taste. The major effect comes from the hotter white and yellow onions; mild red onions don’t possess the same effect. The stronger the onion taste, the sharper the elevation of HDLs.
Onion possesses a vigorous concoction of chemicals that perform complex chemotherapy on the cardio-vascular system. Onions contain a compound known to lower blood pressure. The onion also contains adenosine and other chemicals that keep platelets from sticking together. Besides, the onion works on another function of the blood; it revs up the body’s fibrimolytic, or blood clot dissolving, system. Just as some onion chemicals keep platelets from getting together, others actively work to dissolve clots as they form. Onions, both cooked and raw, contain chemicals that promote clot break up.
Studies in Massachusetts shows that men with high blood levels of fibrinogen (the basic substance that causes clots) are more likely to suffer strokes and coronary and artery disease. Thus, researcher say, too much fibrinogen in your blood maybe as hazardous as high blood pressure. Onions can effectively combat high fibrinogen.
A string of subsequent studies showed that boiled, raw, and dried as well as fried onions could also partially clear blood of the ill effects of dietary fat. That is why it makes good sense to top your hamburger with a slab of raw onion or stir up a few onions with your meat preparations.

What to do when somebody has collapsed

Facing a situation where somebody has collapsed is frightening, particularly if it is somebody you know. However, there are some very simple steps that you can take to help you decide the best course of action, which in an emergency could mean the difference between life and death.

Check the scene
Is it safe for you to approach the person who has collapsed?
Do not become a victim yourself. Check for dangers such as chemicals, electricity or traffic. If you can safely remove the danger, do so. If not, consider if you can safely and easily move the person from the danger, or whether you need to call for additional help such the fire service.

Check the response
Is the person who has collapsed conscious?
• Gently squeeze the shoulders and ask loudly, ‘Are you all right?’
• Speak loudly and clearly.
• Always assume there may be a neck injury and squeeze gently.
For babies and young children, do not squeeze the shoulders try to provoke a response by stroking the cheek or the sole of the foot and speaking loudly.

If there is no response
If there is no response, the immediate danger is that the casualty might be unconscious and may have a blocked airway or be in need of resuscitation.
• Shout for help.
• If possible, leave the casualty in the position in which you found him and open the airway.
• When it is not possible to carry out an assessment of the casualty in the position found, turn him on to his back and open the airway.

Resuscitation

Resuscitation is the name given to the set of procedures that are applied when a person is not breathing, and their heart has possibly stopped. The full set of procedures is known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CRR). Cardio relates to the heart and pulmonary to the lungs.
The person whose heart has stopped (cardiac arrest), or who is not breathing (respiratory arrest), needs immediate treatment to improve the chances of survival. As speed is a key factor in survival, the treatment needs to be started before the arrival of the emergency ambulance and, as most cardiac arrests happen in the home or in the presence of a family member, friend or colleague, CPR skills are essential for everyone to know.
The best outcomes from cardiac or respiratory arrest are achieved when all the steps in the chain of survival (see panel) are in place.
Chain of survival
• Early call for help
• Early CPR
• Early defibrillation
• Early medical care
The first two of these steps are often in the hands of the first aider.
ABC of Resuscitation
1. Above Lay the victim on his back, tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway. Look at the casualty’s chest for signs of breathing.
2. Above If the person is not breathing, pinch the nose shut and keep the chin tilted. Seal your mouth over the casualty’s and give 2 breaths.
3. Above Place interlocked hands on the casualty’s breastbone, press down, then release. Alternate 15 chest compressions with 2 rescue breaths.
An early call for help
Ambulances today carry a range of equipment and treatments vital to the survival of seriously ill casualties. Calling for an ambulance early is an essential part of the chain of survival, particularly for a casualty whose heart has stopped.
Early CPR
CPR words by putting oxygen into the through breathing into the casualty’s mouth or nose and by pushing the blood around the body by pressing on the chest and compressing the heart. The aim is to keep the person alive until emergency help arrives. Sometimes CPR alone will revive somebody whose heart has stopped but more often it is used to buy time until more advanced procedures are available.
Early Defibrillation
The most effective treatment for an adult whose heart has stopped pumping blood is defibrillation. In simple terms, this is an electric shock delivered in a very specific way to encourage the heart to begin beating effectively again. Defibrillators are carried in most ambulances but are also increasingly found in public places such as shopping malls, railway stations and airports, where local workers will have been trained in their use. Their early use is an essential factor in their effectiveness, highlighting again the need for an early call for help.
Early Medical Care
Medical treatments following cardiac and respiratory arrest are improving all the time. Early access to such treatments in the ambulance and in hospital play a major role in long-term survival rates. 

What can block the airway?

The airway is made up of the nose, mouth and windpipe (trachea). These carry air, containing oxygen, to the lungs and remove the waste product carbon dioxide from the lungs. If the airway becomes blocked, the oxygen levels in the body drop and eventually the vital organs such as the brain and heart stop working. Death will follow unless action is taken.
A number of things can block the airway: blood, food and vomit are among the main culprits. In an unconscious person, however, the biggest risk is from the tongue. When a person loses consciousness the muscles relax. If the person is lying on his back the tongue will fall to the back of the mouth, blocking off the windpipe and stopping oxygen getting into the body.
Clearing the airway is the first step of the essential ABC of first aid. The method of clearing an airway blocked by the tongue is very simple. By tilting the head back and lifting the chin, the tongue is prevented from falling to the back of the throat and the windpipe remains clear.

Open the airway
• Place one hand on the forehead and gently tilt the head back.
• Remove any obvious obstructions from the casualty’s mouth, including dislodged dentures, but leave well-fitting dentures in place.
• Place the fingertips of two fingers under the point of the casualty’s chin and lift the chin. If injury to the neck is suspected, handle the head very gently and try to avoid tilting the head too much.
For a baby, use only one finger to lift the chin and take particular care not to overtilt the head.

Check for breathing
Once the airway is open, the next priority is to check whether or not the person is breathing. Keep the airway open with one hand on the forehead and one hand lifting the chin. Put your cheek to the victim’s face and look down the chest.
• Look for the movement of the chest and stomach.
• Listen for breath sounds.
• Feel for breathing on the side of your face.
If the casualty is breathing, turn into the recovery position.

If the casualty is not breathing
• Call for emergency help.
If you have not already done so, make sure that an ambulance has been called.
• Start resuscitation.

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