Health - Page 2

What Are Dental Veneers and Are they Worth it

Published on

The human body is very strong, durable and it can regenerate quite quickly considering the injury order trauma, but that is not the case for one part of your body. Yes, I am talking about our teeth. Once you lose one tooth, it is gone forever. A new bone will not form and it will not regenerate. This is why it is so important to always protect your teeth. But, even when you do, things could still go wrong and you will have to find a solution such as dental veneers.

However, this solution is not the only option. There are several other alternatives that can resolve your issues. Some are more expensive and others are cheaper. Which solution you should go for depends entirely on your budget and what your dentist recommends.

But, since you are here reading this article, you are probably thinking about dental veneers. To help you finalize this decision, I wanted to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of these veneers. But with this information in mind, you will probably be able to decide whether they are worth it.

What are they?

Source:pathwaydentists.co.nz

Most commonly, this solution is recommended for people that have trouble with the appearance of their teeth. It could be because of discoloration, a broken or chipped tooth, a gap, or whatever the reason. What is important is the fact that you are not satisfied with how your smile looks and you want to fix that.

This is where dental veneers come in. These are very thin pieces of porcelain that are made very similarly to your set of teeth. Once they are made to match the size and shape of your smile, they are attached in front of every tooth individually.

The reason why so many people want to get these is that they are not as expensive as other solutions. Also, it is a much quicker process and less painful.

The average price for adding veneers is anywhere between $1500 and $2000 per tooth. It is not a small amount of money, but considering that you can get more than 10 years out of this, it can be worth it.

Can they fall off?

If you are not at all familiar with dental veneers, you might be worried that they could fall off in the future.

But, really should not be. The fact is that that kind of situation does not happen often. Even if it somehow does, your dentist should be able to fix it for you immediately. Depending on the dentist, you may even get a warranty. No need to pay extra fees for the repair.

Is it a painful process?

This is another question that many patients ask and it is a fair one. People want to prepare both physically and mentally for these kinds of procedures.

Well, the truth is that the procedure can be painful and the level of pain will vary from person to person. But, there is no need to worry because you will be under the effects of anesthesia during the procedure. This is done to minimize the pain.

However, the recovery period after the procedure is actually quite short. Of course, it can hurt for several hours after the effects of anesthesia are gone and the next few days, but after that, you will quickly get adjusted and your gums will heal.

Compare this to any other solutions such as adding crowns and you understand how less painful it really is.

Nevertheless, you will probably get a prescription for painkillers to make this entire process much easier for you. If you ever feel like the pain is increasing, you can take a pill every few hours.

If you are still afraid of the procedure, you can click here and see exactly what professionals have to say about dental veneers. Once everything is properly explained to you, I am sure that you will feel much more confident to go through with it.

Source:signaturedentistry.com.au

What you can and cannot eat

Basically, dental veneers are made out of very durable and high-quality porcelain which means there are not any foods that pose any kind of danger. You have the freedom of eating almost anything want.

However, over longer periods of time, if you continue eating certain foods, that may cause damage.

So, just to be safe and to ensure that your veneers last as long as possible, there might be some foods that you should avoid or at least cut down on use.

A lot of dentists claimed that it is a good idea to cut down on alcohol. Alcohol can be damaging to the bonding material between the tooth and the porcelain.

The same applies to darker liquids such as coffee and red wine. Keep in mind, this does not mean that you should completely avoid alcohol or darker liquids. You should just cut down the consumption rate.

Tobacco is another one of those things that could damage the bonding material.

And last but not least, avoid eating hard foods. Pulling on sticky foods or biting through hard food such as candy is not exactly a good idea.

Are they worth it?

Source:healthline.com

So, the question remains: Is it really worth it to add dental veneers over other solutions?

Well, I think that the answer to this question is a definitive yes. Even though it is not the perfect and most optimal solution, it is still a good choice. You also have to consider that it is the more affordable option compared to dental crowns. Properly developed dental crowns can cost more than $3500 per tooth. Multiply that with the 32 teeth in your mouth. That is a lot of money.

So, if you are having trouble with a broken or chipped tooth or your noticing heavy discoloration because of a root canal, dental veneers is a great option. It is not going to take all of the money out of your bank account and it will last for years.

If you take care of them properly, they could easily last for 15 years or maybe even more.

Best Pregnancy Pillow 2021 – A Complete Buying Guide

Published on
/

When you are pregnant, it is becoming more important for you to take care of your body. From your diet to the way you sleep, you have to develop a good habit that will keep your body and mind in a comfortable state during the pregnancy period. It is especially important for you to be comfortable during your sleep, and this is where the pregnancy pillow is going to help you. Check out this review.

What is Pregnancy Pillow?

Pillow for pregnancy is designed specifically to be used by pregnant women. The pillow has a different form as compared with a regular pillow since it is designed according to the body shape of pregnant women. The main benefit of a pregnancy body pillow is to give the best comfort in your sleep. It also helps you reduce fatigue, sleeplessness, back pain, and other sleep problems that commonly appear when you are pregnant.

Prego pillow is designed to be soft and comfortable to sleep on, with a focus on supporting your tummy so that you don’t hurt your unborn baby during sleep. Other than supporting tummy, many pillows for pregnant moms are designed to support your whole body and allows you to sleep on whatever position that you feel comfortable.

Why Do You Need a Maternity Pillow?

source;verywellfamily.com

Whereas pregnancy body pillow is not a must-have item in your bed when you are pregnant, it is still important to know about the benefits of this type of pillow throughout your pregnancy period. You might still be able to sleep soundly using your regular pillow when you are pregnant, but you will always find that using a maternity pillow can improve your sleep quality significantly. It gives you more comfort during your sleep, and it helps you to wake up feeling refreshed.

Here are some reasons why you need to use a maternity pillow when you are about to sleep:

  • It helps you to keep your body relaxed no matter what position that you choose during your sleep. Maternity body pillow helps to give your body the consistent comfort throughout the night, especially if you change your sleep position often.
  • It prevents allergies during sleep, which are often caused by the materials contained in your pillow. Pregnancy pillows usually use safe materials that help you to prevent allergies and breathing problem during sleep.
  • It helps to keep your body relaxed during sleep with a special focus on your tummy. With this pillow, you can be sure that your unborn baby will feel uncomfortable as well. In this way, you can wake up feeling relaxed because your sleep quality is improved significantly.

Types of Pregnancy Body Pillow

There are various types of pregnancy pillow available in the market today, and you can divide the types of the pillow into four types. Each of the pillows has different advantages and disadvantages.

  • Wedge Pillow
Source:scottsofstow.co.uk

The wedge pillow is the simplest type of pregnancy pillow that you can find on the market. The main purpose of the Wedge pregnancy pillow is to give support for your tummy and make it comfortable during your sleep period. Usually, this type of body pillow is used in addition to the regular pillow that you might already use, as it doesn’t support any other body area during sleep. While this type of pillow is simple to use and carry, it doesn’t offer any support for your back and head, which is the biggest disadvantage of this type of wedge pillow.

  • U-Shaped Pillow
Source:blowoutbedding.com

The u-shaped pillow is great for pregnant women who want to sleep comfortably on their side. U-shaped pregnancy pillow gives good support for their tummy, head, and back while they are sleeping on either side of their body. You can switch between left side and right side of your body without experiencing any discomfort, as it is designed for this purpose. The biggest disadvantage of the u-shaped body pillow is that it is not designed for back sleepers.

  • C-Shaped Pillow
Source:amazon

The c-shaped pillow is probably the best type of pregnancy pillows that can be used by pregnant women, as it gives support for your head, back, and legs while allowing you to sleep on your side comfortably. A c-shaped pregnancy pillow is the most common type used by pregnant women, and it is the most recommended one. Disadvantages for this pillow is that you need to flip back the pillow when you want to flip your sleep position.

  • J-Shaped Pillow


The J-shaped pillow is designed to support your head and tummy during sleep, and it is the best type of pillow for back sleepers. If you like to sleep on your back, you can use a J-shaped pregnancy pillow to ensure that you can sleep comfortably during the night. The biggest disadvantage of J-shaped body pillow is that it will make you feel a bit uncomfortable if you use it to sleep on your side since it doesn’t provide support for your back.

How to Choose the Best Pillow for Pregnant Women

Source:daymoms.com

Choosing best pregnancy pillow for yourself is a matter of giving maximum comfort for your body, depending on your sleep habit. Also, you have to pay more attention to discomforts that you are experiencing during your sleep, whether it is back pain, allergic reaction, breathing problem, headaches, and more. Body pillow that you choose needs to be able to alleviate your pains during the sleep period.

Here are some tips to choose the best pregnancy pillow for pregnant women:

  • Type of Pillow
    The type of pillow that you choose can contribute to your own comfort during your sleep period. Whether you choose the c-shaped, u-shaped, j-shaped, or wedge pillow; it can help to greatly reduce your discomforts during your sleeping period if you choose your pillow type carefully. Take a look at the discomforts that you are experiencing during your sleep as well as your usual sleep position. Depending on sleep position and body areas that are needed to be supported, you can choose the best body pillow for your sleep.
  • Materials
    While there are different materials used in a various maternity body pillow, can choose the materials that you feel most comfortable with. Simply by looking at regular pillow that you are using, you can choose the pillow with the same type of material in order to give more comfort to your body. However, it is always recommended for you to choose a fluffy pillow to give you the most comfort during your sleep period.
  • Price
    Since most of the maternity body pillows that are available today are more expensive than a regular pillow, you need to do your research and pick the best. First of all, do not buy an overpriced pillow. There are a lot of overpriced pillows available in the market today. Second, you should always be aware of the value that you get for your investment in buying a prego pillow.

You Can Visit https://pregopillow.org/ for the Top 10 Pregnancy Pillow of 2021.

7 Warning Signs You Need A Root Canal

Published on

Even though today we take far more care of oral hygiene – teeth and oral cavity diseases are still on the rise. One of the very common things we face is root canal symptoms. What are the warning signs we need to pay attention to – which indicate that we need a root canal? Here are some answers.

The Root Canal Issues

Source:emergencydentistsusa.com

The health of your teeth is very important – both for your general health and for your quality of life. A healthy oral cavity and teeth do not only mean regular use of toothpaste and toothbrush – but much more than that. Good oral health is not difficult to achieve, but it implies great discipline and a healthy lifestyle. Of course, regular visits to the dentist are also implied. Today, a large number of people face the problem of the root canal. And how to know and consult a dentist in time? Well, actually visiting a dentist is also the only way to know for sure whether you need a root canal or not. However, certain symptoms can indicate this condition. So pay attention to some of these signs and react in time.

Symptom 1#: Sensitivity

Source:ciroccodentalcenterpa.com

Did you notice problems when enjoying your favorite food? You can’t do it without having sharp pain which occurs every time you consume something cold or hot? If this seems familiar to you – then it’s probably the fact you have sensitive teeth. The answer to your question: “why is this happening” – lies in the changes in the dentin. Namely, in healthy teeth, the enamel layer protects the tooth crowns. Below the gum line comes a layer of cement, which has the role of protecting the root – and it’s followed by dentin. It is less dense than enamel and cement and contains microscopic tubules, that is, tiny cavities, and canals. Through them, it communicates with the central part – the pulp. When the dentin loses the protective coating of enamel or cement, through cavities and canals – hot and cold external stimuli can reach the nerves and cells inside the tooth.

So, this is the reason why if you touch them, there is sudden sharp pain or at least a sense of discomfort. This is definitely an indication that you need to see a stomatologist as it can be an indication since it can be a signal the nerves in your tooth may be damaged.

Symptom #2: Chronic Tooth Aching

Source:magrabi.com.sa

Toothache is a signal that indicates that something is wrong in our bodies. This type of ache can occur in different situations due to the action of different stimuli. When you eat sweet or sour and feel a toothache, it is often a symptom of caries or a problem that has already reached the dental canal.

And you need to have this addressed quickly, so check out https://www.mynazarethdentist.com/

Especially if only one tooth hurts, not all teeth. Pain should not be ignored especially in cases where it intensifies. Toothaches occur for countless reasons, and one of the reasons may be dental canal disease. Therefore, keep in mind that any toothache requires going to the dentist.

Symptom #3: Inflamed Or The Gums That Are Swelled

If your gums are inflamed or look swollen – it might be a sign that you have root canal issues. One of these problems might be a dental canal infection. However, this is something that must be determined by a dental examination. Since there are several reasons why the inflammation may occur, you should check it out with your dentist to determine what is the real cause – and give you professional advice on how it should be treated.

Symptom #4: Cracked Tooth

Source:ancellsfarmdentalclinic.com

Most often, teeth crack or break off when chewing hard food. Among those, the main culprits that can make damage are hard candies and ice cubes. However, some foods are in liquid form, which in the long run lead to the weakening of the teeth and their easier cracking. These primarily include coffee and alcohol, energy drinks, and carbonated beverages. Certainly, this leads to dental canal problems – because bacteria easily get inside the teeth. The tooth can be smoothed to avoid irritating the surrounding soft tissue – and if a small part of the tooth ruptures, the broken part can be glued to the tooth or can be replaced with a dental filling. However, no tooth injury is the same, so you should visit a dentist as soon as possible to make an accurate diagnosis.

Symptom #5: Tooth Looseness

Looseness of teeth is a pretty alarming signal and indication to immediately apply for a dental consultation. Without timely quality treatment, such pathology can lead to the loss of absolutely healthy teeth. Periodontal inflammation is the main cause of this pathology. The gums hold the crown firmly, but when the soft tissues of the oral cavity are damaged due to gingivitis, periodontitis, or periodontitis – the root is exposed and loosening occurs. Other important factors include poor oral hygiene; wrong bite, etc.

Symptom #6: Occurrence Of Fistula

The appearance of a whitish “pimple” that occasionally empties, on the gums above the teeth also causes these problems. Dentists call this “pimple” a fistula. It is connected by a canal with the tip of the infected tooth – and through it, from time to time, pus with an unpleasant smell comes out. The dentist can notice the presence of a fistula during a routine dental examination, without the patient even being aware of its existence.

Symptom #7: Injury Of The “Dental Nerve” After Tooth Trauma

Source:leeannbrady.com

Teeth that have once been injured by direct or indirect impact – often require canal therapy. Immediately after the trauma, the condition of the “dental nerve” is very difficult to determine – as well as to predict what will happen to it in the near or distant future. It is possible that at some point, such a tooth changes color (darkens) – which indicates that there have been degenerative changes in the “dental nerve”. This usually occurs without any symptoms. If this happens, it is necessary to conduct root canal therapy.

How Is Root Canal Treatment Performed?

Generally, endodontic therapy is reduced to the removal of an inflamed or ruptured dental nerve, mechanical treatment of the inner walls of the root canal, rinsing with special solutions, medication with anti-infection preparations – and hermetic filling of the treated canal. After the completion of the root canal treatment, the crown part of the tooth must be reconstructed, either by filling it or with prosthetic restorations. It is recommended to do this within a month of filling the root canal. The patient must know that during the implementation of endodontic therapy, it is necessary to take several X-rays of the tooth that is being treated. Deviation from this often leads to failure of therapy – and the need for re-treatment, and in some cases with surgical intervention (surgery and even tooth extraction).

Everything You Need To Know About Orthopedic Implants

Published on

Science & technology has become so advanced that we have a solution to almost all health concerns, whether it is a disease or other health issues. If we talk about problems like fractures, then we can trust science like never before.

Technology has led to the development of orthopedic implants and they have undoubtedly given a boost to this medical sector. Here, in this post, we are going to discuss what orthopedic implants are, how they are used, and how they help heal fractures.

What Are Orthopedic Implants?

Source:odtmag.com

Orthopedic implants are external devices or structures that are surgically placed in case of fractures. These implants are designed specifically according to the location of fracture or dislocation in our body.  For example, a surgical orthopedic implant used for the treatment of hip fracture will be different from the one used for humerus fracture. While on the other hand, the choice of the implant will also vary depending upon the purpose. What our last statement means is that the implants used for permanent placement will be different from the ones used for temporary placement.

Sometimes, the degree of fracture is not high, hence a little external support for a period of time can heal it naturally. In such cases, temporary orthopedic implants are used. Whereas, in severe conditions where natural healing of bone is not possible, permanent orthopedic implants are used. Let us have a look at temporary and permanent orthopedic implants in brief.

Permanent Orthopedic Implants

Source:medgadget.com

As the name suggests, permanent orthopedic implants are those that once inserted will remain forever inside the patient. Such surgical implants include knee, hip, ankle, elbow, wrist, finger joints, and shoulder.

Temporary Orthopedic Implants

When we talk about temporary orthopedic implants, then they include pins, wires, plates, screws, and intramedullary nails. These implants are inserted for a specific time and are later removed after complete healing of the fracture. Temporary orthopedic implants are known to be used for fixing broken and fractured bones.

Now, what we have to understand is from which material(s) orthopedic surgical implants are manufactured. We will see this in the next section of our post, but before that, let us have a look at surgical implants that can be used as both permanent as well as temporary.

Siora Surgicals is a trusted name to get world-class trauma implants at highly competitive prices.

Orthopedic Implants that can be used as both Temporary and Permanent Implants

The three most common types of orthopedic surgical implants that come under removable as well as non-removable categories include screws, plates, and prostheses. Let us discuss them individually:

Screws

It won’t be wrong to say that screws used for orthopedic surgeries are no different from the ones we use normally. The prime function of screws is to compress the bone to ensure its correct position for healing. They are available in different forms and sizes depending upon the need.

Plates

Orthopedic plates are metal structures that are used for holding bone fractures to allow proper healing. The functions of plates include controlling and neutralization of forces such as compression & bending. One thing that needs to be kept in mind while using plates is that they should be of appropriate size and must be able to hold fractured bone properly from both sides.

Prosthesis

Source:hortonsoandp.com

A prosthesis can be best defined as an artificial body part that is used as a replacement of an original part. The most common prostheses that are used by orthopedists are for knees and hips. This ensures full-range pain-free motion of patients and that too not in much time.

Before we wind up, let us see from which materials orthopedic implants are made and why.

What are Surgical Orthopedic Implants made of?

As you know, orthopedic implants are used internally in our body during orthopedic surgeries. Considering this, the material from which they are made must be non-reactive, chemically inert, and does not hinder the normal functioning of our body. Besides all this, it must also be strong, durable, and reliable. Taking all these parameters into consideration, orthopedic implants are manufactured using metals, polymers, and ceramics.

Metals

The most common metals that are used for the manufacturing of orthopedic implants include surgical-grade stainless steel, titanium, and cobalt-chromium. Titanium-based implants are considered the most reliable and long-lasting.

Polymers

The most widely used polymer during orthopedic implant is Polymethylmethacrylate. It is commonly known as bone cement and is used for implant fixation in orthopedic procedures.

Ceramics

Being biochemically inert, ceramics are being used in orthopedic implants for decades. Besides this, they are also known for their wear resistance. The most widely used ceramics for orthopedic implants are calcium phosphate ceramics. They are admired for their high biocompatibility. Zirconium oxide and silicon oxide are also used these days.

The Bottom Line

Source:rena.com

Orthopedic implants are boon to the medical industry and they have made the life of people with bone fractures and other serious bone-related injuries easier. They are being used extensively in different parts of the world for the treatment of different kinds of fractures.

This industry has become so advanced that you’ll find thousands of trauma implants that have been designed specifically for different fracture types. Plus, the choice of implant used will also depend upon the seriousness of the condition and the injury site. It won’t be wrong to say that trauma implants have made life easier for people suffering from fractures. We cannot even imagine what the quality of life was when these orthopedic devices were not there. How difficult it would be for patients to manage after trauma and for doctors to fix the fracture effectively. Well, it’s all about the past and currently, we have many resources to even effectively manage severe conditions.

Our goal in creating this post was to make you aware of what orthopedic implants are and how they are used. We hope that this post would have been useful to you and it would have fulfilled your purpose of landing here.

What Factors Lead to Increased Demand in the Healthcare Industry?

Published on

Demand is an economic concept describing the desire of the consumer to pay a price for services and goods. In the event, all other aspects have been constant; a rise in the price of a service or good would reduce the demand, and a reduction in the price of the service or goods would increase the demand. Rest assured that there has been increasing demand for home health care agencies near me you can find on myallamericancare.com.

Source:homehealthcareconsultants.com

Most nations would spend a decent amount of their Gross Domestic Product or GDP on healthcare. Two major contributors to the growth would be the increasing prevalence of preventable illness along with below-par use of healthcare resources. Such aspects would be influenced by choices made by the consumers. A good example would be obesity, heart disease, and stroke.

Most patients do not have adequate control of their health and seek treatment when their condition becomes chronic. It would be pertinent to mention here that lack of initiative to live a healthy life and prevent chronic illness such as obesity could result in misuse of the healthcare system. Consequently, there would be an increased cost. Let us go through the aspects of how the demand for healthcare differs from the demand for other available services. It would also cover the reasons whereby the consumers have made poor decisions concerning their healthcare choices.

Rest assured that healthcare holds value only when it improves health. Therefore, health has been primitive in the description of the preference of the consumer. The most important aspects or reasons influencing the demand in healthcare should be well defined for understanding the concept in healthcare. Some of these aspects have been mentioned below –

  • Prices

The amount of money expected in payment for something.

  • Consumer

A consumer is a patient or a buyer.

  • Income

The amount earned through work or investment. Income could influence demand for healthcare. In the event, a consumer has a lower income, the consumer may not seek healthcare for common sickness. Similarly, a consumer earning more might be willing to spend on his specific healthcare needs.

  • Governmental influence

Policies inclusive of subsidy could enhance demand for healthcare, as patients would be charged a lower price.

  • Supply

The basic concept in economics describing the total number of a particular service or good available to a consumer would be supply. It could be determined by competing goods, prices, and demand.

Source:pinterest

Healthcare has been deemed different from other services, as it may not be clearly defined. In a majority of industries, the service or product could be standardized for improving quality and efficiency. In the healthcare industry, every consumer is chemically, emotionally, and structurally different. Rest assured that anything working for one person might not necessarily work for the other.

Healthcare would differ in terms of choosing consumers. In most services, you would be given a choice in selecting which person differs in terms of choosing consumers. In other services, you would have a choice in selecting a person or industry with which you could conduct business. In healthcare, treatment would be offered to patients similar to other industries. Insurance companies or government would pay for you. Such aspects make healthcare unique when compared to other available services.

The demand for healthcare comes from the wishes of the consumer to remain healthy. A majority of people prefer being healthy to suffering from sickness. Yet another aspect that makes healthcare relatively different from the other services and goods would be it being treated as an investment. The money spent by the consumer on remaining healthy would benefit the consumer in the coming times.

Another important feature of healthcare would be the inelastic demand. In the event, a consumer is sick and needs medical care; the consumer would buy healthcare services regardless of the cost. The ability of the consumer to buy healthcare has been ultimately restricted by the income of the customer. However, the chances of the consumer trading off by spending on several other products for buying the medical care needs would be higher.

Unlike the other services or goods, the quality of health makes it relatively difficult to meet an ideal market solution. Health has not been deemed a marketable product. It would not be possible to switch good health between two customers.

Source:opendei.eu

Moreover, healthcare, providers have been more knowledgeable about the illnesses and treatments as compared to their patients. Several patients are dependent on their providers to act in their best interest. However, there may be a conflict of interest, as the providers have been selling the services to the patient. In such a scenario, demand and supply have been interwoven and determined jointly by the person simultaneously. The chances of it resulting in market failure have been relatively higher.

A healthcare provider influenced by profit or enhanced income might order more services and tests than required. As a result, the consumer pays more for unnecessary services without having any knowledge and information on them. Moreover, with other available goods or services inclusive of buying an automobile, the buyer does not require having years of education before he looks forward to understanding the best vehicle to meet his specific needs. You could find the information through several avenues inclusive of automobile books, online search, or car television channels.

Yet another reason that consumer does not make a rational decision in their demand for health care would be due to overloaded information given to patients from the healthcare resources inclusive of insurance companies and healthcare providers. It would not be wrong to suggest that the healthcare system has been rich with information, as it gathers and generates huge volumes of information regularly. The information offered to the consumers could be technical and not as straightforward for most people.

Source:oswegocountybusiness.com

Several consumers have been too impatient in dealing with overwhelming and unfamiliar information. Therefore, consumers tend to make poor decisions that might not prove beneficial for them in the long-term. The implementation of healthcare reform has come forth with several health insurance options suitable to meet your specific needs.

Could Texting Messages To a Patient be Considered as Hipaa Violent?

Published on

“Whatever I see or hear in the lives of my patients, whether in connection with my professional practice or not, which ought not to be spoken of outside, I will keep secret, as considering all such things to be private.” — The Hippocratic Oath, translated by Michael North (2002)

The Hippocratic oath that doctors take means that they have vowed to a number of different deities that they will protect their patients and provide them the best possible medical care they can give them. By taking the Hippocratic oath, doctors also swear not to divulge any private information of their patients to others. If everyone stuck by this oath, there would be very few HIPAA violations. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case. With communication between doctors and their patients being done through a myriad of channels, it isn’t uncommon to think about any of these breaching HIPAA compliance. Is it possible that checking in with your doctor for an appointment schedule is something to be worried about? Here’s a link to learn more about that: https://www.providertech.com/5-hipaa-rules-regarding-text-messaging/

Source:physicianspractice.com

Prevalence of Texting

Texting has become one of the quickest and most efficient ways to communicate. According to Text Marketing Statistics “Daily Mobile phone activity is dominated by messaging above other apps and activities.” It isn’t a question about your patients not being able to get your text or you not getting theirs. Texting has become an option for health care providers, doctors, and medical staff simply because it provides many great benefits.

Benefits of Texting

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is advised that individuals are to stay at home so as to contain the spread of the virus as well as to keep themselves safe. Now more than ever are people wary about their health. Having the need to see your doctor for any old reason may now seem like a daunting task. With the option to text your doctor in between appointments you can get their opinion on whether or not you will need to see them for an in-person appointment. Should you need to make an appointment, texting will allow you to communicate with your doctor or their staff easier regarding the schedule. Should you need to suddenly reschedule, letting them know will just be a matter of seconds with a text. If you are able to make it, your doctor can let you know exactly what time they will be able to accommodate you, allowing you to make the most out of your own time to gauge how long your travel will be and not subjecting you to leaving too early only to sit in a waiting room until it is your turn. Texting also has the added benefit of allowing your doctor and their staff to get into contact with you for reminders about medication, exercises, diets, etc. so you don’t forget. In the case that you do, it allows them to re-engage you when you would have possibly done otherwise.

With all of these benefits, it is a wonder why texting can be considered a HIPAA violation. Well not all texts and texting applications are created the same. Oftentime when we think of texts, what comes to mind may be the default texting application installed on our phones. If not those then instant messaging applications like Telegram, WhatsApp, etc. are commonly used as well. Unfortunately all of these fall under the category of “unsecure communication channels.” This is because they don’t meet the “Minimum Necessary Standard.” This standard is defined by the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

Texting as a HIPAA Violation

Source:fiercehealthcare.com

The requirements are as follows:

  • Those with authorization to communicate PHI must authenticate their identities with a unique username and PIN.
  • A system must be implemented to monitor the activity of text messages containing PHI and ensure message accountability.
  • Data transmitted beyond an organization’s internal firewall must be encrypted so that it is undecipherable if intercepted in transit.

Common messaging applications mentioned earlier don’t have these features, allowing just about anyone to get into your messages and access your PHI should they gain access to your mobile phone. “Without these minimum standards in place, texting is in violation of HIPAA whenever a text is sent containing PHI.” This could be a challenge as personal mobile phones or smartphones are becoming the norm in many medical practices.

HIPAA Violations

Source:securedrive.com

Sometimes it may seem like HIPAA violations aren’t all that much of a big deal. Sometimes they almost seem a little silly when anecdotes about Walgreen’s pharmacists and their husbands’ exes are the talk of the town. But there is a real severity that comes with these violations that don’t immediately click. In the case of this HIPAA violation, it was pointed out by the victim’s legal counsel that it may feel stigmatising to have your personal health information out in the open. Medical conditions may be something you want to keep to yourself until you are more comfortable to speak up about them. But in this case, it may feel so uncomfortable that a patient may even stop seeking out treatment and may cause their ailment or affliction to get worse. On the other hand, common HIPAA violations come in the form of phishing and data breaches of hospital records. This allows hackers to get crucial personal information that may be used for a variety of nefarious activity.

With all of this in mind, it may seem daunting or questionable to have texting as an option for communication between patients and their doctors. Well this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of options not for HIPAA compliant communications which ensures that your PHI is protected while also providing you the benefits of regular texting. Remember that these channels were made to better service patients and not to put them at any risk. These risks aren’t just about their physical or mental health but the security of your information as well. Take a moment to go over the 5 HIPAA rules regarding texts and reach out to your doctor or healthcare provider to find out how you can get involved in HIPAA compliant communication with them now!

All you need to know about Spinal Cord Work Injuries

Published on

Workplace injuries can be catastrophic to the life of any worker, especially when it is severe. One of the most painful and debilitating things that can occur on a job site is a spinal cord injury. Many times, the consequences of an incident like this can be extremely expensive and may affect a worker for the rest of his or her life.

According to data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, 294,000 Americans live with spinal cord issues, and there are about 17,810 new cases each year. Also, an estimated 78% of those affected by SCI are men, and the average age is 43 years.  Workplace injuries represent one of the most important sources of this type.

Source:elitecme.com

Unfortunately, spinal cord injuries are often devastating enough to prevent the vast majority of people who sustain them from returning to work. An estimated 12% of people with SCI are employed, and after 20 years, that figure only increases to about 30%.

As you can imagine, spinal cord can result in extremely costly medical expenses, which can eventually reach a million dollars or more. The only way you can deal with these expenses is through workers’ compensation benefits, but obtaining them can be quite complicated.

If you have suffered a spinal injury, the best way to increase your chances of getting the compensation you need to pay for your long-term rehabilitation and high medical expenses is to work with an excellent los angeles workers compensation law firm, such as C&B Law Group, that is always available to help you with anything you need. In California, you can find many experienced workers’ compensation law firms with track records of success that demonstrate their commitment to their clients, such as www.cblawgroup.com  and many more. Most of them offer free consultations, so feel free to call them if you want to know how they can help you.

Symptoms

Similar to the brain, the human spinal cord cannot regrow cells. Therefore, some spinal cord symptoms may appear immediately, and others may appear over time. The symptoms of spinal cord vary depending on the severity of it. Based on the degree of the injury and the location where it occurred, the symptoms usually include the following:

  • Numbness of extremities.
  • Pain in the neck, back or head.
  • Loss of motor functions or loss of coordination.
  • Loss of sensation in hands, feet, fingers.
  • Partial or complete paralysis of the body.

All spinal cord injuries are unique. To know exactly what type you suffered, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Source:houstoninjurylawyer.com

Your spine is home to many vital nerves that connect the brain to many muscles and organs. A damage to this part of your body can expose these nerves to severe consequences, which are often categorized as follows:

  • Paraplegia: When a person loses sensation in both legs, and the ability to move them.
  • Triplegia: When the person is unable to move their legs and one arm, in addition to losing sensation in those limbs.
  • Quadriplegia: This is the most severe case, as the person loses sensation and movement in both arms and legs, and usually needs a respirator since chest muscles may also be affected.

Common causes

The leading cause of spinal injuries is motor vehicle accidents, which contribute about 38% of all annual cases. On the other hand, falls account for 30.5%, followed by violent acts with 13.5%, sports with 9%, medical or surgical with 5%, and 4% composed of a variety of other causes, such as degenerative disc disease, repetitive motion injuries, being struck by work equipment, inflammation, and infection.

How does a Spinal Cord Injury affect your life?

Source:mdbonedocs.com

After a spinal cord injury, your life will change completely. Initially, chances are you won’t be able to work for a while, and if your occupation required you to do any significant physical exertion, as is the case for construction workers and athletes, you most likely won’t be able to return to work ever again and will have to learn another less physically demanding profession. Moreover, you may not be able to enjoy some of your favorite hobbies again.

Furthermore, the little things in life, such as preparing a cup of coffee in the morning, running errands, moving freely in your home, and many other things will become considerably more difficult (or impossible) after that.

The University of Alabama conducted a study to determine the effect of a spinal cord injury on a person’s life expectancy. The results stated that, on average, the life expectancy of someone who suffers a spinal cord is reduced by 5.2 years. Meanwhile, if the injury causes the worker to require a ventilator, their life expectancy is reduced by 33.2 years.

Plus, rest assured that an injury of this nature will affect your financial life. The long-term expenses that a spinal cord issue can cause are very high. That’s why it’s important to make sure you get workers’ compensation benefits to help you afford all those medical and rehabilitation expenses.

What can you obtain after a spinal cord injury at work?

Source:tmcattorneys.com

The workers’ compensation benefits you may receive after a spinal cord injury varies depending on the severity of it. These benefits include:

  • Temporary total disability: You will receive money for as long as you are unable to work due to the limitations caused by your injury. You will receive benefits until you get a job that accommodates your current condition.
  • Permanent or total disability benefits: If your spinal cord injury has made you unable to use your arms and legs for work, you will receive payments permanently.
  • Lifetime medical award: An amount of money to cover expenses incurred due to your injury, including home modifications and payment for ongoing medical care.
  • Vocational rehabilitation: If you are unable to return to your previous job but are still able to work in some way, you will receive vocational rehabilitation to help you do so.

Obtaining these benefits is often extremely challenging, especially in more severe cases. Therefore, the best thing you can do to increase your chances of getting the maximum compensation for your case is to work with a workers’ compensation attorney near you.

Should you use Alkaline Water

Published on

Water is the basic necessity for life. Therefore, it is to be served in its best form possible. A human body can stay alive without food for three days in a row, but it cannot pass a single day without water. Water is a miraculous product from nature, provides a cure to numerous diseases, and saves one from different diseases. Alkaline water is the best form of water consumed by a human for drinking purposes. It is available in bottles packed by companies. Some get it directly from clouds through different means, while others collect water from springs.

If the water interacts less with the environment, the contamination is less. Else more contamination requires more purification processes. The material in which this purified material is carried is also important. The use of plastic bottles is common in almost all parts of the world. But the aftereffects of plastic are devastating upon the environment. Therefore, aluminum bottles are introduced in the market for a healthy ecosystem. Aluminum decomposes quickly as compared to plastic. Moreover, aluminum is recycled more as compared to plastic. Few companies have adopted this idea and many others are looking forward to it.

Why Rainwater?

Source:thoughtco.com

Rainwater is the purest form of obtaining water from nature. However, some processes are to be carried out to purify it for further use. Some of the basic steps for the purpose are discussed below:

  • Capture
  • Protect
  • Clarify
  • Prepare
  • Preserve

Capturing rainwater is the first step of the entire process. The company is equipped with professionals to differentiate between acid rain and normal healthy rainwater. If the water is collected from acidic rain then it causes some problems. Therefore, the company that claims to gather rainwater is an expert in the domain. Different means are adopted by several companies to collect rain directly from the clouds. Maximum measures are adopted by the companies to keep the rain away from absorbing chemicals and contaminations from the environment. If the pollutants are added to the water once their removal requires a lot of effort. And even after undergoing the removal process the traces of chemicals are still left behind.

Rainwater is conditioned by disinfectants that do not contain harmful chemicals. One step of purification should not give rise to another impurity. If it happens the process of purification will never terminate. After this step, the quality of water is ensured. The product meets international or federal standards before being sealed in bottles. The purified product is then packed in ultra-purified bottles. It is then sent to retailers for further distribution. The process mentioned here is a generic one. It may vary from company to company depending upon their way of purification and gathering water.

Authenticity, Transparency, and Humility

Source:tasteofhome.com

Some alkaline water companies provide a platform to the customers and the people they are funding to speak their heart out. In this extremely fast generation, people can’t give time to their loved ones. Everyone is craving for a listening ear. People don’t want someone to help them out when in crisis every time. Sometimes speaking out the story solves half of the problem. Some people miss using this platform and make false stories out of nowhere. A strong check is placed upon the stories to verify their authenticity. After that, an environment of dialogue is opened. In this way, a person feels that someone is responding to their cry and the provided platform is not something unreal.

By listening to the stories of others, we can relate to them. Sometimes after hearing about the pain of others. We realize how small our problem is as compared to others. People hesitate to reveal their stories out of shame and fear. By reading the insights of other people, one gets the courage to speak his heart out. In this way, he gets mental relaxation and peace of heart. All this process connects one to organizations dealing with such people. The people can get financial help and other resources for their betterment. If someone is not able to type the whole story out. He can send a voice message to alkaline water companies too. A bright future awaits many.

Is the Company Original

Source:steplead.com

Please look for the copyright symbol on the website of the alkaline water company, to check if the company is original or not. If the company claims to hold copyright, then the company is believed to be original. Moreover, if a registered trademark is placed somewhere near the name of the company. Then it is expected to be an original one. Most companies are generally linked to social media accounts. The reviews present on the website say a lot about the product too.

If the company is serving the product over a long period; then it gains the trust of its users or customers. If the company has just launched in the market, then the certification of the company tells about the quality of their product. The purpose and intention of the alkaline water companies matter a lot. If the company is raising funds for the needy or running a foundation, then people are moved by the heart. And as a result, they buy their product to play a positive role in society.

Means of Contact

A person can get in contact with the company to get to know about the upcoming promotions. Updates about the new products launched by the company can also be received. It can be done by following the company on the social media platform. But one can miss a post on a social media account. Therefore, to stay on the safe side, alkaline water companies have introduced the feature of dropping down mailing addresses on their websites. Whenever there’s a new update about the company, a mail is sent to the person individually. In this way, the news will reach the person for sure, and he will miss no updates. For further details, check here for more info.

1 2 3 4 … 34