Know your Headache

A headache is the term used to define any kind of ache or pain that occurs in and around the head, or even in the upper neck. Headaches may occur independently, in the sense that they are unconnected to any health condition or disease, or they may at times occur as a symptom of some disease. All of us experience headaches at some point or the other and it is in fact one of the most common complaints and also the most widely treated with home remedies and pharmaceutical headache treatments. Although headaches may in most cases be unconnected to specific ailments or health conditions they are often like a warning system from our body that something is not right. In most cases it is stress, lack of sleep, and other such circumstances that trigger this response. For example, if you haven’t had adequate sleep for a few nights in a row you would most likely experience headaches. Headaches may not necessarily be trigger by psychological factors such as emotional distress, stress and so on, but could also be triggered by physical stress and exhaustion.

There are various types of headaches, with an even greater variety of causes, but the most commonly occurring types of headaches are tension headaches. There are probably none among us who have escaped this type of headache. The severity may vary greatly and so will the duration, depending on the trigger, the tension headache treatment provided and other factors. Tension headaches generally occur due to causes like neck pain, stress, anxietyand depression, and also because of muscle tightness or tension in the shoulders, jaws and scalp. Tension headaches are most likely to affect you if you work excessively, if your social relationships are strained, if you follow irregular eating and sleeping patterns, or consume excessive amounts of alcohol. As with any other condition the only effective treatment would be to eliminate the cause and provide relief. Tension headache treatment with over the counter medications that simply provide relief will only offer a temporary solution, and you will be plagued by the problem increasingly frequently.  http://healthcareatm.com/

What are Freckles?

Freckles may be described as flat, round, dark colored spots that range in size from about 2mm to 4mm. Freckles could be the result of pigment precipitation in one particular place, as generally the skin surrounding the spot is lighter in color. Freckles have a hereditary aspect to it and you are likely to inherit it if runs in your family. Freckles are usually of no medical consequence and do not cause any problems. Freckles are sensitive to the UV rays of sunlight and hence appear more prominent during or after exposure to sunlight. Though freckles could be present all over the body, mostly they are found in areas exposed to sun.

There are two basic types of freckle:

Ephelides - 

These are flat red or light-brown spots that typically appear during the summer months and fade away in the winter. These types of freckles could be hereditary.

Lentigines - 

Lentigines may be small tan, brown or black spot that is darker than an ephelide. This does not fade in winter. This is also a genetic condition.

Rare disorders such as XerodermaPigmentosum cause an increased sensitivity to ultraviolet rays leading to freckles. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause freckles to appear, more so in case of fair-skinned people. The melanin content is less in case of fair-skinned people; hence exposure to sunlight causes these spots to appear. Hormonal imbalance could cause freckles too. In this case, the estrogen could over-stimulate pigment producing cells causing them to generate more color when exposed to sunlight. Regular use of fruit and vegetable masks such as those made with apricots, strawberries, cucumbers and red currant will help lighten freckles.  http://www.healthcareatm.com/

Understanding Fats

You may have heard that essential fats are an important aspect to maintaining the health of your body. But what exactly are they?Basically, there are two truly essential fatty acids, Linoleic and Linolenic. You may have heard of these referred to as Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids.

So, why are they called essential? The term essential in the life sciences refers to the fact that a nutrient cannot be synthesized by the body. Thus, you must have a dietary or supplemental source to supply your need for these acids.You probably heard of the 8 essential amino acids. It’s the same idea here but in this case we are referring to fatty acids rather than an amino acid.

These fatty acids exist in and are used in every cell of your body. So they are crucial to a cell’s health and therefore to our health as people. The good news is that in North America, you generally get enough Omega -6 in your diet. Omega-3 has presented a question mark to researchers. Are we getting enough or not?Fortunately, you can get Omega-3 from fish and certain nut oils. If you have any doubt at all, you can get Omega three from flax oil, which is in abundant supply at your local health food store. As those of us who truly understand weight loss and gain can tell you, the key to losing or gaining fat storage from your body centers around the bodies short term energy storage supply. http://healthcareatm.com/

Chest Pain: Causes and Treatment

Chest pain is the severe pain and squeezing, crushing and pressure felt in the chest that can last for a few minutes. If the pain moves into your neck, arm, left shoulder or jaw, it can already be considered as a serious condition. That’s why for most cases, even though chest pain is non-cardiac in origin, it is still generally considered as a medical emergency.
Interior organs such as the heart, lungs, esophagus, muscle and bone, and even the skin can cause chest pains. Part of the pain may come from other body parts due to the complex nerve distribution in the body.
An acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is a serious cause of chest pain. Other life-threatening causes of chest pain include angina, a condition where there is an imbalance distribution between the oxygen demand of the heart and the amount of oxygen delivered via the blood; aortic dissection or a tear in the inner lining of the aorta; pulmonary embolismspontaneous pneumothorax or collapsed lung; perforated viscus or a hole or tear in the wall of any area of the gastrointestinal tract; and cocaine-induced chest pain.
Other conditions that are not immediately life-threatening, including pneumonia, acute pericarditis, and disorders of the esophagus, mitral valve prolapse, costochondritis (the inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs) and herpes zoster or shingles (a reactivation of the viral infection that causes chickenpox) may also cause chest pain.
Fortunately, anyone who suffers mild or even severe chest pain should not worry too much because a lot of treatment may be done to relieve the pain. The first thing a person suffering from chest pain should do is to seek medical treatment. However, if the patient is still at home waiting for the ambulance, one way to reduce the pain is through first aid. If the chest pain has become unbearable, have the patient chew an aspirin.  http://healthcareatm.com/

What is a high deductible health plan (HDHP)?

The definition of an HDHP or high deductible health plan is a health insurance plan that has a higher deductible than usual, but lower premiums. This means you, the insured, pay the initial medical expenses usually set at $2,000 dollars or higher (though it can vary yearly) before the insurance begins to cover more medical expenses. This is often times referred to as “catastrophic coverage” since the deductibles are so high the plans are usually only used for emergency medical care and not simple routine care. Be careful because, if you have a $2,500 deductible you may be required to come up with that cash at a moment’s notice in a medical emergency.
The very low premiums are obviously a motivator. Because of the higher deductibles, and the fact the coverage is usually only used in “catastrophic” cases, the risk is lower for the insurance company. Less risks for them means lower premiums for you, and are therefore much more affordable for the average family that wants to be covered for those “emergency” situations. Catastrophic situations involving children naturally are a major concern to parents.
They are big news because of HSA or health savings accounts (not to be confused with HRAs that are similar but company owned). A health savings account is a medical savings account of which funds are not taxed by the federal government. Instead, all money is saved solely for expenses related to health. Talk about a tax advantage!
Another plus is the fact that the account’s funds add up year after year and are never forfeited just because they are not spent by a designated time period. In a Flexible Savings Account or FSA you must spend the money that year or risk losing it. Having an HDHP is usually required if you want to join in on the tax-advantaged health savings accounts (HSA). http://healthcareatm.com/

What is a high deductible health plan (HDHP)?

The definition of an HDHP or high deductible health plan is a health insurance plan that has a higher deductible than usual, but lower premiums. This means you, the insured, pay the initial medical expenses usually set at $2,000 dollars or higher (though it can vary yearly) before the insurance begins to cover more medical expenses. This is often times referred to as “catastrophic coverage” since the deductibles are so high the plans are usually only used for emergency medical care and not simple routine care. Be careful because, if you have a $2,500 deductible you may be required to come up with that cash at a moment’s notice in a medical emergency.
The very low premiums are obviously a motivator. Because of the higher deductibles, and the fact the coverage is usually only used in “catastrophic” cases, the risk is lower for the insurance company. Less risks for them means lower premiums for you, and are therefore much more affordable for the average family that wants to be covered for those “emergency” situations. Catastrophic situations involving children naturally are a major concern to parents.
They are big news because of HSA or health savings accounts (not to be confused with HRAs that are similar but company owned). A health savings account is a medical savings account of which funds are not taxed by the federal government. Instead, all money is saved solely for expenses related to health. Talk about a tax advantage!
Another plus is the fact that the account’s funds add up year after year and are never forfeited just because they are not spent by a designated time period. In a Flexible Savings Account or FSA you must spend the money that year or risk losing it. Having an HDHP is usually required if you want to join in on the tax-advantaged health savings accounts (HSA).  http://healthcareatm.com/

What to consider when choosing a health insurance plan

There are many things to consider when choosing a plan. Some of the questions that you should ask yourself before you choose a plan such as:
1)      Long or short-term coverage?
If you're between jobs or looking for a job, you may want to consider short-term coverage. But if you’re self-employed or your employer does not offer group health insurance coverage, you may need longer term coverage offered through an individual and family health insurance plan. If you’re not currently covered, consider short-term coverage while you wait for a longer-term plan to become effective.
2)      Basic or more comprehensive coverage?
Some insurance plans offer basic coverage that protects your finances in case of a major illness or injury. These plans typically have a lower monthly premium, but you’ll be responsible for more of your health care costs each year. Other plans offer more comprehensive coverage that may include chemical dependency or behavioral health care, maternity, prescription drug benefits, vision and eye care, and regular doctor office visits. These plans typically have a higher monthly premium and may be appropriate for people who intend to use their insurance on a regular basis.
3)      Health insurance Company’s reputation?
Find out about the company offering the health plan. How long have they been in business? Have they been rated by independent agencies with regard to their financial strength? How do their ratings compare to the ratings of companies offering other plans you are considering?
4)      Does the plan have tools & resources to support decision making and my health?
If the plan offers a wide range of tools and resources to help you stay healthy, you will pay less in medical costs.Some plans offer additional services such as a 24-hour nurse line so you can call to find out the best course of action when you or your child gets sick after hours.   http://healthcareatm.com/

What are EHR?

Medical records are important in documenting the final diagnosis of a patient, what treatments are given and the overall medical history of the patient. Without such records, it will be difficult for another physician to treat a new patient because he or she would have to order the same sets of tests all over again. But the problem with the old medical records system is prone to destruction by the elements as they are all in paper. Nowadays, health establishments are equipped with a more reliable and longer lasting computerized system.The Electronic Health Records (HER) allows physicians and staff members to:

• Document interactions with patients
• View medical histories and insurance information
• Make referrals
• Order laboratory tests and view test results
• Send electronic prescription requests to pharmacies (reducing the risk that hard-to-read handwriting will lead to medical errors)
• Flag potentially harmful drug interactions

It also provides physicians with "decision support" tools, such as clinical guidelines and checks for drug interactions; and generates printed post-visit summaries for patients, among other benefits. http://healthcareatm.com/

What is Health Information Technology?

When someone breaks an arm, undergoes heart surgery, receives medicine to treat a sore throat, or simply gets his yearly physical, a record of his physician's treatments, observations, and notes is created and saved. His medical record includes information concerning his symptoms and medical history, previous medical exam reports, x-ray and laboratory test results, doctors' diagnoses, and a list of past treatment plans. This information is crucial to providing quality healthcare.

The health information technology field employs professionals and technicians who are responsible for the organization of a patient's medical record. Health information technicians begin this assembly process by verifying that a patient's initial medical charts are complete. All forms must be completed, identified, and signed. Then, all this information must be entered into a computer. Additionally, health information professionals must regularly communicate with physicians to ensure accuracy, clarify diagnoses, and obtain any supplementary information needed to update a patient's file.

Until very recently, all medical records were paper documents. Complex information for millions of patients was managed exclusively with files, folders, and forms. However, a new government initiative aims to apply the same sophisticated technology we use for actual healthcare towards managing and utilizing health information. This national push for advanced health information technology is combined with an enormous need for qualified healthcare professionals - making this a smart career move indeed. http://healthcareatm.com

Good Equipment for Better Health

Probably the most important things you’ll want to learn is that you do not have to spend large sums of money to get healthy. You can easily integrate good eating and exercise habits into your life without changing your budget. You can streamline your efforts at becoming healthy by utilizing tools that help you work more efficiently. Read on to find out some of the best things you can buy when you’re trying to improve your health.

A good pair of shoes that you can wear when you work out is very important. Obtaining the proper sneakers has nothing to do with style. It has everything to do with aiding your feet properly support your body while providing them with the cushion and support they need to not get hurt when you are running, climbing and biking. Getting top quality athletic shoes is usually costly. A great pair can run about a hundred dollars but that hundred dollar pair of shoes ought to be well made and should last for quite a while. Your physician can help you figure out what you need as can a personal fitness instructor or coach.

Acquiring a bicycle may be great for your overall health. Be ready to spend significantly more than a hundred dollars if you are planning to buy a bike that will carry you for numerous miles. You should have no problem recovering your investment as long as you take care to maintain your bicycle through the years. For someone else a bicycle is good for other pursuits besides just getting in a workout. Going for a leisurely bike ride is a great way to get out of the home and experience nature. It also offers a cost effective and ecofriendly mode of transportation-which is incredibly handy while gas prices are going up.

Choose healthy and balanced fruits. Actual fruit is so much more beneficial for your health than inexpensive fruit-flavored imitations. When you look at the advantages to your health long term, getting real fruit is much less expensive than buying fruit drinks at the local drive-through. Swap your on the go smoothie for the actual fruit. You will not believe the big difference this change will make in your overall health. Blueberries are filled with powerful herbal antioxidants and offer many wonderful health advantages.

Giving yourself the reward of good health won’t happen overnight. The secret is to cut back over time and figure out if you’re able to cut anything out of your budget to give you more money to put toward your fitness goals. It also helps to remember that these opportunities are mostly supposed to last a long time. It may cost a great deal at first but you can’t beat the huge benefits.  http://healthcareatm.com/