Hoodia gordonii is a cactus like plant that is native to the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. Indigenous hunters have used it for thousands of years to ward off hunger during long nomadic hunting treks. In the last decade, Hoodia extract has grown in popularity in the west as an appetite suppressant and to promote weight loss. (more…)
Archive for the ‘General Health’ Category
Hoodia Gordonii Suppresses Appetite
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008Lasik Surgery: Benefits and Risks
Thursday, May 1st, 2008
Lasik (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a corrective surgical procedure intended to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. The procedure involves creating a thin flap on the eye and then folding the flap so that the tissue underneath can be remodeled with a laser. (more…)
Will Medicaid Cover Treatments for Severe Headaches?
Thursday, April 10th, 2008Medicaid is an entitlement program that was created to provide medical assistance to individuals or families with low income. Unlike Medicare, which is funded entirely by the federal government, Medicaid is jointly funded by both federal and state governments. Each state has its own program but all states must follow federal eligibility requirements. (more…)
Thermogenics Explained
Saturday, March 8th, 2008Thermogenics are dietary supplements used to stimulate the bodies burning of fat. By increasing the body’s metabolism of adipose tissue, heat is generated. Thermogenic drugs include ephedra, capsicum, ginger, and caffeine.
Clenbuterol for Weight Loss
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008It is no secret that being overweight can lead to a variety of health problems. Often, these problems can inevitably result in an increased frequency of migraine headaches. Changing your diet and engaging in regular exercise are great tried and true methods to shed those pounds but often it is difficult to bring about these drastic changes in lifestyle. Frequently, those with weight problems choose to use dietary supplements as a shortcut to help them loose the weight.
Obesity Can Lead to Chronic Headaches
Friday, February 15th, 2008A recent study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York has shown that obese people are much more likely to experience chronic headaches. In fact, they are 30% more likely to experience chronic headaches than people that are considered normal weight. In addition, the frequency and intensity of the headaches are more severe and tend to increase as weight increases.
Paying for Prescription Migraine Drugs
Thursday, February 14th, 2008
Many chronic migraine headache sufferers find that the only way to relieve their pain is through the use of prescription drugs. Many of these drugs, especially triptans, are very expensive and may not be fully covered by some insurance companies. For those without insurance or for those ineligible for medicare, the costs of these drugs can be prohibitive. There are options available that can substantially reduce the burden of medication expenses.
Can Technology Improve Healthcare?
Saturday, February 2nd, 2008Like many industries, Health care providers are trying to utilize the latest IT systems to streamline their processes and improve the bottom line. Medical databases and systems are complex though, and if installed or managed improperly, can cause more harm than good. Ultimately for technology to work in the health care industry there must be a culture change from (more…)
Neti Pot Instructions
Sunday, January 27th, 2008After a very will received review of the neti pot and it’s effectiveness as a treatment for chronic sinusitis, or sinus infections, I thought that I would revisit the subject with some additional pointers on correct usage. It seems that a fairly large percentage of people who try the neti pot do not continue using it. This is really too bad, because they could be missing out on an inexpensive treatment that could alleviate their sinus headaches. I personally have saved approximately $100 this winter that would have been spent on various sinus medications.
As I stated in my earlier article, it takes a week or two to get used to the act of pouring water through your sinus cavity. Here are a few additional tips on using the neti pot that will help you through the first few tries:
- Water temperature – This is the most important element in comfortable usage of the neti pot. The water should be as close to body temperature as possible. If it is too cold, you will feel as if you are about to drown and if it is too hot then you will feel a burning sensation. Most neti pots are microwave safe, so try microwaving at 10 – 15 seconds until the water feels luke warm to the the touch.
- Saline Packets - I personally only use saline packages specifically designed for nasal irrigation. These have special buffering agents that adjust the PH levels to make the solution more comfortable.
- Saline Solution – In the beginning it is not necessary to use an entire packet of saline. You want to acclimate yourself to this new technique, so try using 1/4 – 1/2 of a packet in the beginning. Many recommend using an entire neti pot of solution for each nostril, but this is definitely overkill for the beginner. Begin by using half of a neti pot for each sinus cavity.
Remember, the best results are achieved through regular usage over time. If you are still having trouble, here is a link to a video demonstrating the proper technique. I tried to embed it in this post, but my new wordpress theme did not like it for some reason.
Headache Treatments Covered by Medicare
Wednesday, January 16th, 2008If you suffer from severe migraine headaches and are currently enrolled to receive Medicare benefits, then you may be eligible to receive coverage that will pay for many of the most powerful prescription drugs on the market. The drugs most widely prescribed for the treatment or of chronic headaches are known as Triptans.
Triptans are medications used to reduce the symptoms or abort the onset of a migraine headache. Since their introduction in the 1990’s, triptans have been an effective treatment for millions of migraine sufferers. Unfortunately, many are still only available as name brands and are thus very expensive. Luckily, Medicare does provide limited coverage for those that qualify.
Under the current Medicare drug plan, the following Triptans are covered. Note that you may have to meet certain pre certification criteria and there will most likely be some quantity limits.
- Amerge® (naratriptan)
- Imitrex® (sumatriptan inj, nasal spray and tablets)
- Maxalt®, Maxalt MLT® (rizatriptan)
- Relpax® (eletriptan)
- Axert® (almotriptan)
- Frova® (Frova)
- Zomig®, Zomig ZMT® (zolmitriptan)
All of these drugs are available only with a prescription and require close medical supervision.