Health and Medical Equipment

Food Processing

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:22:46 +0000

Fresh food can be directly cook and then serve, but there is also a food that must go through a few specific ways of processing before it can be cooked, such as rice. To obtain rice from paddy, the rice must be milled or crushed first.

Once milled, the rice has several other treatment processes such as in the store, in transport, the washing and so on. In mill process will be undertaken in a way that inadvertently results can occur with low quality, because the rice grains become smaller (rice groats) so wasted on the separation process with a grain that is not broken. How to grind that is too intensive, resulting in a clean white rice (polished rice) are very harmful because the parts that contain nutrients in high concentrations (institutions and epidermis) also wasted. Instead of rice as it is durable, so it is still in enjoy doing anyway.

Percentage of broken rice milling time high of 8%, to the top. It is only a small fraction of grain, bran that go wasted together, or separated with a sieve of rice sold to the working class. Most of the items that broke out at the strain of the degree of quality rice traders sold as high quality rice. If disposal by the maintained below 8%, only a small fraction grains are in the waste, then the result of the origin of 65% should be a lightweight milled rice containing 2 ug of thiamin per gram.

Unlike the case with rice that was obtained through the milling process, the process of rice which is only in the results obtained from the pulverization of rice mash is not durable, but by mashing various food substances contained in the agency and most of the epidermis can be maintained, as middle road can be milled rice by half-rollers (half-milled rice).

Vegetables
Cooking vegetables could reduce substance on it ingredient, due to the influence of various factors during cooking. The amount of vitamins and minerals are retained depends on the nature of which is owned by food substances themselves and the way of cook process done. Most of the vitamins that is damaged is classified as vitamins that are easily damaged by heat, which is soluble in water and are easy on oxidation so changed the nature. In this group that suffered most damage is vitamin C. the amount of minerals which can dissolve in water decreases because of the cooker, especially since there are organic acids which facilitate the dissolution of minerals.

Home Health Care?

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:56:01 +0000

Home health care, as opposed to private duty health care in the home, involves intermittent visits from skilled services such as nurses, home health aides, or therapists such as physical, occupational or speech and language therapists. Home health care agencies also provide services from other home health care professionals such as medical social workers or dietitians if the patient needs these services.
Patients must have a need for skilled care, an MD willing and able to order and oversee the care, and in most instances must be home bound for the duration of the care.
Patients Get Better With Home Care
As the population ages and medical technology advances, patients are living longer. Studies have shown that patients get well quicker in their own homes when possible. In an effort to contain costs and promote wellness, patients are being discharged home earlier and sicker than ever before. This trend is expected to continue and the need for qualified home health professionals is expected to grow far into the next decade.
Home health care was once all about teaching patients how to care for themselves after hospitalization from an illness or an injury. Today, skilled nurses and therapists are helping patients transform their bedrooms into temporary mini care units.
The Many Modalities of Home Care
Patients may require care modalities such as wound care and dressing changes, IV’s or other medication management and education, disease management and education, or rehabilitative care and education following an injury, surgery, or a heart attack or stroke. Home health professionals have to be educated and proficient in a wide variety of tasks and modalities.
Patients, family members and hired caregivers are usually expected to participate in the care at home in between visits from nurses, aides and/or therapists. As long as the care is medically necessary and requires the management of a registered nurse or licensed therapist, most private health insurances, Medicaid and Medicare will pay for the home health services. Under Medicare especially, the patient must be home bound and therefore unable to seek the care from an outpatient source.
Duration of Home Health Care
The duration of home health care services is dependent on many factors such as the severity of the illness or injury, how quickly the patient and/or caregivers become independent in self care, and the home bound status. Home health care is not meant to be long term, and rarely is. The few exceptions include management of Foley catheters or G-tubes in debilitated patients.
Patients with chronic illnesses may have multiple episodes of home health care over a period of time, and others may need a few visits and not ever need this care again. As home health care becomes an even more common facet of the health care delivery system, more patients will receive home health care in lieu of hospitalization.

Enzymes: The Health and Benefits

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:55:09 +0000

All things living require enzymes. The human body contains 1,300 different enzymes, which carry out a wide variety of functions such as breaking down food and fats, rebuilding cells, blood purification, colon cleansing, cholesterol management and protecting the body from disease. Enzymes are often the unsung heroes in protecting the body from disease and poor health. Many health problems which are attributed to other causes can be traced back to digestive problems and food which is improperly digested.
Blame it on Enzymes
Heartburn, gas, constipation, bloating, allergies, ulcers or a lack of energy are common conditions that are often attributed to aging. These symptoms may all have a root cause that is often missed, which is insufficient enzyme levels. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze (cause or increase) reactions. They serve many different functions in the body, all of which are vital. They break down nutrients so the body can use them. They also strengthen the immune system and rebuild damaged cells and tissues to facilitate healing. Researchers who conducted a study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that plastic surgery patients who took enzymes healed 20% faster than patients who took a placebo.
The Variety of Enzymes
There are different types of enzymes. Food enzymes come naturally in raw, living foods—uncooked fruits and veggies. Cooking these foods destroys the enzymes, which is why a baked apple just isn’t as healthy as a raw apple. Many people notice better energy and and overall well being after an increase of raw fruits and veggies in their diets. Adding more salads, fruits and fresh juices into the diet is an excellent strategy for increasing raw food intake.
Digestive enzymes are produced by living organisms, not including plants. They are produced by the stomach, pancreas, saliva, and intestinal cells. These enzymes break down food into their essential nutrients. They also play a big role in reducing inflammation, breaking down yeast, and fighting off bacteria and viruses. The human body makes approximately 22 different digestive enzymes.
Another type of enzyme is the metabolic enzyme. The body produces metabolic enzymes as they are needed. Metabolic enzymes work to build tissues, oxidize free radicals, and transfer compounds from one molecule to the next. Health can be affected at the molecular level, down to the individual atoms and electrons in the body.
A Possible Weapon for Weight Loss
For people who are overweight, taking digestive enzyme supplements may help with weight loss. These supplements can give the metabolism a needed boost. The benefits of enzyme supplementation might include more energy for exercise, as well as giving the metabolism more energy. Betain, HCI, Papain, Pepsin, Diatase and Ox Bile are digestive enzymes which can be effective for giving a kick start to a stalled weight loss program and improved digestive health. Taking enzymes isn’t a substitute for healthy eating and exercise, but they can make a significant difference for those already making healthy living choices.
There are, however, far greater health concerns than weight that are affected by enzymes. The enzyme protease, for example, can help slow the growth of cancer. Bromelain can decrease bodily inflammation associated with injury, arthritis, or rheumatism. The immune system can deteriorate when the body is enzyme deficient, which is why older people heal more slowly. Just as many other things in the body slow as the body gets older, aging also reduces the ability to produce vital enzymes.
The modern diet, in most cases, does not enable the body to replenish the needed supply of enzymes fast enough to keep up with the stress of everyday living. Enzyme supplementation can also help with acne, indigestion, candidiasis, Crohn’s disease, food allergies, lower back pain, and sinusitis.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Each type of enzyme has a specific job, therefore be cautious of supplements which promise to treat a variety of conditions with one capsule.
• Amylaise breaks down carbs, starches, and sugar.
• Bromelain breaks down proteins.
• HCL stimulates pancreatic secretions, which can help sterilize the stomach from bacteria and parasites.
• Lactase breaks down milk products.
• Lipase breaks down fats.
• Ox Bile improves fat digestion and aids the function of the gallbladder.
• Papain aids protein digestion.
• Pepsin breaks down proteins.
• Protease breaks proteins down into amino acids.
• Malt diastase helps with sugars.
• Invertase also helps with sugars.
Many enzymes supplements are readily available on the market. Look for a reputable and high quality pharmaceutical grade company which have USP and GMP certifications. Finding the correct dosage and type of enzymes needed is essential to maximize benefits of enzyme supplementation. Start with adding more living foods into the diet to determine if supplementation is necessary. Consider contacting a nutritionist or health professional who offers simple digestion testing to evaluate whether digestive enzymes would be helpful.

Medical Coding

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:53:48 +0000

Did you know that you can start a career in the health care industry without performing any clinical tasks? No patient interaction is required in a medical coding career — you’ll work in a comfortable office setting making sure doctors get paid accurately and on time.

Medical coders read medical reports about a patient’s diagnosis and the medical procedures used to treat that patient. They then assign specific codes to that information for the purpose of accurate billing and record keeping.

It’s the perfect way to transition into the health care field. It’s a behind-the-scenes career that is an integral part of a smooth-running medical office or health care facility. You’ll use your knowledge of anatomy and physiology and insurance and billing procedures to apply the right codes and facilitate insurance payments.

Medical coding requires less education than other health care careers. You don’t have to go to schools for years and acquire advanced degrees. In a short period of time — less than two years — you can find yourself in a respected, health care position. An online medical coding program will make it even easier — learn when and where you want!

Health care is the largest industry in the U.S. — with a forecast of 3 million new wage and salary jobs on the horizon between 2006 and 2016. (Source: BLS) An aging and growing population is expected to create a greater need for medical coders to perform accurate record-keeping and billing procedures in hospitals, physician offices, nursing and residential care facilities, and outpatient care centers nationwide.

You don’t need to be a doctor or nurse to start a health care career. Medical coding provides an ideal way to step into this ever-growing industry. And it’s easier than you think. With the right medical coding training, you can make the transition into a stable, rewarding career that will be needed for years to come.

Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:52:53 +0000

Not to be confused with PCA (patient controlled analgesia) pumps which deliver narcotic pain medications subcutaneously or intravenously to post op patients, these intra-articular shoulder pain pumps deliver anesthetic medication such as lidocaine (xylocaine) or bupivacaine (Marcaine) directly into the shoulder joint to essentially numb the pain. These medications are sometimes mixed with epinephrine to enhance the anesthetic pain management.
According to the studies, the hyaline cartilage in the shoulder joint can be badly damaged or destroyed by these medications leaving patients with limited range of motion in the joint and increased or constant pain.
PAGCL
The condition caused by directly injecting these medications into the joint is known as PAGCL or postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis. According to one study published in the October 2007 issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine, nearly 63% of patients using these shoulder pain pumps are at risk of developing PAGCL. The study recommends that patients avoid using these pumps, especially those delivering Marcaine with epinephrine, until the safety of these pumps can be determined.
At present, the only treatment for PAGCL is palliative, which means that the symptoms, particularly the pain, are treated, but the condition is not corrected. Further shoulder surgery is needed to correct the condition, and quite often this involves a total shoulder replacement.
Shoulder Pain Pumps
Intra-articular pain pumps are disposable devices implanted during surgery to deliver post operative anesthetic pain medication through a small catheter directly into the surgical site. Typically they are used for two to five days post surgery and then removed and discarded.
These pumps are most commonly used for post-arthroscopic procedures but can be used for general surgeries as well such as gastric bypass, breast augmentation, cesarean sections, and ligament repair surgery on the knee such as ACL repair. Little is known about the possible effects of this use.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic surgery (arthroscopy) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat a variety of damaged or painful conditions in the shoulder, knee and hip such as arthritis, tendonitis, frozen joints, impingement syndrome and small tears in muscles or tendons.
Although arthroscopy is usually less painful than general surgery which involves a larger incision through multiple layers of skin and muscle, patients do have post operative pain which can be excessive.
Effective Pain Management with Damaging Side Effects
The intra-articular pump was developed to deliver anesthetic medication into the joint or surgical site either in a continuous specific flow rate, or with a variety of patient controlled on-demand bolus features. This route was expected to provide more effective pain control without the use of narcotic pain medications which can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting and altered levels of consciousness.
As recent studies have shown, far more damaging side effects have resulted from the intra-articular pump, leaving a large number of patients at potential risk for significant joint injury from their use.
Manufacturers Not Notifying MDs
A number of recent shoulder pain pump lawsuits allege that the manufacturers of these devices (such as Stryker, DJO Inc., I-Flow Inc., BREG Inc. and others) have failed to notify the medical community about the possible harm and as a result doctors are just now beginning to be alerted to the potential dangers of the use of these devices.