Posts Tagged ‘healthcare’

Gastric Sleeve Surgery Offering Hope for Obese People

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Gastric Sleeve surgery is a relatively new weight loss surgery also technically known as gastric sleeve resection, sleeve gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. It is a part of the duodenal operation and involves removing the 2/3rds of the lateral side of the stomach with a stapler-like device. It is also a keyhole surgery but is not reversible. It basically transforms a stomach sack into a stomach sack.

The gastric sleeve surgery is a restrictive type of bariatric procedure that reduces the size of the stomach permanently by restricting intake of food. The surgery is usually performed as the first part of a 2 stage surgery. The second part of the surgery usually performed at a later stage involves duodenal switch surgery or gastric bypass. The purpose of the two part surgery is to make the procedure safer and less risky for patients with a BMI of over 60 or those with complex medical conditions.

The pyloric valve continues to function normally. The hormone known as ghrelin responsible for inducing hunger in people, slowing metabolism and decreasing the ability of the body to burn fat is removed by removing the upper portion of the stomach-the area the hunger stimulating hormone is produced. Nowadays it is performed increasingly as a stand alone procedure but the second part of the surgery is performed when the obese patient has lost enough weight and if further weight loss is required.

Benefits of gastric sleeve surgery include: The surgery does not involve implanting a medical or foreign device into the body in order to curb eating. The small intestine is left intact with and hence involves fewer complications. Patients with complex medical conditions can safely undertake the surgery. Post surgery, additional nutritional supplements are not needed. Visible positive differences are seen within a year of the surgery. It is a boon for patients with high BMI. Does not restrict intake of normal food soon after surgery. Dumping syndrome does not occur.

There are also several disadvantages of this surgery. The procedure is not reversible, Since it is a relatively new procedure, it may be difficult to find experienced surgeons. Gastric sleeve surgery is not enclosed in insurance deals. No long term studies to prove that the surgery will have a long term effect.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and the duration is about 2-3 hours. Soon after the surgery, patients will need to be on liquid diets until the body recovers and thereafter the diet will slowly change from semi solid to solid foods. About 1 month after the surgery, most patients will be able to consume normal food.

Many patients have reported noticing an improvement in their health and discover that their diabetes, blood pressure or hypertension is well under control. Gastric sleeve surgery is not the end but a journey in the ongoing process of weight loss. The patients have to make healthy lifestyle changes to aid them in losing weight and maintaining it throughout their lives.

Learn more about theGastric Sleeve Surgery. Stop by Jessica Sharpe’s site where you can find out all about Gastric Sleeve Surgery and what it can do for you.

categories: Gastric sleeve surgery,weight loss surgery,healthcare,health

An Investigation Of Remote Monitoring & Alerting Systems for Healthcare Mobility

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Is this something you have heard before?

“My 78 year old mom was walking around her condo front yard. She fell outside and broke her hip and no one was around to help. Her cell phone landed 15 feet away from her and she couldn’t crawl to it. She had a wireless life alert pendant, but it didn’t work as she was too far away from her condo (were the base station was located). She had to wait 2 hours before someone found her. She could have died.” Cookie S.

This could happen to anyone! Wireless life alert systems are extremely limited, and really require the person to be close to their “base station” which is often located in their home or bedroom.

An automated system to call for help is required by many people with physical or mental challenges!

If someone you know is physically or mentally challenged, has limited mobility and cannot always be left by themselves, you should consider an automated remote alert and monitoring solution. Piece of mind can be given to loved ones of these individuals while independence and personal freedom is maintained to some degree.

Remote alerting and monitoring systems help both the caregiver and the needy. Many physically or mentally challenged are faced with situations where they need help in emergency situations. These systems can save a life.

Cutting edge technology can provide relief to both the caregiver and to loved ones.

Technology also introduces issues, however. Wheelchairs and scooter pose a particular problem. These devices can greatly extend the range of an otherwise immobile person potentially leaving them far from help and home.

People with limited mobility find comfort in scooters and powered wheelchairs regardless of age. Recent technology developments and cost offsets by insurance companies, have increased the use of scooters and powered wheelchairs. Personal freedom and improved quality of life is provided regardless of the type of mobility device.

Power wheelchairs can travel between 10 and 15 miles on a single battery charge. This distance can potentially place an individual far from either home or other caregiver. The convenience of this power wheelchairs certainly add value to a person with limited mobility. Many people use them not only for moving around the house, yard, residential development, but also for traveling to local shopping centers and visiting friends and family.

Wheelchairs can be dangerous and it is advised that users should bring a cell phone with them when they travel. However, some people have difficulty in using a cell phone. Others may have sudden attacks that prevent them from using a cell phone.

More effective solutions to the use of cell phones may exist. This investigation looks at these alternatives.

A scooter or powered wheelchair user can travel far from help. A sudden attack or accident could evolve into something much more serious without immediate attention.

Monitoring and Alerting – What is it?

Monitoring measures information such as physical condition such as blood pressure, sugar levels, etc. Alerting is reporting of the monitored information. The are two different things. Many systems are able to monitor, but few have a robust alerting capability and even fewer provide both.

Between monitoring and alerting, the most critical is alerting. When a person is in trouble, they need to alert someone for help. However, in an unexpected accident they may not have the ability to call for help. In this situation, automated alerting would be required. The complication with automated alerting is that it requires monitoring.

Various sensors are used to monitor parameters. Mobile individuals often require sensors that are battery-powered. Sensors send the data to be analyzed. When something goes wrong an audible or visible alarm is activated. Some robust alerting systems can provide an email alert, text message or even a voice call.

The Value of Monitoring and Alerting

Real-time monitoring and alerting for your power wheelchair or any mobile medical device can significantly reduce the danger associated with accidents or physical collapse. A monitoring system can track the user’s location, vital signs, equipment maintenance issues, and can offer a “panic button” all coupled to an automated alert notification system that can be configured to notify the user’s doctor, ambulance, family members, neighbors, local first responders, and other caregivers.

Looking to find the best deal on HealthCare Monitoring and Alerting, then visit www.ScooterTracker.com to find the best advice on great wheelchair accessories for you.

categories: Wheelchair accessories, Scooter, wheelchair, disabilities, healthcare, health

How A Gel Can Help You Lose Weight

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
by Ron Randel

Obesity has become a curse in a number of countries across the world, especially in the more developed ones. The fast / junk food industry has managed to put a huge strain on already stretched medical facilities that have to cope with a rising demand to handle weight related disorders afflicting the old and young alike. The increase in heart diseases, intestinal problems like acidity, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence, etc. have become a major cause of worry for health professionals across both economically powerful and the not so powerful countries.

While a lot of effort is being at governmental, community and social levels to get people to live a healthier life and maintain the most appropriate body-mass ratio applicable to the person, it is up to the individual to carry out these recommendations. Diets, surgery and medicines of various types are the most common methods being used to get a grip on this concern and it is becoming necessary for the enlightened to choose the best option and bite the bullet in getting his or her weight down.

This is where Sixty Second Healthcare has made a significant impact with their water based trans-dermal calorie intake management product called ‘Suppress’, which has to be applied to the palm (or any other suitable area) for the effects to register within 60 seconds of application. The way it works is that a feeling of ‘fullness’ is experienced when the formulation is applied, with the effects lasting for several hours. This dietary policeman has the capability of controlling the quantities of food taken during regular meals and can almost completely dissuade from binge eating at other times of the day. It has been clinically proven that a person can lose up to three and a half kilos by sticking to eating controlled quantities of the correct types of food only at meal times, without any snacking in between and this is the clientele that Suppress is targeted towards.

The active ingredient in the product is liquefied green tea extracts (LGTE), which has been historically known to have appetite suppressing properties among many races spread across the Far East. The particular compound in LGTE that does this is called Polycatechins, and it is believed to act by forcing the body’s appetite generation switch in the hypothalamus to suggest the stomach is full and there is no need for fresh ingestions of food, till such time it ’switches off’. Suppress provides this quality to overweight and obese people in a convenient package which they can use regularly to get back and remain ‘in shape’.

The visual proof of a reduction in weight within a short period of time reinforces the will power of such people and the feel good factor comes into play. The gel comes out in specific quantities from the dispenser and it can be rubbed onto the hands whenever an ‘inappropriate’ hunger arises. The product can be ordered though the company’s website and anyone not satisfied with the product is guaranteed a full refund.

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Having your Weight Loss Surgery Abroad

Friday, January 30th, 2009
by Michael Dunage

There has been an increase in the numbers of weight loss surgery trips abroad from the U.S. There is a growing epidemic of obesity which is spread throughout the nation. Diet and exercise doesn’t seem to cut it, therefore many turn to weight loss surgery instead.

The procedure, however, is not covered under all insurance plans and not everyone has health insurance. Due to the high cost of such a procedure, many people are left without many options. One good option is to have ones weight loss surgery abroad. This involves visiting any one of several countries for weight loss surgery.

Turkey, Costa Rica, Mexico, India, Thailand and Turkey are some of the countries a person can choose from to have marked reductions in the cost of their surgery. Surgery costs can be up to seventy percent reduced from the same surgery in the U.S. This makes weight loss surgery abroad a cost effective way to lose weight. Weight loss surgery abroad is also extremely safe and offers many amenities you wouldn’t even find in a surgery performed in the U.S.

Weight loss surgery procedures are becoming increasingly popular in Mexico. There are several weight loss surgical procedures and the specific surgery needed will of course depend on your personal situation. You can begin by contacting a medical travel coordinator or a medical travel company that will explain the process and schedule the arrangement as well as offer an all inclusive package special. These usually include everything except the cost of flight.

The guest house or hotel rooms that are available and used during or in between the surgery are usually just as good as a four or five star hotel room. The personal assistance is superb and the personal attention is second to none. The flights can also be arranged and the patient alone or with family to accompany, are off to the desired destination such a Mexico for the weight loss surgery abroad.

You meet your personal attendant and check into a luxury hotel room nearby the hospital where you will be having weight loss surgery. Mexico hospitals used for this purpose are modern, clean, and have state-of-the art facilities and equipment. You will meet your surgeon who is board certified in weight loss surgery. Mexico may be their choice of practice, but many have trained in the Western countries on modern techniques and have done hundreds of weight loss surgery procedures.

Another good place for weight loss surgery, Costa Rica is a country that is developing in some places but completely modern in others. They offer medical tourism programs for surgeries like weight loss surgery and have similar programs to those you’d find in Mexico. You travel to Costa Rica and check into a luxury hotel near the hospital and clinic. You will initially meet your doctor for weight loss surgery; Costa Rica’s doctors are also well trained.

When it is time for weight loss surgery, Turkey hospitals also offer luxury hospital rooms. The well trained nursing staff will take care of you and prepare you for weight loss surgery. Turkey hospitals have state-of-the-art surgical suites and your surgery will proceed exactly as in the U.S. After the surgery, the nurses will take care of you before your flight home.

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Save Thousands on Lap Band Surgery Abroad

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
by Michael Dunage

A procedure abroad that is considered to to relatively new in the west, known as lap band surgery, consists of using a vinyl ring filled with a substance called saline and applying it around the upper region of the stomach, to constrict the stomach in that area while creating a pouch in the upper region that stores food after a meal. It has been considered an effective way to lose weight.

Many people are interested in the idea of this procedure, but many simply cannot afford the cost. Thousands are uninsured or under-insured and don’t have any realistic means to have this done. There is hope. Many are now seeking help with treatments abroad that can save them thousands off the price tag in the U.S.

This makes Lap Band surgery abroad very cost-effective. An added advantage of this option is that such Lap Band programs are safe and modern in countries that are also exotic and great places to incorporate a vacation. Lap Band surgery abroad can involve having your surgery in one of several countries that do Lap Band surgery.

Several top destinations such as mexico, costa rica, thailand, brazil and turkey are suitable for receiving a lap band surgery. It is best to locate a doctor or specialist who is board certified to perform such procedure. These specialists, have usually performed thousands of lap band surgery procedures abroad and belong to accredited institutions and have high standards.

English is either the native or second language of most of the doctors recommended and that have performed lap band surgery procedures on International patients. They will be more suitable to explain if you are a good candidate for this type procedure and the disadvantages and the advantages for receiving the treatment.

The best doctors are usually willing to answer and questions regarding the lap band surgery procedure. Many patients from the U.S. travel to Mexico for this treatment for a few reasons, such as distance, modern technology and the low cost. The lap band surgeons have years of experience performing these procedures.

The nursing staff is well trained and prepares you for having your Lap Band surgery. Mexico surgical suites are similar to those in the U.S. The anesthesia is the same and is as safe as that in the U.S. and the Lap Band device is identical to those found in the U.S. Overall, it is an excellent choice for Lap Band Surgery.

Turkey is another choice for Lap Band surgery. Turkey is also an exotic location”a perfect place to travel for both vacationing and medical needs. You will find, as in Mexico, a nice set up for Lap Band surgery. Turkey offers modern clinics and hospitals that are clean, well kept and stocked with the medication and supplies that make these places extremely similar to U.S. programs for Lap Band surgery.

You will find that there are many board certified doctors in Turkey that specialize in Bariatric or lap band surgery and are extremely knowledgeable. They have performed thousands of lap band surgery procedures and like mexico provides a true meaning of gratification.

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