Living Longer With Cancer

Cancer is not the death sentence that it once was. New research reveals that Americans are living longer than ever before despite being diagnosed with the devastating disease. The American Cancer Society credits prevention efforts and lifestyle changes as reasons for the reduction.

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The latest cancer report from the Cancer Society says almost one million deaths from cancer were avoided between 1990 and 2007 which is the most recent year that they have statistics for. Over the period, cancer deaths dropped over 20% in men and almost 15% in women. The biggest declines were noted in cases of death from Colorectal cancer and that is directly connected to more early screening for that type of cancer.

Breast cancer deaths have also been declining dramatically and again doctors credit early detection. More and more women are getting mammograms and that means that the cancer can be detected before it spreads and while it is still relatively easy to treat. Efforts by the Cancer Society and government agencies to promote events like Breast Cancer Awareness Month are leading more women to get tested.

 

One disturbing revelation in the study is that cancer deaths are declining most among well educated people. Researchers believe this may be a socio-economic factor where people with money have better access to early screening. The study found that people at the lower end of the socio-economic scale are more than twice as likely to develop cancer as those closer to the top. The Cancer Society is encouraging better public health efforts to reach low income Americans to protect them from dying from cancer.

 

 

 

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Prepare for a Medical Billing Career with Online Courses

Getting training to become a medical biller can be a big change in your life. Some people cannot attend a regular college, but you can take online classes, instead. Online courses have many advantages. You need to get good training before you can start any medical career. If you are a working adult, it can be very hard to get the training you need on campus. Online classes are more convenient for people who have jobs, children, or other responsibilities.

Online courses can offer degrees or certificates. There are many advantages to getting your medical billing training online. One of the best advantages of taking online courses is that you can do your class work at home whenever it is convenient for you. Online classes are not very difficult to understand, but if you do have questions or you need help, there are always instructors to help you when you have questions.

When you first start an online course, you will read the instructions and get all of the necessary materials, and then you just start working. There are many different job opportunities for a medical biller. Once you become a medical biller, you can either work at home, in an office, or at a hospital. All of these options have many advantages.

Along with plenty of job opportunities, medical billers can get a decent yearly salary. Any job in the medical field is a great choice with many benefits that will help you in the future.

 

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Stay Away from the Potato Chip

The number one cause of obesity in the United States is the potato chip. A new study reports that more than any other food or drink, potato chips are packing pounds onto millions of Americans.

The study is in the New England Journal of Medicine and was paid for by the National Institutes for Health. It concludes that just a single serving of 15 potato chips per day will add over a pound and a half to your frame every four years. Researchers say the chips are worse for you than sugary drinks or sweet deserts. Soda will add a pound every four years while sweets add just four tenths of a pound.

A Pile of The Real McCoy's Potato Chips

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The study looked at other foods and activities that are associated with weight gain and found that they are not nearly as significant factors as eating chips. A beer or glass of wine is equivalent to eating sweets and will put on .4 of a pound over four years. Watching TV for an hour a day adds three tenths of a pound over a four year period and the study found that quitting smoking can lead to a quick weight gain.

This study reinforces the importance of watching what you eat and getting some exercise. A person who eats all of the things that can lead to weight gain and watches a lot of TV could easily pick up ten pounds in four short years and that could turn into 20 or 40 pounds as you continue to age. The study shows people who ate a regular diet of fruits and vegetables did not gain as much weight.

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Interviewing Family Doctors

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When you have to choose a new doctor due to changing your healthcare plan, relocating, or anything else that may cause the change, a good idea is to interview the potential doctors.

First, create a list of doctors in your area. Ask friends and family who they would recommend and interview the ones they list. Research all of the doctors before your visit. Also, check with your insurance company and make sure that doctor is covered by your insurance.

When you go into the doctor’s office; pay attention to the staff as well. Sometimes, the attitude of the other staff will affect the attitude of the doctor as well. Before you interview the doctor, create a list of questions to ask. Also, listen to the way the doctor answers your questions and determine if you will be comfortable going to this doctor. For more information regarding doctors in your area, use Canada 411.

Ask the doctor about his or her background information such as their education, specialty training, years of experience, etc. Also, ask if they have a certain type of patient they focus on such as a diabetic. It is also important to ask about preventions. It is important to know how they treat the patient, but you also want to know if they will have strategies to keep you in good health.

In addition to questions about how the doctor treats the patients, it is also important to ask about payments and the doctor’s availability. Ask if you can contact him by email if you have questions or concerns.

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Do You Have Enough Health Insurance?

Nothing can wipe out a savings account like a catastrophic illness. Even people who thought that they had good health insurance are learning that when faced with a heart attack or cancer, they can exhaust their coverage pretty quickly. High priced medications and procedures are often paid at only 80%, leaving the patient to figure out how they are going to pay for the rest.

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It is no stretch to expect to see a bill for $150,000 or more for heart bypass surgery which is often necessary after a heart attack. The cost of radiation treatments for cancer can top $50,000. Paying the bills are the last thing that someone facing a life threatening illness is concerned about but eventually they will have to be covered. One way to protect yourself and your family is by purchasing a separate catastrophic illness policy.

The supplemental insurance policies which provide coverage for catastrophic illness are relatively inexpensive if they are purchased when you are healthy. Premiums are based upon your age and risk factors of developing a life threatening disease. For example, if you smoke you are going to pay a much higher premium than someone who does not.

Too often, people don’t think about the cost of health care until they are caught in the middle of it because they are sick or they are dealing with a close relative who is ill. When you plan ahead, you not only give yourself the additional peace of mind but you are simplifying the job of a caretaker who is forced to try and sort out all of the medical bills on your behalf.

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Jobs in the Medical Field are Growing

When it comes to the top jobs for graduates of the Class of 2011, medical careers are at the top of the list. As the population of the United States gets older, the need for medical care increases, creating opportunities for nurses, physical therapists and other medical professionals.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the health care industry will create over 3 million new jobs over the next decade which is more than any field. These positions will not be confined just to providing medical care. There are a number of healthcare jobs which provide support services like billing or lab tech. The vast majority of the jobs will require some type of schooling but in many cases that training can come from a tech school and not a college.

One of the jobs in greatest demand is Occupational Therapist. Reports show that more job postings for this position have been listed across the U.S. than any other over the past few weeks. An Occupational Therapist works with people who have disabilities to help them become as self sufficient as possible. Then patient could be someone who suffered a physical injury like a broken leg or someone who has a mental disability.

Typically, the pay for medical professionals is above the average paid in other occupations. Since the workers are in demand, they can expect signing bonuses and other perks that are not offered in other industries. The fastest growing sector of the health care industry is in home health care as the government pushes to keep people in their homes longer, avoiding expensive stays in nursing homes.

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Symptons of Hypertension

It can often go undetected until it triggers a stroke or heart attack. Known as the silent killer, high blood pressure can put people at risk without their even knowing that they have a serious medical condition.

Some of the signs of high blood pressure or hypertension, as it is also known, are headaches, dizziness, nausea and blurred vision. When left untreated, high blood pressure weakens the linings of the arteries and raises your risk for the build up of plaque which can trigger a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure can also cause damage to other organs because it restricts the flow of blood through the body.

People who are overweight and people who have a family history of heart disease are most at risk for developing hypertension. Older people are also at risk because of the natural hardening of the arteries as you age. Smoking, a lack of exercise, too much salt in the diet and heavy consumption of alcohol are other factors that raise your risk of developing high blood pressure. Research also shows that African Americans are at a higher risk of having hypertension than the general public.

The good news about developing hypertension is that it can be easily treated. Lifestyle changes, changes in diet and medication have been shown to effectively bring down high blood pressure. The most common medications that are used are diuretics and beta blockers. The diuretics will remove excess fluids from your body which can lower blood pressure while the beta blockers slow down the heart so it doesn’t have to pump as much blood. Losing weight and quitting smoking are other important factors.

 

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