Why Home Care Services Recommend Personal Information Packs

Why Home Care Services Recommend Personal Information Packs

Some people have entire lists of medications and dosages memorized. Nevertheless, they could run into a situation when they can't communicate those lists when it is critically important. That's why many home care services recommend that you keep a personal information pack nearby.

Sometimes it's easy to list off all your medications, dosages, and the contact information of your primary care physician. But what would happen if they began to experience some diminished capacity? They wouldn't be able to give anyone that list anymore. Personal information packs make it possible for anyone to administer the correct medication when it's needed.

Personal information kits should include, at the very least, a complete list of one's medication and correct dosages along with how many times a day it needs to be administered. The contact information of the primary care physician is also very important, as is the contact information for the friend or family member that needs to be notified in case of a problem.

A pack needs more than just some lists and information, though. Most home care services will recommend that you include a month supply of medication as well. Then, if something should force your from your home, you'll be able to quickly grab the medication you need and have it with you at all times.

It isn't enough, though, just to keep everything in one place. Location is key. Always choose a location that is stable and memorable, that way you'll always know where it is in an emergency. The refrigerator is a popular choice of many home care services.

This is such a common location that it is the first place a lot of emergency personnel will check when they are responding to an incident. There are a lot of benefits to a refrigerator. It will prolong the life of some of the contents of your package, and it will more likely survive disasters like fires.

Another recommendation that home care services often make is that people register for disaster assistance whenever possible. This is another way to protect yourself in the case of a natural disaster, and make sure that you get medical attention as well as other services like water and food.

Finally, you should try to have a friend, neighbor, or family member make regular visits to make sure everything is going well and that they don't need any immediate help. Many home care services can also offer this benefit.

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Treatment of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Treatment of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare lung disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries rises above normal levels, creating additional stress and work for the heart. It occurs in the absence of other diseases in the heart and lungs. It is marked by shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting, all worsened by exertion or exercise. According to the American Lung Association, there were 3,065 deaths attributable to PPH in 2000. PPH usually affects women between the ages of 21 and 40.

No one knows exactly what causes PPH. It is linked to familial history, immune system diseases, and the ingestion of certain drugs. Appetite suppressant use, especially a dosage lasting more than three months, is linked to increase in the incidence of PPH and heart valve damage.

The prognosis for people diagnosed with PPH varies. The median survival period is three years after diagnosis; however, the survival rate is longer for those without heart failure and for those diagnosed after the age of forty.

Treatment for primary pulmonary hypertension cannot cure or halt the progression of the disease but can relieve the symptoms. Some drugs know as vasodilators dilate the blood vessels in the lungs. This dilation helps to reduce blood pressure, helping to relieve strain on the heart as well. However, such drugs must be evaluated with heart tests, as they can cause serious side effects in some patients. Another shortcoming of vasodilators is that they rarely normalize the elevated blood pressure and must be consumed in high doses to achieve the desired effect.

A blood thinning drug is also another treatment option for those diagnosed with PPH. Anticoagulants, or drugs than discourage blood clotting, especially in the lungs, may be beneficial. Supplemental oxygen is often recommended by doctors as low blood oxygen levels is a side effect of PPH. Lung transplants are a viable option for patients with severe PPH.

Sometimes, if the patient's heart is also diseased, a heart-lung transplant may also be performed. Lung transplant is an extreme measure for patients with life-threatening PPH. To qualify for a transplant, patients aged twelve and older are evaluated according to the Lung Allocation Scoring (LAS) system which evaluates their health and need. Lungs are then awarded based on patient need, rather than how long they have been on a waiting list. Survival rates are generally very high at the one year mark but lower at five and ten year follow-ups. Transplanted lungs usually last three to five years before showing signs of failure.

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Panic Attacks, Anxiety, and Your Primary Care Physician - Are You Getting the Best Care?

Panic Attacks, Anxiety, and Your Primary Care Physician - Are You Getting the Best Care?

I found an editorial in the March 6, 2007 edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine that I believe is spot-on. It was written by Wayne Katon, M.D. and Peter Roy-Byrne, M.D., from the University of Washington School of Medicine. The subject matter was poor treatment practices, as well as outcomes, for anxiety disorder sufferers who receive primary care-based mental health care.

The editorial begins with Drs. Katon and Roy-Byrne referring to the anxiety disorders as "the neglected stepchild of primary care-based mental health care." Curiously, there are mountains of research floating about with regard to primary care-based mental health care for depression. But, such is certainly not the case for the anxiety disorders. And that's really very remarkable when you consider that the anxiety disorders are the most frequently occurring mind variances (my stigma-busting replacement term for "mental illnesses") in the United States, if not the world. And let's not forget about the devastating social, educational, and vocational havoc they can wreak.

It can't be of any great surprise that anxiety disorder sufferers are frequent flyers at primary care practices. And that's "primarily" because of all of the anxiety-generated physical symptoms we experience and endure. I mean, there's chest pain, rapid heart rate, heart palpitations, breathing difficulty, gastrointestinal issues, and on and on. And on top of the physical hub-bub is a very tough layer of psychiatric comorbidities, such as mood disorders, other anxiety disorders, and substance abuse and dependence.

In their editorial, Drs. Katon and Roy-Byrne cite the research of Kurt Kroenke, M.D., of Indiana University and the Regenstrief Institute. Dr. Kroenke's work reveals generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the most frequently presenting anxiety disorders at a primary care practice. Also noted in Kroenke's research was the prevalence of comorbidities such as depression, somatization issues, and overall functional impairment. Kroenke's study goes on to indicate there are several brief and reliable screening questionnaires that address all four of the disorders just mentioned, most notably the GAD-2 and GAD-7. And, finally, Kroenke's work reveals that more than 40% of studied patients who presented with an anxiety disorder stated they weren't receiving any mental health treatment whatsoever.

Now, certainly, screening for the anxiety disorders at a primary care practice is a crucial first step; however, according to Katon and Roy-Byrne, arriving at a diagnosis doesn't at all equate to improvement in quality of care or outcomes. Indeed, studies show anxiety patients who are receiving primary care-based mental health care, and are accurately diagnosed, show significant gaps in care. Among these are poor physician follow-up, which often leads to meds non-compliance, and very limited exposure to efficacious psychotherapies. So, when you pull together the data, primary care-based mental health care just doesn't appear to be an option for anxiety sufferers.

Drs. Katon and Roy-Byrne believe it's time for major change and suggest looking at primary care-based depression screening protocols as a starting point. They go on to recommend greater emphasis upon anxiety screening and linking screened anxiety sufferers with proven treatment resources. And they propose the use of allied health professionals in supporting the work of the primary care physician. Imagine a qualified professional who provides anxiety education to patients and staff. And this same team member could monitor treatment compliance and outcomes, facilitating physician follow-up appointments should the patient's circumstances not improve. This allied professional could even work with a psychiatrist on medication adjustments and recommendations, passing the information on to the physician.

Well, this is all very interesting and revealing information, don't you think? And as distressing as much of it is, there's every reason in the world to be hopeful. And that's because studies show the recommendations of change suggested by Drs. Katon and Roy-Byrne work. Period. So, it's time to identify barriers to correction and push them aside.

There's absolutely no reason why an anxiety sufferer shouldn't be able to see his/her primary care physician and benefit from a great initial, and ongoing, collaborative offensive against their nemesis. Anything less is simply an injustice and an overwhelmingly sad missed opportunity.

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Dr Oz Acai Berry Diet - Best Weight Loss Secret & Recommended by Oprah Now

Dr Oz Acai Berry Diet - Best Weight Loss Secret & Recommended by Oprah Now

Several fad diets today are introduced in the public just to achieve a slimmer body type and add shape to the figure. However, not all promises are fulfilled and at times these are masked with hidden side effects. There are many consumers of weight loss pills and restrictive diets already experienced the adverse effects of commercial weight loss products and menu plans.

If you're looking for a 100% natural diet, Dr. Oz Acai Berry diet is one of the best diets to try out. Many experts and even well known talk show host Oprah recommend the diet since it continuously prove to the public and in the world of research that it is very effective, safe and user- friendly. Other notable benefits of the Acai Berry diet are as follows.

• Pro- Heart

Aside from cutting of extra fats from your systems, the diet also improves the cardiovascular function of the body. Acai Berry Diet plus cardiovascular diet are proven to enhance the function of the heart.

• Antioxidant

The diet was primarily extracted from the Acai berry fruit that is rich with antioxidant properties. It is responsible for reducing the toxins level inside the body.

• Anti-Aging

The Acai Berry Diet is highly exceptional because of its anti aging property. Other diets give dieters an old man's face because of stress and food deprivation. With the berry diet, you get to have the pleasing figure with a young looking face.

• Anti-Cancer

Dr. Oz Acai Berry diet is proven to be effective to fight off frequently occurring cancer diseases. The Acai Berry fruit is outstandingly proven to be rich with mineral and vitamin properties that helps wash out free radicals in the body which is believed to be the primary cause of cancers.

Healthy living always promises numerous benefits for the body. It only takes a 100% determination plus a faultless Acai Berry diet to have it all.

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