Medical Tourism in Mexico - A Growing Business

Medical Tourism is the ever-growing and popular practice of traveling to another country for expert medical care and surgical procedures. In late 2010, medical tourism to Mexico was noted as one of the fastest growing segments of the medical tourism business.

The demand for affordable quality health care historically brought many Americans to Mexico for many years. Now, with increased costs for health care in the United States looming in the not-too- distant future, more and more Americans are opting for an affordable health care option. Add to that the surging numbers of unemployed who are uninsured or under-insured in the United States and you have another category of people who seek cost-saving, quality medical care south of the border.

The procedures that are popular among medical tourism patients are heart surgery, orthopedic procedures, eye surgery, weight loss surgery and cosmetic surgery as a result of specialty care in Mexico for less out-of-pocket expense.

After years of minimal development growth in the sector of private hospitals in Mexico, the demand created by Americans through medical tourism has expanded the construction of private hospitals by double digits. This boom has spread from large hospitals to medical clinics featuring state of the art equipment, many of which are compared to the best in the world.

The increased demand for medical tourism also points to the affordability of medical care and surgery in Mexico. Overall costs, including medical testing, are notably at about 30% to 60% less of what it would cost for treatment and testing in a medical facility in the United States for any major medical condition.

The physicians and staff in hospitals designated for medical tourism in Mexico are educated in the best medical schools that Mexico has to offer. In fact, Mexican doctors are very proficient in procedures either recently approved or not yet approved by the FDA in the United States. This is an important feature for patients needing advanced specialty medical care not yet available in the U.S. In many instances, the advanced medical treatment in Mexico can cut time needed for convalescing in half.

Medical tourists will be pleased to learn that many state-of-the-art hospitals are located in Mexico. Most noted locations are in Guadalajara, Mexico City, Queretaro, Hermosillo and Merida in the Yucatan. One of the notable hospital groups in Mexico is CIMA, owned by the International Hospital Corporation, an American company, with locations throughout Mexico.

Before you venture into the world of medical tourism, it is suggested you do a good amount of research. The reputable medical tourism companies will have a medical team and a nursing team that can guide you through the process and help you select just the right doctor and hospital for your procedure. Usually, your transportation and lodging expenses are included in the medical tour package.

Generally, most physicians and staff treating medical tourism patients speak English. If they are not proficient in English,a full service medical tourism company will provide a translator. Most of these tourism companies provide the benefit of doing all of the work for you at a fraction of the cost and effort of working with your local HMO or medical provider.

If you are in a medical bind and need specialty medical attention, don't give up. Make sure to investigate all of your options with Mexico medical tourism at the top of your list. You may be able to get healthy, afford a long weekend at the beach and have the best medical treatment you ever thought or imagined you could have anywhere as close to home, just south of the border, in Mexico.

We are experienced baby-boomer expats who have been living in Mexico and experiencing the transition from one country to another with ease. Collectively, we represent 20 years of experiencing Mexico living in various parts of the country.

To make your search and reading experience more valuable, we are imparting our knowledge to you directly from Mexico, where we continue to search for the best information available to help you discover Mexico living now. For more detailed information about living or retiring in Mexico, visit http://MexicoLivingNow.com/

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Lifespan Respite Care Programme - Technical Assistance Resource Center

The Administration on Aging, more typically called AoA, is a federal government agency operating within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that is primarily responsible for conducting statistical activities supporting the study, analysis, and evaluation of programs to meet the needs of an aging population.

The grants and initiatives of the AoA are all designed to assist in the attainment of its general agency mission which is to"develop a thorough, coordinated and cost-effective system of home and community-based services that helps old individuals maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities."

In keeping with this mission, the Administration on Aging has recently announced the constitution of the Lifespan Respite Care Program - Technical Assistance Resource Center wherein it aims to invite applications for a competitive grant opportunity for implementing the requirements of the Technical Assistance Resource Center (TARC) as sanctioned in the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006.

The Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 outlines lifespan reprieve care as"a coordinated system of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children or adults with special needs."

With this, the program invites admissible entities to run and establish the Technical Assistance Resource Centers that are important in the success and execution of the Lifespan Respite Care Programs.

The applicants of the programme can choose between two funding options. The 1st option will need the successful applicants to establish state and local coordinated Lifespan Respite Care systems so as to serve family caregivers regardless of their age or special needs.

In addition, the candidates under this funding option will also be required to create and provide new and tested emergency reprieve services, as well as provide training and recruit temporary volunteers and workers while concurrently helping caregivers in gaining access to reprieve care services.

The second funding option stipulates that the applicant should bring to scale more completely integrated respite services across the lifespan with an objective of sustained, measurable progress towards the realization of tolerable Lifespan Respite systems.

To support these initiatives, the Administration on Aging is prepared to administer funds in the amount of $2,495,000 to a couple of deserving, eligible grant recipients.

The establishments and setups who will be considered eligible to take part in the Lifespan Respite Care Program - Technical Assistance Resource Center are the following:

a) Private and Public Non-profit entities

b) State and Local Governments

c) Indian Tribal Governments and Organizations

d) Faith-based Organizations

e) Community-based Organizations

f) Institutions of Higher Education.

Iola Bonggay is an editor of TopGovernmentGrants.com. She maintains Websites providing resources on small business grants and home improvement grants.

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An Introduction to Commercial Cleaning Products

Millions of people often see advertisements about commercial cleaning products every single day. However, the general public needs more orientation in choosing the right products that match their needs. More often than not, a business in need of such cleaning products would mainly base their decision on the cost alone. But with the different types of germs, viruses, and dirt produced by waste materials, there is a need to be more discerning to ensure cleanliness.

In the case of commercial establishments, having a clean environment is a necessity. Certain standards must be met to protect the health of both employees and customers in the case of restaurants. In a hospital setting, getting the right commercial cleaning products will minimize the risk of infection and contamination especially in high-risk areas such as operating rooms, Intensive Care unit, and recovery rooms. Even industrial areas must be free from pathogens especially if production is concerned with or pharmaceutical or food products. As a guide, here are some common pathogens that endanger our health:

1. Hepatitis B
2. Foot and Mouth Disease
3. E coli
4. Salmonella
5. Pseudomonas
6. Clostridium Difficile
7. Staphylococcus (MRSA)

Aside from the aforementioned pathogens, Flu virus and Avian Influenza are also transmittable in densely populated areas. An air-conditioned office is a good breeding ground for airborne pathogens since air is confined in a space. There are still many types of pathogens that should be eradicated from work areas depending on the type of industry. Hence, understanding the different types of commercial cleaning products available in the market today is valuable to achieve a good purpose- provide a safe and clean working environment.

Chemical cleaners are the most common type of cleaning products used for commercial purposes. Diluting concentrate seems to be a cost-efficient solution especially when used for large areas. These chemicals come in different forms but the handiest type would be liquid. It is a practical solution since it can be used against any type of surface and most are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The only downside in using these products is the odour emitted by such chemicals. In most cases, chlorine or acids are used in the liquid mixture which can also be toxic if not properly used.

Steam cleaning products are another variety that's great for carpets and upholstery. Even heavy draperies can be efficiently cleaned using steam. However, this type of cleaner is only applicable in eradicating dirt or grime. There has been no research yet about its ability to minimize pathogens.

Lastly, the most in demand Commercial cleaning products are known as green cleaners. This type of cleaning agent is really safe to use since most ingredients are natural, organic, or extracted from plants. Essential oils are also included in the formulation of these products. There is yet much to explore in harnessing the power of natural based products when it comes to effectiveness in reducing pathogens. Nevertheless, it is highly-preferred for commercial use since it is environment-friendly.

The best way to choose the right product is to assess what you need. After doing so, you can search for the right commercial cleaning products.

I have over 18 years experience in various capacities of marketing, customer service and event management in the public and private sectors. This has placed me into specialising in online marketing and SEO, and as part of my SEO, I write articles for my clients.

Visit our website for more information on Commercial cleaning products

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Risk and Side Effects of Epidural Injections

Epidural injections are administered to patients suffering from back inflammation and/or pain. The medicine is delivered directly into the epidural space, the area surrounding the spinal cord and nerves. Epidural injections contain corticosteroid in them. Corticosteroid mimics the hormone cortisone and hydrocortisone, which reduces inflammation of the affected nerves, relieving pain albeit temporary. As with all medicine, it carries certain risks with it and although rare, is still a possibility.

Risks

Infection

As epidural injections are an invasive procedure, infections can occur at the injection site if the needles are unclean. However, this only occurs to 0.01% of all injections as needles are disposable and sterile nowadays.

Dural puncture

An unintentional dural puncture can occur when the needle accidentally passes through the dura mater and into the cerebrospinal fluid. Patients will usually experience a post dural puncture headache which is normally delayed for between 24 to 48 hours and will typically last for 3 to 4 days. Anaesthetistswill do a simple epidural blood patching by clotting the spinal sac and stopping the leak to treat severe cases of dural puncture.

Bleeding

Bleeding is a rare occurrence but patients with bleeding disorders are more prone to it as the injection might simulate bleeding.

Nerve damage

Nerve damages are uncommon and rare, but can happen if the needle accidentally injures the nerves through trauma. Depending on the severity, it can be temporary or even permanent.

Reactions

Depending on individual, some may experience allergy reactions due to the corticosteroid as their body is defending against these foreign intruders.

Side effects

Apart from risks, side effects of the corticosteroid may also be experienced by patients. Common side effects include:

1. Increase in pain at the injection site may be experienced by patients most commonly due to skin tissue irritation.

2. Flushing of the skin due to their body reacting with the steroid.

3. Patients may experience itchiness as their body's defense mechanism is reacting with the steroid.

4. Patients may sometimes develop fever due to infection at the injection site.

5. Loss of sleep may occur to some as patients feel discomfort.

Epidural steroid injections are generally safe and are effective to relieve back pain. It is ideal for patients who do not wish to undergo surgery yet requires a long term solution to it. It is ideal for most patients except those with bleeding disorder. However, patients can only undergo the most 3 injections within a six months timeframe as the medication in each injection lasts more than 6 months.

We introduce you Singapore Sports and Orthopaedics Clinic where professional help will be offered in the areas of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for epidural injection and sports injuries.

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Blastocystis - Everyone's Parasite?

Blastocystis is a single-celled, alga-like intestinal parasite. Apart from yeasts, Blastocystis is the most common eukaryotic (i.e. non-bacterial) organism found in our intestine, and more than 1 billion people may be colonised.

The public health significance of Blastocystis colonisation, however, is incompletely known. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been linked to Blastocystis colonisation. This may be due to fact that the symptoms that may arise during colonisation are quite reminiscent of IBS symptoms and both conditions are common. While some studies have found association between Blastocystis and IBS, quite a few have not.

Once established, this parasite can reside in the gut for months-years. Although metronidazole is often prescribed for symptomatic infection (and where other causes of symptoms have been ruled out), the use of sensitive diagnostic methods such as PCR has shown us, that Blastocystis is most often not eradicated by this drug even after 10 days of max dosage, and currently, there is no convincing drug regimen.

Blastocystis comprises many different species (subtypes (ST)), some of which are common in humans. While subtype 1, 2 and 3 are common in all parts of world and appear to be equally prevalent in patients with diarrhoea and the background population (i.e. individuals with no intestinal complaints), ST4 seems to appear mainly in patients with diarrhoea and/or IBS, and ST4 is therefore a subtype currently under intense scrutiny. Meanwhile, I believe that most infestations with ST3 are harmless. This is supported by some of our recent data showing that the genetic diversity of ST3 is extensive, suggesting co-evolution with humans over a long period. Contrary to this stands ST4, which has an almost clonal population structure, suggesting recent entry into the human population. Furthermore, ST4 appears to have a restricted geographical distribution, being relatively rare outside Europe. However, we are still in lack of data, and strict inferences on ST distribution and role in disease are still premature.

If ST4 is pathogenic, while other common subtypes are harmless commensals, this is not the first time parasites that cannot by distinguished by morphology differ in terms of the ability to cause disease. A similar situation is seen in those species of amoebae called Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. While E. dispar by most experts is considered a commensal mostly indicating relatively recent exposure to faecal-oral contamination, E. histolytica can lead to potentially fatal invasive disease, including abscess formation mainly in the liver.

Many of us harbour Blastocystis, and by far most of us without knowing it. One of the interesting things about Blastocystis is why so many people are hosting the parasite, while others do not. Very little is known about Blastocystis in the environment, and whether we are exposed to Blastocystis in food items, such as vegetables, or drinking water. The prevalence of Blastocystis appears to be higher among adults and the elderly.

Until recently, Blastocystis was quite difficult to detect. Still today, inappropriate methods are being used for detection, while sensitive tools such as culture and PCR are being increasingly employed in modern clinical microbiology labs to distinguish between carriers and non-carriers and to evaluate patients after treatment. There is no doubt that diagnostic challenges and failure to acknowledge Blastocystis' extensive genetic diversity have hampered attempts to get to grips with the clinical significance of Blastocystis.

Impartial information on Blastocystis for laymen is quite difficult to obtain and there are plenty of sites on the internet trying to make a commercial success of Blastocystis, perpetuating anecdotal data and information on the parasite for which there is currently no epidemiological, genetic or biochemical support.

For more information and updates on Blastocystis, please visit http://www.blastocystisblog.blogspot.com

I hold a PhD in health sciences and have been working in the field of clinical microbiology for almost 10 years. My research deals with the clinical significance, genetic diversity, diagnosis and epidemiology of common intestinal amoebae with an emphasis on Blastocystis; I have published 35 scientific, peer-reviewed papers, of which 20 are Blastocystis-specific papers. I'm based at the Department of Microbiological Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.

http://www.blastocystisblog.blogspot.com/

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7 Reasons to Switch to Barefoot / Minimalist Running Shoes

Running shoes with thickly cushioned heels have only been in use since the mid-1960s Humans have been running barefoot or in thin-soled shoes for thousands of years In reality, new studies are now showing that the "support" and "cushioning" that contemporary running shoes provide actually causes our stride to change in ways that can make us more prone to injury, rather than less.

The truth is that many of the injuries and pains that you may be experiencing as a runner could be eased or eliminated by making the switch to a more minimalist running footwear. Some of the benefits of switching to a minimalist running shoes are:

Correct your stride - When wearing traditional shoes, most runners strike the ground with the heels and then push off the toes. This sends the shock of impact up the legs and into the shins, knees, hips, and back. In contrast, runners wearing light or no shoes usually hit the ground with the outside part of the balls of the feet, or their mid-foot, and then roll their foot inwards. This action not only reduces the suddenness of the impact, but shifts the force to the arch of your foot, which acts as a natural shock absorber. This is how humans have run for thousands of years and this how our feet were meant to work.

Pain-free running - With the shock of impact now being absorbed by the arch of your foot, your ankles, knees, and hips are now freed from the stress they were under. Unlike feet, these bones and joints were not designed for repeated impact, as anyone with an artificial knee can confirm. With the removal of this unnatural stressors and a more natural impact distribution, it won't be long until your legs and back are thanking you.

Improved balance - As you can imagine, the switch in stride causes some pretty significant changes to your feet Small muscles that are usually left idle while bundled up in running shoes are now activated. The change also awakes muscles in your ankles, legs, and hips that are responsible for better balance and coordination. As these muscles strengthen, you'll find that your body is better able to adapt to differences in surface and help you keep your balance.

Reduced risk of varicose veins. The newly-strengthened muscles in your feet will also help your blood to flow more efficiently up your legs.

No more blackened, deformed toes. When running with a heel-first stride, it's hard to avoid the impact of your toes in your shoes as your feet slide from front to back. But, with a more natural stride, your poor toes will no longer be pummeled.

Reduced risk of injuries With barefoot/minimalist shoes, your feet are no longer artificially protected and will let you know sooner if something is going wrong.

Be connected with the ground. Many barefoot and minimalist runners cite this as their favorite aspect of running. With barefoot running shoes, you become more aware of the surface beneath your feet and can react to it. Each stride allows you to connect and respond to your environment. Yes, this reason is a bit more ethereal, but for the spiritually-minded runner, this experience can be the icing on the cake.

With all the benefits to be gained, it's easy to understand why so many have made the switch to barefoot running shoes. It's a change you'll need to make slowly, but is well worth the effort. To get started figuring out which shoes would be best for you go to http://www.shoes-barefoot-running.com/ and click on the Popular Brands tab. If you'd like to check out some hard evidence on the benefits of barefoot running, head to the Articles & Publications section. Have a favorite barefoot brand already? Keep an eye on the Deal Finder! section so you never miss a deal on the net..

Happy & injury free barefoot runner!
http://www.shoes-barefoot-running.com/

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Hand Wipes: A Handy Product to Have Around

In today's day and age, bacteria and germs are simply a part of life. When you are out in public, you touch everything from doorknobs to flushers in public bathrooms to the telephone at your desk at work. All of these different things have bacteria and germs on them that could cause you to become ill with a variety of different ailments ranging from the common cold to more serious conditions such as swine flu.

Although you cannot eliminate germs and bacteria entirely from your world, you can take steps to protect yourself. One of the most important steps you can take is the regular use of hand wipes.

Why Use Hand Wipes

The Center for Disease Control advises frequent cleaning of the hands to protect against illnesses such as Swine Flu. Sometimes, however, it is not possible to wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap regularly. Liquid sanitizers also may not be able to do a thorough job in getting your hands clean of all germs. Hand wipes, however, can be a very effective way of ensuring that you remove anything on your hands that could potentially make you sick.

Hand wipes are pre-moistened with a hand sanitizer that is both safe and effective at killing germs. You can thoroughly clean your hands with these wipes, killing more bacteria and germs than you do with most anti-bacterial liquid sanitizers or with a quick soap and water wash. Up to 99.9 percent of germs can be eliminated with good wipes with FDA-approved sanitizers, helping to ensure that you are fully protected.

When Should You Use Hand Wipes?

Hand wipes can be kept in your purse, in your car and at your desk at work. Hand wipes are also routinely used in schools, call centers, banks, offices and other public places. Having wipes with you at all times allows you to periodically sanitize your hands throughout the day, especially before eating or drinking anything that will require you to put your hands close to your mouth.

Hand wipes can especially come in handy:

After coming into contact with nut products, since so many people are allergic to nuts today.After shaking hands with someone who might have a cold or other illnessWhen using a shared telephoneBefore eating or drinkingAfter the use of public bathroomsWhen you have opened a door using a public door knobWhen kids are playing on playground equipment that is shared by othersBefore preparing a mealAfter handling money received from a cashier or bank teller

These are just a few examples where there is a high possibility that you will come into contact with germs. By using a safe, non-drying and alcohol-free hand wipe at these and other strategic times throughout the day, you can greatly reduce the risk of becoming ill as a result of germ exposure. Purchase hand wipes for yourself and your entire family to help keep everyone safe and healthy.

Learn more about antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer wipe at BizShoppes.Com.

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Your Guide To Mobility Scooter Batteries

Replacing mobility scooter batteries is typically not as difficult as a lot of people might think it is. Unfortunately though, you do need to replace the battery on a fairly regular basis, depending on the type of battery you have found the type of mobility scooter.

Batteries should last a long time, but they will always need replacing eventually. You can buy the batteries you need online or in your local shop which deals in the sort of objects. Nonetheless, buying online can be very convenient, since you went even need to leave the house as things will be delivered to you and will often save you money.

So that you don't have any unforeseen problems and unpleasant surprises, make sure you always have a backup battery otherwise you will literally be a mobile until you can get a new one. Though, with the Internet, it should not take too long to get a new battery then you should make sure that you know exactly where to get everything from when you buy the scooter in the first place.

Always keep the battery well maintained and do exactly what it says to do in the instruction manuals. All batteries have a certain finite lifespan, but this lifespan can be dramatically expanded if you use it correctly.

You also need to learn to take care of the battery properly. It should give you all the details on this in the manual which comes with the product. Batteries always have a finite lifespan and it is very difficult to give you a rough idea even of how long it should be expected to last. However, you can maximize the lifespan by looking after it carefully and doing exactly what the instructions tell you to do.

If you need further advice, simply look on the Internet - and if you prefer to speak to somebody, give the company or call and ask for further advice. Most reputable mobility scooter companies have extensive showroom facilities where you can try out the various models, and ask for assistance with purchasing new batteries and charging them up.

As mentioned, mobility scooter batteries are supplied by various different companies, and some hold their charge longer than others because, quite simply, they are better quality. Make sure you do your home work properly first so you find a top standard battery that will not only do the job and retain its charge - but provide a relatively long life span. You may have to pay more for this level of quality but it will be worth it in the long run.

The author regularly writes articles in the mobility sector, and also creates content related to the personal transport field. Further resources on this important subject include electric wheelchairs and mobility scooter

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