What Did The Doctor Just Say?

Is My Stress Making Me Sick?

2010-09-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

Some of the conditions scientist have researched and found to be linked to stress are; backaches, insomnia, cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Stress is often a key factor when women experience either absence of menstruation orabnormal bleeding. Hormonal imbalances caused by stress may proliferate the symptoms of fibroid tumors and endometriosis, as well as make pregnancy difficult to achieve for couples with fertility problems.

Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. High blood pressure, heart attacks, heart palpitations, and stroke can be and most often are stress related conditions.

Women can experience changes in their sexuality and develop sexual dysfunctions like vaginal dryness just because they are all stress out.

Stress affects some by causing gastrointestinal disorders like ulcers, lower abdominal cramps, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

People who are all stressed out, like care givers and single Moms have more colds and infections due to lowered immune system responses (which is caused by, you guessed it, stress). Stress can initiate dermatological conditions such as itchy skin and rashes and acne.

Stress and fatigue also cause emotional disorders and responsible for many troubled and abusive relationships. Depression, anxiety and physical abuse are all associated with high levels of stress.

Eliminating stress all together is impossible and without it we wouldn't push on and go further and become more that we once were. However we all know that too much stress it not good for us.

In the next few posting I will discuss ways to decrease stress. In this posting let's talk about exercise. You might ask how does exercise decrease stress? Well ...,

Exercise decreases fatigue and gives you more energy. When you are tired you are more easily and more severely stressed.

Physical activity increases the production of your endorphins. Endorphins are the chemicals produced in our brain that help to decrease physical pain and reduce the signs and symptoms of physical and emotional pain like anxiety and depression.

Exercise is a moving meditation. If you swim, run, do yoga or play a heated game of one on one you know the rush that comes from pushing your body to the next level and fully focusing on one thing at at time you have felt the benefits of endorphins, that calm, confident, zen moment when the endorphins are pumping and you feel great!

Exercise improves mood and relationships. Exercise increase the production of serotonin, the main chemical in the brain that combats depression, stress and anxiety. When you decrease these taxing emotions you decrease feelings of anger, resentment and isolation, which helps you to get along better with your loved ones and to feel better about yourself and your life in general.

Getting started with exercise is actually done in steps

Step 1. Make up your mind that you want to feel better in your body and your mind and that you can do this!! Make a commitment to love and care for family and your friends by taking care of yourself

Step 2. Choose a couple of types of exercise to try, find a few you like and rotate them. Let's face it many of us have at one time thought exercise was boring and we started and we stopped exercising because it was not fun or just to lonely.

Vary your exercise routine and if you can find someone to workout with to ward of the lonileness and to make it more fun. Rotate they type of exercise you do, one day walk, the next lift weights, the next go salsa dancing, now there's a good mix.

Step 3. Keep it simple. You don't need a gym membership or a lot of equipment to work out with. I find one of the best ways to vary my routine is to work out with my favorite personalities on FIT TV. The channel offers yoga, weight lifting, aerobics even belly dancing. It offers a wide variety of exercises by top experts using little of no equipment and you don't need special cloths to be in your den working out, and of course walking is natures best exercise. Some people say it's swimming but I swim 40 laps several times a week and I talk 1-3 mile walks regularly and disagree, while I LOVE swimming and feel it is a fabulous exercise by far I believe walking is a better exercise than swimming and all it requires is a good pair of walking shoes, a safe area to walk in, some streching before hand and the get up and go to do it.

Step 4. Put your exercise on your calendar and give it the same type of commitment you give a hair or nail appointment or a date with your closest friend, because that's what it is, you are your closest friend and the only friend that you have that will be with you for every minute for the rest of your life and your health is essential to the happiness of your very best friend YOU.

A Prayer for the Gulf Is A Prayer for Your Health and Safety

2010-07-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

The health of our world and our Dear Mother Earth is directly related to our health. Because that is true as a healthcare professional I am deeply concerned about the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. What is happening in the Gulf has implications for us all. This is a very important issue for everyone on the planet Earth.
Just in terms of In terms of global warming alone, the implication and the consequences of the spill are enormous. The ocean cools the earth. Much of the ocean in the Gulf is now a black tar driveway and we all know how hot black tar is. Water meant to cool the earth is now heating it instead.
When the ocean is hotter it moves faster making for faster, bigger, stronger storms, hurricanes and tornados will increase in size and magnitude and the oil in the ocean will gush upon the land. When the air is hotter water evaporates faster, creating water shortages. Many of you don't know this but we (all over the world) are facing tremendous crippling water shortages right now without increasing the heat. The process of water evaporation will cause the rain to become oil. The rain clouds will travel and spew oil in other places around our land, in other water supplies, on our food supply and on us. The oil is also killing the algae in the water. Algae are a major source of our oxygen supply. Without them the fresh air at the beach disappears and is replaced by hot, black oil, that by the way, is combustible! The oil contains methane gas which could easily ignite in extreme temperatures creating fires on the ocean and creating smoke and fumes that would easily kill the young, the old and live stock. No this isn't a pretty picture, it is darn scary and it's horrid that we do not have a plan to correct this sort of incident when we have many other oil ridges off our shores!! As a human and occupant of the planet earth and a healthcare professional I am so sad about what is happening to our Dear Mother Earth and I am asking you to join with me and I hope millions of others in praying for the success of any and all efforts to stop the destruction of our earth and the gulf coast. And specifically I am asking you to join in prayer with us for the success of the capping efforts scheduled for tomorrow. If you choose to join with us, Thank You. And I look forward to celebrating the success of the capping efforts with you and remember the Doctor Just Said A Pray for the Earth is A Prayer for Your Health and Safety

10 Things You Can Do to Relieve Sinus Suffering

2010-04-19T11:10:00.000-07:00

It's allergy season and millions are suffering with nasal congestion, headaches, tooth pain, face pain, stuffy nose an inability to sleep, gastric reflux and sinus infections are soon to follow if allergies aren't kept under control. In many parts of the country people are suffering horribly. In the following post I offer 10 things you can do to relieve sinus and allergy suffering. So, let's get started.
     Seasonal allergies are triggered in the spring and the fall by pollen producing trees, weeds and grasses. When pollen is present in the air, it can land in a person’s eyes, nose, lungs and on the skin causing the body to become irritated and to attempt to right off the irritation and that fighting is commonly known as an allergic reaction. Symptoms may include allergic rhinitis (hay fever), allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies) and allergic asthma.
   The more pollen you are exposed to the worse the symptoms of nasal congestion, stuffiness and pain will be. Therefore the first step in reducing the symptoms of seasonal allergies is to reduce the amount of pollen and other irritants you are exposed to and all over hygiene that reduces the amount of pollen you are exposed to and how your body responds to that irritation.

10 Things You Can Do To Relieve Sinus Pain and Suffering

1. Clean your eyes and your nasal passages: Use nasal saline rinses to decrease the amount of pollen that your eyes and nasal passages retain. Retained pollen accumulates and increases the amount of irritation your sinuses are exposed to over time. When you decrease the pollen load your body carries you will decrease your symptoms.

2. Shower after being outside to remove pollen from your body again this will decrease the amount of pollen your immune system is exposed to and irritated by over time.

3. Keep your windows closed during the early morning hours when pollen is highest to prevent the wind from blowing pollen on to surfaces in your home where they linger and continue to irritate you.

4. Vacuum your furniture to remove landed pollens and pet hairs from household surfaces

5. Strengthen your immune system. A strong immune system will have a less violent reaction to irritants and that equals a less severe allergic reaction. Taking vitamins A,C,E and Zinc found in fresh fruits and vegetables will help to regulate your immune responses

6. Decrease the amount of meat, salt and sugar you eat as these all cause mucus and increase congestion

7. Eat chili peppers and breathe in menthol and minted oils like the ones found in Vicks Vapor rub as these two things will cause your sinuses to drain and relieve the congestion that makes you so miserable.

8. Hold gentle pressure on the sore spots in your face until you feel the spots release under the gentle pressure. This is a reflexology technique and it can be very effective when done properly.

9. Take your medications with care. Make sure you ask all the questions I suggest in What Did the Doctor Just Say before taking medications

10. If you have any medical conditions especially heart disease, urinary problems or visual problems be sure to research your medications and discuss them with your health care professionals before taking them as some drugs used to treat allergies should not be taken by people with these conditions

Should There Be an Obesity Tax?

2010-04-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

The conversation around obesity is becoming very heated and lively debate. One radio interview host I spoke with recently suggested there be a fat tax. His point was that heavy people have many more health problems than do thin people and that they should pay their "fair share" of healthcare cost by having taxes and fines imposed upon them.

Clearly tempers are flaring (an not just about obesity) in our land as the healthcare debate rages on and we look at ways to cut cost.

I do not think any group should be taxed or penalized. Our health issues are much to complicated to be solved by taxes. Taxes do not address the reasons why we are over weight. They do not address emotional eating, food addiction, cultural foods that lead to obesity, or the cheapness of fatty foods that make them more attractive to the young and the poor.

Fortunately or unfortunately my opinions do not set policy in our nation and the obesity tax is an active discussion especially in NY state where they are considering taxing sodas and other sugary drinks to reduce their consumption and the pounds associated with high calorie drinks. This is effectively and obesity tax and there may be others to follow.

As healthcare costs continue to rise and we are forced to buy health with the young and old, fat and thin all dividing the cost equally the argument is sure to become even more dynamic because it is well documented that heavy people are more likely to health serious and costly health problems that increase the costs of providing care to everyone in the nation, with some saying those that have more risk of becoming ill (the obese and the elderly) should pay more for insurance they are more likely to use. Some of the problems overweight people are more likely to have are:

Heart Disease and Stroke

Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death and disability for people in the U.S. Overweight people are twice as likely to have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, than people who are not overweight. Overweight people are more likely to have very high blood levels of cholesterol which can also lead to heart disease. Being overweight also contributes to chest pain and sudden death from heart disease or stroke without any signs or symptoms.
Obesity Is Linked to Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a major cause of early death, heart disease, stroke, and blindness. More than 80% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be attributed to being overweight or obese.
Obesity and Cancer Are Linked
Being obese also increases the risk of dying from cancer. In women, these include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, cervix, ovary, breast, and colon. Overweight men are at higher risk for developing colorectal cancer and prostate cancer.
Obesity Is Related to Gallbladder Disease

Your risk of gallbladder disease and gallstones is increased if you are overweight.

Obesity Can Cause Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a common joint condition that most often affects the knee, hip, and lower back joints. Carrying extra pounds places extra pressure on these joints and wears away the cartilage (tissue that cushions the joints) that normally protects them. Weight loss can decrease stress on the knees, hips, and lower back and may improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Obesity Is Linked to Gout

Gout is a disease that affects the joints that is caused by high levels of a substance called uric acid in the blood. The large amount of uric acid can form into solid or crystal-like masses that deposit in the joints. Gout is more common in overweight people and the risk of developing the disorder increases with higher body weights.

Obesity Is Linked to Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can cause a person to snore heavily and to stop breathing for short periods during sleep. Sleep apnea may cause daytime sleepiness and even heart failure. The risk for sleep apnea increases as body weight increases.

The good news is that by decreasing your weight be 10-20% you can decrease your chances of having serious consequences of obesity, of course the question then becomes how do I do that. In a future post I will discuss weight loss strategies. In the meantime, we all know exercise, calorie reduction, decreasing stress and increasing water intake will help to take off the pounds, good luck America

By Lynn R. Parker and WebMD

Older Middle-Class Americans Locked Out of Reform

2010-03-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

Older middle-class Americans locked out of reform

The most damaging concession in the Senate legislation has received relatively little discussion in the last few days: as the bill now stands, many Americans in their late 50s and early 60s who don't have employer-based coverage will find comprehensive insurance unaffordable.

Under the Senate bill, insurers cannot discriminate against customers who suffer from pre-existing conditions. They cannot charge women more than they charge men.
But they can demand that older Americans who are shopping in the Insurance Exchanges pay premiums that are triple what a younger customer would be expected to shell out. (The House bill only let insurers double premiums.)

Commentators such as Ruth Marcus have suggested that this makes sense: "Older people cost more money to insure than younger Americans--and more than three times as much. Is it fair to require younger people to shoulder all the extra cost?"

In theory, this might sound reasonable. But, in practice, red-lining older citizens so that younger Americans don't share in their risk just won't work. Marcus and others who support "age rating" should take a hard look at the numbers. The fact is that if this provision stands, a large share of people in this older cohort won't be able to afford good coverage.

Households in the 55-64 age group report median joint income of just $55,400. Half earn less. Only 25 percent enjoy joint income over $100,000. In other words, fully one-quarter earn somewhere between $55,400 and $100,000 --too much for a couple to qualify for more than a tiny subsidy, too little to able to afford pricey insurance. (When it comes to subsidies, the cut-off point for a family of two is $58,280.)

Middle-aged Americans need full, comprehensive coverage. Yet under the Senate plan, which offers four levels of insurance, many older middle-class households will be forced to pick the short blanket. The legislation offers four tiers, ranging from platinum plans that cover 90 percent of the cost of "essential care" to bronze plans that pick up 60 percent of medical bills, leaving 40 percent for the patient to pay out of pocket. Premiums for bronze plans will be significantly lower.

A 30-year old might feel comfortable with a bronze plan. After all, he doesn't plan to use the insurance very often. But most 60-somethings need to go to doctors regularly to control chronic diseases and address the many problems that come with age. And if they are middle-class, they probably cannot afford to shell out 40 percent of the charge every time they visit a specialist.

Granted, their out-of-pocket payments would be capped at $11,900, but for a household earning just $59,000 before taxes, $11,900 represents more than 20 percent of their after-tax income. Even for a couple earning $75,000, $11,900 is a hefty sum. No doubt, many would simply put off going to the doctor.

Just how much would a couple have to scrape together to buy a platinum plan? The Office of Personnel Management, which now oversees the Federal Employees Plan, will be contracting with private insurers. They have not done a good job of holding down premiums for government employees-- from 2001 to 2008, average premiums climb by 62.3 percent.

Judging by what federal employees pay now, it appears that under the Senate bill a top-of-the line platinum policy would cost a younger couple at least $10,000--probably closer to $12,000 in today's group market. (I'm taking these numbers from states where insurance is more expensive because insurers are required to cover people suffering from pre-existing conditions, just as they will be under reform.)

That means that even if an insurer charged the older couple only twice as much, the premiums could run as high as $20,000-$24,000 annually.

If it seems impossible that a 60-year-old couple earning $59,000 a year would be expected to pay that much,consider this: In Massachusetts, where insurers are only allowed to double (not triple) premiums based on age, an older couple in Boston faces premiums that run as high as $24,000 a year.

The Senate bill does offer some hope. If a state's insurance regulations do not let insurers gouge older customers, insurers must "comply with the State's more protective age rating requirements." And in fact, some states do shield older citizens. As Howard Dean pointed out over the weekend on Meet the Press, in Vermont, insurers can charge 60-somethings only 20 percent more--not 300 percent more.

But where you happen to live should not determine whether or not you have access to good care. That is not what I thought we meant by "universal coverage."

BY MAGGIE MAHAR, The Healthbeat

What Healthcare Reform Means To You and to Us

2010-03-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

President Obama will sign into law a healthcare reform bill that will provide insurance to the 32 million Americans who are currently without it and the more than 2,000-page health insurance bill has left more than a few people wondering what the healthcare reform bill will mean to them.

Before we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about healthcare reform and this bill will affect you I have a comment and a concern.

My comment; I think everyone should have access to healthcare and that having access is a matter of national security. Any nation can only be as healthy as it's people, if the people are sick they cannot work or contribute to the growth of the society. And I think it is humane to give our citizens healthcare.

Just today I met a 38 year old woman with breast cancer who was told if she could not explain how she was going to pay for her care that she should find a way to deal with the pain and plan to die within the year. She told me this as her daughter stood beside her holding her hand. In my mind there is something wrong with a doctor having to tell a patient to go home and die when there is treatment available because her employer does not have a benefit plan.

However I am concerned that adding another 32 million people into our current healthcare system without adding additional nurses, doctors or hospitals will create more medical errors. The equation is this; 32 million more patients + nursing shortage + 30 percent doctor shortage + hospital closures = less time and space to see and treat each patient = more mistakes.

If my equation is right and my 25 years in the system tells me I am, this new bill, while well intentioned will make protecting your health and safety when seeing a doctor or visiting a hospital an issue of personal security and could help to save your life.

With the current volume of patients 40 percent of medical diagnosis are wrong and 1 in 3 prescriptions has some type of error contained in it's writing. Can you imagine what the statistics will be with an additional 32 million people.

In order to protect you and your loved ones from the horrors of a medical error I think every patient entering the healthcare system should have a copy of What Did the Doctor Just Say? so that they can learn how to protect themselves and their loved ones from the horrors of a medical error and I truly believe this is a matter of the utmost importance. Having made my comment and voiced my concern, let's move onto the questions everyone else is asking about the healthcare reform bill and that is how will it affect me?

I don't have health insurance, what does this mean for me?

By 2014, every American will be required to have some form of health insurance or will be forced to pay a fine. The first year's fine would be $95 or 1 percent of their income, whichever is higher. By the second year, however, fines could rise to as much as $695 a year. Families and people meeting certain income requirements ($14,404 for individuals and $29,326 for a family of four) would be exempt from paying the fine. These people may also be eligible for the federally and state-funded Medicaid insurance program that covers poor and disabled Americans under the age of 65.

One of the immediate changes that will take place is that young adults up to the age of 26 will be eligible to remain on their families' health insurance plans. Currently, the cut-off is 22 years old.

Can I buy insurance through the government?
The bill does not include a public option, meaning the government will not offer health care beyond Medicare and Medicaid. People under the age of 65 who make too much to qualify for Medicaid may be eligible to receive government subsidies to help them buy private health care from new state-based insurance "exchanges," which are scheduled to begin in 2014.

My employer does not currently offer insurance, will that change?
All employers will be required to offer their employees insurance by 2014. Companies with 25 or fewer employees would receive tax credits to help them pay for the insurance. The tax credits would cover about 35 percent of the insurance cost this year and would gradually increase to about 50 percent by 2014. Employers with 50 or more workers will be required to offer employees insurance or pay a fine of up to $2,000 a piece for full-time employees that are receiving government subsidies to buy insurance through state-based exchanges. The first 30 employees would be exempt from this fine.

How will this legislation affect senior citizens receiving Medicare?
Starting this year, all Medicare preventative services, such as cancer screenings, will be offered free of charge to senior citizens currently receiving Medicare. Also, people receiving Medicare Part D would receive an additional $250 this year to help them pay for medications that are not currently covered under the plan.

I have insurance, how will this affect me?
Under the plan, people who are currently ill may begin seeing their premiums shrink, as the bill does not allow insurers to charge higher premiums to people who are sick. Also, people with pre-existing conditions who change insurance companies, due to a change in job status or in employer coverage, cannot be denied coverage under the bill, nor can they be charged higher premiums.

How much will this cost and how is it being paid for?
The plan will cost an estimated $940 million. Congress and the president have said that most of it will be paid for through various tax increases on individuals that earn more than $250,000 a year, as well through decreases in Medicare reimbursements to doctors and hospitals. Critics, however, say tax increases to the wealthy and Medicare cuts will not be enough to fund health reform and that the middle class will eventually be forced to help pay for it through tax and fee increases.

Questions Written By Marrecca Fiore Mar 22nd 2010 9:57AM
Comments and Concerns by Lynn R. Parker

We The People Must Create HealthCare Safety Reform, Reform That Matters to Us!!

2010-03-12T07:42:00.001-08:00

Why isn't there a conversation from amongst our political leaders about patient safety and or Safety Reform in the healthcare debates? I can't understand their omission of this topic because safety reform could save our entire healthcare system and our lives? Let me explain.

If the Centers for Disease Control counted medical errors as a cause of death, they would be the fifth leading cause of death in America, taking more lives than motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, and AIDS combined.

HealthGrades, our nation’s leading reviewer of healthcare quality, found that for the years 2002-04, 1.24 million errors were made while caring for hospitalized Medicare patients in the sixteen categories of error they investigated. Those errors resulted in deaths of 304,702 senior citizens. Of those deaths, 250,246 (82 percent) were potentially preventable. All totaled, those errors cost patients and taxpayers $9.3 billion dollars.

When you read the number “304,702” keep in mind it represents only in-hospital Medicare patients. The numbers do not include medical errors involving anyone under age 65, nor do they include medical errors that occur in doctors’ offices, pharmacies, rehabilitation, or long-term care facilities. No one knows how many medical errors or deaths from errors there really are. The authors of the HealthGrades study tell us that the numbers in their report “represent only the tip of the medical-errors iceberg.”

No matter what the actual numbers are, they do not begin to convey the real meaning embedded within them. Numbers cannot convey the depth of a patients’ distress when he realizes he has lost the ability to work and will soon be bankrupt due to medical costs. How can numbers convey the sadness one feels when a marriage ends under the strain of a prolonged illness? And numbers cannot begin to express the anger, depression, and resentment felt when a person’s life is ruined by a healthcare system they once trusted. The numbers are big and they are bad and yet they do not begin to tell the whole story of medical error.

Sadly, for many of you reading this, medical error is not just something you’ve heard about. In fact, statistically, each of us has a two in five-or a 40 percent-chance of being harmed by a medical error each time we enter the healthcare system, so there is a very high likelihood that you or someone you know has been harmed by a medical error. If you developed an infection while in the hospital, were misdiagnosed and mistreated or you experienced a medication or medical record and billing error. At any point in the healthcare delivery system anyone of us could fall victim to a medical error and these errors are destroying lives and further draining our nations economy, thus effecting each and everyone of us.

Yet we hear nothing in the healthcare reform bill about reducing medical errors and the harm done to patients. We hear nothing about the medical disability, social security and other social service costs associated with these errors that even further drain on our economy and our entire society, families, caregivers and business owners. Sadly we do hear that bankruptcies brought about by healthcare cost are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States.

So again I ask why is there no conversation about safety reform in the current debates. I don't know the answer to that question (although I have my ideas). What I do know is that in order to improve the care you receive and decrease your chances of being hurt or harmed by a medical error and to help our healthcare system survive it is imperative that each of learns how to partner with our healthcare providers and learn how to make well informed healthcare decisions that are right for us and our loved ones and that we partner with our providers to decrease their chances of giving us a misdiagnosis, the wrong medication, wrong treatments and even wrong surgeries.

Your Insurance Carrier May Not Cover the Damages

Not only could you or your loved ones fall victim to a medical error, your insurance company may not pay for the care you need because of your injuries. As of October 2008, in an attempt to force hospitals to improve care and to save money, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will no longer reimburse hospitals for a group of errors called “never events.”
They are called "never events" because it is believed these events should not and would not happen if doctors and hospitals followed established protocols designed to prevent them. Because of these beliefs the CMS no longer pays for care required after a patient is injured by a eight types of “never events.”

Eight of the 28 types of errors classified as never events are responsible for the spending of approximately $22 billion Medicare dollars each year, and those eight types of errors are the first to be excluded from payment. This group of errors includes: infections from catheters (IV and Foley catheters); pressure ulcers (bedsores); air embolisms; being given the wrong type of blood; repeat surgeries needed to remove objects left inside the patient following surgery; falls; injury or death from medications, and the post operative deaths of low risk surgical patients.
Non-payment for the care required after a never event could have devastating effects on both patients and hospitals. If, for example, you develop a pressure ulcer (a bedsore), the treatment of that ulcer may require bandages, packing, antibiotics, creams, and surgery, easily costing hundreds of dollars per day. While you are in the hospital, the hospital is required to absorb the cost of caring for your injury. Once you are discharged from the hospital you may be responsible for the costs. This will depend upon the arrangement your hospital has with Medicare or your private insurance carrier ~ recently Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna have announced plans to restructure their policies to deny payment of never events as well.
When you consider that Medicare alone spends up to $22 billion dollars annually to treat these eight never events, you can well imagine that thousands of patients will not be able to afford the care they need after being injured by a never event without help from their insurance carriers.

We May All Have Less Access to Healthcare Even With Insurance

Before the instatement of the never rules, most patients had no idea that the development of a bedsore while in the hospital could be considered negligence or that they may be entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering. As a part of the never event regulations, doctors are required to inform patients they have fallen victim to a never event.
With more patients being made aware they have been injured by the medical system, the number of lawsuits could skyrocket, leading to increasing malpractice rates, which some doctors and hospitals will not be able to pay. The consequences of this could be that that we’ll have less access to care as doctors leave their practices and hospitals close under the financial burden of decreased reimbursements and ever increasing malpractice premiums. In fact this is already happening in some states and may become worse as more people enter the system.

With more hospitals closing, remaining emergency rooms will be overcrowded. There are already long waits to get into surviving hospitals, where workers are exhausted from dealing with high volumes of patients.

While the CMS may be well intentioned, the consequences of refusing to pay for never events could be tough on all of us. Fewer doctors and massive hospital closures present a very serious problem and that problem is ~ we don’t have anywhere else to go.

Now that we are aware of some of the problems surrounding medical errors and we know that we are all at risk of falling victim to such an error, each of us who cares about our healthcare and our safety must ask ourselves a question, and that question is: “What can I do to protect myself and my loved ones from a medical error and help to protect the only medical system we have from collapsing.

It is up to each of us who enters the healthcare system to Take Charge of our Health and Safety and to help create a movement of healthcare safety reform that is patient driven and patient centered. If enough patients and caregivers use the the patient empowerment techniques I teach in What Did the Doctor Just Say? we the people could create a Patient Safety Reform Movement and together we could help save over 100,000 people from the horrors of a medical error.
In my next post I will share the essential strategies that have been proven to prevent medical errors with you. However if you are concerned right now about your safety or the safety of someone you have to make healthcare decisions for right now you can get your copy of What Did the Doctor Just Say: How to Understand What Your Doctor Is Saying and Prevent a Medical Error From Happening to You and Your Loved Ones Right Now and learn what you can do to protect your and loved ones health and safety
As always, I hope I helped someone.

It May Be Depression and Excerpt From What Did the Doctor Just Say?

2010-02-24T09:37:00.001-08:00

It may be depression: Up to 80 Percent of Patients are Depressed

According to a University of Colorado study, up to 80 percent of all office visits involve some degree of depression. Many people suffer the effects of depression without ever knowing they have it. Depression can masquerade as chronic fatigue, insomnia, agitation, stomach upsets, constipation, nausea, chest pain, headaches, constant pain, and more.

The World Health Organization reports that depression is the leading cause of disability among adults of all ages worldwide. It affects approximately 18.8 million Americans. Patients diagnosed with depression spend, on average, $4,246 per year on medical costs versus $2,371 spent by patients without depression. By 2020, it is projected that depression will be the number two cause of death in the country second only to heart disease.

Each of us is at risk of becoming depressed at one time or another for any number of reasons. The death of a loved one, loss of a job, prolonged separations, and financial problems can all bring about episodes of this crippling disease.

When depression is missed, left undiagnosed, and untreated it is reasonable to expect patients and their families will suffer needlessly. Depression is an awful disease for which there is treatment. Left unchecked, however, it can ruin lives and make many medical conditions worse than they need be.

Conditions That are Worsed by Depression

Heart diseases. Recent studies have shown one-fifth of all patients with heart disease suffer with depression. Depression can come after heart disease or it can be a contributory factor to the development of the disease. Canadian researchers found a significantly higher risk of death from cardiac disease one year after diagnosis in patients who were also depressed. This was true no matter what the level of heart disease – depression was more of a marker for death than the heart disease itself. Have you ever heard of someone dying from a broken heart? Of course you have. Untreated depression actually does kill.

High blood pressure: Depression increases your risk of developing high blood pressure. People who are depressed tend to smoke more, drink more, eat more, to be anxious, and they are ill-tempered and argumentative. When we eat poorly, smoke, drink, and have problems in our relationships we develop high blood pressure.

Diabetes: According to the American Diabetic Association, diabetics suffer from depression at rates three to four times higher than the general population. A 2004 Johns Hopkins study that tracked 11,615 patients without diabetes over six years found that “depressive symptoms” predicted the onset or development of Type II diabetes. The same study found that successfully treating diabetes may be tied to successfully treating depression. Depression causes overeating and cravings for sweet and fatty foods. Depression is also associated with feelings of fatigue and lethargy, which make it very difficult to exercise or even get out of bed. Overeating and little or no exercise are real barriers to successfully controlling diabetes.

Stroke, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease: Up to 160,000 stroke patients annually experience a major depression. Depression rates range from 17-31 percent of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and approximately 50 percent of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Depression seriously affects the patient’s ability to participate in their own recovery. Depressed patients eat too little or too much; sleep too little or too much; refuse to exercise; and have less hope and confidence in the future.

Exhaustion and fatigue: Depression is associated with feelings of exhaustion and fatigue, both of which make living life in general and healing from any medical condition more difficult. When we do not have the energy necessary to interact in relationships, we become isolated, suffer from loneliness, and depression increases.

Stomach problems: Depression can slow down your digestion and cause constipation, reflux, indigestion, and nausea.

Eating disorders: Depression is associated with developing obesity, anorexia, and bulemia.

Chronic pain: Depression plays a part in chronic pain (pain that doesn’t go away). Headaches, back pain, muscle aches, joint pain, and chest pain can all be caused by depression. Untreated depression can lead to a life of agony and pain killers. And, guess what? Pain killers can cause or worsen depression. The combination of pain and pain killers could create a vicious cycle that could lead to harmful addictions. If you are suffering from aches and pains with or without a clear cause, consider depression as a contributing factor.

Immune system: Depression weakens the immune system and can cause you to have more colds and flu and to be more susceptible to other diseases.

Sleep disorders: If you are depressed, you may not be able to fall asleep. You may wake in the middle of the night and be unable to fall back to sleep. You may sleep all the time. Or, you may just want to stay in your bed with the shades drawn and the covers over your head. All of these behaviors can be brought on by depression.

Anger and irriatibility: Depression can express itself as anger, frustration, or by being argumentative. These behaviors make relationships very difficult to maintain. People who have closer social relationship and solid marriages live longer and have happier lives than people who are not in happy relationships. Having depression can shorten your life.

Suicide: People who suffer depression tend to have repeated episodes and often the episodes worsen. For some, the depression will progress to the point where the person feels so badly that they believe the only viable option is to take their own life. Up to 70 percent of suicide victims were thought to be depressed at the time of the event.

Depression Assessment Tool

If you have had any of the symptoms listed in the following assessment for more than two weeks, your provider should evaluate you for a diagnosis of depression. In addition to taking the assessment, you may want to read more about depression. It is a problem that is in involved in 80 percent of all primary care visits and is the leading cause of disability in the world.

Depression Assessment

Depression Assessment	Yes	No
Do you have feelings of sadness, isolation, hopelessness, or guilt most of the time? Are people complaining that you are irritable or in a bad mood?
Do you feel isolated and alone even when people are around?
Have you lost interest in things that used to bring you joy like hobbies, relationships, sex, or work?
Are you sleeping too much or too little? Are you tired most of the time?
Are you having trouble managing your high blood pressure, diabetes, or stomach ailments?
Do you have unexplained muscle or joint pain, backaches, or headaches?
Are you eating too much or too little? Do you have a sudden weight gain or loss?
Are you having thoughts of suicide? If so, call your doctor or go to the emergency room and GET HELP IMMEDIATELY.

The answer to “what’s causing your problems” may not be in the CAT scan results or the lab test. You may be depressed. Often patients are depressed and providers and patients alike overlook the condition when developing a diagnosis. Yet properly treating depression can make a tremendous difference in the patient’s recovery.

Avoid the pitfalls of missing a depression diagnosis. If for any reason you are having trouble managing your disorders; you can’t find a clear physical cause for your symptoms; or you have any or all of the symptoms of depression, please be evaluated for depression. If necessary, seek treatment. Depression affects millions of lives and can be a devasting condition. It is not all in your head. It is in your life and your body and help is available.

Your role as team leader:

· Complete the depression assessment. If you have had any of the symptoms on the depression assessment for the past two weeks, take this assessment form with you to your provider and have him review it with you.

· If you feel suicidal, get help immediately. Call your provider or go to the local emergency room.

· Get treatment if necessary. Treatment could save your relationships, your health, your life, or the life of a loved one.

· Ask for a referral to a therapist or a psychiatrist. If medication is needed to treat your depression, have an expert manage your medication and seek counseling. Many of the issues that bring about depression are not physical; they are emotional (loss, separation, finacial difficulties, problems with your relationships, and many other things), and you may need help dealing with your issues. You may need a therapist.

Don’t be ashamed to say you have depression. Millions of people worldwide are depressed, you are not alone. We are all affected by our emotions and stressful life situations. Don’t be ashamed; rather you should seek help.

It Heart Healthy Month: Lets Talk About Natural and Conventional Treatments for Coronary Artery Disease

2010-02-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

Heart disease is not one disease, it is a category or group of diseases that when treated by natural therapies is considered in many cases reverseable, when treated by traditional medicine heart diseases are considered progressive, chronic and debilitating over time.

Some of the types of heart disease are; genetic heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular disease and conduction or electrical disorders. In todays post I will be talking specifically about Coronary Artery Disease or CAD also know as having high cholesterol, blocked or hardening of the the arteries. Coronary Artery Disease is a major type of heart disease as it takes in excess of 400,000 lives per year. In this video you will see an animation of CAD that make the disease process very easy to understand.

Coronary Artery Disease occurs when the elastic smooth lining inside the cornary arteries becomes hard, stiff, cracked and swollen allowing cholesterol plaques to attach to the damaged vessel linings and clog them.

When the vessels have plaques, which can be a big as a very large pimple, its hard for blood to get through and carry oxygen to the heart. When the heart doesn't get enough oxygen from the blood it starts to scream at you. You call that screaming chest pain. When you have CAD you might have one or two plaques or an entire vessel might be clogged and unable to pass blood through to the heart.

The signs and symptoms of CAD are angina which is pain and or a heaviness in the chest, that may or may not radiate to the jaw and down the left arm. These symptoms could be accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness and lightheadedness and the inability to do what you used to be able to do like walk up and down a flight of stairs. Any and all of these symptom warrant a trip to the doctor for further investigation.

Here are some of the questions you need to ask your provider about cholesterol medication and the treatment of CAD. If you do not have insurance you will want to go to the emergency room to be checked out immediately if you have the signs and symptoms of angina or a heart attack. While you are there ask to speak with the social worker and discuss charity care, payment plans or other programs your state may have to cover the cost of your care.

Its important that you are aware of these options and you do not delay seeking help for these symptoms because if the CAD is severe enough it can and will lead to a heart attack, stroke, disabilty and possibly death.

Again if you don't have insurance and you want to monitor your cholesterol levels you can get blood cholestrol screenings for free. These screenings are offered by churches, at health fairs, county, city and state health departments and other organizations. You may also want to contact the American Heart Association, CVS or Walgreens all which offer free cholesterol screenings.

Management of CAD disease includes you taking control of your diet, exercise and stress reduction. If you want to be proactive in reversing already diagnosed CAD I highly recommend you at least look at the videos of Dr. Dean Ornish. He is a Harvard Professor who had a heart attack and has since devoted his life to the natural reversal of CAD with great success. You will find his book Reversing Heart Disease by clicking the "diet" link and many videos of him on U-Tube.

Reducing stress is important because stress brings about the release of hormones and other chemicals that cause inflammation and damage to the the lining of the blood vessels. Now remember it is only when blood vessels are damaged that the cholesterol plaques can adhere to them. Having healthy blood vessels is a key and essential component of preventing cholestrol plaques and managing your stress is an essential part of that process.

As always I suggest; meditation (see my earlier post on that topic), listening to relaxing music, avoiding stimulating music is a good idea too, yoga is faboulous for relaxation as is exercise. Exercise helps to flush blood through the vessels and to wash away plaque formation in addition to reducing the levels of stress hormones that irritate the blood vessels. Another important benefit of exercise is that it decreases the bad cholestrol (LDL and triglyceride) and increases the (good cholesterol-HDL)

Much of our stress is related to our current relationships and our past emotional hurts.
If you need help with these issues, you may want to journal about your problems, talk to a trusted friend and or seek a therapist to help you deal with and overcome toxic emotions.

You may find it interesting that when predicting survival from a heart attack the patients level of depression and stress are bigger determinants of survival that is the severity of the heart attack itself, you can quite literally die of a broken heart.

Dietary measures to decrease cholesterol and heal blood vessel linings include a diet that is high in fiber. Fiber helps to pull cholesterol out of the linings of the vessels. Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids oils help to heal the lining of the blood vessels. This is important because when the blood vessels are healthy and are free from swelling and disease they will not allow the cholesterol to stick to them. Therefore having a diet that is high in Omega 3, & Omega 6, fiber will help to prevent and reverse CAD. As will decreasing the amount of saturated or animal fats you you take in.

Another treatment for high cholesterol that has been shown to have just as much success as statin drugs without the side effects is Red Yeast Rice, in fact the Red Yeast Plant is where cholesterol drugs were orginally derived from.

One more thing is the diet category. Reducing your sugar intake could help to reduce your cholesterol levels. You see sugar makes the body work very hard for little pay off (nutrition) and that causes a good deal of metabolic (all work and no payoff leaves the body fatigued and stressed out), and the by products of sugar breakdown are harmful to the lining of the blood vessels. In short sugar produces a lot of stress and damages the lining of the blood vessels and that is not a good thing. So it's a good idea to reduce your sugar intake when thinking of treating or preventing CAD.

I hope this post was helpful, if you would like to find out more about your options for the treatment of heart disease this is a link to the American Heart Association which will explain your traditional treatment options.

Please click the links in this post to find out more about each of the topics highlighted and let me know if you have any question or comments about this post. You can post your comments here or share them with me and your friends on facebook or any other of your favorite blogging sites.

Take care and I hope you will look forward to my next post in which I'll talk about other holistic ways to take control of your health and your healthcare the same way I do in my book What the Doctor Just Say?

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/questions/omega-3/index.html

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20000823/exercise-cholesterol-reduction
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/cad/cadsymptoms.aspx
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/redyeastrice.htm
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000

My Neighbor Died Last Week Because of A Medical Error

2010-02-10T12:56:00.000-08:00

My 50 year old neighbor a slightly over weight African American male
with a history of high blood pressure and high cholesterol went to the
doctor complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. Classic signs
and symptoms of a heart attack, right?

Well the doctor gave him a Nitroglycerin tablet, to help his heart get more
blood and oxygen. When that didn't work after one tablet ( it would have
been acceptable for her to try up to 3 tablets) to relieve his pain she gave
him an asthma inhaler to help open up his airways.

The problem with inhalers in this case is that they make the heart work harder
and can bring on arrythmias and even a heart attack in someone suffering with
a heart problem.

The Dr. told him to go home rest and to go for an EKG on Tuesday
(four days later). Just and FYI if you have chest pain and shortness
of breath you need an EKG NOW!!!

Well instead of going for an EKG on Tuesday he was buried on Tuesday.
He died later that day from a heart attack, something that could have been
prevented with proper diagnosis and treatment.

This terrible turn of events left his family without a husband, father, brother,
uncle and friend and it left me with a question. And that question is this...,
what would it take for people to use the techniques in What Did the Doctor Just Say?
that could have saved his life.

Had he or his loved ones questioned the doctors diagnosis of a breathing
disorder and doubled checked her on a symptom checker to ensure she was
treating the right symptoms. Had he insisted on an EKG. Had he gotten a
second opinion from and ER doc, he might well be alive today.

Im not blaming him or his family for his end. Im really wondering what would
inspire those who are not motivated to take an active role in their healthcare to
do so? To not only buy the book, but to use it to use prepare to go to the doctor
and to make sure they get the best treatment after the visit.

Please post your ideas, comments and suggestions as this is a matter of life and
death and I need your input, we all do.

If you have a story of medical error you would like to tell please post it here as a
comment. If you would like help with your treatment decision making process,
you can email your questions and your stories to
Lynn@WhatDidtheDoctorJustSay.com, and I will respond in a timely fashion.

How To Get the Health Benefits of Sex Without Having A Sexual Partner

2010-01-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

The health benefits of having sex; stress reduction, decreased blood pressure, happiness, and a youthful glow do not occur just because you’re having sex, they are the result of the chemical reactions that occur in the body and the brain during sex.

Many people are missing out on these very beneficial chemical reactions and the good feelings they bring about because they do not have partners or they have partners who do not or cannot satisfy them.

No matter what the reason, whether it be divorce, separation, death, military deployment, illness, or just not having a suitable or healthy partner many people will have periods in their lives when they do not have a satisfying lover. And those who are married are not immune from this state of being. In fact it has been reported that up to 40% of American marriages are sexless. So how can those who do not have partners or who have a partner that is not getting the job done enjoy the mental physical and emotional benefits of sex.

Sex for One: The first thing that comes to mine when discussing sex without a partner is self-loving, also known, as masturbation. Masturbation is natural in the human experience, even while in the womb humans engage in this activity. It's "safe sex" it has no risk of disease and is readily available. In her book Sex for One Betty Dodson helps to release the taboo of self-love and takes you on a journey toward becoming your very own lover for life. In it you'll learn satisfying techniques that you can later teach to a partner should you choose to find one.

Self loving is a liberating activity that decreases the stress, anxiety and desperation that can evolve during long periods of abstinence. Having a healthy supply of sex toys, setting aside special time for you to do you to get to know each other better and setting the mood will enhance your experience and make the activity

really worth wild and a high point in your self loving life. There are several other things you can do outside of self-loving that can render the same physical and emotional benefits as having sex for example there is;

Massage Therapy: During sex and massage the love hormone oxytocin that brings feelings of warmth, comfort, and love of life is emitted, as is serotonin, the major chemical involved in the relief of depression. According to studies conducted by the National Institute of Health massage therapy can ease feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety and pain.

If you’ve ever had a massage you know how satisfying and soothing they can be. After having massage the feelings of floating on air and wanting a good nap can

easily alleviate intense sexual desire and leave you feeling good all over.

Having a massage on a regular basis can be a part of a very satisfying sex for one lifestyle. You can find out more about massage and how to choose a massage therapist by visiting the American Massage Therapy Association website. And you can find inexpensive massage at massage therapy schools by visiting their student training clinics

Yoga: Many studies have shown that yoga can decrease blood pressure, ease pain, decrease feelings of depression and anxiety, improve muscle tone and increase circulation, all benefits of having sex that the National Institute of Health attribute to yoga.

Personally I believe yoga is heaven sent. It has helped
me to keep my youthful glow and my sanity. As a person who suffers from recurrent bouts
of depression I swear by the healing and satisfying effects of a yoga practice.

Aromatherapy: According the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, aromatherapy produces both emotional and physical effects that include stress relief, sleep improvement, mood boosting, hormone regulation that will ease PMS, muscle relaxation, immune system stimulation, and enhance blood circulation. Two of the most commonly used aromatherapy oils Lavender and Frankensince oils can produce the same chemical responses that one has when deeply in love and help you to feel relaxed and satisfied.

These natural therapies and others like regular exercise, having a spiritual practice, and a love life with friends and family where you actively hug, smile and laugh are all ways bring about mental, physical and emotional satisfaction and will help you to have a very loving life.

The Doctor Just Said, I Should Have More Sex

2010-01-27T07:50:00.000-08:00

In this excellent post from MamaHealth.com the author

gives a very good synopsis of the benefits of having

sex. In fact most experts now say that people who have

sex twice per week enjoy all the benefits in this posting

and many, many more.

Sex Relieves Stress

Studies show that one of the biggest health
benefit of sex is lower blood pressure and
overall stress reduction. When you decrease
stress levels you also decrease cravings for
fatty and sweet foods which aids in weight
reduction and improving diabetes by decreasing the amount of those types of foods you eat

Sex Can Decrease Feelings of Depression
Having sex increases the bodies level of serotonin the chemical that modulates
feelings of depression. Currently depression is the number one cause of disability
in the western world.

Boosts Immunity
Having sex once or twice a week has been linked
with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin
A or IgA. This antibody helps protect you from getting
colds and other infections.

Sex Burns Calories
Thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more.
It may not sound like much, but it adds up. A
vigorous bout burns some 200 calories. This is about the same as running 15
minutes on a treadmill or playing a spirited game of squash. Muscular contractions
during intercourse work the pelvis, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and thorax.
Sex also boosts production of testosterone, which leads to stronger bones and
muscles.

Sex Increases Blood Flow
When we are aroused our blood starts pumps at a quicker rate and,
thus, blood flow to our brainincreases. The fresh supply of blood pumping
through your body provides the organs with a healthy dose of oxygen and
rids the body of old and wasteful products.

Sex Keeps you Young
Sex keeps you looking and feeling younger. Research alco indicates that
sex may lead to shinyhair, a glowing complexion and bright eyes. This is
because sex increases the youth-promoting hormone DHEA.

Sex Improves Intimacy
Having sex and orgasms increases levels of the hormone oxytocin, the
so-called love hormone, which helps us bond and build trust. Higher oxytocin
has also been linked with a feeling of generosity. So if you're feeling suddenly
more generous toward your partner than usual, credit the love hormone.

Sex Reduces Pain
As levels of the hormone oxytocin increases, endorphins increase, and
pain declines. In women, sex also prompts production of estrogen, which
can reduce the pain of PMS.

All of that sounds good but what about the folks who don’t have a partner to have sex with, are they to live in pain, depressed, suffering with PMS, high blood pressure and rapidly aging. In tomorrows post I will discuss how to get the benefits of having sex without actually having sex.

What Questions You Should Ask Before Taking Medications

2010-01-21T15:47:00.000-08:00

According to a July 2006 Institute of Medicine report, medication and prescription errors
harm a low estimate of 1.5 million people and take the lives of at least 7,000 patients each
year. It is also estimated that every third medication given in a hospital is given in some sort of error.
The mistakes cost the healthcare system approximately $3.7 billion dollars annually.
These costs do not include the monies paid to patients who become disabled after a medication
error.
Up to 80 percent of all medical errors could be prevented by improving the communication
between doctors and patients, and one of the best ways to start the conversation between providers and patients is to teach patients to answer questions. In What Did the Doctor Just Say I teach not only what questions you should ask, I also help you understand why you are asking the questions and what the answers mean in language you can understand.
Taken directly from What Did the Doctor Just Say? here are the questions you should ask your doctor, your pharmacist and yourself before taking any medications, the reasons why you should ask the questions are featured in What Did the Doctor Just Say?

What is the name of the medicine and how do you spell it?
Why am I taking the drug? (high blood pressure, diabetes, blood thinning)

What dose are you prescribing? If at all possible can you write the prescription without using decimal points.

How many times per day should I take the medicine and how many hours apart should I take the doses? Does twice a day mean every twelve hours or at 10.a.m. and 6 p.m.?

What are the side effects of the drug?

Ask the pharmacist to evaluate your medications for interactions with your other medications.

What side effects will tell me I should stop taking the medication and call you to let you know about them?

How long do I need to take the medicine?

When will the medication start working?

Can I stop taking my medicine if I feel better?

Should I avoid any food, drinks, or activities while on the medication?
Should the medicine be taken with food or on an empty stomach?

Is there anything I need to monitor at home: blood pressure, blood sugar, urine output, mood, heart rate, or anything else? If so what are the normal levels of each measurement and at what levels should I call you?

When should I have lab work done and how often should it be repeated?

Can I take a generic version of this medication? A generic is a non-brand name, less expensive version of the drug.

Choosing A Doctor to Prescribe Medical Marijuana

2010-01-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

The use of marijuana for medical purposes with soon be legal in New Jersey making it the 14th state to allow marijuanafor medical purposes. While many patients with diseases like cancer, chronic pain and debilitating nueromusclar disorders are already using marijuana most have had to do so illegally putting them and their families at risk.

Once the laws in the state of NJ and other states are finally changed and I do believe they will be. Not just because changingthese laws are good patient care, taxation of marijuana could curemany of California's and other states economic woes. I'm sure thismakes legislators at least interested in changing the laws. Once the law in your state is changed how will you select a doctor to prescribe medical marijuana.

In What Did the Doctor Just Say I write extensively about ways to talk to your doctor about your healthcare preferences and how to choose a doctor who is willing to work with you, be competent at his or her job and be respectful of you and yourchoices.
The following excerpts from the What Did the Doctor Just Say? will help you to choose just such a doctor. I have added some information specific to selecting a doctor for the purpose of marijuana prescription

Chapter Four

How to Choose the Right Doctor and Get Better Care

“The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.”

William Osler M.D.

Looking For Dr. Right

Choosing a doctor is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Quite literally, your life could depend upon your choice(s). If your doctor treats your condition improperly, you could be injured by the care you receive.

Before you begin the selection process, there is a concept I want you to clearly understand, and that concept is this: You are the owner of YOUR Healthcare Team and your doctors are your employees, they work for you and they make their living by collecting your insurance dollars. There is no doubt that your doctors are very important employees; nonetheless they are employees. You must be clear that your doctors work for you, otherwise you will believe they are in charge of your healthcare, and you will not be empowered to speak openly about your desire to use medical marijuana as you might feel judged and over powered by the doctors opposition to its use. You may be inclined to accept whatever the doctors choice is and that may not be the best thing for you, if you want this treatment you need to find a
who is willing to work with you.

When choosing a doctor, you will need to evaluate the candidates for the position in three essential categories: accessibility, skill level, and personality (bedside manner). To start the selection process, you will first need to review your insurance carrier’s list of providers and the narrow down that list to providers to those who meet your specific needs.

With a list of candidates in hand, ask your other doctors, your family members, and friends if they either recommend or discourage the use of any doctors on your list. If you know any nurses who work at your area hospitals, ask them who they would recommend. Nurses know the best and worst doctors because they have worked with many of them over time and in a variety of situations. Nurses know which doctors are competent, kind, and trustworthy, all qualities you want in a doctor, and they know the doctors who do not possess those qualities as well.

Your next step is to evaluate each candidate’s credentials and their safety records. Several reputable Internet sites can help you to verify a provider’s training, specialty certifications, and any disciplinary actions that may have been leveled against the doctor. Currently, HealthGrades.com is the most comprehensive resource for examining a doctor’s background in all of these areas. The American Medical Association also collects safety information on its members, and a handful of states gather and report malpractice information.

You want to get a list from your state board of health of providers who are able and

do prescribe medical marijuana in your state. And of course you can always search out

this information on the internet. Below are a few sites to help you begin checking the doctors

background and safety record.

www.RateMD.com (includes patient feedback on doctors)
www.physicianreports.com
To find out if your state makes malpractice information available to the public, call your local Board of Health.
Additionally many of the questions on the first worksheet can be answered by the office staff before making any appointments

Is the Doctor Caring and Empathetic Toward You

After meeting with the doctor, you will want to evaluate the doctors’ bedside manner. This set of questions will help you to evaluate the doctor’s communication skills; his ablility listen and to teach and his levels of respect, kindness and empathy toward you. The combination of these qualities equal the doctors bedside manner.

· Did you feel comfortable talking with the doctor?

If the answer to this question is “no” there may be no need to go any further. Teamwork and communication are essential to delivering safe patient care. You want to choose a provider you feel comfortable talking to.

· Is the practitioner safe and knowledgeable?

In addition to being properly trained, safe practitioners are well organized and in control of the information you need to know about your condition. Usually the advice a knowledgeable provider gives will match the information you found while researching your condition on the Internet. If the doctor is disorganized and unable to give you clear answers to your questions, you have met an unsafe provider. This is not the doctor for you.

· Did the doctor respect your thoughts and opinions and encourage you to express them?

No one knows better than you do what you are experiencing. If you feel something is wrong, your thoughts, perceptions, and experiences should be respected. If the doctor discounts what you say and indicates that your perceptions are wrong, she limits your ability to add to your healthcare safety. If a doctor dismisses your experiences she is not the doctor for you.

· Did the provider answer your questions in terms you could understand?

If a doctor does not answer questions in language you can understand, you should ask her to explain her answers in plain English. If after asking her to speak in plain English you still don’t understand what the doctor said, this is probably not the doctor for you.

· Did the doctor ask questions to ensure you understood his explanation?

A good doctor knows you may not understand everything she says and will try to assess what you did and did not understand, by asking, “Do you understand and do you have any questions?

·Is the provider a good teacher?

Did the provider teach you what you need to know about your condition? Did she teach you about diet, exercise, rest, and different types of therapy, or did she only discuss medications? You are a whole person and your health depends on your overall well- being. A good doctor will give you a wholistic education.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Doctor

· Is the provider part of your insurance plan?

Generally speaking, if the answer to this question is “no” your plan will not pay for the care rendered unless your plan allows you to use out-of-network providers. If you do not have out-of-network benefits, but need to see an out-of-network provider because he or she has specialty training, contact your insurance plans’ case manager and explain your circumstances. The case manager may be able to get you the care you need by negotiating a contract with the doctor whose expertise you need. You may incur extra costs; however, if you need the care only this doctor can provide, it may be well worth it.

· Does the clinician have the background and training you need?

In general, everyone needs a general practitioner or internist to manage their colds and flu and their minor aches and pains. For more serious problems, you many need to see a specialist. Specialists have more training and knowledge in their area of study than do general practitioners, who specialize in treating everything. If you have an uncontrolled disorder or a newly-diagnosed condition, you may want to ask your internist for a referral to a specialist.

· Is the doctor board certified?

Board certified it means the doctor has completed extra hours of clinical training and has passed a national certification examination that has earned him or her the title “board certified.” Lack of board certification does not mean the provider is not qualified to care for you. It simply means the doctor has not completed the board certification process. When searching for a specialist, probably want to eliminate providers who are not board certified and has not completed specialty training.

· Is there a long wait to get an appointment?

If you have a condition for which you need immediate attention such as a new diagnosis of cancer, out-of-control pain, or really high blood pressure, you need to be seen as soon as possible. In such cases, long waits to get an appointment are not acceptable or safe. Consider removing a provider who has really long waits from your list of candidates.

Hopefully after asking these questions you will be able to choose the best doctor for your care and the safe prescribing of medical marijuana. I hope this helps, please let me know what you think.

My Doctor Does Not Listen to Me - What Can I do?

2010-01-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

As you know medical errors take over 200,000 lives per year
(536 lives per day). Medications errors alone hurt 1.5 million Americans per year. Statically each one of us has a one in four or 25% chance of falling victim to a medical error every time we enter the healthcare system.

In fact many of you or someone you know has

experienced an error that has somehow changed your life.

It is estimated that up to 80% of medical errors could be prevented by improving communication between doctors

and patients.

But what happens if your doctor will not listen to you?

That's a question I am asked all the time. Patients tell me that their doctors are rushed, eager to write a prescription and annoyed by questions. Many patients have asked me how to overcome this barrier.

In What Did the Doctor Just Say? I give readers 3 steps that encourage

doctors to listen and to take the time needed to answer questions in a

manner that provides you them fully informed consent before making any

healthcare decision

Step One: DeBunk the Myth that the Doctor Is a god and You are

Lesser Than Him. You MUST Adjust Your Attitude. If you believe the

doctor is a higher being you will be meek and mild

you will submit to being dismissed because you feel you are wrong

or annoying for even asking a question about your life and your health.

"The Dr is a god" is a very harmful myth and is responsible for a great

many medical errors. Because patients don't feel free to speak and offer

information or to get information. If that type of information were

freely exchanged it is estimated that up to 80% of medical errors

could be prevented.

The best way to begin the conversation with a doctor is with the

knowledge that the Dr. is your employee. That's right the Dr. works for

you and is paid by your insurance dollars. Healthcare providers are

facilitators for you to get the best care possible, not gods.

Step Two: Prepare for the Visit In WDTDJS I supply worksheets

that you can complete with the information you need to prepare for

your visit.
Some of the most important information you can share is

a detailed description of your complaints including; Onset, Location

Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating Factors,Reliving Factors and
Severity.

These are the 9 questions doctors ask (or should ask) about all

of your complaints. When did it start, where does it hurt, how long did

it last, what did it feel like, what makes it worse, what makes it

better, and how bad was it on a scale of 1-10. The following example

answers each of the above as they relate to a stomachache

Ex: “The pain started two nights ago. I ate food that had been left on

the stove for about 36 hours and began having stomach cramps that

were pretty constant and very painful six hours later. Then, I had eight

very loose and watery stools over a 24-hour period. I did not have a

fever or vomiting. I was not able to work because of the pain in my

stomach was an 8-10 on the pain scale.”

When you come prepared to speak in the OLDCARTS format doctors

are more likely to engage with you, to be interested in what you are

saying and they are able to get information quickly which will cut

down on their impatience and give them more time to answer your

questions all because you are now speaking their language.

Coming prepared with your symptoms also helps the provider to

diagnosis you properly, this is very important as 40% of medical

diagnosis are wrong!!! Many of those errors occur because of poor

communication between the doctor and the patient.

Also when patients speak in this manner it gets the doctors respect

and they know you know something and they had better pay attention

to you.

Step Three: Again in WDTDJS I supply you with a list of questions

you will want to ask any provider you see to get fully informed consent

about tests, medications and procedures. Come prepared with your
questions, this will help the doctor to use his or her time better and
cut down on their impatience with questions.

Once your questions are written down there may be a nurse,

nurse practitioner or nursing educator who would be more than

qualified to answer your questions and able to give you more

time and refer you to any resources you may need to learn more.

Finally, let the physician know you are making their answers part of

your personal healthcare record and that you will be showing their

answers to consultants, second opinions, family members and friends.

When the doctor knows you are recording and documenting their

responses they will be encouraged to answer your questions fully

and honestly because we all know any document can be shown to

a lawyer for later review.

If these measures do not work and you cannot get your questions

answered you should FIRE your doctor and hire one who will

respect his boss, that's YOU the paying customer. A doctor who

doesn't listen increases your chances of being hurt by a medical

error by up to 80%. A provider like that has no place on

YOUR Healthcare Team

Being Kind Is Good For Your Health

2010-01-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

Kindness can bring a sense of richness and fulfilment to our lives, and as a bonus, promote good health and longevity. Paul Pearsall, a Ph.D.in
psychology living in Hawaii, writes in his book The Pleasure
Prescription (Hunter House, 1996) "Modern research shows
one of the most pleasurable of all human acts is also one
of the healthiest things you can do for yourself and
for others. Gentle, caring selflessness results in significant
health benefits."

In the book Meaning & Medicine, (Bantam Books, 1991)
author Dr Larry Dossey tells us, "Altruism behaves like a
miracle drug, and a strange one at that. It has beneficial effects
on the person doing the helping - the helper’s high; it benefits
the person to whom the help is directed; and it can stimulate
healthy responses in persons at a distance who may view it
only obliquely."

There have been a number of studies undertaken which
demonstrate the positive effects of kindness on health
(both psychological and physiological). Further studies are
under way, and several books have been published on the
beneficial effects of kindness. Studies undertaken since
1988 are described in detail in The Healing Power of
Doing Good (Fawcett Columbine, 1991) written by
Allan Luks and Peggy Payne. Luks often noticed feelings
of pleasure and well being while involved in helping others.
Initially thinking it was something he alone experienced,
he began to hear from others about the pleasurable
feelings associated with helping. This prompted him to
investigate further into "this intriguing phenomenon that
seemed to have almost magical effects".

The benefits mentioned in his book are as follows:

A more optimistic and happier outlook on life
A heightened sense of well being
A sense of exhilaration and euphoria
An increase in energy
A feeling of being healthy
Decreased feelings of loneliness, depression and helplessness
A sense of connectedness with others
A greater sense of calmness and relaxation
Increased longevity
Better weight control
An improvement in insomnia
A stronger immune system
A reduction in pain
Increased body warmth
A healthier cardiovascular system (reduction of high blood pressure, improved circulation, reduced coronary disease)
A reduction of excessive stomach acid
A decrease of oxygen requirement
Relief from arthritis and asthma
Speedier recovery from surgery
Reduced cancer activity

The above list would put a snake oil salesman to shame, yet the
effects have been proven many times over. Pearsall was not
exaggerating when he referred to the effects of kindness as having
"immense immune and healing benefits".

One of the participants in Luks’ survey stated the following:
"Some months ago I was so stressed out that I could barely
get four hours sleep at night, and I had all sorts of aches and pains.
I had even tried antidepressant and antianxiety drugs, but to no avail.
I then found out first hand that it is love that truly heals. When I
do nice things for others, I definitely feel a physical response. For me
it is mostly a relaxation of muscles that I hadn’t even realized
had been tensed. I can now sleep well at night, and most of my
aches and pains have disappeared."

People who are aware of the beneficial effects of kindness use
it to keep their health conditions under control. Kindness is
being utilised to keep high blood pressure in check, to banish
headaches, relieve back pain, and subdue the pain of lupus
and arthritis, while others use it to cure a case of the blues.
Why would helping others have such beneficial effects? Partly
because helping takes our mind off our problems (i.e. reduces stress)
and gets us thinking about someone else.

Dr Herbert Benson, a Harvard cardiologist who has been
involved in scientific research for over 30 years (he is also an
author, his most well known book being The Relaxation Response),
tells us that when we help others it allows us to ‘forget one’s self’
Another reason is that when we carry out an act of kindness, our
body rewards us by creating a ‘feel good’ sensation, which boosts
self esteem and well being. This experience has been termed the
helper’s high. The response is triggered when the body manufactures chemicals called endorphins.These endorphins are naturally occurring morphine-like substances that create a feeling of bliss within us.
In addition to creating a feel good experience, they also help to reduce the intensity of any pain messages being sent to the brain.

We must assume that one of our basic purposes on planet Earth
is to be kind. Why else would our body reward us every time we help someone? As Pearsall tells us, "In concrete terms, there seems to be a biological reward for doing the right thing".

It is not necessary to carry out major acts of kindness to gain the health
benefit. In fact it has been found that brief, small, regular acts of kindness
lead to the highest levels of well being. It has also been found that
such small, pleasurable experiences can more than offset any
negative health effects brought about by life’s stressful events,
regardless of their magnitude. This will be good news to those
of us who worry about the ramifications of the day to day
negative conflicts in our lives. If we happily punctuate our
day with small acts of kindness, our health will be in good shape!

Paul Pearsall’s warning about the lack of joy in our lives
was mentioned earlier. What is the cause of this lack of joy?
According to Pearsall it is the inability to control our destiny
and the feeling of vulnerability that this brings, as well as an
inability to realise that our physical ills and social ills are related.
What is the answer? To reconnect with ourselves, the earth,
and those around us.

When you choose to become a kinder person, you are not only
improving the well being and health of yourself and those you
come into contact with. Your kindness has a ripple effect. It has the magical ability of causing even those who have witnessed the act to
spontaneously feel good. When you make the decision to
be a kinder person, you are effectively bringing about positive
social change.

As previously indicated, the act of giving, or being of service,
showing kindness, altruism, or any of the other names by
which it is known, has the ability to achieve powerful health
benefits. The beneficial effects from kind acts come from the
bonding to a fellow human being, no matter how fleeting that contact
may be. However, care needs to be taken not to expect some form
of outcome from the kind act, otherwise the benefits to the given
will be diminished or lost completely. If an outcome is not expected,
there will be no disappointment. For instance, if I were to let a car
in from a side street, expecting the driver to acknowledge my kind act,
and it didn’t happen, it could conceivably provoke rage if I were
that way inclined. If I am not expecting a positive reaction, and
I get one, then that’s a bonus. When I expect others to play by
my rules, I’m setting myself up for disappointment.

Kindness is not only something that has positive benefits for
ourselves, it is something that has a positive effect on the community.
Allan Luks states, "The new knowledge about [the beneficial
effects of] helping others holds the power to affect not only the
health of the individual, but the health of our entire, tension-ridden
society".
Reprinted from http://www.kindness.com.au/kindness_and_health.htm

©June 1999.

Join the Kindness Revolution!

Up to 40% of Medical Diagnosis Are Wrong! Here's Why

2009-12-23T14:21:00.000-08:00

In fact missed and wrong diagnosis are among the most common types of medical mistakes. An evaluation of 53 autopsy studies found up to 40 percent of the cases reviewed had a major diagnostic error and that the patients may have lived had they gotten the correct diagnosis and subsequent right treatment. The rates of diagnostic error are even higher in emergency rooms and in intensive care units, were rapid decisions must be made.

And these are not just numbers, real people are affected by diagnostic errors. A 1997 study conducted by the National Patient Safety Foundation found, 40 percent of the patients surveyed stated they or someone they knew had been involved in an incident involving a diagnostic error. Once you receive a wrong diagnosis the treatment (medications, surgery, chemotherapy, tests and procedures) associated with that wrong diagnosis are wrong as well. Additionally the right treatments will probably be delayed and those delays could really cost you, big time, especially in cases where an early diagnosis could me cure and a delayed diagnosis could mean you will not be cured.

Both patients and providers contribute to the making of a wrong diagnosis. In this post I will discuss some of those reasons and the types of diagnostic errors.

Types of Diagnostic Errors

A wrong diagnosis. The diagnosis you are given inaccurate and has no relationship to the condition you actually have.

You are not sick. You are diagnosed with an illness when you do not have an illness.

Missed diagnosis. You are told you do not have a illness when, in fact, you do have an illness. The doctor “missed” the diagnosis.

Missed underlying disease. In this scenario the provider fails to diagnosis the underlying cause of your chief complaint. If, for an example, you are given the diagnosis of headache and the doctor fails to diagnose the high blood pressure that is causing the headache, the high blood pressure becomes a missed underlying disease.

Missed complications. Many diseases have complications; for example, complications of diabetes include ocular disease, kidney failure, and cardiovascular disease. If the doctor does not screen the patient for these complications and they are allowed to progress without intervention the patient will eventually develop the complications associated with their primary diagnosis because in part, the doctor failed to properly screen for and detect these underlying problems.

Missed medication side effects. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications have side effects. For example, an over dose of non-aspirin pain relievers can cause liver failure. Use of steroids can cause brittle bones and mental agitation. The list of medication side effects goes on and on. Medication side effects can be overlooked and diagnosed as a new disorder, when, in fact, the symptoms could be relieved by stopping or changing the medication.

There are many reasons why doctors choose the wrong diagnosis and there are things patients say and do that contribute to a wrong diagnosis. Below I have outlined some of these things and given you the steps you can take to increase the probability you’ll get a correct diagnosis. Let’s get started.

Provider Reasons for Making a Wrong Diagnosis

Lack of time. The average length of an office visit is 15 minutes. This means the doctor has to process a good deal of information in a very short period of time, making it easy to overlook or to forget things. The short office visit leaves no time to research and learn more about the patient’s complaints. In short, rapid-fire visits increase the probability of getting a wrong diagnosis.

Two diseases have similar symptoms. If the provider has to choose between two conditions with similar symptoms, she could choose the wrong one .

There may be two diseases going on at once. If you have two disorders, one may be overlooked and go undiagnosed and untreated.

Inability to understand the patient. When the doctor does not understand the patient for any reason, the information the patient gives can be misunderstood. The patient could easily be given a wrong diagnosis.

The doctor did not know about the disorder. There are more than 20,000 human diseases. Doctors will know the most common diseases and the ones they see most often. They will not know about disorders they have never seen or been taught about. Because the doctor cannot know everything, unusual and unfamiliar disorders are sometimes missed.

Provider skill level. Some doctors have highly developed diagnostic skills; they are knowledgable; they have experience; and they trust their instincts. Others are not so well endowed, and thus they are not as skillful in the art of making an accurate diagnosis. In addition, doctors who are experts in their area of specialty will be better at diagnosing disorders in their area of expertise than someone who is not an expert in diagnosing the disorder.

Over-publicized diseases. A disease that receive a lot of publicity tends to be over-diagnosed in the doctor’s office.

Doctor bias. When providers routinely see a disease in their practice, they may habitually assign that diagnosis to patients without looking any further for an alternative cause of the patients complaints. The doctor may overlook additional symptoms that would lead to a different diagnosis.

Rare or unusual diagnosis. When a condition is rare or unusual for the age and sex of the patient, the diagnosis may be overlooked or missed all together. Many women, for example, are misdiagnosed when they present to the emergency room with a heart attack because of the persistant myth that says heart attacks are rare in women. Furthermore, women tend to present with unusal symptoms when they experience a myocardial infarction; as a result, the diagnosis is missed.

The diagnosis does not have a definitive diagnostic test. Without tests to confirm or refute a diagnosis there may be no way to be certain the diagnosis is correct.

Cost. Some doctors will avoid expensive tests and tests that are not covered by your insurance company in order to reduce costs. In addition, the doctor may not order tests that diagnose rare conditions because he may believe there is a very low probability of you having the disorder. This works well for the large majority of patients, but fails for the small percentage of patients who have rare conditions. This minority could have their ailment diagnosed had cost not prohibit testing.

Mental illness. Patients who are mentally ill or confused and those who suffer with dementia are difficult to diagnose because they are unable to clearly communicate their symptoms. As always, communication is an essential element in every area of healthcare safety.

Things Patients Do That Can Lead to a Wrong Diagnosis

Patients Withhold information. Patients withhold information because they are uncomfortable discussing “personal problems” and because they are afraid of the consequences of telling the truth. Not revealing information related your condition could result in a wrong diagnosis and delay proper treatment.

In the following example, a man goes to the doctor with palpations and chest pain and his doctor cannot determine the cause of his problem. The doctor orders more tests and procedures and requests a second opinion. All the while, the patient has a secret: he is addicted to cocaine. Cocaine causes palpations and its abuse can lead to a heart attack, stroke, seizures, and death. Because the doctor does not know about the cocaine, he cannot properly diagnosis and treat the patient or help him get into a recovery program that may save his life. Withholding information can lead to a wrong diagnosis, delay proper treatment and could have lethal consequences!! There is a saying that goes “You are only as sick as your secrets.” It fits here.

Your role as team leader:

Choose a doctor you can trust, one with whom you can be honest.
Tell your doctor about any activities or symptoms you have that you believe are related to your medical condition.
Volunteer the information even if you feel the information is personal and should be kept private. Even if no one asks, if you feel the information you are withholding bears on your medical condition, tell your doctor. This will help you to get an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.

Sometimes patients delay reporting symptoms. Patients wait weeks, months, and even years to report symptoms. Many do not want to go to the doctor or because they are afraid of receiving a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Your role as team leader:

If something goes on without improvement seek help.
Keep a record of and report your symptoms using the O.L.D.C.A.R.T.S format. This will help you to give a complete and coherent account of symptoms you may have had for a long time
Research your symptoms on a symptom checker and report your findings to the doctor.

Sometimes patients are hypochondriacs. Dr. Paul Tornier once said, “Many ordinary illnesses are nothing but the expression of a serious dissatisfaction with life.” Sometimes patients have multiple and frequent complaints and their doctors are unable to diagnose a physical condition. In some of these cases, the patients are thought to be hypochondriacs. When a patient is labeled a hypochondriac, high suspicion among healthcare providers erupts that there are emotional or psychological problems that are generating physical discomfort. This is not at all uncommon. Something as simple as a headache can be the result of constant worry. To some degree, all of our physical complaints have a psychological effect on our lives.

There are, however, potentially very serious problems associated with frequent trips to the doctor’s office. Among them is that sooner or later the patient will be given a diagnosis, possibly for a condition that does not exist. Patients who frequent the doctor’s office have the likilhood of being exposed to tests and procedures that have their own risk factors.

Your role as team leader:

If you find yourself frequently at the doctor’s office for one complaint or another and there is no clear diagnosis, consider seeing a therapist to be evaluated for stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. All of these are common causes of physical discomfort and require their own treatment plan to bring relief.

Sometimes patients try to commit fraud to get time off work and to gain other benefits. Faking is dangerous and exposes the faker to the possibility of medical error. In this example, the patient consents to and has an unnecessary CAT scan because the doctor is trying to find a reason for his abdominal pain (which he doesn’t have). Sounds harmless right? Well let’s see about that. The dye or contrast used during the test sends the patient into kidney failure. That’s right – contrast dye can damage the kidney, possibly for life. Patients have also been known to have fatal allergic reactions to contrast agents. All medications, tests, treatments, and procedures can harm as well as help. The medical system is not to be entered into lightly. Be careful and do not expose yourself risk.

Your role as team leader:

Do not fake symptoms for any reason.
Do not expose yourself to unnecessary test and procedures.

Sometimes patients push providers for unneeded medications. While this is not a wrong diagnosis, insisting the doctor give you a prescription that is not necessary leads to the wrong treatment and exposes you to possible medication side effects that can alter your life. Over using antibiotics can cause resistance to them, and they may be rendered ineffective when you really do need them. Over using antibiotics also leads to the development of a very serious infectious gastric disease known as C-Difficile. And, last but not least, contiuned overuse of antibiotics will decrease the functioning of your immune system. If your provider feels you do not need an antibiotic, it is best to accept his opinion and try other measures to treat your condition.

Likewise, the over use of pain medication can cause life-long issues with addiction and make existing problems like depression and bowel disorders much worse. If your doctor does not want to give you a medication and has a sound rationale – a reason you can understand that synchs with your honest feelings about what is going on – you will be safer if you listen to the provider.

Your role as team leader:

Take antibiotics only when really needed.
If you find yourself seeking mood-altering substances in the doctor’s office you may want to get help. Addiction is a horrible condition that keeps you chained to a doctor or an illegal supplier.
If you need help dealing with an addiction, get it. Set yourself free from the prescription pad.

To learn more about how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of a misdiagnosis, get a copy of What Did the Doctor Just Say?: How to Understand What Your Doctor Is Saying and Prevent Medical Errors From Happening To You and Your Loved Ones. Just click the link.

Do You Have a Personal Healthcare Record: Here's Why You Need One

2009-12-21T11:13:00.000-08:00

Every healthcare provider you see creates a record of your care in a "chart." In that chart the provider documents your complaints, your test results and his or her treatment recommendations. If you have seen more than one provider, you have more than one medical record. All of those records contain different pieces of your medical history and none of your records or your providers has a complete picture of your care.
   When more than one provider orders treatments without anyone monitoring the "big picture," multiple problems can and do occur. These problems include, but are not limited too: Duplication of imaging and laboratory studies; dangerous medication combinations; delays in care while waiting for records to be transferred from one office to the other, not to mention the time and money it takes to collect records.
   In addition to recording your current complaints and medical history, your medical record has clerical and administrative functions. The information contained in your medical record is translated into code numbers and given to your insurance company. The carrier then reviews your records to determine if the care you received was "customary and/or necessary." Your carrier then goes on to make billing, payment and treatment decisions based upon what is written in your chart.
   Your medical record is also a central tool used in the investigating medical legal injury claims. In a court of law your medial record will be used to reveal how your injuries occurred; who may be responsible for causing your injuries; and if you will be compensated for your injuries. Clearly, your medical record is a very important part of your healthcare safety

Benefits of Having a Personal Healthcare Record
Some of the benefits of maintaining a PHR are:

Constant and free access to your healthcare records
You will help prevent treatment delays that occur while waiting for records
You will be able to prevent duplication of services
You will be able to knowledgeably share information about your care
Will will be well organized, proactive, and accurate
You will foster feelings of respect from other members of YOUR Healthcare Team
You will get safe, more efficiently delivered care

Steps to Creating a PHR

Call of your providers, including any specialists you have seen, and request copies of your records
Obtain your pediatric records, they contain your immunizations and a record of any childhood diseases and treatments
Contact any hospitals where you were a patient and request complete copies of your records
Store your records in a three ring binder and organize it by dates or disorder. Each member of your family will need their own section in the notebook

Your PHR will contain many documents and could be a little overwhelming to compile. I have found a wonderful template to help you get started, it is www.MyPHR.com. Having a PHR will help you to be safer in the healthcare system. In an upcoming post I will discuss how to check your records for errors, you won't want to miss that one.

The Doctor Just Said: 90,000 People Per Year Die From Hospital Infections. Here's How to Prevent That From Happening To You and Your Loved Ones

2009-12-12T14:45:00.000-08:00

One in every 20 hospitalized patients will develop an infection from something they were exposed to in the hospital: an IV, a surgical wound, a urinary catheter, a procedure, or an infected and contagious roommate are among the many causes of hospital-acquired infections. In 2002 hospital acquired infections took the lives of 90,000 Americans and cost our healthcare system more than $30 billion dollars to treat. Hospital-acquired infections may lead to weeks of hospitalization, trips to the ICU, the loss of limbs, and/or death.

At this point most of us have heard that hand-washing is the number one thing you and your healthcare professionals can do to prevent any type of infection. Other things you can do to prevent an infection include (and are not limited too:
Choosing a hospital with a low infection rate
Ensuring that you and your loved ones are given a bath and mouth care that includes an antiseptic mouthwash to kill germs in your mouth and on your bodies surfaces.
Eating foods rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins A, C and Zinc and doing others things that will
Boost your immune system and help your body fight infection naturally.
It is also important that you keep an eye on the housekeeping staff and ensure they clean all parts of your room with a disposable cloth and clean water (not the same water they used to clean your room mates things). There are many other steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from the horrors a hospital acquired infection and I write about them in WDTDJS.

What Did the Doctor Just Say? Will Help Everyone to Be Safer in the Healthcare System If We Follow the Steps In It!!!

2009-12-09T15:22:00.001-08:00

Every year in America medical errors, (the mistakes made by doctors and others) take over 100,000 lives! Hundreds of patients die needlessly, everyday because they can’t understand what the doctor saying or how to make safe healthcare decisions.

“What Did The Doctor Just Say?” will help you avoid falling victim to medical error by teaching you how to understand what the doctor says and how to ensure he understood you too. Once you and the doctor are “speaking the same language” you will be able to ask questions and gather the information you need to make high quality, safe healthcare decisions.

Through the use of structured question sets you will learn: how to hire a good doctor and fire a bad one, how to manage your illnesses and to take your medications safely, you will learn how to choose the best hospitals, and much more.

Written in plain English by an experienced educator who knows the difficulty over 40 million people have understanding the medical language, “What Did The Doctor Just say?” is an informative, easy to read guide to patient safety that could help to save your life. This book is a must for anyone interested in safe high quality healthcare they agree with and understand.

Don't forget to forward this post to everyone you love and think could benefit from having this book. I want to help as many people as I possibly can be safe in the healthcare system, please let's join together and save over 100,000 lives from from the horrors of a medical error. Thank for you very much for your support, and I wish you and yours all the best.