Sleeping With the Enemy: Eyelash Mites

Eyelash mites have become the bane of other people's existence, making them scared of sleeping. Eyelash mites are tiny and parasitic mites that infuse themselves in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of human beings, most particularly in the eyelash hair follicles. They are usually about 0.4 mm, and are found on the nose, cheek, forehead, and chin; practically anywhere you may find a sebaceous gland or a hair follicle. Although their infestation is not particularly severe, and is in fact a bit common, certain cases of eyelash mite infestation may cause certain skin conditions.

Eyelash mites have elongated and semi-transparent bodies that consists of two fused segments, with the first having 8 short legs, all of which are segmented. They are covered with scales that they use in order to latch on human hair follicles, and they feed on dead and flaky, skin cells, hormones, and even the sebum that are accumulated on the hair follicles.

While it is true that almost every other person has a few eyelash mites, there are a certain number of people that are prone to having quite a bit of these creatures. Among the list are those who wear mascara and eyeliners often because they have a higher tendency of being viable hosts for the mites, older people who are prone because they produce sebum more than younger people, and of course, people who have a compromised immune system, either due to stress or illness. Although they are generally harmless, a sudden increase in their number may cause demodicosis: a skin disorder characterized by extensive itching and inflammation. Other consequences may include rosacea, and swollen eyelids. Persisting infestation of eyelash mites may even lead to corneal irritation and scarring.

Diagnosis of eyelash mite infestation is done by individual observance of eyelashes under a microscope. They are generally seen as cylindrical dandruffs around the base of the eyelash, and because they are not able to come out in bright light, the diagnosis is done with very minimal lighting employed. To determine the severity of the infestation, samples of skin and lashes are taken in for testing, after which post diagnostic tests are employed in order to treat the infestation. In cases of mild infestation, simple ointments are used in order to clear the eyelash mites. However, in cases of chronic infestation, the use of antibiotics is employed.

Home treatment options are also available to control the infestation, and are done by washing the eyebrows, lashes, and eyelids with no-tear shampoo and lukewarm water. A regimen of weekly eyelid scrub with tea tree oil, as well as a daily eyelid scrub with tea tree shampoo may also be done for effectively removing the eyelash mites. In addition, proper eyelid hygiene is extremely recommended, and this includes the use of disposable tissues for eyelid cleaning, proper care of the towels and pillow covers that might come in contact with the eyelids, cleaning of shaving sets every day, and other necessary means of caring for anything that will most likely come in contact with the eyes, or any hair follicle in the body.

Cherry Juice for the Treatment of Gout

A type of arthritis found in both men and women, gout is exemplified primarily by experiencing pain in the big toe. However, the pain is not exclusive to this part of the body, and can indeed be experienced in other body joints like the elbows, fingers, hips, ankles, knees, etc. Gout is caused by an abnormal increase in the uric acid content of the body due to the inability of the body to excrete uric acid as waste. Because of the ambient increase of the uric acid in the body, it transforms to crystals, which are characterized as solidified uric acids that take a sharp, needle-like form. When these crystals are collected in the different joints of the body, the person will experience a very painful inflammation that will lead to gout. Although primarily a hereditary disease, gout can also be experienced by people who are overweight, alcohol drinkers, and smokers.

The regular use medication of aspirin, diuretics, and levodopa, may even increase a person's chances of getting gout. The first thing that any doctor may recommend whenever a patient is diagnosed with gout is to prescribe painkillers that will relieve the excruciating pain from the joints, but provide very temporary relief. Recent studies have shown that cherry juice is very effective in gout treatment, and were discovered in 1950 by Dr. Ludvig Blau. It is able to help with gout problems because of the presence of antioxidants and flavonoids, especially anthocyanins, which are very potent anti-inflammatory agents that cause the blood uric acid level to decrease enabling the body to heal the tissues of joints that were damaged due to the presence of gout.

Recent studies have also shown that black cherry has perhaps the most potent activity against gout. However, other cherry varieties may also be used. Whichever variety you choose to use for your gout problem, just make sure that you get one of good quality, otherwise you'll just be wasting your money. For people who prefer sweet one, I suggest getting cherry juice concentrate as a gout treatment.

The preferred amount for gout treatment is at least 2 cups per day; although, you may drink as many as you like given that it is a natural juice, it is recommended that you wait for your gout symptoms to decrease before increasing your intake. You should note results might vary from person to person. While it is true for some that their gout symptoms are relieved a few hours from intake of the cherry juice, some people may find that they need to consume it for weeks up to months before any effect is felt. Also, the amount that a particular person must consume after the gout symptoms subside may also differ, depending on the severity of the gout, age of the person, and other factors.

The use of cherry juice as a treatment for gout is very much recommended to anyone experiencing severe gout symptoms, and the beauty of it, is that it has no side effects because it is natural.

Medical Billing and Coding - A Critical Part Of The Health Insurance System

Today and during the previous years the demand for hospital care has been steadily increasing. This trend is observed all around the world. People are requiring more health care services.

The reason for this is because a lot of people are growing old. This is not just in the United States but also in other countries and continents like Europe, Australia and Asia.

The demand for medical care all over the world is affecting the medical care industry on a positive way. It helps in shaping the hospital care industry of other countries; the same is true in the US where the medical care industry is already advanced in the US. The increase in hospital care service requirements is enabling countries to rethink their medical care system and work for a better system that caters to the needs of their aging population.

One great health care system development is the use of health cards and health insurance. This part of the clinical care is not new but because of the increased demand in health care services, the medical care insurance system is becoming more efficient and more people are opting in to get one.

Using health cards pay-off during health related emergencies wherein operations and other related services are needed by the health insurance policy holder. Some costly surgical operations are covered by the insurance companies, so having the appropriate health insurance is valuable.

Really, the health insurance system has matured and become very efficient. However, do you know that at the heart of this system are professional medical billers and coders? They are the people that make all these happen. The medical billers and coders are the ones who work behind the curtain, classifying services rendered by the physicians, preparing the health insurance claims and submitting them to the proper insurance companies, and finally monitoring and waiting for the payment from the insurance companies.

Medical billing and coding professionals are the critical part of the health insurance system. Without them the health insurance claims for rendered services won't be filed and the physicians will not be paid. If this happens frequently, the health insurance system won't function at all because physicians will not render services to patients who only have their health insurance to cover for the medical bills.

The medical billing and coding professional avoids the above situation from happening. They make sure that proper medical bills and included in the insurance claim and then they follow-up the status of each and every medical bill to make sure it is settled, then see to it that the proper physician is compensated.

That's what medical billing and coding professionals do. Though they are in the administrative side of health care, they are still a very valuable part of the entire health care industry as a whole.

Signs and Risk Factors of Addiction

An individual who is in a situation where he is continuously using a particular substance may be suffering from addiction. Aside from substances, addiction may also pertain to a continued behavior of a person that doesn't benefit him at all. Different kinds of neurological impairment that leads to the behaviors mentioned can also refer to addiction. Examples of addictions that people suffer are abuses of alcohol, drug, exercise, and gambling.

When a person becomes addicted to something, he would have difficulties in controlling how to use it and then they become very dependent to cope with their daily life.

There are certain situations when a particular habit of a person becomes an addiction. For comparison purposes, a habit is done by choice, or a person did a particular because he wants to. This habit can be stopped anytime a person chooses to and can be successful in avoiding it if he has the willingness to do so. Psychological and physical component would never be an issue in a habit. Addiction, meanwhile, can be controlled but there are outside forces involved with it especially since there are certain conditions already involved.

The real cause of addictions varies on a case-to-case basis which is why it is not fully understood. There are, however, general causes as to why a person gets addicted. It includes a combination of physical, mental, circumstantial, and emotional factors.

One of the signs of addiction is when a person gets very dependent to a particular substance. The substances may include drug, alcohol, and nicotine. Under substance dependence, there are a number of signs when it is already happening to a person. One is the failure to stop from using the substance despite attempts of giving up. Another one is withdrawal symptoms. If a person has attempted to get rid of his addiction, his body would react to it dramatically. When the body feels that the level of a substance dipped, a person would experience physical as well as mood-related symptoms. Some of them include moodiness, bad temper, and lack of focus, frustration, and anger.

Every individual can get addicted to something while he ages but there are certain factors that would increase dramatically the risk of suffering it. One is through genetics or family history. Any individual who has a relative that has problems in addiction have a high risk of eventually experiencing it. Two main causes for this are environmental and circumstantial factors.

Computerized Records Coming to the ED

That's starting to change thanks to efforts undertaken in 2009 to begin standardization of electronic record-keeping within the healthcare industry. The federal government did its part to begin encouraging the adoption of electronic records by including significant funding in the stimulus package to help defray the costs of hospitals and medical facilities making the transition. And although adoption of electronic records is still slower than many would like, it is progressing. In the world of the ED and emergency medical jobs, the transition cannot come soon enough.

Delays in Care

At the core of the electronic record issue in the emergency department is the fact that a lack of patient records can often delay treatment. Of course, no emergency medicine doctor would forgo a life-saving procedure while waiting for paperwork to arrive, but once a patient is out of immediate danger treatments are often delayed while the emergency room staff waits for patient records to be faxed over from the doctor's office. If a patient should be admitted to the ED in the middle of the night it could be 8 to 10 hours before the hospital receives appropriate documentation.

Emergency medicine jobs would be made so much easier and more efficient if the hospital ED would convert to electronic records. But the hospital is not alone. Primary care physicians, specialists, and clinics all need to adopt the same electronic system in order for it to work as intended. When fully implemented, healthcare facilities could share patient information with just the click of a button. Imagine how much more quickly and efficiently treatment could be dispensed in the ER.

Security Concerns

One of the concerns of adopting widespread electronic medical records is that of personal security. In order for all this to work properly, records need to be stored on a centralized database which can be accessed by all of the facilities on the system. Understandably, patients are concerned that their personal information could fall into the hands of those who would use it improperly. Therefore, in order to get the system fully implemented across the board certain security measures need to be developed.

Emergency medicine jobs are tough enough without having to deal with the inefficiency of paper record keeping. Change is tough, we know that. But as individual hospital EDs are making the transition to electronic records they are quickly realizing all the benefits. Let's hope the adoption rate of electronic record-keeping increases in the coming years.

Policy Form To Be Given To All Home Health Care Applicants

It can be very difficult and challenging for a disabled person or someone who cares for a disabled person to find a home health care aide who is compatible, honest, and reliable. All of the suggestions below come from my personal experience, having had MS for 40 years. My hope is that this list gives you some direction to follow in order to find a health care aide to suit your needs and to make your life better.

• You must be able to lift and transfer the person in your care to and from the toilet, bed, shower, or anywhere else the patient wishes to go in a safe and strong manner; not putting him or her in any danger. Learn how to properly and safely help your patient to transfer and move about.

• You must always retain a professional manner, not discussing your personal problems, money problems, health issues, or your family information. You are there to care for your patient and not to burden them with problems of your own.

• You must not take or make personal calls while you are on the job. Handle your personal life when you are not on the job.

• You must pay attention to your patient and do things that she requests in a manner that you are told.

• You must never ask for food or drinks other than water while you are on your job.

• DO NOT take advantage of your patient's disability in any way shape or form. Your patient has you there because there are things that they can no longer do. She is in a vulnerable position and to take advantage of them is unconscionable and will not be tolerated.

• Be on time. If you find it necessary to be late or cannot be there on the appointed day make sure that you call your patient as soon as possible. Do not make them wait for you unnecessarily thereby causing them stress and having to readjust their schedule to suit yours. And never make them have to track you down by calling you or the agency which has hired you.

• The person in your charge is your boss and as such you will act accordingly by being polite, cheerful, caring and by doing a professional and thorough job with whatever task is asked of you just as he would with any other employer.

• Do not rush or cut corners so that you can get out of there as soon as possible. You are being paid with taxpayer money or money from the patient's themselves or their family and as such you are expected to work hard and not to make excuses for substandard work ethics.

• Laziness will not be tolerated and if you are asked to do something do it with a concentrated effort and to the best of your ability. Take personal pride in your work knowing that you were doing something of worth and importance. Not everyone is able to take on being a home health care aide and if you do your job well you are invaluable.

• Make sure that you ask your patient if there is anything else you can do for them before you leave. Make sure that they are comfortable and satisfied with the work you do have done for them.

• If you have any questions about where something belongs or how the patient would like something to be done ask her and don't just put things where you feel like it or do things your own way no matter what the consequences. 

Just because the person in your care has a disability does not mean that she is ignorant or not aware of your actions. Realize that it may be hard for people with disabilities to ask for help and to be assertive so it is up to you to make sure that things are done for their convenience and not for yours.

• Never put your patient in an uncomfortable position of having to be afraid of you or to feel that you will take measures to intimidate herby being verbally or physically abusive or by your body language causing your patient to be uncomfortable or even afraid of you. To do so is not only immoral but also illegal and if you are such a person you must be prepared to take the consequences.

• Do not ever ask your patient for money. It is cause for immediate dismissal.

• Do not complain about circumstances in your own life. The person in your care has enough to worry about and should not be put through any more stress than they already have.

• If you are tired or having a bad day do not take it out on your patient. More than likely he or she is having a much worse day than you are.

• Theft of any kind will not be tolerated, is unconscionable, illegal, and cause for immediate dismissal as well as prosecutable.

• If your patient is in a wheelchair or lying in bed do not hover over them thereby making them uncomfortable that you are in a higher position than they. It is rude to your patient and your job is to make them feel as good about themselves as you possibly can.

• Always treat the person in your care as you would wish to be treated if you were in their situation. Be compassionate, caring, and helpful. There may come a day when you yourself will need the help of an aide and act as the aide that you would wish to have in your home and taking care of you.

Health IT - Best Practices for PHI Data Security and Selecting the Right Cloud Computing Provider

In recent months, cloud computing is a topic that is getting a lot of attention especially when applying the technology in healthcare. Cloud computing is becoming more attractive to medical organizations predominately due to the benefits that the technology offers including reduced enterprise IT infrastructure and power consumption costs, scalability, flexibility, and accessibility.

At the same time, cloud computing pose significant potential risks for medical organizations that must safeguard their patients protected health information or PHI while complying with HIPAA Privacy and Security rules. The increased number of reported PHI breaches occurring over the past two years along with ongoing HIPAA compliance and PHI data privacy concerns, has slowed down the adoption of cloud technology in healthcare.

To help medical organizations and providers mitigate PHI data security risks associated with cloud technology, consider the following five best practices when selecting the right cloud computing provider:

1. Understand the importance of SSL. Secure socket layer (SSL) is a security protocol used by web browsers and servers to help users protect data during transfer. SSL is the standard for establishing trusted exchanges of information over the internet. SSL delivers two services that help solve some cloud security issues which includes SSL encryption and establishing a trusted server and domain. Understanding how the SSL and cloud technology relationship works means knowing the importance of public and private key pairs as well as verified identification information. SSL is a critical component to achieving a secure session in a cloud environment that protects data privacy and integrity

2. Not all SSL is created equal. The trust established between a medical organization and their cloud computing provider should also extend to the cloud security provider. The cloud provider's security is only as good as the reliability of the security technology they use. Furthermore, healthcare organizations need to make sure their cloud provider uses an SSL certificate that can't be compromised. In addition to ensuring the SSL comes from an authorized third party, the organization should demand security requirements from the cloud provider such as a certificate authority that safeguards its global roots, a certificate authority that maintains a disaster recovery backup, a chained hierarchy supporting their SSL certificated, global roots using new encryption standards, and secure hashing using the SHA-1 standard. These measures will ensure that the content of the certificated can't be tampered with.

3. Recognize the additional security challenges with cloud technology. There are five specific areas of security risk associated with enterprise cloud computing and medical organizations should consider several of them when selecting the right cloud computing provider. The five cloud computing security risks include HIPAA Privacy and Security compliance, user access privileges, data location, user and data monitoring, and user/session reporting. In order for medical organizations and providers to reap the benefits of cloud computing without increasing PHI data security and HIPAA compliance risks, they must select a trusted service provider that can address these and other cloud security challenges.

4. Ensure data segregation and secure access. Data segregation risks are a constant in cloud storage. In a traditional client hosted IT environment, the internal IT administrators of the organization controls where the data is located and the access granted to clinicians and support staff. In a cloud computing environment, the cloud computing provider controls where the servers and the data are located. Even though certain controls are lost in a cloud environment, proper implementation of SSL can secure sensitive data and access. A medical organization will know that they are on the right path to selecting the right cloud provider if they provide the organization with three key elements as part of their cloud hosting solution: encryption, authentication, and certificate validity. It is highly recommended for organizations to require their cloud provider to use a combination of SSL and servers that support 128-bit session encryption and should also demand that sever ownership be authenticated before one bit of data transfers between servers.

5. Make sure the cloud provider understands HIPAA compliance. When a medical organization outsources their IT infrastructure to a cloud computing provider, the organization is still responsible for maintaining HIPAA compliance with all Privacy and Security rules. Since healthcare organizations can't rely solely on their cloud provider to meet HIPAA requirements, it is highly recommended to select a cloud provider that has experience with HIPAA compliance and has compliance oversight processes and routines in place. Cloud computing providers that refuse to participate in external audits and security certifications are signaling a significant red flag and should be dismissed from further consideration.

SSL is a proven technology and a cornerstone of cloud computing security. When a medical organization is evaluating a cloud computing provider, the organization should consider the security options selected by that cloud provider. Knowing that a cloud provider uses SSL can go a long way toward establishing confidence. The right cloud computing provider should be using SSL from an established, reliable and secure independent certificate authority. Furthermore, when selecting a cloud computing provider, healthcare organizations should be very clear with their cloud provider regarding the handling and mitigation of risk factors beyond SSL.

Medical organizations that effectively performs PHI security and HIPAA compliance due diligence as part of their cloud computing provider selection process, will be best positioned to consolidate IT infrastructure, reduce IT cost, mitigate the risk of PHI data breaches, and increase business sustainability resulting from the adoption of cloud technology. This outcome will allow healthcare providers to focus more of their energy and resources to patients thus improving care and outcomes.