Cat Health Information - What You Need to Know

If you are someone who wants to make sure that your cat stays as healthy as possible, you'll find that there is plenty of cat health information that you should be aware of. Keeping your cat healthy is something that is relatively easy to do when it gets right down to it, and you'll find that by just keeping a few things in mind that you will able to do just that. When you are considering your cat's health, you'll find that simply by keeping a sharp eye out that you will be able to avert many of the normal problems.

When looking around for cat health information, one of the first things that you will notice is that you should spay or neuter your cat. There are several reasons why this is a good idea. For male cats, you'll find that if you leave them intact that they will have a much stronger urge to roam, and that they will very often be a great deal more aggressive, which can lead to fights where they get injured, maimed or even killed. For female cats, spaying them will give them a significantly lower chance of getting cancer in their reproductive tracts. In general, when you spay or neuter your cat, you will be giving it a much better chance at a healthy life.

Remember that whenever you adopt a kitten that you should take it to the vet, unless you are adopting from a humane shelter, where the cat has already had a thorough physical. Remember that you should always stay on top of whatever shots your cat needs and that regardless of health, he or she should have regular annual vet appointments. Overall, your cat will stay healthy if, like a human, he has the benefit of regular medical care, so make sure that you keep up this very important maintenance.

Another important aspect of cat health information is simply being aware of your cat, and understanding their habits. Usually, the first sign that a cat is having health problems is some sort of irregular behavior. Perhaps he will suddenly start hiding and hissing when you approach him, or perhaps he will stop using his litter box entirely. Either of these signs can be causes for concern, but the better you know your cat, the better equipped you will be to figure out if he is hurt or in some sort of pain.

There is plenty of good cat health information online, but if you are seriously worried, you should always err on the side of caution and speak to a veterinarian. Remember that your cat's health is precious and that a little bit of foresight can make all the difference.

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New Health Information Facts

Most people show signs of needing better nutrition

• 43% of people have symptoms that show they need more foods rich in Vitamin B2.
• 27% of people need more foods rich in Vitamin A.
• 51% of people have symptoms that show they could do with eating foods rich in Vitamin C.
• 57% of people need to eat more foods rich in B Vitamins.

Very few people feel really well

New Health Information Facts indicate that only 6% of people have an overall health score in the optimum range. Everyone else shows significant symptoms that relate to requirements for specific foods and nutrient to help support their wellbeing.

• 80% of people report low energy
• 82% become quickly impatient when held up and 62% easily become tense or anxious
• 64% of women report suffering from PMS/PMT
• 46% report suffering from depression
• 57% of people fail to have a bowel movement every day
• 64% suffer from abdominal bloating
• 54% report dark circles or bags under their eyes
• 46% suffer from headaches and migraine
• 50% have more than two colds or flu a year
• 40% find it hard to shift an infection All of these symptoms are influenced by what we eat and how we live. The underlying causes are different for different people and that is why the profile is so great. It helps individuals find out what is most important for them based on their personal profile. The profile shows that at different times for different people some foods are best reduced or eliminated completely to feel really well or to help lose weight. The profile helps people make the right choices for them. No more guesswork about what works for you.

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Health Information Technician Training

If you are seeking an occupation associated with the field of medicine, a good choice for you would be to enroll in a school that offers health information technician training.

Typically, health information technician courses are comprised of a general education in addition to various classes in anatomy and physiology, computer science, medical coding, database management, applicable legal issues, and other relevant topics.

Students in schools for health information technology can attain an Associate Degree or professional certification, as well as continuing education units to maintain proficient levels of expertise. Also, individuals who have graduated from an Associate Degree program can opt to become Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT); to do so, one must take a written exam provided by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Graduates can become health information technicians (commonly interchanged with "medical records technicians"). While each employer may use diversified software and practices, students who enter the field will need additional on-the-job training to accommodate the many, miscellaneous applications and job-specific procedures.

Persons who have achieved full health information technician training, and who have become registered, may go onto professions dealing with medical coding and records, including the positions of medical secretaries and medical transcriptionists.

In general, health information technicians work in a variety of medical-related facilities such as physician offices, hospitals, medical clinics, hospitals, and geriatric care centers. Occupational outlook is promising; according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor Statistics, job growth is anticipated to be faster than average.

If you are interested in the field, apply to one of several schools for health information technology today!

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Health Information Management Programs

Find Health Information Management Programs in the United States and Canada. Today, health information management programs are essential to candidates aspiring for job opportunities in physicians' offices, home healthcare businesses, outpatient clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

While no two health information management programs are alike, it is essential to review course offerings at schools and career-training institutes that offer this and related programs. Though the majority of health information management programs are offered as degreed courses, a number of educational facilities may extend medical office specialist training, which can be completed as a job-specific course that results in a diploma or certificate.

Health information management programs are often accredited, and require successful completion of certification from the American Health Information Management Association. Common studies in health information management programs include liberal arts, and comprehensive health services administration training.

Graduates of health information management programs will have gained the knowledge and skills to successfully plan, direct, coordinate and supervise overall healthcare administration duties. Because healthcare managers (or medical and health service managers) must maintain client/patient records, it is critical that these healthcare workers continue education in computer technology and medical software to keep up with business demands.

Though States vary in regulations, students who desire to work in nursing care facilities as health care administrators must complete one of several health information management programs and have obtained a minimum of a Bachelor's degree. In addition, a licensing examination is also required.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth in this field is expected to be positive; and individuals who have successfully completed all studies in any one of a number of health information management programs have the potential to achieve annual earnings of over $117k.

Find your dream job! Let education within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, information technology, healthcare, business, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

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Health Information Technology - A Bright Future

The health care industry is getting more technologically advanced every year. And with those advances, comes a need for people who not only understand how to use the technology, but can help make innovations that will continue to advance the system.

One of the degrees that can put you at the heart of all the action is a health information technology degree. This type of degree program will teach you how to use technology to collect, analyze, monitor, maintain and report health data. If you’re interested in the medical field, a health information technology program offers a truly fascinating point from which to explore your passions and start your career.

In the classroom and in the field, when you’re enrolled in a health information technology program, you’ll learn to process requests for the release of personal health information, code clinical information, process and use health data for clinical quality management, bill patients for services (and provide reimbursement) and learn compliance while protecting patient privacy. And frankly, the jobs you’ll receive after you receive your health information technology degree will put you in a position of great responsibility and control.

Post-Health Information Technology Program Jobs

With the degree in hand, some of the positions you can expect to work in include:

• Health Information Technician. Job responsibilities often include reviewing medical charts to check for completion and accuracy, generating reports and assigning diagnosis codes to medical charts for insurance claims and data collection purposes, plus gathering, analyzing and managing information about patients so healthcare providers can properly care for them.

• Medical Coder. With a health information technology degree you can enter the field as a medical coder, which, because of its medical and business nature, is often a springboard for advancement opportunities within the healthcare sector. Some of the responsibilities of a medical coder include reviewing medical documents provided by physicians, then translating the information into numeric codes and sequencing diagnostic and procedural codes by using a standard healthcare coding system. This work is crucial to the financial reimbursement of healthcare professionals by the insurance companies that provide policies for the patients.

• Health Information Administrator. After completing a health information technology program you may work as a healthcare administrator. In this position you will oversee (or as an entry-level job assist the person who oversees) the business of providing services to patients and manage the health information systems that house the medical facility’s patient-related documents, insurance information, and business documentation.

• Medical Secretary. Medical secretaries help maintain order in the office and provide the support necessary for proper patient care. Some of the job responsibilities may include transcribing dictation, generating correspondence, assisting physicians with reports, speeches, articles, and conference proceedings, as well as providing technological support and maintaining medical records.

The Job Outlook

According to a 2006-2007 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, employment for medical records and health information technicians is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations from now through 2014.

A few highlights of the BLS report include:

• Job prospects should be very good; technicians with a strong background in medical coding will be in particularly high demand.

• Those entering the field will usually have an associate degree; courses include anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, statistics, and computer science.

• Most employers prefer to hire Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT), who must pass a written examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). To take the examination, a person must graduate from a 2-year health information technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Technicians who receive a Health Information Technology degree from a non-CAHIIM-accredited program or who are trained on the job are not eligible to take the examination.

• Median annual earnings of medical records and health information technicians were $25,590 in 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,650 and $32,990. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,720, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $41,760.
With a job outlook so bright – and an education that’s both challenging and exciting – choosing a health information technology degree program is an intelligent step to a rewarding career.

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Evaluating Health Information On The Internet

Late one day you receive an assignment on a topic you know little about: autism. You decide you need some background information and type “autism” in Google. The results page lists more than 5 million links. A quick scan shows you sites of parent advocacy groups, research centers, government agencies, stores offering autism resources and sites describing new miraculous treatments for the disorder.

How do you make sense of all this? How do you know which sites are reliable and scientifically accurate?

Unless you are familiar with the topic and can easily spot the bad apples in the barrel, a search engine such as Google is not the best place to start. Instead, start with a source that you know provides reliable information and that can direct you to other reliable sources of information. For example, The National Library of Medicine’s Medline Plus (www.medlineplus.gov) is one of the best places to begin a search about health matters.

Once you are on your way with your Internet search, ask these questions about each Web site you visit:

• Does the Web site display who is responsible for the site? The site should describe the type of organization it belongs to (for example, nonprofit, government, commercial) and disclose the sources of funding.
• Is the purpose of the Web site stated? The site’s purpose should be to provide unbiased information about the health topic, not to promote a product or treatment.
• Does it provide a mission statement? The mission of the sponsor organization should be clearly stated and should be consistent with the site’s content.
• Is there a way to contact the information provider or Webmaster? Different methods of contact should be available (for example, e-mail, phone, mailing address).

Then, ask the following questions about the Web site’s content:

• Is the information slanted in favor of the Web site’s sponsor or source of funding? Health information should be accurate and unbiased.
  
• Do scientific experts review the medical information before it is posted on the Web site? The names, credentials, and affiliations of the Editorial Board or scientific reviewers should be made available to the readers. Remember, however, that credentials may be misleading: experts in one field may not be experts in other areas. The credentials should reflect expertise in the health topics addressed on the site.
  
• Does the information display the date of last revision, and is it kept up to date? The Web site should keep up with recent developments in medicine.
  
• What is the scientific evidence for claims made? The original source of facts and figures should be shown (for example, journal citations). Warning: some Web sites may misquote scientific studies or take statements out of context. When possible, check the facts in the original study.
  
• Does the Web site rely on anecdotes about sick individuals instead of large scientific studies? Case-control studies provide a better understanding of a disease or treatment than isolated case reports.
  
• Are personal opinions presented as facts? Editorial and opinion pieces should be clearly identified as such.
  
• Is the information presented in context? Enough background information should be provided to better understand the topic.

  Although not essential with regard to reliability, a good health Web site should also have the following characteristics:

  Design. A professional design is more than high-quality graphics and state-of-the-art animations; it comprises logical organization of the information and ease of navigation through the different sections of the site. In other words, you should not get lost when moving around the site. A well-designed site will offer a navigational menu on every page, a site map, an internal search engine and a frequently asked questions page to help you find information.

  Writing. A Web site filled with typos and grammatical errors will not make a good impression—much less among writers. Proper grammar, spelling, and composition add credibility to the information because they are signs of an appropriate editorial process.

  Additional resources. A single Web site will hardly cover a health topic in its entirety. Therefore, a good site will link to other good sites that complement its information.

  Medical knowledge changes rapidly, so always check more than 1 site to make sure you have obtained the most recent information. If the information is not clear or you have questions about something not covered on the Web sites, try to obtain a clarification from the authors. Finally, it is a good idea to double-check the facts with a known source you have worked with before.

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Top 40 Health Quotations

Top 40 Health Quotations

1. "Health is the thing that makes you feel that now is the best time of the year."

-- Franklin P. Adams

2. "He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything."

-- Arabian Proverb

3. "To get rich never risk your health. For it is the truth that health is the wealth of wealth."

-- Richard Baker

4. "There's lots of people who spend so much time watching their health, they haven't got time to enjoy it."

-- Josh Billings

5. "Health has its science, as well as disease. "

--Elizabeth Blackwell

6. "Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. "

--Erma Bombeck

7. "Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do practice? "

--George Carlin

8. "The poorest man would not part with health for money, but the richest would gladly part with all their money for health. "

--Charles Caleb Colton

9. "As I see it every day you do one of two things: build health or produce disease in yourself."

--Adelle Davis

10. "Preserving health by too severe a rule is a worrisome malady."

--Francois de La Rochefoucauld

11. "You can set yourself up to be sick, or you can choose to stay well."

-- Wayne Dyer

12. "Give me health and a day and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

13. "The first wealth is health."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

14. "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

-- Benjamin Franklin

15. "Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing."

--Redd Foxx

16. "Health is not valued till sickness comes."

--Dr. Thomas Fuller

17. "A Hospital is no place to be sick."

--Samuel Goldwyn

18. "Health is not simply the absence of sickness."

--Hannah Green

19. "Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything."

--Thich Nhat Hanh

20. "A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses."

--Hippocrates

21. "The groundwork of all happiness is health."

-- Leigh Hunt

22. "The oneness of mind and body holds the secret of illness and health. "

--Arnold Hutschnecker

23. "Health is worth more than learning."

--Thomas Jefferson

24. "We cannot seek or attain health, wealth, learning, justice or kindness in general. Action is always specific, concrete, individualized, unique."

-- Benjamin Jowett

25. "One out of 4 people in this country is mentally imbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends-if they seem okay, then you're the one."

--Ann Landers

26. "To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life."

-- William Londen

27. "It's no longer a question of staying healthy. It's a question of finding a sickness you like."

--Jackie Mason

28. "Quit worrying about your health. It'll go away."

--Robert Orben

29. "What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn't much better than tedious disease."

--George Dennison Prentice

30. "The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results."

-- Anthony Robbins

31. "Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live."

-- Jim Rohn

32. "Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory."

--Albert Schweitzer

33. "A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools."

-- Spanish Proverb

34. "People who overly take care of their health are like misers. They hoard up a treasure which they never enjoy."

-- Laurence Sterne

35. "Measure your health by your sympathy with morning and Spring. "

--Henry David Thoreau

36. "Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."

--Mark Twain

37. "The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease."

--François Voltaire

38. "Our health always seems much more valuable after we lose it."

-- Unknown

39. "Time And health are two precious assets that we don't recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted."

-- Denis Waitley

40. "Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God and value it next to conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of, a blessing money can't buy."

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Mental Health Maintenance Is Made Simple

Your mental health is often drastically improved when you use the techniques Dr. Kuhn teaches in this article. When you are able to experience this improvement, your relationships blossom, career paths open, and people find you attractive and accessible. You deserve to have fun and joy in your life - and Cliff Kuhn, M.D. will help you do that.

In the classic Frank Capra film, It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey's mental health is overwhelmed by the difficulties of his life and he wishes he'd never been born. George's guardian angel grants his wish and takes him to a grim reality as it would've been without him. George feels nothing when he reaches into his coat pocket to retrieve the flower his daughter, Zuzu, placed there - and that's when George knows that his wish has come true...he's never been born.

Wishing she had never been born, Roberta became my patient, seeking desperately to improve her mental health. Like the fictional George Bailey character, Roberta's depression and anxiety had grown so strong as to threaten her ability to lead any semblance of a normal life. Fortunately for Roberta, she soon discovered exactly why the natural medicine of humor is one of the most powerful adjunctive treatments for improving mental health, because humor literally pours water on the fire of depression and anxiety.

Roberta is not alone. As many as 35% of all Americans suffer from depression and anxiety, the twins that make mental health elusive for millions. Your depression and anxiety is exacerbated by your seriousness - taking yourself too seriously. As we move into adulthood, we unfortunately buy into the notion that responsible and productive people must be "serious." As we make the biggest mistake of our lives and relegate our humor nature and fun to recreational activities (if we experience fun at all), we doom ourselves to all the symptoms of the corresponding seriousness that fills the void - declining health, rising stress, increased pain, lessened energy, impaired creativity, and more.

The good news for your mental health, however, is that we know how to shrink your deadly seriousness to practically nothing and reduce almost completely the sway it holds over your health, vitality, wellness, and zest. The natural medicine of humor is an incredibly powerful resource that you already possess; you've only forgotten how to use it to maximum effectiveness. You will soon discover that, while not a panacea, the natural medicine of humor is a tremendous tonic for depression or anxiety and will also supercharge other treatments because it is an amazing adjunctive medicine too!

I have distilled the natural medicine of humor, through my years of medical practice, into an amazing prescription I call The Fun Factor. Based on what I learned over twenty years ago from a terminally ill fifteen-year-old patient, I created a unique set of principles I call the Fun Commandments, then forged these Commandments into my Fun Factor prescription and have been prescribing The Fun Factor with great success for years. This report will show you how to use just three of my Fun Commandments to turn your mental health around, and gain new joy, pleasure, and appreciation from your life!

Improve Your Mental Health Using My Fun Factor Prescription

Step One: Always Go the Extra Smile

The first Fun Commandment I recommend for improved mental health is: Always Go the Extra Smile. This Commandment is doubly helpfully for depression and anxiety because not only does it provide measurable emotional and physical relief, but it also is completely under your control - regardless of your circumstances. Because smiling remains totally under your control, it can be your greatest resource for using humor's natural medicine to accelerate your mental health.

Smiling produces measurable physical benefits you can experience immediately: your stress decreases, your immunity improves, your pain and frustration tolerances increase, and your creativity soars. And guess what? You experience all these benefits even if your smile is "fake." That's right...forcing a smile onto your face perks up your immune system and lightens your mood just as readily as a genuine smile. Fake a smile and you'll soon feel well enough to wear a real one!

This is great news for your proactive stance on sustainable mental health. You have an amazing amount of pre-emptive control over your mood - you can, literally, choose more energy and happiness. The key for your use of this Fun Commandment in enhancing your mental health is to start practicing right now, so that smiling becomes an entrenched, habitual method of accessing the natural medicine of humor. If you wait to smile until your mental health has taken a turn for the worse, and depression or anxiety has taken hold of you, it will not be as effective.

Step Two: Act and Interact

Smiling leads us right into the second Fun Commandment you'll find instrumental in maintaining your mental health: Act and Interact. Humor's natural medicine works best when we are sharing ourselves and this Commandment will teach you how to capitalize on the control you've taken over your physiology and mood by smiling. Acting and interacting is now easier for you to do because you're smiling more. Not only is your mood improved, but your smile is also a pleasant invitation to other people.

My suggestion is that you solidify the power of this Commandment by setting a reasonable goal regarding the number of people you will interact with each day. These social interactions are great for your mental health, forcing you to exchange information and ideas with another person. Combined with your commitment to smiling, your interactions should be pleasant, because your heightened energy, lessened pain, and lowered stress levels are very attractive to others.

Beyond keeping you out of isolation, there is another reason why acting and interacting with the people you encounter fosters improved mental health. It allows you to avoid spiritual "flat tires." Spiritual flat tires occur when you sidestep, or avoid, an interaction that is about to happen naturally - you duck into an office to avoid encountering someone in a hallway or you don't answer the phone because you don't want to talk to the person calling. This type of avoidance drains and deletes your reservoir of powerful natural energy and siphons your mental health reserves.

Have you ever noticed that it usually takes you twice as much mental and physical energy to avoid doing a job than you would have expended just doing it? It also takes twice the energy to avoid acting and interacting with the people who cross your path because you are, in effect, saying, "I'm going to correct the mistake that nature made by putting this person in my path and I'm going to correct it by being mentally and spiritually negligent." Mental and spiritual negligence have the same effect as physical negligence (isn't it strange how you get tired if you don't exercise?). If your mental health can afford to allow this much energy to be drained, then you have a much bigger reservoir than I!

But spiritual flat tires do more than drain our energy, they are detrimental in at least two additional ways:

We miss out on an interaction with a teacher. If nature didn't have a lesson for you, that person you just avoided would not have been placed in your path. You say that the person you just avoided was a negative influence or would've wasted your time? I know we have legitimate schedules to keep, but if I am avoiding people based on my prejudgment of them, I'm cutting myself off from my greatest teachers - those very same people.
We all learn tolerance from the intolerant, patience from the impatient, temperance from the intemperate, gentleness from the ruffian, etc. I am supremely grateful for those teachers and the lessons they give me.

We create a small, nagging spiritual void of dishonesty, the kind of dishonesty that keeps us from laying our heads down with complete peace of mind each night. Our spiritual flat tire is caused by the pothole our avoidance created; it is a natural consequence, or symptom, of our spiritual dishonesty. These consequences clutter our lives with mental and emotional baggage that further drains us of our energy and vitality.

Step Three: Celebrate Everything

The third Fun Commandment which will help you use the natural medicine of humor to charge up your mental health is: Celebrate Everything. Celebrating everything may sound like a monumental task to someone who's mental health isn't up to par, but you will find this part of my doctor's orders much easier to fulfill once you start practicing my first two Commandments. In fact, celebrating everything is more than a maintenance step providing sustainable mental health. It will also become your lifestyle, the more you practice it, because you will enjoy the results so much.

How do you celebrate everything and how will this keep your mental health on the upswing? The epitome of this Commandment is found in the old joke about the boy who wanted a pony for his birthday. Instead, he found a room full of manure waiting for him. But he dove right into the dung, gleefully exclaiming, "With all this manure, there's got to be a pony in here somewhere!"

Laugh as we might, we're quick to remember that, as adults, we would never allow ourselves such "naive" enthusiasm. Why not? Do you realize what is behind such a "grown up," "mature" decision? Your deadly seriousness (taking yourself too seriously) encourages the attitude that a mature adult should not let herself be so optimistic and thus mental health is jeopardized.

We could do more than chuckle at this birthday boy's unabashed optimism - we should emulate it! When was the last time you encountered an unexpected pile of manure in your life? You had absolutely no control over the mess, right? But you had absolute control over your reaction to it and this is the key to using celebration to keep your mental health improved!

When you celebrate everything, the natural medicine of humor creates spiritual, emotional, and mental health like nothing you've felt before. You will find that your fears become much less controlling when you are celebrating everything because it no longer matters so much how things turn out. In fact, you are literally ready for anything because you are prepared to find the blessing in whatever happens.

My daughter-in-law, for example, broke her back last year. My son, who is often my model for the embodiment of my Fun Commandments, can tick off a laundry list of blessings his family has received as a direct result of his wife's "tragedy." Not that his mental health hasn't been challenged, but faced with the choice of depression and anxiety over an event he couldn't control versus finding the blessings waiting for him, he has chosen the latter.

The choice to celebrate everything is not a panacea; my son's choice did not change the reality of his wife's injury. What did change, however, was his ability to respond to the injury and, thus, keep his mental health on an even keel. Celebrating everything changes our lives because it allows us to positively control the only things we have control over - our actions, ideas, and attitudes.

There you have it. Start by going the extra smile, use your newfound smiling energy and vitality to act and interact with people, and celebrate everything to maintain your positive momentum. Say good-bye to imprisonment from depression and anxiety and welcome to your new world of improved mental health!
Start Using The Fun Factor to Improve Your Mental Health...Right Now

Here are some simple, easy steps you can take right now to turbo-charge your mental health.

Subscribe to my Fun Times newsletter. The Fun Times is all about using your natural power of humor to increase the quality of your life - including your mental health. The Fun Times is 100% free, and is delivered instantly, every week, to your email inbox. If you sign up now, I'll also throw in a copy of my "Stop Your Seriousness" Ecourse and my book, Ten Ways You Can Be Happier...Right Now! which will show you how you can use my Fun Factor prescription in your life to increase your mental health!

Check out The Fun Factor. This prescription has changed so many lives for the better - it would be a shame if you passed it up. Check it out here if you're sick of wishing for mental health and want to finally achieve your greatest mental health!
My patient Roberta, by the way, learned to use these three Fun Commandments - and the rest of my Fun Factor prescription. She has enjoyed the same job for three years now and was recently engaged to be married. Roberta occasionally has setbacks, as most people suffering from depression or anxiety do. But, her mental health has never been stronger as she continues to apply The Fun Factor to her life.

In It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey is so shocked by the grim vision of a world without him that he decides he wants to live again and begs to return. He knows he is back when he finds Zuzu's flower petals in his coat pocket again.

Let this article be like finding Zuzu's petals. Move forward today with a new, positive outlook on your improved mental health by using my Fun Factor prescription.

Clifford Kuhn, M.D., America's Laugh Doctor, teaches people and organizations to be more healthy and successful through the use of fun and humor. A psychiatrist, and the former associate chairperson of the University of Louisville's renowned Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Kuhn now dispenses his prescription for turbo-charging your health, success, and vitality from http://www.natural-humor-medicine.com/EZA3 On his website you will find tons of fun, free ways for you to maximize your sense of humor, and enjoy a life others will envy.

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Health Information Technician Schools

Health Information Technician Schools

Health Information Technician Schools prepare students to become qualified for positions in health care fields, working to structure and analyze health care data and information.

Students can choose programs of study for certificates, diplomas, or associate degrees in Health Information Technology, depending upon the level of responsibility they wish to assume on the job. Two-year Associate of Art (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degrees are generally preferred by employers. Associate degrees in Health Information Technology are offered at community colleges and vocational, technical, and trade schools.

Health Information Technician Schools provide skills expected at various levels of employment. Students at all levels - diploma, certificate, and associate degree - can anticipate courses in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, billing and coding, office skills, computer skills, analytical skills, and medical office administration. Students should focus on liberal arts for a well-rounded education.

AA and AS degrees from Health Information Technician Schools can help graduates gain employment as administrators of health care information. Students learn to take on duties of managing records, analyzing health information, and preparing statistical reports. Courses can include coding and indexing information, managing health insurance reimbursements, analyzing and managing health records, and managing communications.

Most employers prefer Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT) or Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA), who must have passed written examinations given by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Students must possess at least an AA or AS degree in Health Information Technology to qualify for examination. The particular school must also be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

If you would like to learn more about Health Information Technician Schools and Online Health Information Technician Schools, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com

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Health Information Technician Online

Health Information Technician Online

Online schools instruct future Health Information Technicians (also known as Medical Records Technicians) to handle patient accounts and serve as a liaison between the doctor and the patient. Through the Internet, individuals can earn a college degree in Health Information Technology at their own convenience, and without giving up current employment.

One of the fastest-growing and highly-paid fields in medical administration, Health Information Technology combines IT with Health Care Administration. Health Information Technicians and medical records managers are highly trained individuals who serve as a connection between the doctor and the patient. They assign diagnostic codes to patients' records in order to determine the amount of insurance reimbursement the facility will receive, while making sure each patient's account complies with current privacy laws.

An online Health Information Technology curriculum includes training in medical terminology, physiology, and anatomy, as well as IT. Graduates must pass a written examination to be certified as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

Working professionals can go online to earn 100 percent of the credits needed for certification as a Medical Coding Specialist, or to get a degree in Health Information Technology. Distance learning courses make it convenient to advance your education on your own time and without commuting to classes.

Available online degrees include Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information Technology, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Information Management, a Master's of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis on Health Information Technology, and many others.

If you are a technically-minded person who would like to work in a challenging and lucrative medical environment, an education in Health Information Technology may be right for you. You can research online colleges, universities and distance learning programs right here, at SchoolsGalore.com

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Free Health Information: Ask the Medical Student and Receive Professional Information

Obtaining health advice that is worthy is hard to come by. As a medical student, I am surrounded by mountains of resources, professionals and experiences from which you can benefit. I cannot diagnose, treat or prescribe but I can give health information which can help you with your situation. All information that you give in the email is purely confidential and will be deleted upon receipt. No information will be published anywhere.

Why do we do provide a free health information service? Simply put -- because we care. I will have my doctorate in naturopathic medicine two years from now. I already have 3 years of intense medical training under my belt and that is after a B.Sc in Cell and Molecular Biology. I know that most people are completely bewildered with the health industry and are looking for ways to obtain health without spending a fortune and without the standard mechanistic medical protocol. Complementary and Alternative medicine is flourishing and it is due to results patients receive. Holistic medicine heals and restores health to numerous chronic health conditions that traditional medicine cannot touch.

Our medical philosophy: Remove the cause of illness, treat the underlying issue and support the individual's mind and body. This is how medicine should be practiced. Treating the symptoms only encourages the illness to penetrate deeper and cause further harm.

Some example health topics:

* Asthma

* Acne and other Skin Complaints

* Diabetes Type I and II

* Cardiovascular health

* Attention Deficit Disorder

* Losing Weight

* Depression

* Irritable Bowel Syndrome

* Diets

* Alternatives to Gall Bladder Removal

* Cell salts - which one?

* What should I eat?

* Digestive problems

* Chlorine issues

* Food allergies and sensitivities

This list is no way complete. Please write with any health question you have. All questions and responses are held strictly confidential to protect your privacy. I will respond with relevant health information, useful books, thoughts, product options and links. All health information given will contain references. If we do not know the answer, we will either refer you to a website or another useful source. I am not a substitute for a qualified physician.

For a sampling of my writing, you may view a number of my articles published here.

Take charge of your health. Education and being informed is the best way.

Benjamin Lynch has a BS degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington. Currently, he is obtaining his doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University. Visit Ben's natural health product store, HealthE Goods where one can use our free health information service where one may ask specific health questions. We provide physician-grade non-prescription natural health products. Wholesale spa products are available to all that qualify. Do visit our Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Blog. We are here to help serve the public with proper health information and effective products.

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Bias in Health Information: Understanding the Agendas

Bias in Health Information: Understanding the Agendas

Writers of medical advice--including columnists, insurance companies, governmental agencies, medical organizations, drug companies and even practitioners--are all biased. They always have agendas. They all choose to write about certain topics and not others. They make choices about what to include in their articles, what to leave out and how to state their cases. They're all self-serving. They all have something to "sell," even when there is not an immediate cash-return.

Does that mean you should throw up your hands, say the hell with it, and never read or listen to another medical message? I don't think so, but in order to derive value from these messages, you sure as heck better understand the agendas of the people who created them. Or as the psychologists say, if you want to understand a behavior, you need to figure out what motivated it. Let's examine some advice-givers and their biases.

What motivates health columnists? Well, how about their continued employment, the needs of their publisher-employers, and the needs of the companies the publishers wish to attract as advertisers? It's not hard to imagine there are some subtle and not-so-subtle influences and incentives at play in framing the subject-matter and slant of the articles. Certainly, it's hard to attract the business of potential advertisers when you have written devastating critiques of their products.

Yet don't infer that you should ignore what the health columnists have to say. They provide a wonderful service in discussing health issues, the business of medicine and its practice. I personally enjoy reading the health columns of that great medical publication, The Wall Street Journal. In fact, I still distribute to my patients an excellent article about medication-overuse headaches that Tara Parker-Pope, one of their columnists, wrote years ago.

One of the odder chapters in the business of medicine is that certain insurance companies have positioned themselves as providers of health advice, particularly those companies paid by employers to manage their medication-benefit plans. I won't waste the reader's time in building a case that insurance companies have agendas and conflicts-of-interest in providing such advice. This should be self-evident.

Governmental agencies like the National Institutes of Health provide medical information which is generally reliable and useful, but influenced by the agency's understandable needs for self-promotion and self-preservation. The same holds true for medical organizations like the American Academy of Neurology (to which I belong) and big group-practices like the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. The advice tendered by these medical organizations in their publications and web-pages is backed by their reputations, which they zealously protect. So you can be sure that the medical content is subjected to rigorous quality-control. And fortunately, although their messages are motivated by commercial needs, the linkages are obvious and easy for the consumer to take into account.

How about individual health practitioners? Giving advice is what they do for a living, so what's the issue? Well, in the U.S., at least, there is a genuine "medical marketplace" where competition reigns supreme. So when you need help with your health, each practitioner (including me!) would like to make the short-list of advisers whose opinions you trust and value.

Let's move on to the drug companies. In my opinion there is no medical information that is both as pervasive and biased as that created by drug companies. And in many cases the connection between the message and the drug company's name has been obscured or hidden, so the consumer doesn't even know to be wary.

I have written elsewhere about the comical turn of events in the "advice" that drug companies have provided to people with headaches. For many years the makers of sinus medications invested heavily in convincing people with headaches that most of them were due to sinus disease. But now that effective and lucrative drugs for migraine exist, companies are sinking even larger sums of money into the message that those headaches weren't due to sinus conditions after all. Instead, they've been due to migraine. This vignette illustrates the hazard in allowing marketing departments of drug companies to diagnose one's headaches.

Another hazard is in allowing drug companies to write the information-sheets that doctors hand patients at the ends of office visits. Every doctor gets buried in pamphlets that sales reps from drug companies leave at their offices. For years I actually looked at these things, trying to select the 30% that might be worth retaining and passing along to my patients. After a while, 30% seemed too optimistic, so I searched for the 20% that was worth keeping, and then the 10%...well, you get the idea. The pamphlets kept getting more biased and less useful. At one time the sales reps passed out some real gems that were genuinely helpful to patients and their families. But those days are gone.

So when it comes to medical advice, consider the source.

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Drugs and You: A User Guide

Author: Gregg- Camp

As the years pass, you find yourself taking more and more pills, but what are they all for? How do I get rid of the ones I don't need anymore? Am I taking them right? There are a thousand questions to ask and only a few places to get the answers.

What are they all for?

Your doctor should have told you, but if he is anything like mine, you only saw him for 5-10 minutes and he talked a mile a minute. Maybe he didn't talk loudly enough or his English was a little broken, it happens. What should you do? Call him every day as a reminder? That won't work. The internet has some good information, but most people like to have something in their hands that they can read. There is a book called the Nurse's Handbook. Like the title implies it is for nurses to check drugs to see if they interact with each other and to see what they are for. The good news is that it is easy to read, simple language, and is available to the public. Most local libraries have a copy that you can make copies from or your bookstore should be able to order it for you. It will tell you exactly what the drug does, what is usually prescribed for, and what drugs to never take with it. All of the side effects are also listed.

Am I taking my Pills Correctly?

That is a big question for seniors. If you take a drug at the wrong time during the day, you may be up all night, or sleep all day. Your best resource for this question is going to be your pharmacist. They have the time to go in-depth with you. If a pill says three times a day, that usually means three times during your normal waking hours, not to get up in the middle of the night to take it. It is critical to ask every question you have and get it answered satisfactorily. This is your health; do not hesitate to ask questions about anything. Most pharmacy’s I go to, have a form you have to sign to say you don’t want counseling- so they are aware of this concern. Use this resource, ask your questions, and write down the answers. Memory tends to fade with time, so keep your drug information all in one place. To make sure you take all of your medicines at the right times, get a pill planner. They are those little plastic containers that hold pills for morning, noon, night, for each day of the week. We all tend to get a little forgetful at times; you have to be able to stay on top of your medication regimen. Take the medicines for the duration proscribed by your doctor, and call to report any complications. Enlisting the help of an adult child is often helpful, but consider carefully.

How Do I Get Rid Of The Pills I Don't Need Anymore?

Most people let their old medicines sit on a shelf in case they need them again, forgetting that pills expire after a while. They actually lose their potency from sitting around and should be disposed of safely. It is safer for your children/grandchildren if you get rid of them too, as young children are very inquisitive and sometimes think the pretty colored pills are candy. Flushing them just contaminates the drinking water. If you throw them in the trash, they will eventually seep into the ground water. You can return unused medications for disposal to the pharmacy in many cases, so call first before you take them. Most of them have a way of disposing of them that will not affect the environment. I know here in Santa Cruz California, there are several locations, mostly at pharmacies.

About the Author:

Gregg Camp is a Santa Cruz Seniors Real Estate Specialist(SRES) who writes on senior topics and sells real estate in the Capitola Real Estate market. Search for senior homes in Aptos.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Drugs and You: A User Guide

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Top Notch Health Information

It true when they say: "Knowledge is Power." Sometimes, even though we try to eat right and do all the proper things, we still develop problems. During a recent visit to my heart doctor, I discovered I have high cholesterol and a high triglyceride count. I'm currently taking a prescription medicine prescribed by the doctor. I know that exercise and diet play a big role in high cholesterol/triglycerides. I'm walking more every day and have made a few changes to my diet. Some of the high cholesterol medicines can cause liver damage.

This concerns me. My goal is to get off of my prescription medicine as soon as possible. I do not have high blood pressure because of a potassium supplement I take once a day. So I feel confident I will eventually find a supplement to help with my high cholesterol/triglycerides problem. I caution you: Please, do not stop seeing your doctor for any reason, especially because of something you read on my website. I really enjoy visiting my local health food store. The people are very knowledgeable about the many supplements available.

I found there is a supplement for almost any health issue. I have found that most people who work in health food stores are familiar with their products and their purpose. Remember, these products are not FDA approved. That doesn't mean they won't work or they are harmful. Most have been tried and tested for many years by people who have used them with good results. You should always follow the instructions included with any supplement you purchase, the same as you would with a prescription medicine.

If you do decide to try a supplement of some kind, inform your doctor so he can make any required adjustments to your medication. Note of interest: It is my understanding the FDA approves medicines because they do what the pharmaceutical company claims. They do not test them for harmful side effects before they go on the market. This is why some medicines are recalled after being approved by the FDA.

All the information on my website: pat@Topnotchherbalsupplements.com is general information available to anyone. All I have done is combined them as a convenience for visitors to my site. I know a bit about preventive medicine, I love to read articles about improving my health and if they seem practical, I try them. Some I have been happy with, others not so much. Personally, I do not want to live to an old age if I can't be healthy and do the things I enjoy. When I decided to do my website I wanted to be sure that all the articles on it would be interesting and informative allowing each individual to reach their own conclusion. I feel each of us must take control of our own health. That doesn't mean you stop going to the doctor. It means, the more informed you are the better you will be able to work with your doctor in keeping you and your loved ones healthy.

I hope you enjoy browsing my website and that you find something that will lead you in the right direction to a healthier lifestyle.

Here's to healthier living for you and yours.
Pat

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