AIHCP: Technology and Patient Care

Posted on July 30, 2015November 8, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Telemedicine and Obstetrics: How Specialists Are Using Technology to Help Patients

Telemedicine is revolutionizing access to advanced healthcare in rural cities. Telemedicine is defined as the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients through telecommunication technology. The system breaks down distance barriers by connecting professional physicians with patients all over the country via electronic communication systems. The implementation of telemedicine in rural healthcare locations can mean a vast improvement in areas with few specialty physicians.

How It Works

The use of high definition cameras and monitors can place specialists at the bedsides of patients, which allow patients to speak with specialists from wherever they are. Doctors can monitor the equipment in the room and the patient’s vital signs, as well as look into their eyes or mouth via a handheld camera controlled by the physician facilitating communication on the other side. Electronic stethoscopes allow physicians to hear from a distance everything that the on-site physician can hear in person. Through health information technology (a close ally of telemedicine) a patient’s x-rays, lab results, and other information can be shared through laptops to further establish the doctor-patient relationship.

Telemedicine and Obstetrics

The Medical University of South Carolina is one of 3,500 U.S. service sites using telemedicine to reach out to and assist patients in rural hospitals that lack pediatricians, obstetricians, and other specialty doctors. MUSC uses resources that hospitals in certain locations may not have access to. According to Scott Sullivan, M.D., the director of MUSC’s Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, telemedicine has been able to reduce extreme premature birth rate, the neonatal death rate, and the maternal death rate. The program helps women who, for whatever reason, are unable to travel to MUSC for treatment.

“We’ve shown a positive health impact and decreased costs overall,” Sullivan said of the program. The high-risk telemedicine program, which started out seeing five to 10 patients a week, has reached out to hospitals in Florence, Georgetown, Hilton Head, Bluffton and other South Carolina cities. The program now sees 40 patients a week and continues to grow.

Telemedicine in Other Fields

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) also uses telemedicine for emergency situations and pediatric care. “97% of pediatric critical care specialists are in urban areas, but 27% of visits to community emergency departments are children,” says MUSC Pediatric Critical Care Specialist, Dr. David McSwain. “There is a major mismatch between the patients that come into emergency departments in the community and the specialty services available to handle those children.”

The pediatric specialists at MUSC can be contacted twenty-four hours a day, 7 days a week. Physicians at MUSC often provide council to physicians in rural hospitals through seminars and discussion groups. This education process helps rural physicians learn how to determine in the future whether children facing emergency situations can be handled in their community hospitals or if specialists need to be consulted.

Telemedicine is not limited to hospital communication systems. Monitoring links can also be installed in homes for people can’t travel to local hospitals. The monitoring link is used to monitor cardiac, pulmonary or fetal issues via a land-line or wireless connection. Mobile devices can also be used for immediate patient-to-physician contact.

Conclusion – Why It Matters

Telemedicine is redefining healthcare and obstetrics for people who aren’t close to big hospitals. It simultaneously makes access to physician assistance convenient for patients and allows physicians to expand their reach beyond their workplaces. High-risk pregnancy specialist Dr. Gilbert Webb says telemedicine has enabled expectant mothers who live in rural areas to stay in contact with their doctors without having to travel for consultation. This technology also decreases costs of healthcare, giving access to those who can’t afford treatment. The practice of telemedicine has progressed immensely over the past few decades and will continue to grow as technology develops, thus revolutionizing healthcare options for people in small cities across the country.

About the Author: Marlena Stoddard is a freelance writer who received her BA from University of Georgia.

Please also review our healthcare online certification programs at AIHCP

Customer Support and Healthcare Professionals

Posted on July 30, 2015November 8, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Five Changing Trends in Healthcare Customer Support

Healthcare is continually changing for the better and the next time you visit the doctor, it’s possible you’ll see these trends first-hand. Healthcare is increasingly becoming dependent on electronic data that is kept in your personal medical file. As technology continues to improve, it will be possible to quickly access your medical history at any hospital or private practice you visit. This will reduce errors, costs, and improve your physician’s ability to help you. Solutions like the ADP AdvancedMD service are already helping to improve the way doctors and private practices interact with patients and offer better customer support.

Electronic Records
Electronic health records have been in existence for over 30 years, but only recently have facilities really started to use them on a large scale. In 2008, only about 38 percent of the health records had been converted to e-records. By 2013, the number has increased to 78 percent. In the future, all records should be entered into an e-record system, making it easier to provide your doctors with information on your health.

Digital Tools
There has already been an increase in the use of digital tools. Tablets have proven useful in many different areas of healthcare, but there is even greater room for improvement as the technology continues to improve. Digital tools include telemedicine and in-office ehr software to help improve the health of patients and E-visits may become a new trend that may eventually replace more than 10 percent of in-office appointments.

Specialty Drugs
Niche treatments can be very expensive to develop and aren’t generally worth the cost when they only treat a small portion of the population. It’s likely the cost of these specialty medicines will eventually go down as Congress attempts to control the amount that drug companies can charge for new medications. Hopefully more specialized cases will be able to be treated as they are tested and made safe for consumption.

More Affordable Treatments
As the cost of medications go down, new treatments will be more readily available to treat unique conditions. As Medicaid gets more power to push for better prices with drug makers, it will be possible to inspire new competition and create a more efficient method for creating generics. As technology advanced in medicine, we will be able to see more people able to afford treatment and medicine.

Bundled Payments
Health care providers are starting to use a novel approach to cost-cutting. Bundled payments group all of the services a patient gets under a single fee. This new system sets a lump-sum fee that covers the entire cost of treatment from beginning to end. This can greatly reduce surprises and make treatment more affordable.

As health care continues to get more affordable and becomes increasingly digital, patients can expect to get better care. Customer support will change as a result of new technologies, and the ability to provide patients with exact quotes on services. Better managed payment systems will enhance the entire patient experience and we will see a greater improvement all across the board.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan

As health care professionals, we deal with the financial end of medical care on a daily basis. Good support is key. Please also review our healthcare certification programs

AIHCP

How Health Information Systems are Changing Healthcare

Posted on July 17, 2015November 8, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

How Health Information Systems are Changing Healthcare

Information is at the core of modern healthcare. Aggregated data from multiple sources to produce a broad perspective of insights is critical to improving patient care. The following are examples of ways health information systems are affecting change in today’s healthcare system.

Health Information Systems and Big Data Analysis

Healthcare is becoming so information-driven that the need for big data analysis has become central to modern healthcare concerns. From population studies to localizing medical resources for efficient patient treatment regimens, the ability to track and treat disease trends inline with these trends as they happen is a science that has come of age. Health information systems end up being a vast source of aggregated data that fits into these big data models; therefore, these systems require constant data updates and analysis to reflect vital events in current health trends.

HIS and Global Metrics

As with any system of information collection and analysis methods, the ability to accurately gather and properly account for health information to establish health information systems is a big issue. According to Phinnetwork.org, the Health Metrics Network, which was established back in 2005, is dedicated to strengthening the development of global health information systems. One area of critical interest is focused on accurate collection of data on births, deaths, and causes of deaths in different countries to establish accurate metrics for use in health information systems shared across the globe.

Health Information Management

Since there is great demand for developing useful health information systems, this has given rise to the need for RHIA certified professionals who complete health information management degree programs. From focusing on legal and ethical standards to understanding components of HIS databases and information documentation standards, qualified health information management technicians are integral in helping to gather and manage the data needed to affect change in medical policies and practices within the healthcare industry.

Data Quality Improving Healthcare in Less Developed Countries

While it is common for developed countries, like the United States or Britain, to enjoy the advantage of vast streams of medical information, the modern drive for quality health information systems has helped to bring this advantage to other less-developed countries. With improvements to the rate at which these countries receive updated medical knowledge, this new method of disseminating quality medical information makes it possible for medical treatments and procedures in these countries to catch up with how these practices are being implemented in the rest of the developed world.

As new information is being gathered to support the viability of health information systems, the tendency of these systems is to produce an ever-evolving picture of health. Whether that picture is tightly focused to a local region or broadly reflects the state of health across the globe, the ability to manage this data in useful ways is a testament to modern healthcare’s innovation. With enough data collection and analysis, it is believed that many modern diseases and costly healthcare concerns will inevitably be eliminated by a more efficiently functioning healthcare system.

Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote.

If you would like to learn more about certifications for nurses and other information technologies, please review our programs for nurses.

AIHCP

The Future of Nursing: How the Nurse Shortage Will Change the Industry

Posted on July 17, 2015November 8, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

The Future of Nursing: How the Nurse Shortage Will Change the Industry

Introduction

As the baby boomer population ages and access to health care increases, a growing number of people are seeking medical treatment. Unfortunately, the United States has been facing a serious shortage of nurses. As a result, each area of the nursing industry, from patient care to nursing education, faces unprecedented challenges.

Increase in Patients

With the passing of the Affordable Care Act, millions of insured Americans who previously did not have the option to seek treatment will likely begin to use health services, greatly increasing the demand for nurses. Aging baby boomers facing age-related diseases require specialized nursing care, like gerontological nursing. In both cases, the projected number of nurses is not enough to meet these impending challenges.

Lack of Nurses and Specialized Nurses

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 55 percent of nurses in the workforce are over the age of 50, so a number of retirements are expected within the next decade. A nurse with an online Master of Science in Nursing degree says there are not enough prospective nurses entering the profession to counteract these losses. The baby boomer generational hit, in this case, deals a twin blow, increasing demand while reducing the supply.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that nurses with baccalaureate-level training improve patient outcomes markedly. Many of these highly skilled nurses are needed in specialized settings, but nursing education is facing serious problems.

Another study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that the average age of registered nurses has been increasing, with the average nurse being in their forties. The number of nurses reaching retirement, therefore, is increasing to unsustainable levels.

The number of faculty members in nursing programs is declining, and the number of qualified candidates exceeds these programs’ resources. The AACN reported that 79,659 applicants were turned away from nursing schools because of insufficient programs.

Consequences

Patient care suffers as the shortage of nurses increases. According to multiple surveys, nurses are often stressed and overworked and choose to leave the field, contributing to the field’s 13 percent turnover rate and poor reputation. Patient readmission rates are more prevalent in understaffed units. Hospitals with low nurse-to-patient ratios often face increased mortality rates and medical errors.

Many hospitals are currently trying to adapt to the shortage and attract new nurses by offering sign-on bonuses, especially for in-demand specializations. Salary increases are advertised for specializations suffering the most from the shortage, namely respiratory therapy and intensive care.

One thing that sets the current nurse shortage apart from previous ones is that it is not merely the number of nurses entering the field which falls short. With the rise and diversification of technology in the medical profession, nurses with specific training, skills, and certifications are required to fill an increasing number of openings.

Conclusion

Despite these dismal figures, efforts have been made to tackle these shortages and increase the quality of patient care. For example, policymakers at the John Hopkins Center for Health Policy hope to increase the number of nurses with bachelor’s degrees by 2020 and advocate for specialized nurses with greater control.

Other programs, like the Campaign for Nursing’s Future, aim to increase students’ interest in nursing, attract nurses from abroad and recruit minorities and young men to fill the demographic gap created by nursing’s historical appeal to women in the workforce. These efforts will create a more diverse workforce in the future, encouraging nurses from all groups to contribute their unique skills and backgrounds to the industry. Numerous partnerships between hospitals and schools have already strengthened educational problems.

Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society of Nursing, recommends that industry leaders reassess the way they present the industry to potential candidates. Developing career incentives for new nurses, changing the way nursing is presented to young people, and creating patient care models which allow for nurse autonomy will help attract new and specialized nurses to the positions that desperately need them.

With the increasing need for registered nurses, the nursing field will evolve and adapt to these changes by focusing on recruitment, challenging governmental regulations and improving educational programs.

About the Author: Marlena Stoddard is a freelance writer who received her BA from University of Georgia.

If you would like to learn more about Online Certifications for Nurses, then please review the program and see if it matches your needs.

AIHCP

Grief Counseling: When Does A Loved One Need Help?

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Dominick Flarey

4 Signs That Your Loved One May Need a Mental Health Professional

When do you know a loved one needs grief counseling? This article looks at some issues.

Observing a loved one exhibiting mental problems is a difficulty that many families face. Such behavioral patterns are not only difficult to accept, but they are equally difficult to bring up with the person exhibiting the problem. In many cases, the loved one experiencing the mental problems is in need of consultation with a mental health professional. The following are four signs that will help you to determine if your loved one fits this scenario.

They Resist Getting Professional Help

Even though everyone else is able to see that a loved one is exhibiting some type of abnormal mental behavior, these individuals often have an uncanny way of concluding that nothing is wrong with them. By denying that anything is wrong, a person with a mental illness will attempt to ensure that everything is okay, even when it is clearly not. Resisting help and ignoring the problem is the first sign that a loved one needs to see a mental health professional.

Getting Violent

Another common sign that a person needs to seek professional mental help is that they become easily angered or violent. The way a person gets violent may help to identify that they are not thinking clearly. Violence that follows periods of extreme paranoia, for example, is a sure sign that someone would do well to consult with a mental health professional.

Socially Awkward

Over time, it may become obvious that a loved one is struggling in numerous social situations. From body language to the way they interact with others, it sometimes takes a familiarity with mental illness to notice patterns of behavior that fit specific mental disorders. Avoiding social interaction will also tend to suggest that a problem exists with an individual that may benefit from consulting with a mental health professional.

Introversion doesn’t necessarily mean a person has a serious mental health disorder, but if it is so pronounced that he or she struggles to provide themselves with basic living needs, you may want to consult someone who has completed an applied behavior analysis certification program or another licensed health care professional to discuss options and possible treatment.

Overwhelming Depression

It is one thing to be depressed in the course of one’s daily routine. It is another thing to experience depression all the time. Over time, the experience of chronic depression will affect how a person feels and thinks. According to Psychcentral.com, even what may appear to be a mild form of chronic depression is often a sign that there is something more serious. When a person starts harming themselves or even talks about suicide, this is a sure-fire sign that they need to meet with a mental heath professional.

Mental problems in people go undiagnosed every day. When a loved one is experiencing mental issues, it will sometimes be difficult to distinguish it from normal behavior. Other times, the signs of mental illness and decline are more obvious. If one suspects that a loved one is experiencing some type of mental illness, consulting with a mental health professional is often the only way they will be able to get to the root of the ongoing problem.

If you are interested in learning more about certifications for helping others with grief then please review our programs in grief counseling, anger management, or stress management. Here is a link to our certification page.

AIHCP

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Posted on January 30, 2015November 8, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Do You Snore? You May Actually Have Sleep Apnea

Snoring is a typical issue for individuals of all ages as well as both genders and affects around 90 million adults in the U.S. alone. Snoring can occur either intermittently or nightly. People who are most at risk include individuals who are overweight and males. However, snoring is an ongoing problem for both males and females, although it’s possible that females don’t complain as often as men do. The problem can result in un-refreshing and fragmented sleep that leads to poor functioning throughout the day (sleepiness and fatigue). Nearly 50 percent of all people who noisily snore have what’s known as obstructive sleep apnea.

Why Do People Snore?

The noisy and often annoying sounds of snoring happen when there’s an obstruction to the airway through the passageways located at the back of the nose and mouth. This space is the collapsible area of the air passageway where the upper throat and tongue join the uvula and soft palate. When these key structures hit one another and vibrate while breathing, snoring occurs.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Snoring could be a symptom of a much more serious disorder called obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. The condition is characterized by several episodes of paused breathing that can last as long as 10 seconds per pause, which is caused by the collapse or narrowing of the upper airway. This leads to lower oxygen levels in the blood, which ultimately makes the heart work harder overall. It’s also a great nuisance to a person’s natural sleep cycle, interrupting REM sleep cycles and making them feel sluggish and tired in spite of going to bed early. CPAPMan and similar manufacturers have designed “continuous positive airway pressure” devices designed to open airways and prevent the snoring that is a distinguishing feature of sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea and Sleeping Disorders

Nearly half of all average adults occasionally snore, while 25 percent snore habitually. Problem snoring is more typical in overweight individuals and in males and often gets worse with age. Snoring could be a sign of obstructed breathing and should be taken seriously. An otolaryngologist has the role of finding the anatomic source of a patient’s snoring and can offer helpful solutions to correct this frequently embarrassing and irritating behavior.

Because a person who snores doesn’t rest well at night, they’ll often feel sleepy the next day. This could eventually affect their overall job performance and make them a risk for operating heavy equipment or driving on the job. Obstructive sleep apnea left untreated greatly increases the chance of developing a stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and several other significant medical issues. Therefore, snoring can be a very serious matter and you should talk to your doctor to find a solution.

About the author: A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote.

If you are interested in alternative therapies to these issues, then please consider becoming a Holistic Nurse. The field of Holistic Nursing can help people utilize alternative therapies to face maladies of today

Medical Care: How to Find the Right Health Care Provider

Posted on January 30, 2015November 3, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

How to Find the Right Health Care Provider

At times it becomes necessary to seek a new family practitioner or a physician who specializes in a specific area of medicine. The reason for searching for a new physician may be because of moving to a new city, because a family physician retires, or because of changes in a family’s health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act. One possible method of locating a new doctor is to ask the opinions of family, friends, and co-workers. The type of insurance a family possesses may determine who they choose as their family practitioner. In other words, the physician must be “in network.”

Qualifications

When choosing a healthcare giver, it is important to make certain the provider is board certified. Whether a family practitioner or a specialist, it is important the practitioner be board certified. This is accomplished when the physician goes through what is called a fellowship, which involves training in a specific area of medicine. The physician is then qualified to become board certified after passing exams. Most physicians also belong to groups that emphasize their area of specialty, such as the North American Spine Society for spine surgeons. Perhaps the most important item to check out is whether the practitioner is in good standing with his state’s licensing department. Other important information includes any disciplinary actions or lawsuits. This information may be obtained online through websites such as Healthgrades.com or Vitals.com.

Personal Concerns

There are several elements to investigate before choosing a caregiver:

How long must a patient wait to obtain an appointment? The receptionist is a vital component of the clinic. Is she pleasant on the phone? Does she try to find an appointment that is sooner rather than later?
Where does the doctor have hospital privileges, and what kind of ratings has the hospital received from state surveys?
Does the physician’s clinic process insurance claims or expect the patient to file the claims? If the patient is on Medicare, does the physician accept Medicare?
During the hours the clinic is closed, who is “on call?” Is the physician in a group of other caregivers, who take turns being “on call?”
How far from the patient’s home is the clinic located? Is there ample parking space?
Schedule a “conference appointment,” which is simply an appointment to get to know the physician and ask any pertinent questions. If there are children in the family, the children should attend this appointment in order to observe how the physician interacts with children.
If it is a primary care physician, is she willing to refer to a specialist? A good primary care physician is not threatened if it becomes necessary to refer his patients to a specialist. (“How To Choose a Doctor,” WebMD).

In recent years, physicians and businessmen have banded together to form new companies for the purpose of improving quality of care, expanding the available market, and lowering healthcare costs. Companies such as Nueterra seek to move medicine from a volume-based system to a value-based system. Advanced outpatient surgical procedures are developed, and wellness and prevention are emphasized. Because a large number of physicians belong to such companies, contacting the company is a practical way to seek a new physician.

Choosing a physician of any kind is an intimate decision for an individual or family. The caregiver will be like another member of the family. Therefore, the caregiver chosen must not only be qualified professionally, but the patient must like the provider as well. In others words, it must be a good match, so choose wisely.

About the Author:

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

If you are interested in learning more about AIHCP’s healthcare certifications, or would like to also learn about finding alternative providers, in the Holistic field, then please review our blog. If you are a Healthcare Professional also interested in learning more about Holistic Nursing Training, then please review.

AIHCP

How Health Information Technology Is Improving Healthcare

Posted on January 9, 2015November 3, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

How Health Information Technology Is Improving Healthcare

Health Information Technology (HIT) is an array of technologies that store, share and analyze organized health information through the internet between healthcare providers, consumers, government agencies, and insurers.

It can be the primary means of providing continuity of care for each patient, between the primary care physician and supplementary care from other doctors. If a patient were admitted to the hospital, all hospital caregivers and the primary care doctor would have easy access to the patient’s same medical records, lab results, vital signs and medical orders. This accurate report reduces medical errors through omission, illegible notations, and misplaced records.

Costs

The internet can simplify the administrative healthcare system by eliminating unnecessary procedures and reducing myriads of paperwork, which is often duplicative. Internet technology can limit medical errors that increase consumer costs and engender mistrust in the changing healthcare industry.

Improved Care and Treatment

Medical personnel can instantly check a patient’s medical records for allergies, adverse drug interactions. Doctors can ascertain whether a patient’s insurance covers a prescribed drug, then email the prescription to the pharmacy. New medicines and advanced treatments may reduce pain and suffering as well as recovery time.

All clinical data is organized and analyzed, in case an unexpected health crisis should arise. Surgeons and physicians can transmit this data to skilled specialists anywhere in the world, who will consult and supplement the patient’s care.

Benefits to Consumers

Health Information technology enables today’s consumers to be well-informed and interactive participants in their health care. According to Paula Kane, who works with online health information management programs, those who suffer from a chronic illness stand to gain valuable understanding of their condition with improvements in health information technology. This knowledge can initiate a candid conversation with the patient’s doctor by addressing his concerns about medications, symptoms or treatment options.

More Productive Research

Medical groups can learn from each other and incorporate the most recent and innovative treatment methods. Research encourages and produces better diagnostic tools and strategies. Research fosters progressive surgical and procedural techniques. Access to available sophisticated medical equipment and communication with trusted colleagues worldwide, reduces disparities in health care. Health Information Technology promotes the early detection of infectious diseases, and improves the tracking of chronic illnesses.

Conclusion

If Health Information Technology remains an effectual tool, health care is sure to improve. The sharing of medical information between specialists via information technology promotes better standardized treatment for all patients. Focusing on quality comprehensive health care prevents subtle abuses of this technology and helps identify disparities in patient care.

While this decade has seen widespread implementation of HIT, there remain some drawbacks which prevent it from being universally embraced by all healthcare providers. Cybervulnerability and “HIT fatigue”, a symptom of constant alerts and confusing user interfaces, need to be addressed before the full potential of HIT can be realized.

About the Author: Marlena Stoddard is a freelance writer who received her BA from the University of Georgia.

If you are interested in Healthcare Certification Programs, then please review our programs as well

AIHCP

Getting Older: How Men Can Increase Their Energy in Their Everyday Life

Posted on December 19, 2014November 3, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Getting Older: How Men Can Increase Their Energy in Their Everyday Life

No one should ever feel as if ongoing fatigue is a simple fact of growing older. While workouts may become less rigorous and naps become appealing each afternoon, there are some basics steps that men can take to up their energy levels no matter their age.

Rule Out Major Health Problems
The first and most important step for those that are struggling with low energy levels is to have a full checkup with their primary healthcare provider. There are a myriad of health issues that could be causing fatigue ranging from vitamin deficiencies to pre-diabetes. It is vital to continue getting physicals at least once a year before moving onto other options.

Improve Your Heart Health
Any major issues with one’s heart will instantly sap strength and energy due to poor circulation. One of the best ways to improve heart health is to begin taking omega-3 oils as a daily supplement. This oils are derived from fish products and countless studies have shown them to improve alertness, energy levels, and one’s mood.

Stay Hydrated
When the body becomes dehydrated it will begin to go into shock. While the symptoms are not always immediately noticeable, it will begin to take its toll on one’s energy and stamina. Drinking enough water and other fluids will prevent the body from forcibly conserving energy as it attempts to stave off permanent damage from dehydration.

Get Your Hormone Levels Tested
As men become older their body will naturally begin to produce fewer hormones or create an imbalance in hormones. According to Genemedics Health Institute, this is one of the primary causes of fatigue in elderly men, but there are options out there to prevent this decline. Many now turn to hormone replacement therapy to stave off chronic fatigue as well as improve one’s overall strength.

Find Your Circadian Rhythm
Every human has a slightly different circadian rhythm, or the natural ebb and flow of one’s energy. While humans can slightly alter their circadian rhythm by changing their sleep schedule, some men simply need to become more in tune with their body’s own needs. Those that have peaks of energy at certain points of the day should attempt to schedule physical activity or strenuous work during this period.

Eat Smaller Meals More Often
An imbalance in blood sugar is often the culprit for those that have become chronically fatigued or only have short spurts of energy. Studies have shown that consuming smaller meals at shorter intervals could help those with blood sugar issues. It is also important to avoid processed sugars that will spike one’s energy levels before bottoming out.

Chronic fatigue and a lack of energy is one medical condition that no one should accept without a fight. By focusing on one’s overall health, men can maintain higher levels of energy no matter their age.

If you are interested in learning more about heath and care, then please review some of our Health Care Professional Certifications, ranging from certifications for nurses to certifications for counselors.

AIHCP

4 Neonatal Diseases and How You Can Prevent and Treat Them

Posted on November 25, 2014November 3, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Healthcare Professionals and Neonatal Diseases

According to the World Health Organization, each year three million babies die within their first month. Many of these infants suffer from common complications that can be prevented, treated during gestation, or treated upon birth.

Anemia

Development of anemia results from an inadequate amount of red blood cells. In a healthy fetus, iron is stored during the last months of pregnancy to be used for production of red blood cells after birth. Babies born in unhealthy conditions or those born before term may not be able to properly store iron. It is essential for the mother to take the necessary vitamins during gestation, particularly folic acid. If this is not enough, the baby may be treated with iron supplements after birth.

Jaundice

According to high-risk obstetrician Gilbert Webb MD , this condition occurs when the liver cannot function well enough to remove waste from the blood, and this condition is more common in premature newborns or those who have incompatible blood types with their mothers. High levels of this waste product, known as bilirubin, can cause complications. There are various ways to treat the condition depending on the expertise of the physicians in care. One way to treat the baby is with phototherapy, which breaks down and eliminates the bilirubin. In more extreme circumstances, the baby may need an exchange transfusion to reduce the levels.

Breathing Problems

Breathing issues occur fairly frequently among newborn babies, and the most common conditions include apnea and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Apnea occurs when there are inconsistencies in the baby’s breathing pattern. The pattern can be monitored to ensure safe breathing, and babies will be stimulated or given medicine to help. BPD occurs in babies who have immature lungs, and they may develop scarring or fluid. They may need a mechanical ventilator to assist with breathing before moving on to medications.

Enterocolitis

Normally affecting premature babies, this condition occurs when bowels become damaged due to decreased blood supply. Bacteria that reside in the intestines invade the affected areas and cause further damage. Babies with the condition suffer from abdominal swelling, feeding problems and other complications. Upon diagnosis, the baby will be fed intravenously until the bowel heals. If the problem becomes too severe, damaged sections of the intestines may need to be surgically removed.

Advancements in medicine and technology improve the knowledge about common neonatal complications. This knowledge allows more problems to be prevented beforehand or effectively handled to give babies a greater chance of health down the line.

AIHCP also offers certifications for Healthcare professionals in a variety of fields. Please review our programs