For some individuals, one of the most devastating emotional costs of a battle against cancer is hair loss. While modern cancer drugs pose less of a hair loss problem than previous generations of chemotherapy drugs, hair loss remains a problem for thousands undergoing treatment. Medicare does not directly pay for wigs, even with a prescription or when the hair loss is due to a medical condition. However, you may have some other options.
Instructions
1. Obtain a prescription for a wig or hairpiece. Your doctor may agree to write one if you are losing hair due to cancer, chemotherapy or a related condition, or simply due to a skin or scalp disorder.
2. Enroll in Medicare Part B. This is an optional Medicare program that covers physician services and durable medical equipment costs, as well as lab fees. You will probably have to await an open enrollment period and pay a monthly premium. Medicare Part B does not pay directly for wigs; however, it is a prerequisite for participation in Part C, Medicaid Advantage.
3. Enroll in Medicare Advantage, Part C. This is a way for eligible seniors to access their Medicare benefits through contracting with a managed care company. Medicare does not pay for wigs, but some managed care companies do. Individual plans vary, so check with the managed care company sponsoring your plan. Again, you will likely have to wait until your open enrollment period to apply for Medicare Advantage.
4. Submit the claim to your Medicare Advantage company according to its policy and procedure manual. You may have to make the wig purchase at a store that frequently serves people with medical issues and is familiar with processing insurance claims.
Tags: hair loss, managed care, Medicare Advantage, care company, directly wigs, does directly
X-ray film, also known as radiographic film, consists of a transparent base with a blue tint on both sides and an emulsion of gelatin that contains silver bromide, silver chloride or other radiation sensitive crystals. X-rays strike the crystals and create a latent image that is sensitive enough to the developer to cause a reaction. Developing x-ray solutions requires three chemicals available at any photography supply store.
Instructions
1. Prepare the developer solution in a dark room with a safe light because it will oxidize in light. Add 750 ml (25.36 oz.) of water to a tray. Pour in 10ml (.34 oz.) of Kodak GBX developer concentrate and stir for two minutes. Keep the developer solution wrapped in tinfoil when storing, to keep the light from it.
2. Fill a third tray with distilled water to use as a stop solution and final rinse.
3. Prepare the fixer solution. Add 856 ml (29 oz.) of water to a tray and add in 95 ml (3.2 oz.) of Kodak GBX fixer concentrate. Swirl the mixture a few times.
4. Take the film out of the x-ray cassette in the darkroom and place it in the developer solution. Move the tray in a circular motion for 30 seconds to keep the developer moving across the film. Take the film out of the developer solution with long forceps. Continue using the forceps to handle the film until it is completely developed.
5. Place the film in the distilled water for a couple of seconds to remove the developer. Mixing the developer and fixer will ruin the film.
6. Place the film in the fixer solution for 30 seconds and gently move the tray in a circular motion to keep the fixer flowing across the film.
7. Remove the film from the fixer and rinse it with water for 30 to 60 seconds. Allow the film to dry.
Tags: developer solution, across film, circular motion, Developing x-ray, distilled water
X-ray technicians -- also called radiologic technicians -- are health professionals who take X-rays of a patient's body to help doctors diagnose and treat illnesses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that X-ray technicians not only take and develop X-ray films, but they also are responsible for protecting patients and other medical staff from excessive radiation exposure during the diagnostic process. Preparing to become an x-ray technician involves many years of education, training, certification and licensure.
Instructions
1. Enter and complete an accredited radiography program. All X-ray technicians have completed specialized training, ranging from an 18-month certificate program to a two-year associate degree to a four-year baccalaureate program, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor statisticians note that most X-ray technicians hold an associate degree from an accredited radiography program. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs publishes a directory of all accredited training programs for X-ray technicians; contact the commission or search its online program directory to find a program near you. Although course work in radiography programs varies depending on type of program and school preferences, as a rule you can expect to take courses in radiation safety, physics, anatomy, physiology and medical ethics.
2. Take and pass the national certification examination. X-ray technicians must pass a national certification examination demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the field, according to the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians, the certification body for X-ray technicians. The certification examination in radiography asks 220 multiple-choice questions about diagnostic imaging, radiation safety, correct diagnostic procedures and processes for developing films. Test takers have a total of three and a half hours to complete the test. After validating your passing score, the national registry issues your certificate. Note that after you practice for one year, you must complete an annual registration process where you report on practice patterns and continuing education activity to keep your certificate current.
3. Obtain a license to practice from your state licensing authority. Most states require X-ray technicians to hold a license in addition to national certification, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The American Registry of Radiologic Technicians notes that 36 states use the certification exam for licensing purposes as well, requiring that you submit proof of education and test scores to receive a license. Other states use a separate examination and licensing process in addition to the national certification exam but consider your certification exam scores as part of the review of your license application.
Tags: X-ray technicians, national certification, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, certification exam, certification examination
A variety of scholarships are available for students pursuing training as a pharmacy technician. Some are national scholarships. Others are limited to women or minority students, to residents of specific U.S. states, or to students attending specific colleges.
National Scholarships
A few sources offer scholarships to pharmacy tech students throughout the U.S. For example, the American Pharmacists Association Foundation offers the Colonel Jerry W. Ross Scholarship, valued at $1,000. The website AfterCollege sponsors four annual $500 scholarships for students pursuing training related to pharmacy. The Moses Cone Health System offers the Academic Scholarship Program to students pursuing training in allied health fields, including pharmacy technician training.
Scholarships for Women and Minorities
Some scholarships available to pharmacy tech students are limited to women and underrepresented minorities. For example, the federal government makes scholarships available to Native Americans pursuing allied health careers, including pharmacy tech careers, through the Indian Health Services Scholarship. Montgomery General Hospital in Maryland offers scholarship support for up to four years to women pursuing careers in allied health fields.
United Health Care makes scholarship support available to minority students pursuing health-related careers, including careers as pharmacy technicians.
State-Specific Scholarships
Some scholarships available to pharmacy tech students are limited to residents of specific states. For example, Alaskan students may be eligible to receive a $500 Pharmacy Technician Scholarship from the Alaskan Pharmacists Association. Pharmacy tech students who are residents of California may be eligible to receive scholarship support of up to $4,000 per academic year through the Health Professions Education Foundation Allied Healthcare Scholarship.
School-Specific Scholarships
Many schools that offer courses for future pharmacy technicians also offer scholarships. For example, Trident Technical College in South Carolina offers the $500 Latarsha Maxwell Memorial Scholarship Fund to help pharmacy tech students defray the cost of tuition, fees and textbooks, as well as other general allied health scholarships. Students at Linn-Benton Community College may be eligible to receive the $500 Bi-Mart Pharmacy Technician Scholarship. Students at Southeastern Community College in North Carolina may be eligible for the $1,000 Dr. Hillary M. Hawks Pharmacy Technology Scholarship or the $500 Ashley Poovey Memorial Scholarship.
Sleep technicians or polysomnographic technicians, perform sleep testing on patients under the direction of a physician or sleep technologist. The technician prepares and calibrates polysomnographic equipment, takes the patient medical history and explains the procedures to the patient. A position as a sleep technician can be physically demanding, requiring the worker to stand for long periods and bend. Sleep technicians may work night hours as well. The salary for a sleep technician is between $27,928 and $39,205 as of November 2010, according to Payscale.com.
Employer Type
Sleep technicians can work for hospitals, a private practice or a company that performs sleep analysis. The sleep technician working for a hospital earns the highest average hourly rate at between $13.31 and $20.16, according to Payscale.com. Those working for a private practice can earn an hourly rate up to $18.73, and those working in a private company may earn up to $18.29 per hour.
Experience
Sleep technicians with five to nine years of experience can earn the highest salaries of between $17.00 and $20.58 per hour on average, while those with less than a year of experience earn lower rates between $10.28 and $15.25, according to Payscale.com. Sleep technicians can advance to a position of a sleep technologist with additional training and experience. The average salary for a sleep technician is $53,000 per year as of November 2010, according to Indeed.com.
Location
Location is a factor in the average salary a sleep technician may earn. The cost of living in the state as well as demand for sleep technicians can cause wages to vary among areas of the country. For example, sleep technicians working in Arizona earn average wages between $16.20 and $21.75 per hour, while those in Texas earn wages between $10.21 and $16.48 per hour as of 2010, according to Payscale.com.
Benefits
Sleep clinics, hospitals and companies offer technicians benefits in addition to hourly wages. The additional benefits add to the value of the position. Benefits for sleep technicians can include 401k plans, paid vacation, paid sick time, insurance and tuition reimbursement.
Tags: according Payscale, Sleep technicians, 2010 according, between hour, salary sleep technician, sleep technician
Charities are a good way for a family to experience something together.
Those who believe it truly is better to give than to receive enjoy a wide variety of benefits when making donations to a charity. Donations can be just about any kind of gift, and those who lack money have the option to donate food, clothing, hair or even a few hours of time. Charity donation offers something for everyone, even to those who do not consider themselves altruists at heart.
Tax Benefits
Some of the money you give to charitable causes can find its way back into your pocket when tax time comes around. If the charity to which you donate qualifies, you can deduct a percentage (based on your tax bracket) of your contributions on your taxes. This lowers the cost of your donations. For instance, if you are taxed at a 33 percent rate, a donation of $100 costs you just $67 once you make the appropriate deductions.
Good Example for Children
Parents may choose to donate to charities to teach their children the concept of giving. By involving them in the process and allowing them to determine which charities should receive the donations and how much to give, children experience the joys of philanthropy at a young age. Parents who pass down these positive values to their children are encouraging them to continue demonstrating this generosity throughout their lives.
Influence Over Where Money Goes
According to the National Philanthropic Trust, the aging population in today's world is growing less likely to pass on all financial assets to their next of kin, instead electing to take a more active role in deciding how the money is allocated. When you leave your fortune to the next generation in your family, for instance, you have no idea what will become of it. More people are instead choosing to put their money directly to use in a charitable cause they feel passionately about so they experience the rewards before death.
Repaying a Debt
The aim of a charity is to help others, and if you were once on the receiving end of charitable help, you may feel the desire to pay it back once you are in a better position. This is also a possible motivating factor for those who are friends or relatives of someone a charity has helped. Those who feel a deep commitment to the cause of any charitable organization are likely to contribute whenever possible.
Radiography instructors teach these guys do their jobs.
Radiography instructors are college, university and technical school teachers who specialize in radiology. Radiology encompasses the diagnostic medical field of x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, and those who study it choose careers such as radiologic technologist or diagnostic sonographer.
U.S. Average
Roughly 144,780 health specialties instructors, including radiography instructors, were employed in 2010. The national average salary they earned that year was $103,960, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual salaries fluctuated from the low end at $40,320 to the high end at $135,660.
State by State
The top two highest-paying states for radiography instructors in 2010 were Michigan and Massachusetts, where teachers who specialized in health subjects averaged $134,410 and $130,750 respectively, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. California hired the most radiography instructors, where the salary average was $89,810 a year, and North Carolina had the highest concentration of health specialties instructors, where the average salary was $113,990 a year.
Industries
Colleges and universities employed 111,770 health specialties instructors, including radiography instructors in 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and paid them an average of $113,360 a year. Junior colleges paid an average salary of $64,360 a year, and technical and trade schools paid $57,320 a year. Facilities that concentrated on scientific research and development paid the highest average, at $155,790 a year, but only employed 430 instructors.
Town and Country
Jacksonville, Florida paid its radiography instructors $180,370 a year in 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, putting in first place as the highest-paying city for this profession. The areas of New York-White Plain-Wayne of New York and New Jersey hired the highest number of health specialties instructors, where the pay was $135,060 a year, and the non-metropolitan area of the Lower Peninsula in Michigan was the top-paying rural area, at $145,180 a year.
Tags: according Bureau, according Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, health specialties, health specialties instructors
Radiation is often deemed the best course of treatment for those suffering from life threatening diseases, particularly cancer. Professionals who administer these treatments are called radiation therapists. The field is growing fast, and good opportunities are anticipated. Radiation therapists make an above-average income and are highly respected medical professionals.
Salaries by Experience
Salaries for radiation therapists can vary depending on the area you work in, the type of employer and your experience level. In an August 2009 survey by Payscale.com, the median salary for a first-year radiation therapist ranged between $19.68 an hour to $28.49 an hour. Those radiation therapists with at least 1 year of job experience are reporting earnings of between $24.76 to $30.08 an hour, or up to $62,566 a year. Those with at least 5 years of experience are earning a median salary of between $26.73 an hour and $35.28 an hour. Radiation therapists who have been working for at least a decade are averaging between $30.56 an hour to $39.11 an hour, or up to $81,348 annually.
Pay and Geography
Where you work can play a big part in salary. Radiation therapists in Dallas are some of the highest paid, averaging between $25.43 an hour to $42.24 an hour, or up to $87,859 a year. Their counterparts in Chicago are reporting earnings between $28.75 on the low end to $41.26 on the higher end. Radiation therapists working in St. Louis are not faring as well, reporting an average income of between $26.56 an hour and $31.27 an hour. Radiation therapists in Pittsburgh are earning a median income of between $20.00 an hour to $26.45 an hour, making them some of the lowest paid radiation professionals.
Employer Types
The type of employer you choose can also effect your earnings. Radiation therapists working in private practices are starting at a median of around $27.03 an hour and topping out at around $34.10 an hour. Those choosing to work in the fast-paced environment of a hospital with a more flexible job schedule are reporting earning a minimum of $25.49 an hour and up to $35.23 an hour. Radiation therapists working for nonprofit medical agencies are earning up to $37.47 an hour or up to $77,937 each year.
Gender and Pay
It may be the 21st century, but in many jobs, gender still makes a difference, and radiation therapist positions are not the exception. Male radiation therapists are reporting a median hourly income of between $26.62 an hour to $37.22 an hour, or up to $77,417 a year. Their female co-workers, however, report earning slightly less with a median rate of between $26.22 an hour to $34.09 an hour, or up to $70,907 each year.
Education
Most employers prefer to hire candidates with at least a 2-year associate's degree in radiation therapy, and some may even prefer a bachelor's degree. Most programs can be found in community colleges and universities. Most employers require radiation therapists to be registered. Some employers also prefer certification through an agency, such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, which can generally increase your salary by about $5 an hour.
Tags: between hour, hour hour, between hour hour, hour hour Radiation, hour Radiation, hour Radiation therapists
X-ray technicians administer such diagnostic procedures as the chest X-ray shown here.
Those preparing for a career as an X-ray technician, also known as a radiography or radiology technician, can enroll in programs at the certificate level, the associate degree level or the bachelor's degree level. Specific coursework required varies with the level of the program and any specialized areas of radiology that an individual student has an interest in pursuing.
General Training
Students enrolled in a training program to prepare for a career as an X-ray technician will take courses in standard X-ray techniques and in communicating with patients about the procedures, as described at the Healthcare-Training Center website. Students may also take courses in specialized radiography procedures, such as magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography scanning. Study of specializations provides a foundation for greater flexibility within the scope X-ray technician work.
Certification
Although some X-ray technician positions do not require certification, employers may prefer candidates who hold a certification from a course offered through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Some types of health care facility, such as hospitals, may require certification through such a training program. As with many health care positions, certification requires passing a certification exam after completion of the certification program. Completing the program and passing the exam entitles the candidate to certification as a radiologic technologist. Courses the accredited radiography schools incorporate into their programs include anatomy, physiology, pathology, imaging processes, radiobiology, radiation physics, radiation protection and patient care.
Continuing Eduation
Although no specific required courses exist across all programs in terms of initial qualification for X-ray technicians, those who receive a certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists have a subsequent requirement for continuing education. Those in this classification of X-ray technician must complete 24 hours of continuing education in the field every two years.
Outlook, Salary
Individuals in the X-ray technician career have an expectation of a 17 percent growth rate, faster than average across all professions, for the interval from 2008 through 2018. Individuals in this career have a $52,210 median salary as of 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Tags: X-ray technician, American Registry, American Registry Radiologic, career have, career X-ray, career X-ray technician
The salaries for healthcare administrators increase with experience.
The growing healthcare industry is comprised not only of medical specialists and physicians, but also healthcare administration professionals and managers. These businessmen and women keep the non medical side of healthcare running smoothly by planing, directing, coordinating, and supervising the administering of healthcare. Responsibilities can range from scheduling appointments and recording patient records to dealing with insurance claims and employee compensation. The salary provided for healthcare administration jobs can vary depending on several factors.
Qualifications
A bachelor's degree is typically the minimum requirement expected from healthcare administrators, but possession of a master's degree is becoming the standard. Common degree titles may include health service administration, healh sciences, public health, and of course business administration (MBA). Clinical administrators and managers will likely need to have a certain amount of work experience in the corresponding field. Those who wish to work as facility administrators in nursing homes are required to pass state level examinations.
Location
The cost of living as well as the level of demand or concentration of healthcare administrators and managers can influence wages. For example, in the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.), where the concentration of health administrators is the highest at 2,100 employed, the average yearly wage is $96,080. Oklahoma also has a high concentration of administrators at 4,220 employed, as well as a relatively low cost of living, and provides an average salary of $66,600 a year. The state of Washington has 3,990 employed, less than half the concentration of healthcare administrators as the District of Columbia, and provides the highest wages in the nation, averaging $109,460 a year. The national average salary for healthcare administrators in the United States is $90,970 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Industry
The type of employer providing by far the most jobs for healthcare administrators and managers in the U.S. is "general medical and surgical hospitals", offering a national average salary of $96,660 a year. Nursing care facilities often offer lower wages, averaging $77,560 a year. The highest paying industry for healthcare administrators is the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry. Administrators who obtain these coveted positions can expect an average annual salary of $156,050, according to the BLS.
Experience
Healthcare administration is largely learned by experience, and like most professions, the more time spent in the field, the higher the salaries. For example, a health information administrator with only one to four years on the job may only average $51,093 a year. However, the same job held by a person with 20 years or more of experience may pay an average of $74,257 annually as of 2010, according to Alliedhealthschools.com.
Tags: healthcare administrators, administrators managers, average salary, average salary year, averaging year, concentration healthcare
Most women wear bras that don't fit properly. This is largely due to the fact that many of them have never correctly measured their breast size. Once you know your accurate bra size, you'll find that bras fit much more comfortably and provide more support. Here's an easy way to measure your breast size.
Instructions
1. Stand up straight, with both feet planted firmly on the floor.
2. Take a tape measure and wrap it around your chest, directly along the line where your bra band would be. The tape measure should be directly underneath your breasts. Your arms should be down and the tape measure should be snug against your body. Round the number on the tape measure to the nearest even number. If you measured 34.5", you would write down 34". If you measured 39.5", you would round up to 40".
3. Wrap the tape measure around your chest, at the fullest part of your breasts. The tape measure should be resting loosely on the fullest area of your breast. Do not pull the tape measure too tight, or you will flatten your breasts and get an inaccurate measurement.
4. Determine your cup size. To do so, take the band measurement and subtract it from the breast measurement. If the difference is less than 1", you are an AA cup. If it is 1", you are an A cup. If the difference is 2", you are a B cup; 3", a C cup, and so on.
5. Write down these measurements so that you can refer to them when bra shopping.
6. Consult a professional at a lingerie store if you have difficulty determining your bra size. She will be able to help you with measurements and give you a correct reading.
Tags: tape measure, measure should, tape measure should, your breasts, around your
Thyroid surgery is a treatment option for thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism and massive goiter, or enlarged thyroid. According to endocrineweb.com, about 37,000 new thyroid cancer cases are diagnosed in the United States every year. However, 99 percent of growths on the thyroid are not cancerous. The type of thyroid surgery a patient receives for cancerous or noncancerous growths depends upon his diagnosis. As with any surgery, thyroid surgery does pose risks. A patient should discuss any concerns about a procedure with his physician.
Function
In cases of thyroid cancer, surgical removal of the thyroid is mandatory so that the malignant tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. However, thyroid surgery is not exclusively used in cancer patients. Surgery is also used on hypothyroid patients who have nodules growing on the thyroid. In rare instances, a patient will develop a goiter, which is a thyroid that is so large it is visibly noticeable from the outside of the body. Overactive thyroids that do not respond to other forms of treatment might also be surgically removed.
Types
Five types of thyroid surgeries exist: a lumpectomy, lobectomy, lobectomy with isthmusectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, and total thyroidectomy. A lumpectomy is also referred to as a biopsy. During this procedure, only a small section of the thyroid gland is removed. A lobectomy removes half of the gland. This procedure is used for patients who have nodules that could become cancerous. In a lobectomy with isthmusectomy, the isthmus--or tissue between the two sides of the thyroid gland--is removed. During a subtotal thyroidectomy, most of the thyroid is removed, with only a small portion left behind. This procedure is used in a patient with cancer or with a goiter. A total thyroidectomy removes the whole gland to prevent cancer from spreading.
Process
A patient undergoing thyroid surgery will likely be put under anesthesia during the procedure, so she should not consume food or drinks after midnight before the surgery. Surgery can take up to two-and-a-half hours, during which the surgeon will make an incision about 4 inches in length into the neck, and then remove some or all of the thyroid gland. Once the surgery is complete and the patient has awakened, she will be required to recover in the hospital for about 24 hours. The patient can then drink and eat.
Considerations
Alternatives to surgery are available to thyroid patients, and these should be discussed with an endocrinologist. In cases of thyroid cancer, however, there is no alternative that physicians recommend, as there is a danger of tumors spreading and resulting in death.
After any type of thyroid surgery, thyroid hormone treatment will be required for life due to the absence of thyroid hormones in the body.
Warning
According to thyroid.org, a 2 percent chance exists that a patient will experience side effects of thyroid surgery. These side effects are most commonly found in individuals with thyroid cancer or in those with an extremely large goiter extending to the collarbone. Side effects include damage to the laryngeal nerve that results in permanent voice hoarseness; excessive bleeding that can lead to respiratory problems; and the development of hypoparathyroidism, which is a calcium deficiency as a result of the destruction of the parathyroid glands.
Tags: thyroid cancer, thyroid surgery, cases thyroid, cases thyroid cancer, have nodules, lobectomy with, lobectomy with isthmusectomy
Histology technicians work with pathologists in laboratories.
While pathologists diagnose diseases and physical disorders, histology technicians assist them in laboratories by sorting, staining and positioning tissue samples. Histology technicians use a variety of methods and equipment to properly prepare and record tissue samples they receive from medical and autopsy cases. Based on a January 2011 PayScale report, average total pay for histology technicians fall between $36,185 and $53,249 per year.
Benefits
Histology technicians receive a wide range of employee benefits and company perks. These include paid holidays and vacations, flexible work schedules, paid sick leave, and life and disability insurance. PayScale reports that histology technicians who receive paid holidays and vacations reported annual wages ranging between $38,151 and $55,989 per year. Technicians with paid sick leave earn average salaries ranging from $34,435 to $50,514 per year. Workers with the option to use flex-time average between $39,494 and $54,695. Average salaries for histology technicians with life insurance and disability options are the lowest -- at between $37,792 and $57,418 annually.
Time Frame
The longer a histology technician works, the greater his salary potential as he progresses through this career. Histology technicians with one to four years of experience receive average salaries ranging from $30,000 to $43,988 per year, as of January 2011. In comparison, histology technicians with five to nine years of work experience reported average wages falling within the $36,000 to $55,679 range. Professionals who possessed 10 to 19 years of experience earn average salaries between $38,246 and $54,566 per year. Histology technicians who had been working 20 years or more reported average salaries as high as $65,337 per year.
Type
Histology technicians' annual earnings vary depending on work environment. PayScale revealed that histology technicians employed by hospitals earn as much as $58,065 per year. However, histology technicians working in private practices make less at $42,159 to $54,495 each year. Likewise, corporations pay histology technicians average wages ranging between $35,000 and $52,500 annually. Histology technicians working for the government reported the widest salary range, earning between $25,000 and $60,066 per year.
Gender
Although female histology technicians within the 25th percentile of earners made more than their male counterparts, male histology technicians received higher salaries within the 75th percentile range. PayScale showed that female histology technicians within the 25th percentile range receive an average salary of $36,927. In contrast, male histology technicians earn only $30,000. However, whereas female earners within the 75th percentile average $55,034, males earn an average salary of $60,000.
Tags: histology technicians, between year, histology technicians, earn average, 25th percentile, 75th percentile, average salaries
Take pictures of the kid's brushing their teeth to use for crafting.
Help kids learn about the benefits of caring for their teeth by featuring dental crafts that cover the basics of good dental hygiene. Choose projects that teach children about why they should floss and brush their teeth daily. The right crafts can make the idea of caring for teeth fun for children.
Toothbrush Painting
Help the children paint themselves brushing their teeth. They can also paint a picture of a toothbrush only if they want to create something more simple. Once the paint is dry give the children pieces of dental floss and glue. Help them glue pieces of floss around the border of the painting as decoration.
Tooth Fairy Box
Give each child in the class a large empty matchbox, scissors, glue and ribbon, along with pink, white and blue felt fabric. Help the children cut blue pieces of fabric to fit the size of the box. Glue the blue felt fabric on the top and sides of the matchbox. Cut out the shape of a tooth from white felt fabric and glue this on the top of the matchbox.
Cut small circular eyes for the tooth out of blue fabric and use a marker to draw a red mouth on the tooth or cut the mouth from pink fabric. Cut out another tooth from white fabric and make a face for this tooth as well. Glue the back of the bottom and sides of the second tooth and press this down on the inside of the matchbox. The top is open, so that a child can easily slip a tooth inside the pocket. Glue a ribbon around the border of the matchbox for decoration.
Dental Collage
Give each child a toothbrush, piece of dental floss and pictures of mouthwash along with card stock and glue. Help the children glue the toothbrush on the card stock paper along with the floss and pictures of other dental hygiene tools. Help the kids write down why each tool is important directly under the picture of each physical object. This simple project is best suited for small children.
Dental Tools Blocks
Give each child three or more plain blocks and some paint. Show them pictures or give them real objects to look at to inspire their paintings. Help them paint different dental tools on each block like floss, mouthwash and toothbrushes. Small children can paint the blocks solid colors and then put dental stickers on the blocks, once the paint is dry.
Tags: their teeth, along with, each child, felt fabric, Give each, Give each child, Help children
Some people have tummy tuck surgeries to remove excess skin and fat.
Tummy tucks or abdominoplasties are surgical treatments that remove excess fat and skin from abdomens. Sometimes these treatments tighten abdominal muscles as well. From 1997 to 2001, tummy tuck treatments increased by 72 percent, and they are currently one of the top five most popular cosmetic procedures, according to eHealthMD.
Ideal Candidates
Both men and women have tummy tuck treatments, and many factors determine who are good candidates for these types of procedures. The most ideal candidates are people who are in relatively good shape, but have excess abdominal skin or fat that is resistant to exercise. For example, a person who lost a large amount of weight with exercise, diet or bariatric surgery may be a good candidate, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. Other ideal candidates include women who have stretched out abdominal skin and muscles from pregnancy or older people who have lost the elasticity in their skin.
Procedure
There are two main types of abdominoplasty surgeries--full and mini tummy tucks. Full tummy tucks typically require general anesthesia and a short hospital stay, while mini tummy tucks only generally take place on an outpatient basis and only require local anesthesia. The full tummy tuck surgical treatment involves an incision from hip bone to hip bone, and then the skin is separated from the abdominal wall to expose the vertical abdominal muscles. The surgeon typically stitches and tightens the muscles, and then he removes any excess skin or fat. He then drapes the remaining skin over the abdominal area and sutures it back into place. The entire procedure usually takes between two and five hours. Mini tummy tucks typically have small incisions and work for people with small tummy bulges after pregnancy.
Risks
As with any type of surgery, tummy tuck treatments have several risks. They include anesthesia complications, tissue loss, blood clot to the lungs and death. Other risks, such as infection, hematoma (collection of blood under the skin), seroma (collection of fluid beneath the skin) and bleeding under the skin flap are also common. Some people are at risk of aspiration pneumonia, while others may require a second surgery if the first procedure doesn't heal properly.
Cost
The cost of tummy tucks vary between different plastic surgeons and usually depend on how much excess fat and muscle tightening is needed. According to a report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2009, the average cost of the surgeon fees for a tummy tuck was $5,167 in 2008. That figure does not include the costs for the anesthesia, pre-tests, surgical facility or other miscellaneous fees, which are charged in addition to the surgeon's fee. These treatments are typically considered as cosmetic procedures and not covered by most people's health insurance providers.
Considerations
If you plan to lose a lot of weight or want to become pregnant again, a tummy tuck may not be for you. People who smoke are advised to quit smoking a full month before and after the procedure due to delayed healing risks as well. The scarring after the tummy tuck typically darkens in color in the first three to six months after the surgery. Most scars take up to nine months to flatten and lighten, and they will never disappear completely.
Implementation specialists help clients with new software.
Software engineers write new programs to help employees do their work more efficiently, but the software engineers do not teach people to use the new program. That is the job of the implementation specialist. As one recent job posting for an implementation specialist noted, "You will be acting as the face of [the software maker] and interfacing directly with customers, understanding their needs and configuring the software to meet them."
Responsibilities
An implementation specialist becomes an expert on the software of a particular technology company. After the software engineers create a new program, the implementation specialist runs usability tests to make sure that others who use the program will not become confused or encounter problems. The implementation specialist also creates a handbook and an online help section to accompany the software. When a new client purchases the software, the implementation specialist helps the client install the software and teaches key employees use it. Throughout the time that the client uses the software, they may call the implementation specialist for technical support.
Time Commitment
Many implementation specialists do not work regular office hours. In a larger company with more than one implementation specialist, each particular employee may work early or late shifts to answer questions from clients, especially in other time zones. They may work longer-than-normal hours while they test a new product and prepare for it for launch. Many implementation specialists take overnight trips to visit new clients and help them to install the software.
Qualifications
Most implementation specialists have a bachelor's degree in education, computer science or a related field. They must have experience working with computer hardware or software.
Other Considerations
Implementation specialists must have excellent communication skills---interpersonal, written and public speaking. They must provide superior customer service to internal and external clients. They must be strong leaders who are able to solve problems creatively and efficiently. They must be comfortable using technology and be able to explain it to others. They must pay attention to detail as they monitor data and analyze reports. They should also be able to manage their time well and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Salary and Job Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics does not keep separate data on implementation specialists, but it reports that the more general category of computer software engineers was expected to grow more than 20 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is faster than the average for all career specialties. The website Pay Scale reports as of 2010, implementation specialists make between $36,085 and $49,991.
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The measuring of sound echoes is called the Doppler effect.
An ultrasound tech is a diagnostic medical sonographer who uses ultrasound technology to create images of the inside of the human body. By pulsing sound waves at an object, ultrasound machines can read the echoes that return to create an accurate depiction. The resultant images are used by physicians to diagnose afflictions. An ultrasound tech's pay level depends upon a number of circumstances.
Average Salary
The average salary for a diagnostic medical sonographer, such as an ultrasound technologist, was $63,640 as of May 2009, according to figures published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This translates into a monthly pay packet of $5,303 and an hourly rate of $30.60.
Salary by Location
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also broke down its salary analysis into geographical location. It found that Massachusetts led the field in terms of average salary, offering a mean wage of $78,460, closely followed by Oregon, at $78,320. In contrast, Florida offered $56,030 while Alabama was listed at an average of $50,320.
Salary by Experience
PayScale.com shows that wage levels for diagnostic medical sonographers, such as ultrasound technicians, rises in accordance with the level of experience they have attained. New recruits with less than a year in the sector earned $35,608 to $50,694 as of January 2011. Those with between five and nine years experience could expect levels of $46,614 to $62,262, while 20 years or more could secure a practitioner a wage of between $60,594 and $82,183.
Salary by Employer
An ultrasound tech's salary will also depend upon the nature of her employer. PayScale.com's survey revealed that private practice offered the highest remuneration levels -- $48,215 to $69,158 -- while state and local government agencies had the lowest figures -- between $43,007 and $60,175. Hospitals, which employ almost 60 percent of sonographers in America, offered an average of $39,785 to $60,474.
Outlook
Job opportunities for ultrasound technologists are likely to remain favorable in the immediate future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a rise in demand for diagnostic medical sonographers of approximately 18 percent through to 2018. This will be fueled by an aging population requiring increased diagnostic imaging services. With a buoyant job market, individuals should manage to secure excellent compensation levels.
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Technicians operate specialized equipment to perform ultrasound exams.
Ultrasound technicians use special equipment to take diagnostic images of a patient's body. Diagnostic images are produced by high-frequency sound waves that are sent to the specified body parts. Technicians explain the imaging procedure to patients, perform diagnostic exams and analyze the results for physicians. The earnings of ultrasound technicians vary by employer. In Missouri, technicians earned salaries less than the national average.
Statewide Earnings
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ultrasound technicians in Missouri earned average salaries of $61,140 as of May 2009. In major metropolitan areas such as Jefferson City, St. Louis and Kansas City, ultrasound technicians earned average salaries ranging from $59,800 to $63,620 annually.
National Earnings
Nationally, ultrasound technicians earned average salaries of $63,010, according to the BLS, which is just above the earnings of Missouri technicians. Ultrasound technicians who earned the most made more than $85,950, while those who earned the least made less than $43,990. Average earnings of technicians vary by geographic location, employer type and industry. For example, nearly 60 percent of all ultrasound technicians are employed in general medical and surgical hospitals, but some of the highest paid technicians are employed by private diagnostic laboratories. The average earnings of technicians in private facilities are $67,890 per the BLS.
Training
Ultrasound technicians may receive training from a variety of schools and programs. Training is available in hospitals and vocational schools as well as colleges and universities. Most employers prefer to hire technicians who have completed formal training from an institution accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Candidates may seek a certificate or diploma, or receive an associate's or bachelor's degree in medical sonography. Missouri College in St. Louis offers an ultrasound technician training program. In the program, students take coursework in anatomy and physiology, physics, instrumentation and medical ethics.
Employment
The BLS projects employment of ultrasound technicians to increase faster than average through 2018. Advancements in ultrasound technology allows imaging personnel to scan more nontraditional areas of the body. This has led to more procedures being performed and the demand for more technicians. Job opportunities are favorable for ultrasound technicians who obtain competency in more than one specialty. Technicians who receive certification through associations such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography may take on supervisory responsibilities or advance to managerial or administrative positions.
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Ultrasound techs can manipulate the controls of ultrasound scanners.
Ultrasound techs, also known as medical sonographers, image the inside of the human body using high-frequency sound waves. Training is available from hospitals, vocational institutions, colleges and universities, or the military. Licensing is not mandatory. However, techs with voluntary credentials from professional bodies, such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, may find better job opportunities.
Specialties
Ultrasound techs can specialize when working in large facilities or in teams with other techs. Obstetric and gynecological techs concentrate on imaging the female reproductive system, such as tracking the fetus of a pregnant woman. Abdominal techs image the abdominal cavity, gallbladder, kidneys, liver, pancreas and spleen. Neurosonographers specialize in the nervous system, including the brain. Breast ultrasound techs focus on diseases of the breasts such as cancer. In any case, the median hourly wage of ultrasound techs is $30.30, with a range of $21.15 to $41.32. The median yearly salary is $63,010, with a range of $43,990 to $85,950. These figures are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2009.
Experience
Experience can increase compensation, according to the PayScale Report. As of December 2010, new techs earn $34,392 to $50,536. Those with one to four years of work earn $39,130 to $59,447, while those with five to nine years get $45,914 to $61,935. Those with 10 to 19 years make $55,106 to $72,413, while those with 20 or more years top out at $60,594 to $81,077.
Employers
The employers that hire the most ultrasound techs are general medical and surgical hospitals, with 59 percent of the total 51,630 jobs. Salaries here average $30.66 hourly or $63,770 yearly. The best-paying positions are with employment services, which use ultrasound technology to screen for medical conditions in job applicants. They pay $32.70 hourly or $68,020 yearly, but only offer 240 positions.
Outlook
The BLS predicts jobs for ultrasound techs to grow by 18 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is faster than average for all positions. Much of the demand will come from an aging population who will rely on diagnostic imaging to discover a growing list of medical conditions. Many health care providers are also relying on the technology as a safer and cost-effective alternative to surgery. Professionals with multiple specialties and credentials will find the widest job options.
Tags: ultrasound techs, hourly yearly, medical conditions, techs with, Ultrasound techs, while those, while those with
Manipulating points of an image is often easier when the image is in vector format rather than a bitmap format. Converting a bitmap to vector is easy if you have Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator software on your computer. Here's convert a bitmap to vector:
Instructions
1. Start Adobe Photoshop and open the bitmap image you want to convert to vector.
2. In Adobe Photoshop, click "File" at the top of the menu, then choose "Export" and then "Paths To Illustrator".
3. Save the file as an Adobe Illustrator file in the folder of your choice.
4. Close Adobe Photoshop and start Adobe Illustrator. Open the Adobe Illustrator file you just saved in Photoshop.
5. You image will now be in vector form and you can change colors, manipulate points or apply filters as needed. Keep in mind that the software may not break up each part of the image exactly how you want it, so you may need to play around with the vector image to adjust it.
Boils are definitely gross, but they are also a common form of abscess or pus in the skin. You can safely and effectively treat boils to keep them from coming back.
Instructions
1. Be careful not to let any of the leaking pus come in contact with any other part of your body or skin. This could cause more boils to develop.
2. Thoroughly wash your hands with warm water and plenty of antibacterial soap. A good rule of thumb is to aim for about 30 seconds of active scrubbing or roughly the amount of time it takes to sign "Happy Birthday." Remember to clean the areas around your nails.
3. Gently pat the area where you suspect you may have an abscess. Avoid directly touching any pus. See if you feel swelling and warmth in the area. If you see redness, usually with a yellow center, chances are pretty good that you do indeed have a boil.
4. Keep the area clean, dry and loosely covered with a piece of soft cloth or gauze. Call your primary health care provider. If he can't see you immediately, go to your nearest urgent health center or emergency department.
5. Once your boil has been treated and you've recovered, there are a few simple steps you can take to lessen the chance of developing future abscesses. Shower or bathe daily with antibacterial soap and then gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Pay special attention to your armpits, buttocks and between your legs. Avoid shaving in these sensitive areas; nicking a hair follicle can lead to pus formation.
A radiologist interprets the results of an imaging test.
Working with imaging technology, a radiologist diagnoses a variety of ailments, including cancer. The non-invasive procedures include positron emission tomography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear cardiology treadmill studies and ultrasound. In addition to ordering and overseeing tests, a radiologist must work with referring physicians as well as the patient to determine the risks and benefits of a procedure.
Average Salary
The average salary for a radiologist in Oklahoma was $283,660 as of May 2011, according to CareerBuilder. The job information website said the average salary range was from $204,284 to $340,075.
Compared to National Average
Radiologists in Oklahoma made less than the national average for all radiologists in 2011, according to CareerBuilder. The average national salary for a radiologist was $337,598, with a range of $239,356 to $404,740.
Benefits
A radiologist's total compensation includes benefits that can add up to nearly $100,000 according to the wage tracking website Salary. Radiologists in Oklahoma City, the state capital of Oklahoma, had benefits with in May 2011 which included $3,521 of bonuses, $12,055 of social security, $9,310 toward a 401(k) plan, $2,623 of disability insurance, $6,507 of health care coverage, $15,680 toward a pension and $46,121 worth of time off.
Job Outlook
While all physicians can expect to see job opportunities increase by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiologists are part of a group of specialist that will be in high demand. The bureau says the growth is spurred by a growing and aging population.
Tags: 2011 according, 2011 according CareerBuilder, according CareerBuilder, average salary, Radiologists Oklahoma
When abnormal cell growth or mutation occurs in the breast cells, breast cancer develops. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, breast lump, change in size of breast, blood from the nipple, inverted nipple or changes to the breast skin.
Stages
Breast cancer staging is a system used by doctors to identify the extent of the cancer. After testing is done a doctor assigns a number, from 0 to 4 (often expressed in Roman numerals), which is based on how far the cancer has spread throughout the body.
Stage IV
Stage IV breast cancer is considered the end stage where the cancer has spread to different parts of the body. At this stage the cancer may have spread to the lungs, lymph nodes, bones, liver or brain.
Staging Tests
The stage IV breast cancer diagnosis is made after X-rays, blood tests and imaging tests such as MRI, PET scan or CT scan are performed. The stage number is based on the size of the tumor and the spread of the cancer to other areas of the body.
Stage 4 Prognosis
Statistics indicate that the five year survival rate for stage IV breast cancer is 20 percent. There is an extremely low survival rate due to the complications from the spread of the cancer.
Treatment Options
Treatment options include chemotherapy, hormone therapy or no therapy. The decision to pursue further treatment at stage IV breast cancer is based on your doctor's estimate of survival as well as the likelihood of cancer recurrence. Because the side effects from treatments can be brutal for a person with compromised health it may be decided to pursue no further treatments.
Tags: breast cancer, body Stage, cancer spread, pursue further, spread cancer, stage breast, stage breast cancer
There are many brands of birth control pills available, both name brand and generic. All of the generic birth control pills undergo testing to make sure they are comparable to the name brand medication. Any generic medication that receives an "AB" rating from the FDA has been determined to be the equivalent of the name brand, according to eMedTV.com. Generic forms of pills often have labels that sound like name brands themselves to avoid confusion with long chemical names and various dosage levels, but they are still generic versions of the name-brand drug.
Aviane
Aviane is part of a group of medications known as combined oral contraceptives. This means that it contains a combination of two different types of hormones. Aviane is the name given to the generic form of Alesse. Aviane is made by Barr Laboratories and has an "AB" rating from the FDA. This medication is part of a group known as combined oral contraceptives. This means that it contains a combination of two different types of hormones. The generic form of Alesse is also sold under the name Lutera.
Apri
Apri is a generic form of the birth control pill known as Desogen. This pill is only available with a prescription and has a relatively low dose of hormones in it as compared to other birth control pills. The FDA has awarded Apri an "AB" rating, which means that it is the equivalent of Desogen. Other names for generic Desogen include Reclipsen and Solia.
Kariva
The generic form of Mircette is known as Kariva. Kariva has a low dose of hormones as compared to older birth control pills. In addition, the FDA has awarded Kariva an "AB" rating, which means that it is just as good as the name brand Mircette. Kariva is made by Barr Pharmaceuticals, the parent company of Duramed Pharmaceuticals. Duramed Pharmaceuticals is the company that makes Mircette. Another generic form of Duramed is called Azurette, which is made by Watson Laboratories, Inc.
Tags: generic form, means that, name brand, birth control, birth control pills, birth control, Birth Control
Calcification of the aortic valve, or sclerosis, is a condition that results from large calcium deposits on the heart's valve to the aorta. This condition may cause aortic valve stenosis, a narrowing of the opening in a patient's aortic valve.
Effects
According to the Mayo Clinic, calcium deposits on the aortic valve may cause reduced blood flow through this valve, which can lead to chest pain or a heart attack.
Heart Disease
Aortic valve calcification can be an early sign of heart disease, even if a patient does not have other symptoms of heart disease.
Risk Factors
Calcification and narrowing of the aortic valve are more likely to occur in people over the age of 65. When younger people have these disorders, they are often caused by high cholesterol, a congenital heart defect or other disease such as kidney failure.
Tests
Doctors may hear a murmur when they listen to the heart of a patient with aortic valve calcification. An echocardiogram may be used to diagnose aortic valve stenosis and a coronary calcium scan may be used to measure calcification amounts.
Treatment
Doctors may prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs to prevent aortic valve calcification from worsening. A severely narrowed aortic valve may require surgery to replace the valve.
Radiology technicians take medical images of patients for diagnostic purposes.
If a job in the medical profession sounds exciting and you are seeking a work field with a solid income, the job of a radiology technician could be a worthy career choice. Radiology technicians can earn above average salaries, according to a May 2010 report from Payscale.com, with the opportunity to average more than $48,000 annually after 12 months on the job.
Job Defined
Radiology technicians are medical professionals, trained in the area of medical imaging or taking x-rays for the diagnosis of illnesses and other medical problems. According to Degreedirectory.org, formal training is generally required for employment in these positions. Many radiology technicians may choose to specialize in a specific area in the industry such as mammography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Most all radiology technicians also hold a certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Experience
The level of experience you have as a radiology technician will determine in large part, your earnings potential. According to a May 2010 survey by Payscale.com, those professionals with at least one year of job experience are earning at least $30,706 each year and up to $45,509 a year. After you have been on the job for at least five years, you can earn an average of between $24,242 and $49,132 each year. Radiology technicians with at least a decade of job experience are reporting earnings of between $49,480 and $78,379 annually.
Type of Employer
Where you choose to work can also play a part in how much you can expect to earn as a radiology technician. According to a May 2010 report by Payscale.com, working in a private medical practice could net an annual income of at least $30,252 and up to $50,742. Radiology technicians employed by hospitals are reporting similar incomes, averaging between $30,015 and $49,565 each year. Those professionals who are working for individual medical imaging companies are reporting some of the lowest salaries, averaging between $24,740 and $42,729 annually.
Size of Employer
According to a May 2010 finding by Payscale.com, the number of workers employed in a given company could also play a role in your salary potential. Radiology technicians working for employers that have between 10 and 49 people on staff are reporting average earnings of at least $34,746 a year and up to $45,781 a year. Radiology technicians that are working for companies that employ at least 200 people are reporting earning much less, averaging between $23,923 and $33,000 each year.
Males Earn More
The field of radiology technicians could be one career area where males tend to earn more, according to a May 2010 survey by Payscale.com. Of the 36 professionals who responded, the female radiology technicians are reporting earning a minimum salary of at least $25,308 a year and a maximum annual income of up to $50,000 a year. Those males in the industry are reporting average earnings of at least $32,500 and up to $52,349 annually.
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Breast implant encapsulation can be an extremely painful and disfiguring complication.
Breast implants are a form of plastic surgery aimed at augmenting the breasts. During the procedure, either silicone or saline filled sacs are surgically inserted between the breast tissues and the pectoral muscles. After insertion, the cut tissue is stitched together, and then the individual must allow their body time to heal. After surgical scars have adequately healed, there are some complications of having breast implants that one should watch out for. A condition know as capsular contracture, or breast encapsulation, occurs when the body creates hardened tissue surrounding the implant. The hardened tissue begins to encapsulate the breast implant, exerting pressure on it until the breast become inordinately firm, disfigured, or painful.
Instructions
1. Determine whether you are at an increased risk for developing a breast encapsulation. While the causes of breast encapsulation are not entirely known, there are risk factors that are associated with their development. These include: cigarette smoking, experiencing trauma to the breast, bacterial infection of the breast tissue following surgery, radiation therapy for breast cancer, and the accumulation of water or blood in the breast tissue. Of course, you cannot have a breast encapsulation unless you have breast implants.
2. Evaluate your symptoms for breast encapsulation. The most common symptom is a gradual firming of one or both of the breasts. Other symptoms include experiencing pain in one or both of your breasts and a distortion in the shape of the breast.
3. Grade your symptoms using the Baker Grading System, which measures the severity of breast encapsulation. The Baker Grading System is based on a scale from one to four. Grade one of the scale is a breast that looks and feels completely normal. Grade two is when the breast feels slightly firm, but appears entirely normal. Grade three is when the breast is firm and appears visually distorted in shape or position. The most severe grade of breast encapsulation is the fourth, which is characterized by a very hard feeling to the breast, as well as gross distortions in its shape and position.
Tags: breast encapsulation, Baker Grading, Baker Grading System, breast tissue, firm appears, Grading System
The liver is the largest organ in the body other than the skin and is responsible for removing a number of harmful toxins. It also stores and processes nutrients stored in the intestines, which are necessary for the performance of various bodily functions. When cells in the liver accumulate and multiply in an uncontrolled manner, the result is a cancerous liver tumor. The earlier the signs and symptoms of liver cancer are detected, the earlier the disease can be diagnosed and treated.
Instructions
1. Pay attention to pain in the upper right part of your abdomen. While pain here doesn't necessarily mean liver cancer, it is the location of the liver.
2. Recognize that yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes can be a sign of jaundice. Jaundice is usually caused by liver disease or obstruction of the bile duct, both of which can be precursors to or symptoms of cancer.
3. Monitor persistent symptoms, such as swelling in the abdominal region or a feeling of fullness in the stomach.
4. Know that symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss should not be ignored. These may be symptoms of liver cancer or another type of liver disease.
5. Keep in mind that people who have preexisting conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis B or C are at higher risk of developing liver cancer.
6. Refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol once a diagnosis has been made. You want to give yourself the best chance of recovery.
Seeing inside the human body is no easy feat, and, other than an invasive procedure, there is really only one way. That would be using ultrasonography, a technique that uses high-frequency audio waves to actually see muscles, organs, and other things inside the human body. It makes doing so fairly simple and allows doctors to inspect the body internally without harming it.
Features
A computer and a hand-held probe comprise an ultrasound machine, which is the primary equipment for ultrasonography. The probe delivers ultrasonic waves into the patient and receives them after they bounce off various internal tissue. The computer controls the machine and has a screen where you can see inside a person near where the probe is placed. In order to get the best results, doctors also apply a gel to the skin of the patient.
Function
The sonographer will control the frequency of the waves that the ultrasound machine produces on the computer screen. Different frequencies are better suited for viewing different internal tissues. The ultrasound machine emits pulses at these frequencies that pass through the gel applied to the patient and into the body. The gel helps keep down outside interference and allows for a better picture. When the waves hit a solid tissue, they bounce back and are recorded by the probe, which then sends the signal to the computer, which puts up a black and white image based on the distance of objects from the probe.
Types
There are four different modes of ultrasonography that are implemented. Each one achieves a different result. A-mode is simplest mode and focuses on a small, singular point in the body. It is also used therapeutically to relieve stress from tumors and other impurities. B-mode creates a 2-D image of the internal tissues it is aimed at, with different depths for each area. M-mode creates motion on the screen by sending out continuous streams of ultrasound waves. Doppler imaging produces more 3-D images and relies on the Doppler effect.
Benefits
Ever since ultrasonography came into play, doctors have been able to have fairly clear pictures of what is happening inside a person's body. It has made detection of tumors, lesions, and other ailments very easy and completely painless. Ultrasonography also makes it easy for expecting mothers to see their child and for the baby to be monitored as it grows. This has led to fewer problems in pregnancy and allows doctors to have a detailed history of a child's growth.
Expert Insight
There are two different ranges of frequencies that are applied in ultrasonography. They depend on what a sonographer is looking at exactly. Tissues closer to the surface and those that are thinner in general are seen using higher frequencies in the 7-18 megahertz range. This allows for a better range of viewing. Deeper, denser organs and tissues are viewed with a lower frequency, in the 1-6 megahertz range. Lower frequencies are able to go deeper into the body.
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There are many reasons why women want breast implants. Maybe you had a mastectomy and need to have one or both of your breasts reconstructed, or perhaps you just want larger breasts. Silicone implants have been around a long time, but you might wonder what problems are associated with them and how safe they are.
Types of Implants
The Food and Drug Administration has only approved two types of breast implants. Silicone gel breast implants are filled with silicone gel. The silicone filler gives the appearance and feel of a natural breast.
Cohesive Gel Implants are silicone implants that are made to have more of a solid feel than the others, and unlike the other implants, they will hold their shape and size.
How Long They Last
Silicone implants are not intended to last your whole life. It is a good idea to have them examined after three years to make sure they are in place and don't have any ruptures. In addition, you will probably have to have them removed, or replaced in your lifetime, which will require additional surgery.
Ruptures
Sometimes an implant will rupture. According to the Mayo Clinic, if an implant ruptures, it can allow the silicone gel inside to leak, which may cause inflammation and possibly cause additional scar tissue to grow. Symptoms of a ruptured implant would be pain, swelling, burning, redness in the breast, hard lumps in the affected breast, change in breast size or shape, or softening/hardening in the affected breast.
Breast Cancer
According to the National Organization for Women, breast implants interfere with mammogram tests. The result of this is more tumors being missed due to breast implants. Additionally, many women experience such painful, sensitive breasts from the implants, that they don't want to have mammograms done.
Risks
There are other risks that doctors often don't tell you. According to the National Organization of Women, some of the side effects many women experience are chronic fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, stiff joints, muscles weakness and memory impairment.
Tags: breast implants, According National, According National Organization, affected breast, have them
The ability to see through certain objects has long been a dream doctors, the military, and safe crackers. Thanks to one of the greatest inventions in medical history, the X-Ray Machine (or, more properly, the X-Ray generator), that dream has become a reality. But how did this marvelous machination, which has undoubtedly saved millions of lives, come to be such a standard medical instrument?
What are X-Rays?
X-Rays make up a unique form of electromagnetic radiation that carries energy, which is absorbed by some substances but not by others. For example, when you go to the doctor's and he or she takes an X-Ray to locate, let's say a broken bone, a blast of X-Radiation is projected at the portion of your body to be examined with X-Ray film (what is known as an "Image Receptor") behind you. The X-Ray shoots photons through your body, most of which are absorbed by your bones. The light that isn't absorbed creates a near-perfect imprint on the film, with showing your bone structure and any flaws (like a break or stress fracture). This is probably the most common use of X-Rays, which allow us to see through certain objects. They have many other uses, too, whether it be for scanning luggage in airports or seeking out hidden bombs in dangerous battlefields.
Discovery
In November of 1895, Wilhelm Rontgen, a physics professor from Germany, discovered X-Rays while examining Crookes tubes, which are gas-filled discharge tubes used to study electrons. In a serendipitous occurrence, after wrapping one of his tubes in thin, black cardboard, he noticed that some light managed to pass through, glowing on the wall of his laboratory. Upon further investigation, he found that the rays could also pass through paper, books, and then, momentously, his wife's hand. The resulting photograph of his wife's hand bones, complete with a ring, is credited as being the first ever X-Ray image of a human body part.
From then on, X-Ray technology grew in concurrence with our understanding of it. Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, two of the greatest scientific minds in history, both experimented with X-Rays, aiding in making them one of the most useful tools in the modern hospital. But how did the modern X-Ray generator come to be?
New Technology
By the early 1920s, it was realized that using Crookes tubes were undependable. In order to generate a current, the tubes must be partially filled with gas, which would inevitably be absorbed by the glass and eventually lead to the inoperability of the X-Ray. This was inefficient, meaning that new Crookes tubes had to be produced each time one burnt out. Think of it like having to replace a very expensive light bulb far more often than you would like. This unfortunate fact led to the adoption of Coolidge tubes, which used a filament made of tungsten and was invariably heated via an electrical current. These Coolidge tubes, which are far more efficient than the severely outdated Crookes tube, are still used within modern medicine and are the basis for most X-Ray machines found in hospitals today.
Medical Usage
Being one of the most useful tools in the medical field, Radiologists use X-Ray Generators to produce pictures of a patients' internal structures, allowing them to diagnose broken bones, locate tumors, and even see the digestive tract. By using an ion chamber located between the patient and the X-Ray film, radiologists can regulate the amount of radiation exposure.
Security
Different types of X-Ray generators are used for different applications. For example, at airports, the X-Ray generators produce very low amounts of radiation, making them safe to be around. A computer is used to process the X-Rays and create an image, which is displayed on a monitor.
Future
As technology advances then inevitably so will X-Rays. In the 1980s, X-Ray lasers were proposed, yet later abandoned. The idea resurfaced under the Bush Administration, and as humanity progresses into an era where technology progresses ten-fold every few years, the X-Rays generators of the future will be smaller, less dangerous, and, most importantly, better, with the ability to save even more lives.
Tags: Crookes tubes, tubes which, certain objects, Coolidge tubes, Coolidge tubes which
The words "benign" and "malignant" are important words to understand, especially when discussing potentially cancerous tumors. As the names imply, a malignant tumor is particularly worrisome, requiring immediate attention, whereas a benign tumor is relatively less dangerous. However, simply because a tumor has been determined benign does not mean that it can be ignored. Read on to learn the essentials about benign tumors.
Significance
From a medical standpoint, the word "benign" refers to a mass of cells that is limited in growth and is not worsening to a malignant state. Generally, this term is used to describe a defined, encapsulated, non-cancerous tumor. Benign tumors are abnormally growing yet ultimately harmless clumps of cells. Unlike malignant tumors, a benign mass does not spread aggressively to other parts of the body nor does it permeate bodily tissues.
Types
Although abnormal cell masses classified as benign appear in an array of diverse forms under a microscope or scan, their uniting factor is that all benign tumors are non-cancerous. Like their malignant counterparts, benign tumors may be found throughout the body, from the uterus or prostate to the skin. In fact, moles are one of the most common examples of benign tumors. Yet unlike serious or deadly tumors, benign tumors grow relatively slowly.
Identification
A biopsy is required to determine whether a growth is benign or not. Benign tumors are incredibly varied in shape and size, and oftentimes do not cause symptoms. Formed by a cell growth of an organ or tissue, benign tumors remain self-contained. These limited cell growths generally maintain defined perimeters, whereas malignant tumors are not localized to one spot and have an unbound perimeter.
Prevention/Solution
Doctors urge their patients to be aware of any abnormal moles that could be either cancerous or benign. Patients are also encouraged to get regular screenings of the breast, prostate, ovaries, colon and other organs in order to prevent cancer.
Removal of a benign tumor via surgery is standard medical procedure as long as the growth is in a reachable location in the body. If a tumor cannot be removed surgically, radiation is an alternative method to wipe out the mass of cells. Cryosurgery provides another removal method, effectively freezing the cells off by inserting narrow instruments into the tumor.
Warning
People who notice abnormal symptoms that may be tumors, as in the case of potentially cancerous moles, are encouraged to see a physician. A dermatologist can examine any potential skin tumors to determine whether they are benign.
Patients are advised to be aware of any moles that are asymmetrical, uneven in color, have undefined borders, or are growing in diameter. Doctors also advise that people wear sunscreen with SPF 15 at least 30 minutes before sun exposure.
In certain cases, some benign tumors can actually become malignant due to genetic changes in the tumor's cell composition. One example of this is a type of colon tumor, or polyp, that marks the potential for cancer if not removed. This is why doctors stress the importance of early detection in preventing colon cancer.
Breast pain can be cyclic or non-cyclic. Cyclic breast pain is based on the reproductive cycle: puberty, menstrual periods, pregnancy and peri-menopause and menopause. Non-cyclic breast pain means that the pain is not associated with hormones but caused by trauma.
Fibrocystic Breasts
Fibrocystic breast disease is not uncommon. Although it can be painful, it is a benign condition, according to Dr. Sandhya Pruthi of the Mayo Clinic. If your breasts are fibrocystic, they may be lumpy and sore. This condition is hormonally related and should wax and wane with your cycle. However, if you are experiencing it all the time (non-cyclic) and if the pain is in one particular area, Dr. Pruthi recommends that you discuss this with your doctor.
Great Indicator of What's Going On
As a woman's body prepares for a menstrual period, this is the time that she is most likely to experience cyclic breast pain. Some women can actually tell specifically when they are ovulating based on sensations that they feel in their nipples or breasts. When a woman is having this kind of hormonally related cyclic breast pain, the pain is generally in both breasts; however, one breast might hurt a little more than the other. The soreness generally subsides once the menstrual period starts.
Pregnancy
In the initial stages of pregnancy, your breasts can get really sore. In fact, breast soreness is one of the first indicators that a baby is on the way. When you first start breast-feeding, your breasts will be very sore but this will go away in short order. When estrogen levels are high, as they are during pregnancy, this creates tender, painful breasts.
Estrogen Overload
In fact, if your estrogen levels are too high, which sometimes happens during peri-menopause, this can result in estrogen dominance and your breasts may be so tender and sore that you can't stand to touch them. Avoid beverages such as coffee and colas, which contain methylxanthines, because this will make your breasts even more sore. Methylxanthine prompts dilation of the blood vessels, and this causes the breast tissues to distend, according to Dr. Dixie Mills and Womentowomen.com.
Fatty Acid Imbalance
If a woman has an imbalance of fatty acids in her cells this may make her breasts more sensitive to hormones, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some women take primrose oil capsules to counteract breast soreness. The oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, which is a fatty acid, and it is believed that taking primrose oil will decrease breast sensitivity because it restores the body's fatty acid balance.
Non-Cyclic
If a woman has breast cysts or trauma to the breasts or has had breast surgery of any kind, this can result in soreness and is not related to hormones. Sometimes the pain that is manifesting in the breasts is from somewhere else, such as joints, muscles, the chest wall or the heart.
Medication May Be the Culprit
Be aware that certain medicines can cause sore breasts, including the antidepressants Zoloft and Prozac. If you are undergoing HRT (hormone replacement therapy), this can make your breasts sore. The estrogen and progesterone in the medicine is what causes breast soreness, just as these two hormones did naturally when you were younger and having regular menstrual periods and pregnancies.
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