Symptoms and Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer

October 27th, 2008 by admin

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer

The kidneys are the two bean shaped organs located behind the abdominal muscles on each side of the spine. Kidney cancer, occurs in these very organs, and is caused by abnormal cell growth. The most frequent form of this cancer occurs as whats called renal cell carcinoma (cancer cells that begin in the tubes of the kidney). Children, however, are more likely to develop a cancer known as Wilm’s tumor (a form of cancer often caused by genetic conditions or birth defects). According to the American Cancer Society, over 50,000 people are diagnosed every year with some form of kidney cancer.Signs and Symptoms:Unlike many other cancers, kidney cancer does not always have obvious or troublesome symptoms in the early stages. However, here are some of the more common signs and symptoms to look for especially towards the later stages of the cancer:- Weight loss- Feelings of energy deprivation or fatigue- Persistent back pain below the ribs- Intermittent or recurrent fevers- Lumps in the kidney area- Loss of appetiteDiagnosis and Screening:To begin the diagnosis, a physician will often start by examining the patients medical history and than proceed with a physical exam. Blood and urine samples may also be taken. The doctor may also check for lumps or unusual protrusions in the kidney area. Lastly, a number of tests may be performed to check for cancerous cells:- Abdomen Sonography - This procedure utilizes sound waves, which are bounced off of the kidney to create an image known as a sonogram.- CT Scan - A CT scan requires the use of an x-ray machine and a computer that takes a series of pictures inside the body from various angles. This method is also known more formally as computerized tomography.- Magnetic Resource Imaging (MRI) - In this procedure a magnet linked with a computer creates detailed images of areas within the body.After testing, the doctor should be able to diagnose and determine the stage of the cancer. However, additional testing may need to be conducted to determine the severity and growth of the tumor.

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Your First Appointment-pregnancy

October 26th, 2008 by admin

Your First Appointment-pregnancy

Your first visit with a care provider is important. During this visit, he or she will take a full medical history to determine if you have any underlying health problems. In addition, your care provider will ask you about any health problems that run in your family, and in your partner’s family. Unless you have a preexisting medical problem, your doctor will usually treat you like any other pregnant woman in terms of scheduling your first appointment, at about 8 weeks. One of the main reasons for the delay is that early miscarriage is very common and in most cases can not be prevented by medical treatment. There fore, most care providers wait until you have passed the danger zone of early miscarriage before they order all the pregnancy blood tests.Preparing For Your AppointmentIf your partner is not going to come with you to your first visit, it’s important for you to sit down together and brainstorm about possible family problems. Any family conditions may be passed on to your baby and testing may be an option. If you have any health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, bring your medical records with you. Your questions can then be answered right away instead of having to wait until your care provider can get copies of your records. You may be asked some embarrassing but important questions about drug use, sexually transmitted diseases and past pregnancy terminations. It’s critical that you tell the truth about your medical history. If your partner doesn’t know about it, you can arrange to tell your care provider when your partner is not present.Standard TestsIn addition to answering a lot of questions, you will probably have a thorough physical exam, including a pelvic examination and cervical (PAP) smear (unless you have recently had one). Your doctor should also discuss your options for first trimester screening for abnormalities so that tests can be arranged between 10-14 weeks if you want them. Depending on how many weeks pregnant you are, you may get to hear your baby’s heartbeat. Finally, you will be asked to give samples of your blood and urine for routine testing and have your weight and blood pressure checked.Testing for HIV is recommended for all pregnant women. If you have HIT, the chances of passing the virus on to your baby can be significantly reduced by taking antiretroviral agents. In additional to these routine tests you may also have additional. tests. A swab may be taken from your cervix for testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, which can be symptom-free but could affect your baby if not diagnosed and treated.In some cases, blood tests may also be done to check for varicella (chicken pox) and toxoplasmosis. Past infection with toxoplasmosis is a good thing because you will be protected from developing an infection during pregnancy when it can harm your baby.

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Weight Loss program Houston

October 25th, 2008 by admin

Weight Loss program Houston

Welcome to our weight reduction program at weight loss houston. You may have tried reducing your weight on your own, or with advice from friends and have met with little or no success. No matter what your past record has been in weight reduction, we will help you achieve your goals.We understand that reducing your weight doesn’t mean just eating less food but a combination of dieting, exercise and scientific body sculpting techniques. And what’s more once you have reduced your weight, we help you stay that way. We have designed a very comprehensive program with this in mind. The results we have achieved are just amazing.Just go to the bottom of the page on ‘weightloss-houston.com/smartlipo.html’, and click on ‘Click here for more photos’ to see ‘Before and After’ photos and decide for yourself.We have a multi pronged approach to our weight loss program.It comprises:- 1) Medical Weight Loss 2) Smart Lipo 3) Lipo DissolveThe centre has as its medical director Dr. Bergeron who has been practicing medicine since 1993. He is assisted by his staff, all trained professionals in Medical weight loss.A brief overview of our program: Medical Weight Loss It achieves this by Appetite Suppressant Programs, Low Calorie Diets, Weight Loss Counselling, Vitamins %26 Supplements. a) Appetite Suppressant Programs:- Clients are subjected to a thorough physical exam and blood tests and are the prescribed drugs that reduce appetite. This is more of a short-term solution to achieve weight loss.b) Low calorie diets: - After the medical exam and study of the client’s medical history our expert staff recommends a low calorie diet base on the BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). On the basis of the BMR a diet of between 800 and 1200 calories per day is recommended. c) Weight Loss Counseling:-Our centers at Houston weight loss has a counseling program that can be designed for individual needs. We understand that each person has a different dietary pattern and lifestyle and a program has to be created all keeping all this in mind. Other things like his mental and emotional state, and motivation level are also taken into account.d) Vitamins/Supplements :- The fact that you are on a diet control program doesn’t mean you should deprive yourself of the essential Vitamins that your body requires. The American Dietetic Association has said that supplements may help increase metabolism. Supplements should be taken for 3 months for optimum effect. Smart Lipo This is a latest weight loss technique offering the best result. It is a body sculpting procedure with minimum incision for fat removal. A high-powered laser beam is made to act on the fat cells and make them drain away. Local anesthesia is used and there is very little bleeding, bruising or swelling.Lipo Dissolve This is another body sculpting technique used for removing fat deposits in the body. It is ather a body sculpting technique that is done after weight loss. Drugs are injected into the body’s fatty layers which dissolve the fat. The fat is then ejected through the body’s lymphatic system.

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Physical Therapy Exam for Foreigners

October 21st, 2008 by admin

To be able to practice physical therapy in the United States, you have to meet a series of requirements. The most important requisite of all is taking the physical therapy exam. Prior to this, you also have to take several steps, but the passing of the exam is essential if you want to be able to practice. However, beside taking and passing the exam, you also have to find a physical therapy sponsor. Finding your sponsor is very important because otherwise you cannot practice.

The physical therapy exam can be taken in the United States only. So your first concern should be to make sure that your visa is still valid when you take the exam. As has been said before, there are several requirements that have to be met before you can take the exam, but the most important one is to have a visa.

In order to see to this, you can apply for a tourist visa or you can find yourself a physical therapy sponsor to sponsor you for your Green Card or H1b. However, most agencies will not sponsor you until you have passed the exam. So a tourist visa is the perfect option in the beginning. After you have taken the exam, your sponsor will make sure that your stay in the United States is legal.

In order to apply for the physical therapist exam, there are important steps you have to take. You have to obtain certain materials, fill them out, make some payments and schedule an appointment to determine your eligibility. There are special web sites dedicated to foreign physical therapists detailing exactly what you must do in order to apply for the physical therapy exam.

If you are lucky and have already found a physical therapy sponsor before taking the exam, then the agency will probably help you with your application. However, you can also find this information on the Internet.

After you have applied for your physical therapy exam, next comes the most important part, which is taking the exam. The Internet is once again a good source of information on what to do and what to expect from your exam. Special web sites dedicated to foreign physical therapists can be a great guide for you. On these web sites you can find the necessary information about your physical therapy exam and what you have to do after you have passed it.

Once you are a licensed foreign physical therapist, your next step is finding a physical therapy sponsor. Your sponsor will help you get your Green Card or H1b. Your sponsor will send you the offer detailing the costs and salary, benefits and health insurance. The lawyer and immigration fees are fairly high, but part of them may be paid by your physical therapy sponsor. Moreover, the salary, holidays, benefits and health insurance are going to be the same as those of other U.S. employees.

After you have taken your physical therapy exam and found a physical therapy sponsor, you can legally practice in the United States. However, you should know that your visa is only valid three years for an H1b visa, upon which you have to apply for an extension or permanent residency. All these should be discussed with your physical therapy sponsor.

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Are You Poisoning Yourself With What You Eat?

October 20th, 2008 by admin

There is a difference between good trans fats and bad trans fats. The bad trans fats have been shown to cause heart disease, cancer, and diabetes..but there is some proof that the good trans fat can aid you in getting a leaner body, muscle building, and cancer determent. Learn about the difference.

I just received the results of my annual physical exam the other day. The doctor said that my cholesterol was too high. It was lower last year by 10 points! How can it be too high this year? Anyway he wanted to put me on drugs to get it lower.

Now I%26#8217;ve been reading a lot lately about cholesterol, what causes it, and how best to lower it. I decided I would try to find a way to lower it without the drugs. I knew that the drugs could possibly cause liver damage. GREAT, not what I wanted.

Have you noticed all the side effects of almost any drug on the market? Scares me into trying to learn all I can and to find alternatives to the drugs.

My research led me to trans fats. Just what are trans fats and where do they come from. Aren%26#8217;t trans fats in any form bad for you?

There is a difference between good trans fats and bad trans fats. The bad trans fats have been shown to cause heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, but there is some proof that the good trans fat can aid you in getting a leaner body, muscle building, and cancer determent.

Over the last few years it has been stated in the news just how bad synthetic trans fats are for your health. These substances are some of the most offensive food additives and are found in the majority of all processed and fast foods on the market these days.

In their degree of danger to your health, man-made trans fats are as bad as smoking. They are one of the major factors for the outbreak of heart disease since about the 1950%26#8217;s.

The FDA has required that food manufacturers list the grams of trans fat on all nutrition labels. You now have an easier way to avoid packages with trans fat included in them.

I wanted to clear up some things, specifically about bad trans fats vs. good trans fats, with all of the talk about trans fats in the news. If you%26#8217;ve never heard of good trans fats before, let me explain.

The Good Trans Fats

The good trans fats are all natural and they are healthy for you. Natural trans fats are produced in the stomachs of animals like cattle, and sheep and make their way into the fat reserves of the animals. Therefore, the milk fat and the fat within the meat of these animals can supply natural healthy trans fats.

Natural trans fats in your diet have been thought to have some possible benefit to assist in both muscle building and fat loss attempts. However, keep in mind that the amount of healthy trans fats in the meat and dairy of animals is greatly lowered by their grain diets and methods of farming. Meat and dairy from grass-fed, free-range animals always have much higher amounts of these favorable fats.

One trans fat is called c

onjugated linoleic acid and has been retailed by many weight loss companies. Keep in mind that these man-made CLA pills may not be the top way to get natural trans fats in your diet, because they are artificially made from plant oils. Once again, man-made just doesn%26#8217;t compare to the benefits of natural sources.

The Bad Trans Fats

The bad trans fats are the man-made kind. Any artificially hydrogenated oils exemplify these. Margarine, shortening, and hydrogenated oils that are in most processed foods are the culprits. These hydrogenated oils are considerably processed using harsh chemical solvents like hexane (a component of gasoline), high heat, and pressure.

They have a metal catalyst added, and are then deodorized and bleached. A small amount of the solvent is allowed to stay in the finished oil. Somehow the FDA still lets the food manufacturers put this in our food in vast quantities, even with the well-documented health dangers.

These hydrogenated oils cause irritation internally, which signals cholesterol as a healing agent to be deposited on artery walls. Heart disease has blown out of proportion since this has been added to our food supply.

Soon science will unveil how fatal these oils really are. Eventually they will be banned from use. The labeling laws were simply the first step. Some countries around the world have already banned the use of hydrogenated oils in food manufacturing.

Most companies are replacing them, with highly refined polyunsaturated oils. These are still over processed oils using high heat, solvents, deodorizers, and bleaching agents. Even refined oils are known to yield irritation in your body…a far cry from natural sources of healthy fats.

Your body will bless you as you avoid highly processed foods completely and choose whole, natural, minimally processed foods.

Keep in mind that if an amount of trans fat is listed on a meat or dairy product, it is most likely the natural good trans fats that we%26#8217;ve talked about here. Otherwise, if the quantity of trans fat is listed on any processed foods, it is most likely the hazardous unwholesome fat from artificially hydrogenated oils.

Please stay away from these fats! Now that all of your labels should be listing grams of trans fat it will be easy to spot the bad trans fats.

Stay away from any food that lists hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils as an ingredient. Your body will thank you for it.

I hope you will use this information to arm yourself with more wholesome food choices for a healthier body. This was an intriguing look at good trans fat vs. bad trans fat that I hope you keep in mind while making food choices.

Article Source: http://www.BestToRead.com/

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Erectile Dysfunction treatment

October 20th, 2008 by admin

Erectile Dysfunction treatment
by jainish

Studies reveal that men are less concerned about taking care of their health than women. Compared to women, men die earlier and are at higher risk for suicide, accidents, violence, and drug and alcohol problems. Some diseases are also more common in men than in women. Men have penises, prostates, testicles and other anatomical parts that can pose a threat to their health and well-being. The social drive to be masculine affects the psyche of men in a variety of ways, which also has an impact on health. Men are clearly at risk for some health problems, yet they are less likely to visit a physician or to think of a health problem as serious enough to seek medical attention. This is changing as men are encouraging each other to be active in managing their health. To complement the general information presented in other chapters of this publication, here is some information specific to mens health.

Testicular cancer Testicular cancer is the most common cancer for men aged 15-34. This type of cancer is 40 times more likely to occur in men whose testicles have not descended into the scrotum or did so after the age of 6. This type of cancer is usually found by men themselves, and it is very curable if caught early. The best way to protect you is to do a monthly testicular self-exam and to have your physician check for testicular abnormalities during an annual physical exam.

Erectile dysfunction

Among the various sexually related problems a man can face, erectile dysfunction (ED) is arguably the most traumatic. Too many men, their ability to perform sexually is an integral part of their self-image, and to not be able to perform in this domain is an insult to their “manhood”. It is estimated that ED regularly affects 34% of men in Canada and that less than 10% of them seek treatment. Of course, since the approval of the anti-impotence drug Viagra by Health Canada, the number of men seeking treatment has greatly increased, but many still do not seek help.

Causes of erectile dysfunction

Although ED is more common in older men, younger men are also affected. It is reported that 50 to 80% of ED is related to physical causes, but many of those with physical causes also experience psychological effects, which further intensify the problem. Many physical causes of ED have been identified. They include: disruptions in blood flow in the penis (such as that caused by the narrowing of blood vessels, also known as atherosclerosis); nerve damage; decreased or low testosterone levels; diabetes; alcoholism; liver or kidney failure; multiple sclerosis; and stroke. Many prescription medications such as antidepressants, tranquillizers and high blood pressure medication, can contribute to ED. Men who smoke are at a greater risk of experiencing ED. Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by psychological reasons. One of these factors is how a person feels about sex. If a man is nervous about sex, has had bad experiences with sex or a previous bout of ED, these can affect his ability to achieve a sufficient erection.

Premature ejaculation

The inability to achieve or maintain an erection can be very distressing for a man, but so can premature ejaculation. Premature ejaculation occurs when a man ejaculates too quickly during sex with a partner, leaving the partner sexually dissatisfied. This can happen to a man at any age, but it is more common in younger men. Unlike erectile dysfunction, where there is often an underlying physical problem, there is nothing wrong with the anatomy of a man who experiences premature ejaculation. Treating premature ejaculation involves gaining control over the ejaculatory process. . Performance enhancers

Caffeine

The claims made about caffeine suggest that it can improve endurance by helping the body burn fat and save carbohydrates for later. Several small studies show that caffeine can allow athletes to exercise longer. However, other studies have found little or no benefit. It has not been proven that caffeine helps burn fat.

Antioxidants (such as vitamin E and vitamin C)

The claims about antioxidants say that they limit damage done by free radicals that are released from vigorous exercise. Some studies indicate that large doses of some antioxidants may protect against damage caused by free radicals.

Amino acids

Those marketing amino acids claim that they can boost muscle growth and strength, since amino acids are the building blocks of proteins from which muscle is composed. The scientific evidence that amino acids can be any more effective than proteins in food is very weak.

Creatine

Creatine is produced in the body and replenishes compounds necessary to supply energy. Those promoting creatine supplements indicate that it will boost the amount of available adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which in turn supplies energy and allows for better performance.

Androstenedione

Androstenedione is another relatively new supplement on the market. There has been little study on its protection. It claims to boost testosterone levels in blood and, therefore, can help build muscle.

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Health Care Ethics: Paramount To Good Health Care | Content for Reprint

October 18th, 2008 by admin

This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding health care ethics. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about health care ethics. You can see that there %26#39;s practical value in learning more about medical care management. Can you think of ways to apply what %26#39;s been covered so far? When you’re learning about something new, it %26#39;s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points. If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole medical care ethics story from informed sources. Many people don’t ever think about health care ethics when they visit their doctor %26#39;s office or hospital. That %26#39;s more than likely because all of their health care providers practice good health ethics. That means that they care for their patients without prejudice, without malice and they do whatever they do with the best interest of the patient in mind. Health ethics are important to every aspect of the health care industry, from ambulance drivers to heart and brain surgeons. Without medical ethics, the world as we know it would be drastically different, with everyone frightened to go to the doctor or the hospital for fear of their own safety and well being.A Frightening ThoughtWhat if you went to your doctor and you were never told about a certain drug that could help your ailments merely because he or she wanted you to keep coming back, which would require an office visit fee each time? Or, what if you went for a physical exam and were fondled? Or, what if your doctor tried a new experimental technique on you without you knowing about it and you ended up disabled or worse? Any one of these things would enrage most people and rightfully so. You now see why health care ethics are so important.When doctors and other medical professionals get their individual licenses to practice whatever form of medical care they are educated in, they must take an oath stating that they will promise to practice good medical care management. This is meant to protect the patient from any unethical practices, which would give health protection in general a very bad name. It %26#39;s important for anyone practicing any aspect of health care to have good health care ethics. The patients, after all, pay their salaries so it %26#39;s important to treat them with care and the utmost respect.However, just because an oath is taken, doesn’t mean that all doctors and health care providers are ethical. There are always a few bad eggs in the bunch. You need to watch out for any questionable health care ethics practiced by your health care provider. If you notice anything you are uncomfortable about, tell someone immediately. Most health care providers do practice good medical care so you should rest easy knowing that you are in good hands whenever you visit your local doctor or hospital. That %26#39;s the latest from the health management authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level. Don’t limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about medical care standards. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what %26#39;s important.

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Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Hammertoes | Content for Reprint

October 18th, 2008 by admin

People of all ages can have toe problems, from infants born with deformities, to older adults with acquired deformities. The major culprit of toe deformities in adults is tendon imbalance. The tendons may stretch or tighten to compensate for imbalance of the foot leading to deformity of the toe(s). Thus, people with abnormally long toes, flat feet or high arches have a greater tendency to develop toe deformities. Over time, the toe may become permanently deformed and arthritic changes may develop. The most common digital deformities are hammertoes, claw toes, mallet toes, bone spurs, overlapping and underlapping toes, and curled toes. These deformities may lead to corns or calluses and inflammation of the small protective pouches over the deformed joints leading to pain and swelling. Pain may or may not be present.DefinitionHammertoe is a condition in which the toe is bent in a claw-like position. It can be present in more than one toe but is most common in the second toe.DescriptionHammertoe is described as a deformity in which the toes bend downward with the toe joint usually enlarged. Over time, the joint enlarges and stiffens as it rubs against shoes. Other foot structures involved include the overlying skin and blood vessels and nerves connected to the involved toes.Causes and symptomsThe shortening of tendons responsible for the control and movement of the affected toe or toes cause hammertoe. Top portions of the toes become callused from the friction produced against the inside of shoes. This common foot problem often results from improper fit of footwear. This is especially the case with high-heeled shoes placing pressure on the front part of the foot that compresses the smaller toes tightly together. The condition frequently stems from muscle imbalance, and usually leaves the affected individual with impaired balance.DiagnosisA thorough medical history and physical exam by a physician is always necessary for the proper diagnosis of hammertoe and other foot conditions. Because the condition involves bony deformity, x rays can help to confirm the diagnosis.Treatment 1. Conservative: Wearing proper footwear and stockings with plenty of room in the toe region can provide treatment for hammertoe. Stretching exercises may be helpful in lengthening the excessively tight tendons. 2. Surgery: In advanced cases, where conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgery may be recommended. The tendons that attach to the involved toes are located and an incision is made to free the connective tissue to the foot bones. Additional incisions are made so the toes no longer bend in a downward fashion. The middle joints of the affected toes are connected together permanently with surgical hardware such as pins and wire sutures. The incision is then closed with fine sutures. These sutures are removed approximately seven to ten days after surgery. 3. Alternative treatment: Various soft tissue and joint treatments offered by chiropractic and massage therapy may be useful to decrease the tightness of the affected structures. 4. Prognosis: If detected early, hammertoe can be treated non-surgically. If surgery becomes necessary, surgical risks are minimal with the overall outcome providing good results. 5. Prevention: Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can prevent many foot ailments. Foot width may increase with age. Feet should always be measured before buying shoes. The upper part of the shoes should be made of a soft, flexible material to match the shape of the foot. Shoes made of leather can reduce the possibility of skin irritations. Soles should provide solid footing and not be slippery. Thick soles lessen pressure when walking on hard surfaces. Low-heeled shoes are more comfortable, safer, and less damaging than high-heeled shoes.

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Diagnosing And Living With Multiple Sclerosis Article - Health Articles

October 17th, 2008 by admin

Multiple Sclerosis is possibly the most difficult disease to diagnose. The symptoms are vague and widespread, mimicing other diseases. The cause of MS is unknown and there is no cure. If you exhibit any of the symptoms from my last article, you need to see your Doctor!

There are several Tests for Multiple Sclerosis. No 2 people experience the same symptoms, nor do they share the exact same test results. The Tests for MS include:

1) MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the Brain and Spine

2) Spinal Tap

3) Sed Rate (Lab work to show Inflammation)

4) Nerve Conduction tests (Done in your Neurologists’ Office)

Your History of symptoms and Physical exam are also considered. You will be checked for strength, coordination, response to stimuli and how you walk.

Once your diagnosis is confirmed you will be set up for a personalized treatment plan. Physical Therapy helps keep your muscles from atrophy (shrinkage) and stiffness. Steroid infusions help with inflammation from the damaged nerves. There is new medication that helps to stabilize your symptoms. You won’t get better, but the progression is reduced.

The biggest keys in fighting this disease are Determination and Stubborness. Luckily, I have both! It took some time for these to surface, but when they did I took the bull by the horns and fought the good fight!

After my first 6 years of undiagnosed symptoms I developed difficulty swallowing. That, with my other symptoms, finally triggered my doctor to test for MS. When the results were positive, I was actually relieved. I thought I was just going crazy! I then began treatment. It helped some, but it made me sick.

About a year and a half ago I was eating Macaroni and Cheese. Something felt funny in my neck and it hurt to swallow or breath. My feet started swelling and I developed a cough. I layed down one night and the next thing I remember I woke up in ICU tied down to a bed with something taped to my nose. I thought I died and went to Hell! I was TERRIFIED!!

I soon learned that I had aspirated the Macaroni and Cheese and developed a life threatening case of Pneumonia. I had been in a coma and on a Lung Respirator for 13 days. The first 5 days of this my doctor told my family to start making funeral arrangements for me. I can only imagine what they were going through!

My aunt held a prayer ritual for me at her church, and miraculously I started improving on the 6th day!! This experience completely changed my insight on life. Hold it dear to your heart because one night you might go to sleep and never wake up.

My boys and I were already close, but this tightened the bond between us. They are the reason I fight to stay on this earth. Fortunately, my stubborness to stay alive is effective. I also was told by my boys that I drove the nurses crazy while I was in the coma. I kept coughing up the tube! The nurses had to wrap tape around my head to hold the tube in, and tie me down so I would’nt pull it out!

I deal with MS one day at a time. My new insight taught me that things could be much worse! I do try to do more than I should, resulting in falls. I never was graceful, anyway, but I reached a new level of clumsiness. We laugh about it when I fall or drop things. Laughter is a great cure. Now if one of my boys shows signs of clumsiness, they say “Oops! I pulled a Lou”!

To sum it up, no matter what life throws at you, you CAN make the best of it. Being alive is something we take for granted. It can go away in the blink of an eye!

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Physical Therapy Exam for Foreigners

October 15th, 2008 by admin

To be able to practice physical therapy in the United States, you have to meet a series of requirements. The most important requisite of all is taking the physical therapy exam. Prior to this, you also have to take several steps, but the passing of the exam is essential if you want to be able to practice. However, beside taking and passing the exam, you also have to find a physical therapy sponsor. Finding your sponsor is very important because otherwise you cannot practice.

The physical therapy exam can be taken in the United States only. So your first concern should be to make sure that your visa is still valid when you take the exam. As has been said before, there are several requirements that have to be met before you can take the exam, but the most important one is to have a visa.

In order to see to this, you can apply for a tourist visa or you can find yourself a physical therapy sponsor to sponsor you for your Green Card or H1b. However, most agencies will not sponsor you until you have passed the exam. So a tourist visa is the perfect option in the beginning. After you have taken the exam, your sponsor will make sure that your stay in the United States is legal.

In order to apply for the physical therapist exam, there are important steps you have to take. You have to obtain certain materials, fill them out, make some payments and schedule an appointment to determine your eligibility. There are special web sites dedicated to foreign physical therapists detailing exactly what you must do in order to apply for the physical therapy exam.

If you are lucky and have already found a physical therapy sponsor before taking the exam, then the agency will probably help you with your application. However, you can also find this information on the Internet.

After you have applied for your physical therapy exam, next comes the most important part, which is taking the exam. The Internet is once again a good source of information on what to do and what to expect from your exam. Special web sites dedicated to foreign physical therapists can be a great guide for you. On these web sites you can find the necessary information about your physical therapy exam and what you have to do after you have passed it.

Once you are a licensed foreign physical therapist, your next step is finding a physical therapy sponsor. Your sponsor will help you get your Green Card or H1b. Your sponsor will send you the offer detailing the costs and salary, benefits and health insurance. The lawyer and immigration fees are fairly high, but part of them may be paid by your physical therapy sponsor. Moreover, the salary, holidays, benefits and health insurance are going to be the same as those of other U.S. employees.

After you have taken your physical therapy exam and found a physical therapy sponsor, you can legally practice in the United States. However, you should know that your visa is only valid three years for an H1b visa, upon which you have to apply for an extension or permanent residency. All these should be discussed with your physical therapy sponsor.

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