Home and Health

A digital personal health record (PHR) is a computer-based software application that allows you to store a variety of personal health information including illnesses, hospitalizations, encounters (i.e. visits and communications), journal information in between doctor visits, medications, allergies, immunizations, surgeries, lab results, and family history. The personal health record differs from an electronic medical record which is a similar application with much more all-encompassing features used by healthcare providers such as scheduling and insurance billing, in addition to the storage of patient health data. Owning and maintaining an up-to-date digital personal health record has many benefits and is the cornerstone of proactive healthcare involvement and better healthcare experiences.

One of the chief reasons to have your health data stored electronically is it improves the quality of healthcare you receive by enabling you to be better prepared for doctor visits, equipped with the accurate and relevant information that your doctor needs to pursue an optimal treatment course. Because that vital data can then be conveyed to your doctor more efficiently, more time can be spent during the visit focusing on diagnosing and treating as opposed to gathering information. The latter fact is of paramount importance given the fact that healthcare providers in general have busier schedules and less time to spend with individual patients.

A digital PHR also ensures the availability of your health information in a legible form and facilitates the flow of that information between your and healthcare provider(s) whether only one physician is treating you or several doctors are participating in your care. Information in the record can be conveyed to your health-care provider(s) verbally, in print out form, digitally on an external medium such as a flash drive, and in some cases via the Internet prior to office visits. This ease of transfer of medical data is vitally important considering the fact that 18% of medical errors are due to inadequate availability of patient information. Moreover, medical records are frequently lost, doctors retire, hospitals or HMOs purges old records to save storage space, and employers frequently change group health insurance plans resulting in patients needing to change doctors and request transfer medical records which are sometimes illegible. Despite efforts on the part of the government to encourage doctors to keep medical records on a computer, i.e. utilize electronic medical records (EMRs) also called electronic health records (EHRs) in order to reduce errors, the fact of the matter is only 5% of doctors keep medical records on the computer and many that have purchased EMRs have never effectively implemented them or continued to use them in their practices.

Another compelling reason to have an updated personal health record is it could save your life. The Center for Disease Control on its annual list of leading cause of death included medical airs which was listed six ahead of diabetes and pneumonia. Approximately 120,000 Americans die each year as a result of preventable medical errors in hospitals, and who knows what the total is including patients treated outside of the hospital. Equally daunting is the fact that most emergency rooms cannot adequately retrieve your critical health information in a time of emergency.

The fourth reason to have a PHR is to reduce your healthcare expenses. Doctors generally use subjective and objective information about you in arriving at a diagnosis and treatment plan. Subjective data is that information which can be expressed by you such as your symptoms, and objective data is that information which can be measured and recorded, such as physical exam findings, x-ray reports and laboratory test results. Many diagnoses and treatment decisions can be based in large part on subjective information obtained from the patient or patient's family, but if sufficient and appropriate subjective data cannot be obtained healthcare provider tend to rely more on objective data including x-rays and lab tests which result in higher treatment costs. X-rays and laboratory tests are oftentimes performed unnecessarily because they were recently performed but the patient did not know the results or did not even know they were performed, fueling the flames of rising healthcare costs.

The fifth reason you need your personal health information stored in a computer desktop-based application is to ensure the privacy of your information. There are online repositories that will store your health record, but there are definite concerns regarding privacy and the security of your data. By using a computer-based application to store all-important data about your health, you can ensure that the information remains private and secure. If you feel the need for greater security of the data within your computer or that which has been exported to a flash drive, there are affordably priced folder protection software programs which will protect the data by requiring a login. Alternatively, there are also biometric fingerprint reading devices which can be installed on your computer allowing login with a finger swipe.

The sixth reason you should have a computer-based record of your health information is the fact that maintaining a health record is a shared responsibility between the health-care provider and the health-care consumer. If you doubt that, try filling out a health insurance application without recorded health information to refer to. Traditionally patients have relied upon their healthcare providers to know everything about them and to record that information, but in today's era of change and looming healthcare reform, that cruise control approach is rapidly coming to a screeching halt. Just as taxpayers are held accountable for knowing and verifying the information they submit or the information that is submitted for them on their tax returns, healthcare consumers are going to be held more accountable for knowing and verifying what is in their medical record. This will be readily apparent if you are ever audited by the Internal Revenue Service or if you have health insurance benefits excluded after your policy has gone into effect because of pre-existing conditions which were not recorded in the insurance application questionnaire at the time of filing.

The seventh reason to have a digital personal health record is to enhance your doctor/patient rapport and engender mutual appreciation. I can recall those patients who were well-prepared with organized, relevant quality information to provide during their patient encounters and the delight I had in treating them. That type of encounter makes the practice of medicine much more fun and mutually beneficial. On the other hand, the patient, by seeking and obtaining a better understanding of my diagnostic and treatment course developed a greater appreciation for me and my efforts. I trust that your experience will be the same.

A digital personal health record (PHR) is a computer-based software application that allows you to store a variety of personal health information including illnesses, hospitalizations, encounters (i.e. visits and communications), journal information in between doctor visits, medications, allergies, immunizations, surgeries, lab results, and family history. Owning and maintaining an up-to-date digital personal health record has many benefits and is the cornerstone of proactive healthcare involvement and better healthcare experiences.

About The Author With more than 20 years experience treating and evaluating patients I recognize the importance of patients having a good working knowledge of their personal health information, but realize that many times that knowledge is lacking. For a solution to bridge the gap between what you should know and what you actually know about your health record visit my website. The author invites you to visit: http://www.proactivehealthoutlet.com

Breast health is very important to adult women and good self-esteem about breasts and all physical features are very important for younger girls. Keeping these two different angles in mind are important for girls and women alike when it comes to good breast health and good self-image and self-esteem.

In North America, the incidence of Breast Cancer has increase almost three-fold in 40 years, going from 1 in 20 in the 1960's to 1 in 8 today. From the age of twenty, women should do monthly breast self-examinations. Breast cancers tend to grow significantly faster in younger women under age 50. Despite billions of dollars raised for research to "Find the Cure," the risk of breasts cancer today is greater than ever before. It's critically important for women to take charge of their health through these screenings and to understand that survivability is greatly enhanced when breast cancer is found early.

Because when it comes to breast health, knowledge is more than power–it's confidence. Women can help with the early detection and treatment of breast cancer by playing an active role in their own health care. While there are some different recommendations from medical organizations on the value of breast self-exams, all women's health organizations agree about the value of annual clinical breast exams, and the importance of regular mammograms after the age of 40. Breast health is more than just luck, genetics, where you live or what you eat.

Staying healthy is a challenge that engages our body, mind, and spirit. No matter what your age or position in life, understanding the connection between a healthy lifestyle and healthy breasts is vitally important. Breast health is on a continuum with normal healthy breast tissue at one end and cancer at the other. You can certainly go from no pathology to cancer and you can slide down the continuum and never develop breast cancer, but not accepting unhealthy changes in your breasts is proactive and may very well prevent cancer. Also, you may lower your risk of breast cancer by living a healthy lifestyle, including eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet and exercising.

Most people are familiar with the antioxidant process, and many include this in there daily routines, but not many are aware that this is just the first step to a healthy body. Antioxidants are beneficial because they affix themselves to free radicals while absorbing the elements before they have the ability to infiltrate healthy normal tissues. It is in everyone's health interests, to include regular daily amounts of the best antioxidants in their diets, in support of healthy lifestyles.

Only 10% of breast health issues are attributed to family genes, the higher percentage due to environmental, dietary or lifestyle issues. Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage -- the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. Antioxidants are key elements in preventing cancer, because they stabilize highly reactive free radicals that can otherwise damage our DNA and begin the process of cancer development. 

About The Author Paul Rodgers specializes in marketing natural skin health and beauty products With current women's health statistics in the United States, the need to educate and provide effective nutritional supplements to maintain breast health is a necessity. Find out more about Breast Health The author invites you to visit: http://admirable-breast.com

In order to function at optimum capacity, the internal body environment must remain as close to neutral as possible. It likes to measure in on the pH scale at 7.39. When the body takes in an excessive amount of acids, as it does so often as a result of making the wrong food choices, this excess must be brought back into balance. The way the body accomplishes this is by bringing the acid and alkaline levels back into balance.

Each of the elements inside the body, the vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, sugars and trace elements, can be categorized as either an acid or an alkaline. One interesting fact about an acid and an alkaline element is that when they are mixed together, they are able to cancel each other out. The scientific term for what is created when an alkaline and an acid element are combined is a neutral salt.

Much in the same way as the neutral color gray results when black and white are combined, and when the neutral temperature of warm results when hot water is combined with cold, a neutral salt cancels out the inherent respective properties of the combined acid and alkaline elements. With no acid or alkaline properties, neutral salts have no impact on the cellular serums or blood in which they are present.

When excess acid is present, the body must go out and find alkaline elements to begin the process of neutralizing this excess acid. Alkalines are usually present in the blood, but because the blood cannot tolerate much variation in its pH level, this is never a good source from which to borrow. A better source for alkaline elements is the internal organs and tissues. These areas can tolerate a greater degree of pH level fluctuation.

Even though the internal organs and tissue can exist in the short-term without all of the necessary alkaline, it is of critical importance that the borrowed alkaline be replaced. Normally this is not a problem. A healthy diet is generally all it takes to replenish alkaline levels. But most people don't consume a healthy diet. It is this repeated borrowing of alkaline without replacement that becomes a serious situation.

In fact, given the way many people eat today, it is not uncommon for alkaline to be borrowed and not replenished every single day, and worse, many times in a single day. Taking more alkaline than is being replenished will sooner or later create a deficit. Alkaline has a purpose. It is crucial to the properly functioning of the internal organs and tissue. It is not present in the body so that it can be used to help neutralize excessive acid.

A shortage of alkaline inside the body occurs much more frequently than it should. The end result of this alkaline mineral loss can be any number of different illnesses and diseases and an overall feeling of poor health.

About The Author Beverly Taylor Address: P.O. Box 2535 Key West, FL 33045 Phone: 954-732-3310 Website: http://www.pH-health.com Email: beverlyt@myarticleannouncer.com Email for website: admin@pH-health.com

Since the beginning of time, the biggest challenge that has always faced human existence was in how to effectively cope with the physical environment that surrounds us. From the need to hunt and gather food, to searching for adequate housing protection from the elements, or escaping an occasional life threatening danger, our bodies are uniquely designed to handle brief episodes of stress.

When our thinking mind determines that we must summon up an effort to tackle a perceived problem, the adrenal gland bumps up its production of hormones to confront the issue with a sudden burst of energy. This really is a good thing, as it enables us to handle the important details of our lives.

The downside to this process, however, is that our thinking mind is not always rational about what it considers to be a threat to our well being or what is harmless. Our thinking mind is bombarded with literally hundreds of bits and pieces of useless information that is a normal part of living in a modernized world.

While it is certainly impossible to eliminate all of the stress from our lives, it would not necessarily be beneficial for most people. Keep in mind that a certain amount of stress actually motivates many people to make positive changes in their lives. Learning how to prioritize and distinguish between what needs are important to you, and which ones you would be better off letting go of, is the key to balancing your stress levels.

Be advised that a constant infusion of a stress hormone called 'cortisol' can build up in the bloodstream. Over a relatively short amount of time, this can lead to a variety health complaints such as anxiety, depression, decreased immunity, weight gain or loss, hypertension, muscle aches and pains, digestive issues, or adrenal exhaustion resulting in a no hormone response at all to fight or flight, ending in a complete collapse. Nearly all physical health problems can be traced back to one main contributor, emotional upheaval.

Reducing the amount of stress we have some amount of control over is one constructive way of turning off a few of the everyday, little things that may really be bothering us like loud music, the media, and that constant on-the-go cycle of modern life.

Despite our best efforts to keep a lid on run away stress, the unpredictability of life is going to throw us an occasional curve ball. Troubled relationships, natural disasters, and job losses are an inevitable part of living life and will cause our stress hormones to spike. You may just have to let go at a time like this, and treat yourself extra nice until the crisis passes, as it usually does.

Dietary Needs:

One of the best ways to sustain our physical stamina in an emotional crisis is giving our body what it needs to produce energy in the first place. Junk foods may be an easy pacifier to reach for, but a well balanced healthy diet would serve us much better. Avoid using caffeine and alcohol to cope with life's unpredictability, drink more pure water instead.

Get more fresh air and plenty of sunshine when at all possible, as vitamin D will help keep your sleep/wake cycle regulated.

Exercise and Sleep:

Even if you really aren't motivated to exercise, find some type of physical activity that you can do on a regular basis. Walking and aerobics are popular choices, but there are so many others to choose from.

Try to get in 20 to 30 minutes of physical exertion (3 to 5 times a week) that gets your heart pumping and you have to breath deeply. Stress hormones are proportionately produced during physical activity and provides a healthy release mechanism for emotional anxiety. This re-uptake helps relax our body and mimics our running away from danger so we can rest and sleep normally afterward.

Sleep is something many of us short change ourselves on. We often get keyed up trying to finish that one last thing before bedtime. Whatever you think you must finish up, it usually can wait until the next day. Give yourself at least an hour to relax and unwind before bedtime. Take a warm bath or shower, as it helps lower body temperature to help make you drowsy. Read something pleasant that makes you feel good.

Emotions:

Many of us have been taught to live by a certain set of rules or standards that can cause a lot of unhealthy emotions to be kept suppressed. Our ideas, thoughts and beliefs about certain situations or people can have a very limiting effect upon our lives. Open up your mind to the possibilities that we all carry around some emotional burdens from our past that we may not be consciously aware of in the here and now. When we make the effort to free ourselves up from something that we may have long forgotten about, we can open new pathways to happiness and resolve old issues for good.

There are so many little day-to-day things that can really add up over time. Consider learning how to appreciate more of the things that are going well in your life, and all the material things that you already have.

Get together often with family, friends and neighbors that make you smile, laugh and feel good about life. Connect with your significant other and give each other back and foot massages, meditate, or pursue some creative project. Just know and trust that making the effort is enough, and the calmer life you are hoping for will be here before you know it.

About The Author Brenda Skidmore can attest to the many positive results natural health cures can bring to human health. Along with the many medical professionals, whose published works she has studied, it is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your health today visit: http://www.mywater4life.com