10 Foods To Fuel Your Workouts

1. Oatmeal

A smart pre-workout food choice is oatmeal. It contains not only soluble fiber and protein, but many vitamins and minerals as well. The fiber and protein keep you feeling full and satisfied, meaning your body will be ready for whatever type of workout you choose. Try topping it with fresh berries and milk for added flavor and nutrition.

2. Kale

Kale is growing in popularity and is another excellent food to fuel your workouts. It is considered by many to be a super food and contains high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. It is a dark leafy green, meaning it is loaded with chlorophyll. This naturally occurring substance can help boost the level of oxygen in the blood, which can help your body withstand tougher workouts.

3. Almonds

Almonds are also a great food to fuel your workouts. Like most nuts, almonds contain healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and fiber. They will help keep your body moving and satisfied, so you can always give your all during each workout. Almonds are not only delicious and mild, but very quick and easy to consume before you exercise.

4. Salmon

Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and protein, salmon is a great food to fuel your workouts. It also has B vitamins and magnesium, which provide you with lots of energy and calorie burning power. The omega-3 fatty acids act as a natural anti inflammatory, which help your body to withstand rigorous workout routines.

5. Blueberries

Known as a super food, blueberries are a perfect pre-workout food choice. Thought to contain more antioxidants than any other natural food, blueberries help your body fight disease and keep your cells functioning properly. They also contain fiber, which keeps you satisfied and energized during your workout. Try eating them with oatmeal, yogurt, or nuts.

6. Eggs

Full of protein and naturally occurring vitamin D, eggs are a good food to eat prior to working out. They will keep your energy levels up and leave you feeling satisfied until your next meal. Eat them with whole-grain toast for added fiber and nutrition.

7. Peanut Butter

Another food to fuel your workouts is peanut butter. Although it often gets a bad reputation for being high in fat, peanut butter contains a great deal of protein. This protein is what your body needs to stay full and focused. Top a slice of whole-grain bread with a tablespoon of peanut butter to give your body the fuel it needs for a successful workout.

8. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are gaining popularity and are a great food to eat before working out. They are similar to nuts, but contain more protein, fiber, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds can be added to oatmeal, yogurt, or cereal for a boost of nutrients that will keep you energized throughout your workouts.

9. Greek Yogurt

With almost double the protein of regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is a great pre-workout food choice. The protein keeps you satisfied and full of energy. Greek yogurt is also a good source of calcium, which helps keep bones strong and healthy. Try topping Greek yogurt with fruit or low-fat granola for a yummy treat prior to exercising.

10. Quinoa

Although you may have never heard of it, quinoa is a highly nutritious grain that boasts protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It can be used in place of brown rice in dishes and has a fluffy texture and slightly nutty flavor when cooked. Quinoa will provide you with the energy needed to make it through all your tough workouts.

If you want to fuel your workouts, be sure to eat one of these ideal foods before you exercise. They taste great and give your body the strength it needs to burn calories and build muscle.

If you're sick and tired of getting the same old boring and tired weight loss advice that doesn't work... you know, like "Eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise more, and blah blah blah"... then you found the right person. I'll make weight loss easy and enjoyable for you... AND NOT BORING!

Why Exercise to Lose Belly Fat?

You might argue that by dieting alone you can lose body fat and you don't have to exercise to lose belly fat. Yes, that is true, as long as the calories in are lesser than the calories out. But get this, how long can you deprive yourself from food? By dieting alone, it is not enough to create a calorie deficit that is required to burn body fat. Moreover, by dieting too long, the body metabolism will slow down and eventually; your weight loss progress will come to a halt. You still need to exercise to lose belly fat, because only by exercising, you can benefit from the increase of metabolism, strength, extra calorie burned and so much more.

Do not forget, we cannot specifically lose the fat in the stomach alone, the body fat of the entire body will come down naturally as a whole and eventually, the stomach fat will be burnt too. There is no such thing as spot reduction. So what is the best abs exercise to lose belly fat? There are mainly 2 types of exercises, the first one is cardiovascular training, in short, you need to do cardio to burn the belly fat. Fat basically is taken from the fat cells and transported into the muscles and burned during cardiovascular training. The recommended frequency is 4 to 5 times a week with rest no more than 3 days in between; the session is a 30 - 60 minutes workout at a moderately high intensity of 70-80 percent of the maximum heart rate.

The best cardio exercise to lose belly fat would be the stair climber or stepper, the treadmill and the rower. These machines use the large muscle groups in the body and force the muscles to move in a large range of motion. The 2 type of exercise is resistance training. While this type of exercise does not really make you lose belly fat, they make abdominal muscles strong to balance the upper body and lower body, protect the spinal cord and make the abdominal muscles stand out. If your abs standout, it's easier for people to notice them compared to the abs that are flat, because abs that are thick creates the deep separation between the abdominal blocks, this creates a clear definition. So in this case, resistance training is one of the best exercises to lose belly fat.

To exercise the oblique, it's best to do a rotation motion. By doing a rotation movement, it works the internal oblique, which is responsible for rotating the torso. This is a very important exercise to lose belly fat because in creates an illusion for a small waistline. Internal oblique do not grow sideways when they are being exercised with resistance unlike the external oblique. Use medicine ball rotation to work the internal oblique. Sit firmly on a fit ball, have a workout partner stand behind you, with your arms outstretched, holding a medicine ball, rotate your torso and pass the ball to your workout partner, then rotate to the opposite direction to get the medicine ball back from your buddy and repeat again for 30 reps and then do the opposite direction. Another fabulous exercise to lose belly fat is to do fit ball crunches superset with floor crossover crunches. Place the top of the fit ball on your lower back and place both feet wide apart, with your palms supporting your head, crunch up slowly squeezing your abs for a sec and then come down slowly. Lay down on the floor with your feet together and palms behind your head, crunch up, lifting the shoulder blades of the floor, at the top, rotate to the right and rotate back to the centre, only until you rotate back to the centre, you come down again and then up and rotate to the left. Do this superset for 3 sets of 30 reps each.

Don't wait any longer! Start your engines now and workout hard for your six-pack. Exercise, diet, do your cardio and I can guarantee you weight loss success!

8 Procedures Covered Under a First Aid Certificate Class

The Red Cross features classes that will get you ready for different first aid requirements. On the Red Cross website you will find signup sheets for these different classes that will give you specific first aid certificates. The CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation and AED automated external defibrillator training in addition to the first aid certification will meet the needs of school personnel, workplace responders, professional emergency technicians and health care providers. The general public is also highly encouraged to become first aid trained and certified. Becoming first aid certified is very important if:

• Your employer requires this certificates;

• You are the assigned emergency responder at your place of business;

• You feel that you need to be fully prepared for all types of emergencies;

• You coach sports and work with youth;

• You just want to have confidence that you can take care of your family in an emergency situations.

Red Cross training meets OSHA guidelines and all classes include lectures, interactive videos, and hands-on training. This certification includes teaching participants how to recognize and care for cuts and scrapes, burns, sudden illnesses that can involve life threatening problems, neck and back injuries, head trauma and hot and cold temperature emergencies. In addition to this certificates it is also wise to learn and receive CPR certificates. These additional certificates will enable you to learn how to perform CPR and take care of breathing and heart problems until professional help arrives. Some Red Cross first aid certification class also teach AED and how to use these devices in an emergency situation.

This certificates are designed for those who work with scout troops, outdoor enthusiasts and those who work in remote or "away from civilization" environments. Every certificate course teaches how to respond to emergencies when professional help is far away or delayed. The Red Cross first aid certification course for outdoors certificates comes from the Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines manual developed by OSHA and the Boy Scouts of America. Included in this course and the manual are the subjects of:

• Assessment of injuries. Helping you to understand what type of injury you are looking at;

• Spinal Injuries as well as head and neck trauma and how to stabilize the patient;

• Hot and Cold Emergencies dwells on temperature fluctuations and how these fluctuations affect first aid;

• Hypothermia and how to treat extremely low body temperature after water incidents, cold temperatures, and exposure to the elements;

• Altitude Sickness and how to solve breathing problems in higher altitudes;

• Burns and the first aid necessary to keep the patient comfortable;

• Bone fractures and injuries and the best way to splint and stabilize these injuries;

• Wound Care includes how to stop bleeding until help arrives.

These subjects are covered in a 16-hour course and at the end of the course you will have a first aid certificate. This certificate will recognize and fulfill a requirement for Scouting merit badges, employer needs, and can be used by swim instructors, daycare providers, and just for your family's peace of mind.

Drink Water - Save Your Life!

Drink Water or Die!

I know it sounds pretty morbid but it's true! We would all do well by drinking more water! If you spend anytime in the desert, you will quickly realize the importance of staying hydrated. Now when I say water, I mean any liquid that is not loaded with sugar or other stimulants that you may find in those energy drinks that are readily available these days! All I can say about that is... marketing works! Read more to find out some of the benefits to drinking regular H20.

Let's get one thing straight, energy drinks come with a high and end with a crash! There are much better ways to increase your energy without giving your body the extra sugar that it does NOT need! Here are some of the reasons you should make a habit of drinking more of the liquid gold instead of the fancy high-priced products that end up being more hype than anything else.

Did you Know!

• Water composes about 75% of your brain?
• Water makes of about 84% of your blood?
• Water is crucial for helping to eliminate waste?
• Water helps to cushion the joints?
• Water composed 22% of your bones?

Furthermore, this basic life-giving liquid makes up to 75 % of your muscles, helps your body absorb nutrients, and helps convert food to energy! Think about that the next time you find yourself tired or not able to respond quite like you want to! The key to better health and wellness is quite simple really if you just keep it simple! Increase your liquids, and activity, and you will be well on your way to IMPROVING you life for the better!

Okay so I just listed some important reasons you want to get your water up! If you need more proof of its value, you can always find the infogram on my Facebook profile! Oh by the way, I am thankful for those who participated in the question about favorite choices when it comes to hydration! The response way unanimous with... water! You guys are awesome, and thanks to Deana for providing the awesome picture! Keep up the good work my friend!

Now here is your challenge. I challenge you to drink enough water that when you urinate, your urine is either clear or very light in color with no smell. Unless you just ate some asparagus or something. You urine will always smell from that! That is one way to tell if you are hydrated! Did you know that?

Anyway, take the challenge and let me know how you are doing!

If you like this post and found it helpful please comment below and share with your friends! Do it... NOW!

My purpose in life is to: Impact, Inspire, and Improve the lives of Others!

I am enjoying the path of purpose I am on and I look forward to helping others reach their best self!

We all have a purpose in life, so what is yours?

It's not about me, it's about the purpose of M.E.

The Walk-In Medical Clinic: A Glance at the Concept

If you're the type of person who makes one of two choices with a health problem (the ER or a doctor's appointment), you could be missing out on a good "in-between" choice available in your city. The walk-in medical clinic has become the first stop of choice for many who don't want the hassle and wait that comes along with the ER and certainly don't want to spend two weeks waiting for an appointment with their regular doctor. Of course, everyone is wary of change, especially when it comes to something as important as their health care. Here are some things you should know about these facilities.

Function

The walk-in medical clinic (which will sometimes go under the name "urgent care") functions as a halfway point between the emergency room and a doctor's appointment. They are staffed with doctors and nurses and perfectly adept at handling minor health care problems such as the flu, colds, sprains, and even the occasional broken finger. Go into your local ER with one of these problems and you could be waiting a long time before you get seen by a doctor. Make an appointment, and you could be naturally better (or much, much worse) by the time you are seen. These clinics work as a great middle choice.

Services

What services your local medical clinic will offer will vary based on a number of factors. One, state law will regulate what they are and are not allowed to offer. For instance, the doctors working at such a facility may be fully trained and even equipped to handle a major health emergency, but the state will not permit this to be done. The patient would have to be transported to a hospital (clearly, as an exception, life saving emergency measures could be taken by anyone skilled to do so). Even within those regulations, each facility will have a wide variation when it comes to which services they provide for their patients.

Cost

Generally speaking, a medical clinic is going to be much cheaper than a trip to the emergency room or even a doctor's appointment. Along with the convenience of simply being able to walk in and be seen, this is probably one of the major factors behind their explosion in popularity. Make sure you check with your insurance company before you decide which facility to visit, of course, although even paying out-of-pocket will be dramatically cheaper than if you chose to do the same at the ER.

Getting a Physical Fast

For those that need a physical, it can seem difficult to get one. Your first instinct may be to turn to your family doctor to request an appointment. However, this may take you several days or longer. Many doctor's offices fill up well-visits for weeks in advance. If you need one right away and you do not want to wait for it, turn to area clinics to get one. Some of these locations can have you come in, get it done and be out the door in a matter of minutes. There's no reason to wait or to make an appointment either.

Why You Need It

There are many reasons a physical may be a requirement. For some people, this type of medical exam is necessary to approve the individual's ability to play a sport. This can occur at all levels from small children through adult players. If you are planning to go off to camp, or to send your child off to camp, then you may have to have them go through this type of screening as well. This provides an opportunity to catch any type of problems with the individual before he or she gets to camp. Even some employers require individuals to have these exams to ensure they are fit enough to take on the demands of the job.

What to Expect

If you go in to a clinic to get the exam, the doctor will take a few minutes to gather important information about you. This will include information about your family's medical history including any concerns about health problems. He or she will then give you an exam that looks at various areas of your system. This includes the eyes, ears and reflexes. He or she will listen to your lungs and your heart. You will have your height and weight measured. You will also have an opportunity to talk to your doctor at that time about any type of health concerns you may have.

Most of the time, you will need to bring in a piece of paper from the agency that is requiring the physicals for the doctor to sign. In some cases, the clinic will supply this for you. This demands on whether or not there are specific areas the organization wants to be considered, such as having blood work done.

A physical takes only a few minutes but it may be your gateway to getting the help you need. Do not wait for weeks to get it done but instead get it done right away by turning to a local clinic for the help. That will speed up the process and give you the go ahead for the task you want to do.

How Ultrasounds Can Detect Brain Abnormalities And What It Means

Ultrasound evaluations can often detect undiagnosed abnormalities and conditions within the body. These noninvasive diagnostic tests are designed to provide valuable data to medical personnel and are often used to measure fetal development during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. In a surgical setting, cranial ultrasound techniques can be used in conjunction with minimally invasive surgical methods to provide a higher degree of accuracy and precision in treating a variety of brain abnormalities and disorders. Modern 3D imaging techniques provide clear visibility for surgeons during all stages of treatment and surgical intervention.

How ultrasounds can detect brain abnormalities

Ultrasound scans use high-frequency sound waves that bounce back at different rates, allowing trained medical personnel and computerized equipment to identify areas that show abnormal structure or response. This method is preferred over many radiological and invasive test procedures due to its relatively low risk and ease of use. Modern ultrasound devices are exceptionally accurate and can be used to detect abnormal growth and areas of pressure inside the brain without surgery. As a result, this is a valuable first step in diagnosing tumors, aneurysms and other abnormalities in the brain and can even be used to assess skull base disorders without requiring surgical biopsy.

Ultrasound imaging in minimally invasive surgery

Methods and techniques for minimally invasive brain surgery are constantly evolving. While most surgeons currently use 2D ultrasound and MRI imaging systems to provide visual cues during surgery, new 3D instruments are being developed that show even more promise for these advanced endoscopic surgical techniques. The 3D images produced by these advanced systems allow surgeons to evaluate the brain's condition throughout the surgical procedure. Ultrasound scans can be used at every stage of treatment, including:

• During the initial diagnostic testing stage
• As part of the pre-surgical evaluation
• During the procedure as part of the endoscopic surgical tool
• Post-surgery to determine the degree of success
• At follow-up visits to evaluate the patient's recovery

Because ultrasound devices do not use powerful magnets, they can be used in cases when MRI scans are contraindicated. This versatility makes ultrasound scans a popular diagnostic choice among many skull base surgical teams.

Continuing research in the field of minimally invasive brain surgery procedures and surgical tools for those procedures ensures that patients continue to receive the most advanced diagnostic and surgical services possible. Skull base disorders and other brain abnormalities can cause serious damage and can even result in death if left untreated. Modern diagnostic tools, including advanced ultrasound devices, can ensure that patients receive the care they need at every stage of their treatment plan.

6 Important Points About Fire Safety Training

Regardless of your profession, you have probably already heard about fire safety training and you may have even attended a class. However, there are a number of things about this type of training which you may not know, but you should. Read below to find out some interesting facts about training.

• Apart from companies and public institutions, there also are numerous schools that offer fire safety training to their pupils and students on a yearly basis. Usually, the instructors for school trainings are real firefighters who teach children about the dangers of fire and methods for protection. Sometimes, these courses also include a demonstration, which most kids will find exhilarating and fun.

• If you do not have the physical time to attend a course, you will be glad to know that you can also complete this type of training online. There are numerous accredited companies out there that offer this type of training, for a small fee, usually 20$ or less. Online courses are every bit as legit as real life ones and they offer you a certificate at the end of your training which you can use anywhere in the world. Also, online courses also have an interactive part, so you do not have to worry you won't have the opportunity to put the theory learned into practice.

• There are several types of fire safety courses which you can attend. There are trainings offered to untrained personnel, post graduation courses for those in the fire safety domain, and more advanced trainings for firefighters or fire safety officers. Whatever your training, you will surely find a course fit for you.

• Sometimes, training courses are divided in modules, such as Fire Marshal Courses, Fire Safety Awareness, Fire Risk Assessment, Fire Prevention and Fire Extinguisher User. Consequently, you can choose the one you need for your qualification and skip those that would not help you. If you are not sure what to choose, you can always ask for free guidance from an expert.

• If you are an experienced trainer looking for a job, you will be glad to know that there are countless companies searching for professional instructors for their courses. If you would like to apply for a job in this field, fill out your resume and start searching for the perfect company.

• If you are short on cash and do not have any spare money to spend on course, you can always search for a public institution that offers free training. There are national classes you can join in order to get the training you need, completely free. Contact a authority near you for more information.

These are some of the most important things you should know before searching for a training course. Use the information presented above to guide you to the best choice. Always remember that fire safety training is an important skill that will help you a lot.

What You Need to Know About Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Are you, or someone you know, considering a Total Hip Replacement? If the answer is yes, than this article is for you. At the age of 52, and just a short three months ago, I underwent Total Hip Replacement surgery. Now, 52 is a relatively young age for this surgery. The majority of patients are in their 70s or 80s. In my case, I just found out I had Congenital (born-with) Hip Dysplasia (the socket wasn't connected like it was supposed to be.) When I learned of the diagnosis I was shocked because it hadn't been a problem previous to the last 5 years or so. I still didn't know it was a problem until the pain got to be so great that I could hardly walk, and even then, I thought it was an issue with my back.

Now, I'm an experience-based expert on the subject. You might be tempted to chuckle because I'm not a surgeon, nor do I specialize in Orthopedics. But really, who better to ask than someone who's been through the process. As such, I'm going to start my discussion with what happens after the diagnosis.

After the Diagnosis 

I think one of the most emotionally challenging times in our lives occurs when someone mentions the need for surgery. That's because the thought of being cut into is counter-intuitive. During all other times of our lives, cultural norms have informed us to be careful around knives, scissors, and other sharp objects so that we don't cut ourselves. In the case of surgery, we have the knowledge that we are purposely cut, and because we are cut, pain will follow. So, whether consciously or unconsciously, we now have the stress of knowing that we'll have to endure a period of recovery that will involve pain.

When the surgery involves the replacement of body parts, another layer of emotions is revealed. When the body part being replaced involves a joint, you get to think about the fact that your old, defective part is going to be removed and it will be replaced with a synthetic copy. In my case, I knew my hip joint would be completely removed and replaced with a metal counter-part that would be anchored in my femur bone. A new cap would be nailed to my pelvic bone, and all would be good.

The same emotional triggers are true if you're having something other than a joint replaced. A friend of mine had bladder suspension surgery that involve placing a band of cow tissue under her bladder to help hold it up. My mom had a heart valve replaced with a pig valve. You can only imagine the jokes that followed.

Regardless of the surgery or the repair, there is still a huge emotional aspect that can't be ignored. The sooner the emotion part can be resolved, the better you'll do with the rest of the process.

Preparing for Total Hip Replacement Surgery 

You might wonder what I mean when I write, prepare. Believe it or not, there is a lot to do before having this type of surgery. Of course, you have to get all the routine blood work and EKGs completed. For this surgery, you have to go to the dentist and get a dental clearance prior to surgery. Why a dental clearance when it's your hip that's the problem? It turns out that an infection in your mouth could cause damage to the new joint leading to more surgery. Therefore, the surgeon needs to know before he cuts into you that you don't have an infection with potential access to the blood stream. Fake joints are a magnet for infection because metal attracts bacteria. Furthermore, every time you go to the dentist for the rest of your life, you will have to take a preventative round of antibiotics prior to cleaning or any other procedure.

If you're lucky, the hospital  in which your surgery is scheduled will offer a pre-surgery education program. The program I attended was called "Joint Camp." The name generated a lot of jokes, but the program was invaluable. I spent about 3 hours learning about the surgery itself, what would happened when I woke up, and when I would be expected to get up. The answer to the last question is the day of surgery. Yep, don't expect to be lying around. Joint Camp also educated us about the movement restrictions we would have, some of which are for life. For instance, following hip replacement surgery, you can not cross your leg past mid-line (the invisible line running down the center of your body from the top of your head to the tip of your toes) without the possibility of hip dislocation. You also can't bend from the hip more than 90 degrees, which makes putting shoes and socks on a major challenge. Fortunately, the Joint Camp trainers showed us "the hip kit" we would get post surgery that would assist with some of these challenges. The grabber is extremely helpful when you need to pick something up and you can't bend over. There is also a clever tool that makes it easy to put on socks, as well as a long handled shoe horn for helping with your shoes. As part of your preparation, you'll want to make sure you have some good slip on shoes because you won't be tying your own shoes for a while.

What to Expect After Surgery 

When you wake up from surgery, you'll have a foam wedge placed between your legs to keep the new hip in place. Don't worry. You'll take it out when it's time to get up, but you'll need to put it back when you get back into bed. So, plan on sleeping on your back for a while. Your doctor will let know know when you can sleep without the wedge.

The most exciting part of total hip replacement occurs the first time you get up. Sure, you're going to have some post-surgical pain, but the most profound effect is the feeling of a nice strong leg holding you up. For me, the pain from surgery was nothing compared to the pain I'd been experiencing from bone rubbing on bone. It's really important that you walk as much as you can the day after surgery. You have to be able to walk a certain distance (with assistance from a walker) in order to be discharged home. For me, that distance was 100 feet. If you can't walk the distance by the time the doctor is ready for discharge, you'll most likely have to go to an in-patient rehab center until you can.

After You Get Home 

When you get home, especially if you are discharged straight home, you will need help! It's a good idea to have a raised toilet seat on hand because you're not going to want to bend all the way down and then get up from a regular toilet seat. You'll also need help getting the TE.D. hose on and off. T.E.D. hose are the lovely white compression stockings you'll have to wear to help prevent blood clots. You will not be able to do it yourself!

You can also expect to take blood thinner medication which will need to be monitored closely. Your hospital case manager will set up a home health service for you which will include a visiting nurse who will check your blood thickness every few days. It will also likely include a physical therapist who will come to your home to help with mobility issues. Welcome both of these services with open arms because your overall outcomes will be better.

Of course there are a lot of individual differences to take into account with every surgery, but for the most part, you should be in better shape than you were before surgery. Don't push yourself too hard and follow All the precautions, but don't convalesce too long either. The more you get up and move, the less likely you'll have problems with clots, and the faster you'll heal. Listen to your body. It will tell you when you've had enough.

Finally, the greatest comfort I had post-surgery was a wonderful, microwaveable heating pad my sister gave me. At  the end of the day, it was far more comforting than any of the host of pain medications prescribed to me. Use the medications when you need to, especially the first week or so after surgery, but remember, opiate based pain medications cause constipation and a heating pad doesn't.

HIPAA and Patient Privacy Rights: 5 Things You Should Know

Private medical information of a patient is now being handled in a totally different way owing to the HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act) privacy rules. These HIPAA privacy rules are stringent principles that are to be followed by all healthcare organizations. If they are not followed it may result in severe penalties including fines and even imprisonment.

The HIPAA makes sure that the patients have ultimate authority over their own medical data. It is their right to access their records at any time and hospitals cannot deny them this right. In case a patient feels that any information included in his medical records is incorrect or missing, he can request a change or alteration.

The patient privacy rules as laid down by HIPAA are very important. Five important things you should know are explained below.

• If there is a need to use a patient's medical data for reasons other than his treatment, he has the sole right to decide who can or cannot have access to his medical records. If the patient's confidential information is used without prior permission it is a breach of the federal act.

• If the patient's private medical records are revealed to any person or entity it is counted as a violation to the civil and criminal law. There will definitely be penalties for such an act which may vary as per the violation.

• The HIPAA privacy rules along with protecting patient information also provide certain rights to the covered entities. The employees of the covered entity can choose to reveal the patient's medical records to insurance companies, government agencies and for public importance without prior permission from the patient.

• Not all employees are given access to the patient records. The healthcare organization has to identify what employees need complete access to the medical records, like doctors, and what employees need restricted access. Therefore, the specific function of the employee should determine if he has access to confidential patient information or not.

• To protect unnecessary employees accessing patient files, safeguards need to be put in place. The HIPAA privacy rules should be made compulsory and only authorized persons should be allowed to access sensitive patient information.

A log is to be maintained recording the names of employees who access the medical data and their reason for doing so. If it is noted that a patient's information has been accesses numerous times for unknown reasons, a thorough check should be done as this is a violation of the HIPAA rules.

Special training must be given to all the employees of healthcare organizations about strictly following the HIPAA privacy guidelines. They should be taught the importance of these guidelines. This will prevent unnecessary penalties and improper access of medical data. In case of any breach a specific time period is provided to the healthcare organization to correct it. If the organization requires some more time to correct the breach they can make a request and an extension may be given to them. If the covered organizations report numerous violations and failure to correct them they may even lose their license.

Importance of First Aid Courses: 4 Points to Consider

Accidents are regrettable events that occur when you are unprepared. Accidents can take place anywhere and at any time. They come without any prior notice. It is absolutely necessary that you brace yourself at all times and be ready just in case an accident occurs. The best way is to be prepared is if you know first aid, and the only way you can know first aid is to do a first aid course. First aid courses are very important and highly recommended.

Here are 4 reasons why first aid courses are important.

• Workplace Accidents: There can never be a "safe place" whether you are indoors or outdoors. Minor accidents like cuts, bruises, falls and the like occur every day. Workplaces are usually said to be accident prone. People spend most of their day at their workplaces and so it is highly possible that they meet with an accident there. The nature of your job may determine the type of accident you may encounter. If you work in a loading warehouse, there is chance of you being injured if a heavy load falls on you. If you work in a hospital, you may be injured if you don't handle needles and sharp objects in a safe manner. There may be even more life-threatening accidents that may occur at your workplace. It would be definitely good to know first aid if you or your colleagues are ever involved in such accidents.

• Why first aid courses are beneficial:

- People who have undertaken first aid courses can be a huge help in case another employee injures himself. Basic measures like cleaning and bandaging a wound may solve the issue.

- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the main techniques taught in first aid courses. If you know CPR you can administer it and save a life.

- Sprains and fractures may occur anywhere as a result of a trip or a fall. If you are trained in first aid you can tend to these problems before professional medical help arrives.

- Some factories and industries are located in the interiors where there may not be a hospital for miles together. If you know first aid, basic treatment can be provided before the victim is transferred to a hospital.

• How to obtain first aid training

Once you decide you want to be trained you need to look at the different first aid courses offered in your locality. Make sure the course you choose is certified and provides you with a certification on completion. These days, offices and employers are providing first aid training to their employees. If this is not the case at your work place you can always find first aid courses in the schools and hospitals in your area. There are reputed first aid courses available online too.

• Your value as an employee: A first aid certified employee is a huge asset to his company. Once you complete your course, this plus point can be added to your resume to give it extra credit.

There are countless reasons why you should enroll yourself in a first aid course. Some of those have been listed above. Keeping all those reasons aside, always remember that your knowing first aid can make the difference between life and death for someone else. The reason why first aid courses are so important is because they help you save lives.

Top 3 Objectives of First Aid

Everybody needs to know the basics of first aid. It comes handy at some or the other point in life. Not everybody holds a first aid certificate though; some people perform first aid, even without a certificate in hand. For instance, when a child gets hurt, the mother cleans up the wound, applies bandage etc, for which she might not have a first aid certificate. But these are basic first aid technique which almost everyone knows.

Some people take keen interest in providing first aid as a help to general public. They usually take up first aid courses and obtain a certificate. There are various means to obtain a first aid certificate. You can either contact your nearest health center or your social center; enroll into a crash course or a full course.

But before deciding whether you want a certificate or just want general information on it, you need to realize the importance of first aid. Why do you need first aid?

Well, there are 3 very important reasons for proving first aid:

• To save somebody's life

• To avoid more injury

• To support healing.

Like any other medical aid, the basic or elementary goal of providing first aid is to save life. You cannot always depend on a doctor to be present to save somebody's life. It is not possible for doctors to be around wherever anyone gets injured or in case of accidents. Therefore, someone who knows first aid can save your life.

The basic requirement to stay alive is to breathe free. When somebody falls unconscious, or gets choked, it gets difficult for them to breathe free. In case of choking, the first aider will use techniques that include putting pressure on the abdomen or slapping the back to remove the cause of choking and clearing the passage for the air to move in and out freely. If the victim is unable to breathe even after the air passage has been cleared, the first aider might perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR. In this the first aider gives mouth-to-mouth breathing to the victim and massages his or her chest simultaneously in order to aid normal flow of blood throughout the body.

Secondly, first aid aims to avoid more injury and to stop a wound from getting worse. When you perform first aid on somebody, you are helping him out of some danger. It might be as simple as moving the victim away from where he or she got hurt. For instance, by covering a burning victim with a blanket in case of fire, it is providing first aid to the victim. Similarly, covering a wound with a cloth to control bleeding is also another form of first aid.

Last but not least is to provide help in healing. In some cases, first aid might be the treatment to an injury like putting a bandage to a small scratch, whereas, in some cases, it could be the fist step to healing. People trained in first aid know how to manage any kind of situation from a small cut to a fracture, till the arrival of the medical team.

12 Major Facts and Statistics About CPR Classes

Today's fast paced yet sedentary lifestyle has seen a meteoric rise in obesity and stress related problems. These problems have given way to a various heart conditions. The recent increase in the number of heart attacks in the younger group has busted the myth that heart problems only come with old age. Owing to this and other sudden incidents many employers are providing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) classes to their employees. This is aimed at educating employees about CPR administration and also training them for crisis situations. Listed below are some statistics and facts about CPR classes.

• Proper administration of CPR immediately following a heart attack can greatly increase the victim's survival chances.

• Approximately 80% of all cardiac arrests occur at home. Therefore, if you have undergone CPR classes you can make a huge difference in saving the life of your loved one.

• CPR maintains continued flow of blood to the brain and heart. If CPR has been given immediately after an episode it increases the efficacy of a defibrillator.

• It is not necessary that all cardiac arrests result in death. If more individual attend CPR classes more lives can be saved.

• About 95% victims of sudden cardiac arrest die before they can be brought to the hospital.

• If a heart attack victim is not given CPR or electric shock through a defibrillator, brain death can result after about four months of the cardiac arrest.

• Out of 865,000 deaths due to cardiovascular disease each year, around 446,000 are due to coronary heart disease.

• Abnormal cardiac rhythm or ventricular fibrillation is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrests. Electrocution and drowning can also cause cardiac arrests.

• If manual resuscitation is not provided within minutes of the heart attack the victim's survival chances are bleak. By the time he is brought to the hospital attempts at resuscitation are almost always unsuccessful.

• The hospitals in America treat around 294,852 sudden cardiac arrests that occur outside the hospital every year.

• In the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, the patient becomes unconscious and does not respond to persistent shaking. His breathing stops and even after two rescue breaths he shows no movement.

• Every year the United States sees approximately 138,000 deaths due to coronary heart disease within one hour of the first episode.

If the company you work in does not provide you with CPR classes you should still go ahead to enroll yourself. Your knowledge of basic CPR techniques at work or at home can enable you to save someone's life. CPR classes also teach you how to remain calm during accidents and make good decisions in emergency situations. Check with the schools, colleges and hospitals in your locality to see if they offer CPR classes. It is also becoming common these days to learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation online. It is important that you enroll in a registered CPR class and get a certification once you complete the course.

Reports show that many deaths occur due to lack of people who are trained in CPR. If you want to be save a life rather than being a bystander during an emergency situation, then make a decision and learn CPR. There are lives that need to be saved.

4 Groups of People That Require Bloodborne Pathogen Training

Bloodborne pathogens enter your body through the blood stream resulting in various illnesses and diseases. Basically, microorganisms like viruses and bacteria that cause diseases in people and are carried through the blood are known bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens cause various fatal diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C. Healthcare workers who deal with blood on a daily basis are at a high risk of being infected with such dangerous diseases. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for all individuals who are involved in work spheres that deal with blood and other body fluids to be trained about protecting themselves from bloodborne pathogens.

4 specific groups of people that constantly deal with potentially infected blood and body fluids like vaginal fluid and semen are mentioned below.

• People from the healthcare sector who handle blood and other body fluids daily: Doctors, laboratory technicians, nurses, blood bank technicians have a higher chance of being infected if they do not take the necessary precautions while handling potentially infected blood and other body fluids. All these workers need to be extra careful as it may become a life and death situation. The highest level of training must be provided to them by their healthcare organization for the sake of the patient as well as the worker.

• People who work with sharp instruments: Sharp instruments like needles, knives, blades, etc. may result in serious injury. If your work sphere requires you to work with such sharp objects you need to be careful while handling them. Proper training should be provided to ensure safety. Young students who work in Biology and Chemistry research laboratories need to be trained as they may be inexperienced. All these precautions are necessary in order to keep you safe and free of disease.

• Support staff at hospitals: Assistants and support staff working alongside laboratory and blood bank technicians, nurses and doctors should also be trained as they are indirectly involved in handling blood and other body fluids. Though they are not directly dealing with body fluids, still they are at a high risk. Accidental splash of blood on someone's face can cause spread of the bloodborne pathogens and harm his life.

• People who are involved in waste disposal: Janitors and sweepers are also exposed to bloodborne pathogens in their work places. Toilets and washrooms that are not cleaned are very dangerous as they may have trace amounts of blood and other body fluids. Sweepers and cleaners need to be trained to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from being infected. In hospitals, people who handle the medical waste should be very careful as they usually deal with sharp objects like needles and broken glass, etc.

Diseases caused by bloodborne pathogens are highly dangerous and most of them are fatal. As always, prevention is better than cure. In order to prevent mishaps occurring in work places, people who are exposed to these pathogens on a daily basis need to be adequately trained to protect themselves. Training is essential for even those who deal with even the slightest amount of blood.

Arthroscopy to Treat Joint Problems

It is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. It may be performed under general, regional, spinal or local anaesthesia.
Arthroscopy may be used for diagnosis and/or treatment of the knee, shoulder, wrist, ankle and elbow joints. Arthroscopic procedures are most commonly performed on the knee and shoulder joints.
Procedure
A small incision is made on the skin over the joint which is to be examined and an arthroscope is inserted into the incision. The arthroscope is connected to a video camera which is connected to a television monitor. The image projected on the screen helps to guide the arthroscope and the surgical instruments.
For joint examination, a specialized instrument called examination hook is used to see if the tissues and the supporting structures are intact or torn.
If surgical treatment is needed, the orthopaedic surgeon will insert tiny surgical instruments like motorized shavers, scissors or lasers through another small incision.
When is it needed?
Arthroscopy may be needed to determine the nature of the joint damage and the extent of damage when other diagnostic testing like CT scan or MRI is not able to establish the diagnosis.
To make a diagnosis tissue biopsy may also be performed during arthroscopy.
Arthroscopy may be needed to diagnose and detect inflammation, tears, torn tendons, dislocations, loose bone or loose cartilage fragments.
Treating specialty
Orthopaedic specialists perform treatments in all areas of orthopaedics, including sports injuries, hand, foot and spine procedures, as well as arthroscopies and minimally invasive surgeries.
If you are looking for expert Orthopaedic surgeons in New York City area, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals offers treatments for all muscle, bone, and joint ailments.
New York-Presbyterian Hospital has top Orthopaedic surgeons in New York City specializing in the use of minimally invasive surgical procedures.
What can you expect?
Arthroscopy causes less tissue damage and less pain and discomfort than traditional surgical techniques.
There is less blood loss as compared to traditional surgical techniques and also shorter hospital stay.
The recovery will be quicker, there will be less scarring and there is lower risk of complications.
The treated person may return to work within a day or two if the job is not physically demanding.
Playing vigorous sports can be resumed only after a few weeks depending on the progress which will vary from person to person.
Physiotherapy should be started after the procedure and should be continued till the time the patient fully recovers.
How well does it work?
There may be swelling around the treated joint which subsides in a week to fifteen days. Pain killers and anti inflammatory drugs will be helpful. Cold compression over the treated joint will help to reduce the swelling and inflammation.
There may be bleeding and infection at the surgical site. There may be joint stiffness. There may also be damage to the nerves around the joint.