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High Prevalence Of Heart Disease Expands Job Opportunities For Technicians

Heart disease has become widespread in the United States because of the increasing rate of chronic medical conditions related to a poor diet and the lack of routine exercise. Diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure negatively affect the ability of vital organs to function and can result in debilitating illnesses and even death. The poor health behaviors of the general public along with an increase in the size of the population and the number of Baby Boomers now entering retirement has created a spike in demand for cardiac care services. Because many healthcare facilities lack the advanced personnel and resources needed to meet the current demand, many administrators have begun hiring unlicensed technicians to perform many of the routine tasks associated with the provision of daily care. This trend has created many new job opportunities for EKG technicians as well as those who are working in other specialties.

The heart is one of the most important organs contained within the human body because of its role in circulating blood through the vast network of vessels that supply oxygen to tissues and transport waste to organs that specialize in filtration and excretion. Like all other organs, the heart requires oxygen to survive and must have a healthy network of vessels that supply it with the nutrients it needs. Individuals who suffer from clogged cardiac arteries are highly susceptible to developing heart attacks and may even die if a severe cardiac event occurs. Many of these patients must receive regular treatments in a cardiac unit in order to ensure that their heart remains functional. An EKG technician is someone who works under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician and whose job it is to carry out the basic tasks associated with the delivery of care to heart disease patients.

Some of the most common responsibilities that an EKG technician has include vital sign collection, medical history documentation, procedure preparation, electrocardiogram administration, telemetry, Holter monitoring, new technician training, and a variety of administrative tasks. The contributions of the technician to the patient care team is very important because it allows advanced medical personnel to spend their time evaluating new patients, developing treatment plans, and managing cases that involve complex heart diseases. Without the technician, access to cardiac care would become severely limited and many patients would not receive the life-saving treatment that they need. For this reason, many facilities have begun hiring more technicians to help manage the growing demand for care.

In general, the technician may only perform patient care tasks that are considered routine and that have a predictable outcome. Responsibilities that require advanced medical knowledge, judgment, or skill must be carried out by the nurse or physician and can never be delegated to the technician under any circumstances. The nurse or physician must evaluate a task before delegation to ensure that it has very little chance of jeopardizing the health and safety of patients and they must provide supervision as the technician is performing the task. These requirements are designed to protect patients and to ensure that the interests of medical personnel are preserved in cases of negligence. Most healthcare facilities have policies and procedures that determine how a task may be delegated and the steps that must be taken prior to assigning a responsibility to an unlicensed member of the team.

The fact that the EKG technician is an unlicensed member of the medical team means that most states do not regulate the profession. Employers often set their own education, training, and certification requirements for new technicians. While some employers will consider hiring individuals who have only a high school diploma or GED, they generally prefer those who have at least a two-year college degree and prior patient care experience. Those who do not possess formal credentials may still be able to secure employment after completing a training program provided by the hiring institution and successfully passing a nationally recognized certification exam. Direct contact with potential employers is the best way to ensure that their expectations are being met.

Jack Russell Terrier Health Issues

From all the activity of the Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) of moving around endlessly, jumping and digging holes in the ground, the first thing that the dog owner must know and keep in mind is that it is a highly energetic canine. There should be an initiative to study the physical and mental frame up of the JRT to keep the pet dog away from poor health and save it from deterioration.

Ordinarily, the average lifespan of the JRT is 15 years with earliest mortality of 13 years and longest lifespan of 18 years. The Jack Russell Terrier health system is all about maintaining it to the level of safety from a shorter lifetime.

Weight is a factor for good health and to save this canine is to help for it not to be overweight. An overweight dog will have probable heart disease and suffer from arthritis. The dog owner must then inquire from experts on good diet for the Jack Russell.

Germs can spread on the coat of the Jack Russell. Only by brushing with a rubber curry brush every other day is good enough to keep the coat from unwanted bacteria. With the three types of coat (smooth, broken or rough) that sheds just the same all year round, the threat or risk of disease to the Jack Russell Terrier health is certain unless it is brushed regularly.

Aside from brushing the coat to prevent bacteria, trimming the nails regularly will also avoid the development of skin disease on the feet. The Jack Russell loves to dig and the habit brings on a lot of germs for the dog. Trimming should be done at least once a month.

The JRT is known to jump on people and loves to play. If it is possible to keep the dog indoors, then it can keep the canine safe from having poor health. To save it from exposure or the possibility that it can also harm others and destroy property, the terrier can be secured even in the yard. Due to the daily movement of the dog, there should be a schedule for bathing and washing. This can all be done at home and there is no need for special grooming. Bathing and washing the dog is part of the Jack Russell Terrier health guide to good grooming.

Just like other breeds of dogs, there are common ailments that the Jack Russell can be exposed to. These are allergies and skin problems. There is a necessity therefore for obtaining the right information on what this dog is allergic to like from food, airborne or exposure to too much dirt from digging.

But, there are also major ailments to avoid so that the Jack Russell terrier will be in good shape. There are the possible ailments on the eyes (cataracts or glaucoma), deafness (common to white dogs), nerve infirmities (epilepsy or patellar luxation or weakening of kneecap), blood disorder (Von Willebrands disease), and heart disease like cardiomyopathy. A faithful adherence to the Jack Russell health program developed by specialists in the field is a requirement to save the canine from poor health. Examining the dog and having regular check-ups with the vet is a good preventive medicine.

Heart Health And Clean Arteries

Clogged arteries are responsible for a number of ailments including heart pain, high blood pressure, and peripheral arterial disease. Many of my male patients are shocked when I tell them that plaque build-up may even be causing their erectile dysfunction. How can that be? All of these conditions stem from the same cause, insufficient blood flow through arteries.

In the first part of this series, you learned how coronary artery disease and blocked arteries could lead to serious health consequences. I recommended some non-drug, non-surgical treatments you can do on your own to both prevent and improve arterial disease and its symptoms.

Now Id like to expand on an alternative method of dissolving plaque and increasing blood flow in arteries using specific vitamins and safe chemical compounds. This therapy is called oral chelation.

What Is Chelation Therapy?

Chelation therapy has been used since about 1955 for treating heart/arterial disease. The idea of using chelation for heart disease sprang from using chelation for toxic lead, arsenic, and mercury levels. A compound called calcium disodium EDTA, an amino acid, binds to those metals. The EDTA-bound metal is then removed from your body through urination.

Using this toxic metal removal model, it was thought that a variation of the same compound, disodium EDTA, would bind to plaque and remove it from arteries. Based on this same principle, oral chelation formulas were created.

Oral Chelation Supplements

People have taken oral chelation supplements for years as an alternative treatment for coronary artery disease. In fact, because of their widespread use, the National Institute of Health recently began a clinical study to document the specific benefits of chelation therapy.

As I tell my patients who ask me about oral chelation formulas, I feel the better ones contain a lot of heart/artery-health promoting vitamins, minerals, and food-derived chemicals that can be of benefit in promoting heart and artery health. Lets look, then, at what I think a good oral chelation supplement might contain:

B-Vitamins like B6, B12, and folic acid, known to be crucial to heart health in reducing homocysteine, a chemical that promotes plaque. They also maintain energy.
Magnesium, potassium, selenium these are heart-healthy minerals that keep heart muscle functioning correctly, regulate heartbeat, and prevent cholesterol from oxidizing and turning into plaque.
Bromelain, malic acid, garlic these food-based compounds from pineapples, green apples, and garlic dissolve saturated fats and prevent them from hardening into plaques.
TMG (trimethylglycine) also known as betaine, derived from beets, this chemical IS actually FDA-approved for treating high homocysteine levels.
EDTA as noted above, this chemical binds to arterial plaque and removes it. EDTA is also FDA, and USDA, approved as a food additive.
NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) – a chemical found in high protein foods, it is an amino acid that, like EDTA, also acts as a toxin binding/removal agent.

How Does Oral Chelation Work?

Oral chelation formulas come in pill form and are taken like you would any other supplement. They go to work by binding to mineral deposits (namely calcium which plaque is), breaking it down and liquefying it so it can be removed from your arteries. Drinking plenty of filtered water daily will help flush the chelated minerals and toxins out of your blood.

Its a good idea not to take any mineral supplements until a few hours after you take a chelation formula as the minerals can be chelated out of your system. Prescription medicine should also be taken a few hours apart from chelation supplements.
Vitamin C and Vitamin E supplements should be taken as they are antioxidants which help prevent oxidation of cholesterol into plaques.

Benefits of Oral Chelation Formulas

There are several arterial health conditions which can benefit from the artery-flushing effects of oral chelation. They are:

Coronary artery disease, or CAD blockages in the heart can cause heart attack.
Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD lack of blood flow to legs and feet causing pain.
Erectile dysfunction resulting from blocked arteries, lack of penile blood flow.
Carotid artery disease decreased blood flow to the brain, can cause stroke.

Although oral chelation therapy may still be a controversial subject, it has its following of loyal supporters. According to Everyday Health, a recent survey of people who used chelation therapy, 62% said it gave them a sense of control over their heart disease. For optimum effectiveness, chelation supplements should be combined with a heart/artery healthy diet, no smoking, and beneficial exercise.

As with any supplement, read labels and be sure you have a quality oral chelation formula with ingredients such as those mentioned above. Consult a doctor familiar with the use of oral chelation formulas. They can monitor you, ensure their correct usage, and avoid any possible adverse effects that may arise.

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Institute For Healthy Aging

Tingling In The Penis — What It Means

If a man’s penis is tingling, it may be a sign of a serious health problem. More than just annoying, it may signal infection, inflammation and systemic disease. Tingling is often a sign of troubled nerve endings, irritated by inflammation, starved of nutrients, or damaged by trauma. For some men it is acute and may only last a few hours to a few days, and for other men it is a mysterious ailment that can go on for years. Diagnosis and treatment should be sought out immediately, to avoid chronic damage to the nerves and a loss of function. Supplements, penis health crmes and medications may all support nerve regeneration, immune function and healing.

Poor circulation

Tingling in the penis may be caused by an acute or chronic case of poor circulation. While that might not sound terribly serious in nature, it is the cause of the poor circulation that determines how much a man should worry. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in men around the globe. Poor circulation to the hands, feet and pelvic region may be one of the first signs of cardiovascular disease to appear. Poor posture, obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle and damage to the local capillaries in the penile tissues can also lead to reduced blood flow. In order to ensure a healthy stream of blood around the body, it is important to drink plenty of water, exercise 2-3 times per week, reduce white sugar and saturated fat in the diet, and consider using heart-healthy supplements such as garlic, hawthorn, fish oils, vitamin C, E and L-arginine.

Neuropathy

Nerve damage can occur through a variety of ways, and is highly detrimental to the sexual health of men as nerves do not regenerate easily once damaged. Physical trauma to local nerves and/or spinal nerves, poor blood flow, inflammation and infection can all lead to nerve damage, resulting in tingling, pain, numbness, or burning. Diabetes is a common cause of nerve damage in both men and women, as the high level of sugar in the blood stream reduces circulation and oxygenation of peripheral tissues. Stimulating circulation may help, but controlling blood sugars is vital to restoring sexual health. Alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant researched for its health benefits in diabetes, may restore some lost nerve function and protect nerve health in diabetics. Frequent or aggressive masturbation can also cause circulatory issues and nerve damage. Usually this sis temporary if penis receuves sufficient time to recuperate and penis select vitamins and minerals are applied to penile skin to provide a healing environment.

Infection

Sexual transmitted diseases and infections are one of the leading causes of penile tingling. If a man has recently had unprotected sex, and is now experiencing tingling in the penis, it is likely that he has contracted an infection. Genital warts, Candida, Chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomonas are some of the most common pathogens responsible for causing this distressing symptom. In addition, non-specific urethritis is another possible diagnosis involving chronic inflammation of the urethra. Blood and urine tests will identify the source of the infection in most cases. According to a study published in the American Family Physician journal in 2010, medications such as azithromycin or doxycycline often treat STI’s and urethritis successfully. Men should also look into supporting immune function to ward off pathogenic viruses and bacteria. Vitamin C, A and Zinc are natural supplements that have been studied for their immune stimulating properties.

Health crmes

Treating the local tissues with health crmes is a great way of promoting penile health and improving nerve function. Penis health crmes (most professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) deliver a range of important nutrients for male health in a base of shea butter — a natural anti-inflammatory that moisturizes and soothes connective tissues. Vitamin C, E, A, alpha lipoic acid and L-arginine are included in the active ingredients. This combination will stimulate immune function, promote capillary health, benefit male hormones and reduce inflammation and irritation of nerves.

Acai Berry With Heart Medications

Can acai berry mend a broken heart? If the broken heart pertains to a heart disease that continues to be one of the leading causes of deaths, acai may help tame it before it becomes a full blown killer.

Heart diseases encompass a variety of conditions relating to the cardiovascular system. It may involve the ability of your heart to pump out blood, its valves, your blood vessels, and more instances that compromise the function of your heart.

Below are some of the most common heart conditions that warrant urgent attention:

Myocardial Infarction or heart attack
It happens when the cells of the heart die due to the disruption of its blood supply. The formation of cholesterol plaques contributes a great deal to the blockage of the coronary blood vessels. When the blood flow is compromised, there is no delivery of oxygen to the tissues, leading to cell death.

Hypertension or high blood pressure
When it requires more force to get the blood flowing, you get a high blood pressure. It makes the heart work harder to pump blood effectively to all organs in the body. Hypertension can be due to other coexisting diseases such as diabetes, kidney problems, arteriosclerosis, etc. Genetics play a significant role in primary hypertension.

Arteriosclerosis
It involves the blood vessels, particularly the arteries, and its ability to deliver blood to the organs. The arteries in this case have hardened due to the build up of plaques from fatty substances. This makes the vessels less flexible which makes it harder for blood to flow. When the plaques break apart, they travel in the bloodstream towards smaller arteries, where they may cause a complete blockage. This is how it contributes to heart attacks, stroke, and common heart conditions.

High Cholesterol
Chlolesterol makes up a part of the bodys lipids. It is vital to the structure of cells, and in the production of hormones and energy. When the levels go up, it creates problems in the blood vessels. The arteries are hardened and blocked. In turn, the blood pressure rises just to be able to push adequate blood for delivery to the organs. When the heart doesnt receive adequate amount of blood supply, heart attack can occur.

Heart Failure
The heart functions to pump blood into the body. When it fails, it doesnt mean that it has stopped beating. It just lost its ability to function efficiently, affecting all organs in the long run. The blood goes back to the lungs instead of pushing it forward. Breathing becomes laborious. Fluid accumulates in the dependent portions of the body like the feet.

How Can Acai Save You From A Broken Heart?

Acai berry (Euterpe oleracea), a superfood from the Amazon, offers hope for those with heart problems.

Acai is rich in fatty acids, giving it the oily feel. It contains 2 essential fatty acids called Omega 6 (Linoleic acid) and Omega 9 (Oleic acid). The Omega 6 is a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid that lowers both LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) levels. The Omega 9, which is a monounsaturated, essential fatty acid, helps lower only the LDL, while maintaining a good level of HDL.

Acai is also unusually rich in beta-sitosterol, which is a phytosterol that competes with dietary cholesterol for absorption, hence reducing blood cholesterol. The high fiber content of acai berries may likewise reduce bad cholesterol levels.

The dark pigmentation of acai is attributed to anthocyanins, which are potent antioxidants. Even in trace amounts, anthocyanins effectively protect against LDL oxidation. The anti-oxidant properties of acai help heal the cell membranes and linings of arterial wall and help protect the integrity of smaller blood vessels. This prevents the development of arteriosclerosis and the subsequent increase in blood pressure.

Free radicals can speed up the process of arteriosclerosis and aggravate ischemia (the lack of oxygen supply to an organ). With the rich anti-oxidant content of acai, the damaging effects of the free radicals are taken cared of.

Be careful when choosing among the many acai supplements available in the market. The juice form uses other ingredients and preservatives, with only little concentration of acai. It has undergone the irradiation which is something you may want to avoid. The pill form, on the other hand, contains 100% acai, without preservatives. It has not undergone any procedures known to harm your health.

Can I Take Acai Together with my Heart Medications?

With early prevention, acai can lessen your need for expensive heart medications. However, if maintenance drugs should be used, no data has been found as to the drug-drug or drug-food interactions with acai and the common heart conditions.

Be cautious when taking medications containing anti-coagulants or blood thinners because acai contains vitamin k, which exerts the opposite effect.

Potassium is abundant in acai, so you might as well be careful with drugs reacting to potassium:
ACE-inhibitors which are used for the treatment of hypertension. Examples are captopril, enalapril, lisinopril. Potassium levels may increase further with ACE inhibitors especially those with diminished kidney function.
Potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride may increase potassium levels in the blood.
Heparin which is a blood thinner, used for the prevention of heart attacks. Potassium levels may be further increased with concomitant use of acai, aside from with the antagonistic effect of vitamin K present in acai.
Beta blockers such as metoprolol and propranolol that are used to treat high blood pressure can potentially increase blood potassium levels when mixed with acai.

The high amount of calcium in acai may create potential reactions with certain medications:
Beta-blockers. Calcium may interfere with the blood levels of beta-blockers and vice versa.
Calcium-channel blockers are a class of anti-hypertensives. Calcium may reverse the therapeutic effects of calcium-channel blockers, although studies are conflicting.
Digoxin is used to treat irregular heart rhythms. Calcium may make this drug ineffective.
Anti-cholesterol drug, particularly bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine, colestipol, and colesevelam, may interfere with calcium absorption and increase loss of calcium in the urine.

Anti-oxidants in general, are not advised to be taken along with most chemotherapeutic agents that act by producing free radicals to kill the tumor.

There are no documented effects of the above drugs interacting with acai berry supplements, only possible risks. Nonetheless, caution must be taken to avoid untoward reactions.