Obesity: A Growing Problem

by PlacidWay

Obesity: A Growing Problem

Obesity is a growing problem in the U.S. Not only does obesity cause a multitude of health and medical problems, it’s costing billions of dollars in rising healthcare costs. According to the CDC, costs associated with healthcare caused by obesity have reached alarming rates. In the past twenty years, obesity has risen nearly 30% throughout the country.

What is Overweight?
Health care providers determine whether a person is overweight or obese by taking a look at an individual’s BMI (Body Mass Index). How is this BMI calculated? Basically, the BMI is calculated by age, gender, height and weight. Using a CDC reference chart for example:

Height	Weight Range	BMI	Considered
5’9”	124 pounds or less	Below 18.5	Underweight
	125 to 168	18.5 to 24.9	Healthy weight
	169 to 202	25.0 to 29.9	Overweight
	203 pounds or more	30.0 or higher	Obese

How do you calculate the BMI?

A body mass index table will assess your height and weight to give you a rough idea of what your body mass index reading is. If you want to calculate it yourself, here’s the formula:

 BMI = (weight in pounds x 703) / height in inches squared

So, for example, a person weighs 185 pound and stands 5’9” (69 inches – 4761 inches squared). 185 x 703 = 130055. Divide by 4761 and you get 27.31674. Round off to 27.31. Look at the chart. This person falls in the ‘Overweight’ category.

Now, keep in mind that the BMI is just an average. There are different BMIs for children, teens and adults. The BMI can’t assess genetic or heredity information, environment, or metabolism. It’s used as a guide to help individuals track and maintain healthy weight averages.

How Did We Get Here?
Most obesity in the first decade of the 21st century is blamed on socioeconomic changes in our environment. With a fast food restaurant on every corner that offers, fast, convenient foods and drinks, eating a well balanced and nutritiously prepared meal at home is considered almost boring these days.
Unfortunately, such fast food is loaded with sugar and high-fat content. Coupled with decreasing amounts of exercise, it’s hardly surprising that Americans have created bulging bellies and jiggling read ends. What’s worse, the fat is killing us.

High cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes are afflicting younger people than ever before. Obesity holds the dubious recognition of being ranked among one of the highest causes of death-related illnesses and disease processes, including complications stemming from heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Help is Out There
Individuals who find themselves chronically or morbidly obese can get help. Today, numerous surgeries and procedures provide a variety of treatments that may help a person retain healthy weight and physical conditioning. Such procedures include but are not limited to:

• Weight-Loss Medications
• Bariatric Surgery
• Gastroplasty
• Lap Banding
• Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Gastric Bypass

Dealing with Costs
Unfortunately, such procedures in the United States cost tens of thousands of dollars, and many are not covered by traditional medical or health insurance plans. Who has time to wait? That’s why more men and women in the U.S. are opting to travel abroad for bariatric surgeries that don’t require year-long waits or that will leave you in debt for the rest of your life.

The most popular destinations for obesity surgeries include but are not limited to countries such as:

Mexico – Some popular gastric bypass surgery providers in Mexico include Mexicali Obesity Solutions or Almater Hospital in Mexicali, and Alejandro Aguirre Wallace in Ensinada or the Sanoviv Medical Institute on the Baja coast or The Bariatric Group from Texas offering best bariatric surgeries in Mexico.

India – A favorite destination of many, Artemis Hospital and Sahara Medical in Gurgaon offers several treatments and procedures. So does Tour2india4health Consultants in Mumbai.

Latin America – Facilities in Latin America offer popular gastric bypass treatments and procedures in exotic locales, such as Med Logistic Services in Colombia, Angels Abroad in Guatemala and the ever-popular GoSculptura and Dr. Marco More in Argentina

Costs of bariatric surgery abroad in such facilities such as these offer medical travelers savings between 30% to 75% over costs of same surgeries and procedures in the U.S., and without the long wait-times often required in the States.

For example, a laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure in the United States will cost roughly $30,000. In India, the cost averages about $16,500. In Mexico and South American destinations, costs may average between $9,800 and $13,000.

So what are you waiting for? Make a life-changing decision and optimize your health. You, and your body, will be glad you did.

Babies on the Way : Fertility Treatment Options for the 21st Century

Infertility is a subject that many couples don’t want to discuss, but it’s an issue that millions of couples around the world deal with on a daily basis. The causes of infertility are numerous, from lack of ovulation to low sperm counts in men. Infertility is not just a woman’s problem, but because of basic anatomy and physiology, women’s ‘plumbing’ so to speak, is more complex and therefore apt to contribute more difficulties to conception than males.

Increase Your Chances of Conception
However, there’s hope on the horizon – new techniques and options in infertility are available not only in the U.S. but also around the world. Common treatments today include:

• IVF (in vitro fertilization)
• OI (Ovulation induction)
• Clomid treatments
• AI (artificial insemination)
• ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
• IUI (intrauterine insemination)
• Alternative Medicines

Whether you’re in your twenties or your forties, couples are finding new techniques to help their dreams of parenthood come true. Most fertility treatments help to increase the development of eggs within the ovary, which help to promote the chances of one of those eggs being fertilized by a sperm. For women who don’t have regular monthly cycles to those who just can seem to conceive due to ovulation difficulties, fertility treatments can help.

Treatments with drugs or medications are usually the first step, in an effort to try and stimulate and induce ovulation. These types of drugs are designed for women who have been diagnosed with ovulation difficulties and offers about an 80% success rate. Women who experience difficulties with follicle development, and thereby ovulation problems, may benefit from ovulation induction therapies, where hormones are given to stimulate follicle and egg development.

Intrauterine insemination is generally the next step in the infertility treatment process, also known as artificial insemination. Women experiencing fallopian tube defects or damage, as well as those with poor egg quality often benefit from this type of therapy. At this point, treatments can become quite expensive. Next often comes in vitro fertilization. This involves placement of an already fertilized egg into the woman’s uterus for implantation.

What Do Fertility Treatments Cost?
The cost of fertility treatments prohibit many couples from seeking treatments, but these days, many foreign destinations offer fertility programs that are affordable and effective. Fertility treatments in the United States may cost anywhere between $300 and $800 per treatment for intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures, with couples required to undergo multiple treatments. Costs for in vitro fertilization (IVF) may cost between $8,000 and $10,000 with each attempt.

However, medical travelers to foreign destinations such as Mexico, South America, India, and Thailand can save thousands, up to 75% of costs in the U.S. Popular destinations that treat infertility such as:

• Almater Hospital in Mexicali, Mexico
• Superior A.R.T. in Bangkok, Thailand
• Roshni Poly Clinic, India
• Jordan Hospital in Amman, Jordan
• Medical Sense Group in Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Florence Nightingale Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey
• Angels Abroad, Guatemala

In the United States alone, more than 5 million couples deal with infertility issues every year. Fortunately, many of these couples have been helped through advancements in technology, both at home and abroad.

Lower costs in foreign destinations are not due to sub-standard care or training - quite the opposite. Lower costs are enjoyed because other countries don’t have to deal with the rising and often prohibitive costs of medical malpractice insurance that is rampant within the healthcare industry in the United States. Therefore, medical providers in other countries are able to perform such treatments, procedures and surgeries at huge savings to their patients.

Reap the Benefits of Fertilization Technology
Whether you decide to travel to Mexico, South America, or Asia for fertility treatments and procedures, chances are you’re going to be more than pleased with the results. Take a second honeymoon and take care of business while you’re there. Take the opportunity to create that family you long for, and without putting yourself in debt for the rest of your life. Medical travel is the wave of the future for millions of couples around the world - so check it out and find a facility that can offer a realization to your dreams.

Affordable Gastric Bypass Surgery in Mexico for $12,200

Gastric Bypass Surgery Overview
Gastric bypass surgery is considered a form of bariatric surgery, a field that deals with weight loss and obesity. Today, gastric bypass is generally performed using a technique called Roux-en-Y. This procedure reduces the size of the stomach to create a pouch that accepts no more than an ounce or so of food at a time. A small opening between the stomach and intestine allows food to travel directly to the large intestine. Gastric bypass surgery literally bypasses the bulk of the stomach and encourages massive weight loss in obese individuals.

Advantages of Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery enables individuals who have not responded to typical diet and exercise treatments to lose massive amounts of weight. In most cases, patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery are able to lose up to 80% of their excess body weight in one year. Because nearly 95% of weight related health problems, called co morbidities, include high blood pressure, diabetes, incontinence, and GeRD, many patients find that such conditions have also been alleviated or eradicated as a result of the surgery.

Our Gastric Bypass Surgery procedure for US$12,200 includes:
• Free transportation (from the San Diego, CA airport to the hotel and hospital and back to the airport)
• Hospital Fees
• Pre-Operatory Tests (Labs, X-Rays, Assessment)
• Nutritional Evaluation
• Psychological Evaluation
• Gastric Bypass Surgery Procedure
• Surgeons’ Fees
• Anesthesiologist Fees
• Hotel Stay for 1 or 2 companions

*Please note: Surgery prices quoted are for planning purposes only to assist you in budgeting. These prices are for standard, non-complicated cases. Actual prices cannot be accurately provided until you have been thoroughly examined by the surgeon.

Please Click Here to request more information from Mexicali Obesity Solution. 

Breast Cancer Treatment Abroad

by Artemis Health Institute

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?
Your body is made up of many types of cells. In normal course, cells grow, divide, and produce more cells to keep your body healthy. However, at times, this process may not function properly and cells may become abnormal, forming more cells, in an uncontrolled manner. These extra cells form a mass of tissue, called a growth or a ‘tumour’. Tumours can be benign, which means non cancerous, or malignant, which means cancerous. Breast cancer occurs when a malignant tumour forms in the tissue of your breast. According to the site of origin of these cancerous cells, breast cancer is classified into various types. The most common types of breast cancer originate in either the breast’s milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or lobules (lobular carcinoma). The point of origin is determined by the microscopic appearance of the cancer cells from a biopsy. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER?
The most common symptom is a lump in the breast. However, there can be other physical changes in the appearance of the breast. Some of these are :

• Breast lump or breast mass – usually painless, firm to hard in consistency
• Lump or mass in the armpit
• A Change in the size or shape of the breast
• Abnormal nipple discharge
• Usually bloody or clear-to-yellow or green fluid
• May look like pus (purulent)
• Change in the colour or feel of the skin of your breast, nipple, or areola (area around the nipple)
  Dimpled, puckered, or scaly
• Retraction, “orange peel” appearance
• Redness
• Accentuated veins on breast surface
• Change in appearance or sensation of the nipple
• Pulled in (retraction), enlargement, or itching
• Breast pain, enlargement, or discomfort on one side only

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, your doctor will ask for a detailed medical history and you will have to undergo a physical examination. You will also be recommended tests such as a mammogram or other imaging tests, like Ultrasound or MRI. 

Please visit PlacidWay.com to read complete article on Breast Cancer Treatment Abroad

Reversing Mercury Toxicity Through Chelation Therapy

by Sanoviv Medical Institute

Chelation therapy is a safe and effective method for drawing toxins and metabolic wastes from the bloodstream. It involves the intravenous infusion of a prescription medicine called ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA). This is a substance which removes undesirable metals from the body. Some metals, such as lead, mercury and cadmium are poisons. Lead and cadmium levels correlate with high blood pressure. All metals, even essential nutritional elements, are toxic in excess or when abnormally situated. EDTA normalizes the distribution of most metallic elements in the body.

Chelation therapy is also used to reverse hardening of the arteries, a plaque formation within arteries that blocks the flow of blood. Plaques are composed of fibrous tissue, cholesterol and calcium. The reversal is accomplished in part through the removal of the calcium content of plaque from the artery walls through the injection of chelating agents. By restoring good circulation to all the tissues of the body, chelation therapy can help to avoid bypass surgery, reverse gangrene, alleviate intermittent claudication of the legs, restore memory and detoxify the body. Chelation therapy can be used in conjunction with most other therapies for cardiovascular disease.

Mercury/Amalgam Fillings
Many of you are aware of the controversy that existed regarding whether or not mercury is released from amalgam fillings. Thanks to modern technology that long-running controversy has been resolved. There are now sophisticated analytical instruments that can accurately record the amount of mercury vapor released from amalgam fillings. At Sanoviv we are using such an instrument and there is no longer any doubt that everyone with amalgam fillings is being continuously exposed to mercury.

The amount of mercury that is released from amalgam fillings is dependent on a number of factors. Obviously the number, size, and length of time these fillings have been present are important considerations. The type of amalgam used is also significant, with the newer amalgam fillings releasing 10 times as much mercury as those placed 10 to 15 years ago. The amount of mercury released is also increased by such routine procedures as eating, drinking hot liquids, and tooth brushing. In addition, teeth grinding (it is estimated that at least 50% of the population grind their teeth) and chewing gum can dramatically increase the release of mercury from amalgam fillings.

There are over 225 million people in the United States and Canada with mercury/amalgam fillings. In the majority of cases the daily amount of mercury released by amalgam fillings will far exceed the acceptable levels for mercury set by all governmental regulatory agencies. The mercury released from amalgam fillings is by far the leading source of mercury exposure, with mercury found in seafood a distant second.

Regardless of how many mercury/amalgam fillings you have, or whether or not you now have any obvious symptoms of mercury toxicity, you will have mercury stored in your body. Its ultimate effect will be determined by the above factors, the overall state of your health, and your body’s ability to naturally detoxify itself of mercury.

Mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings is considered chronic and will often accumulate faster than the body can detoxify and remove it. It is known to gradually build up in cells, tissues, and organs, until symptoms of mercury poisoning are experienced. The only effective way to reverse the damage done to your body by mercury is to remove the source of the poison (amalgam fillings) and then to remove the mercury that has accumulated in your body.

At Sanoviv, chelation therapy is employed by our dentists during the process of amalgam removal. This helps to eliminate stored mercury and to ensure that no mercury is released into the blood system during the procedure.

Please visit  PlacidWay.com to read complete article on Chelation therapy

Understanding of Infertility – Must For Infertile Couple

by Dr Prakash Shah

Human reproduction is the highest and complex function of the body. In bodily development this comes last – considers as sign of puberty and again this function vanishes first as age advances and is considered as sign of increasing age. Abnormality in any organ of the body can effect reproduction adversely. Any organs abnormalities should be considered very important in treating infertility. Each childless couple must have through knowledge of reproductive physiology.

Important factors for fertility:-

• Semen should be normal – Male Factor
• Semen should be deposited at proper place in vagina – Coital Factor
• Cervix should be able to transfer the semen properly forward – Cervical Factor
• Uterus should be anatomically and functionally normal – Uterine Factor
• Fallopian tube should be functioning normally – Tubal Factor.
• Ovary should be secreting normal ova – Ovarian Factor
• Pituitary and other endocrine glands  physiologically normal – Endocrine Factor
• Mind in sound psychological state – Psychological Factor.

Here I would like to elaborate only few important factors for considerations of my patients particularly on * Psychological Factor / *Cervical Factor / *Male Factor. Other factors are mainly medico-technical so for common mass understanding of these topics may not have place here, also because of space constrain does not permit me. So excuse me for non inclusion of information’s of all factors here. However if any one is interested I will be very pleased and encouraged to give detailed information on any required topic.

Psycho Social Aspects of Infertility
Infertile Couples should always understand that following emotions, which I am describing now, are very common and if any of infertile couple is reading this write up, they will be much benefited in knowing these aspects of infertility. For all those, I request to have print out version of this article and keep within reach for reading often.

At the marriage most couple simply take it for granted that they will be able to have children. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In fact, one in five couples trying to have a baby will experience problems in doing so. Couples are often shocked when they discover that they are infertile and commonly at beginning go through a period of disbelief. Few others rush into treatment without proper diagnosis and planning. 

Infertility is often described as a life crisis. Infertility is only medical condition that has many emotional aspects. Feelings such as anger, sadness, guilt, and anxiety are common and may affect couple’s self-esteem and self-image. Couple may find it difficult to share their feelings with family and friends, which can lead to isolation. It is important to know that these feelings are normal responses to infertility and are experienced by many couples. Ability of physician to deal with psychological problems is of paramount importance simultaneously with treatment of infertility. I have empathy for all my infertile patients and I always take care about psychological aspects first and at least make them comfortable.

After shock and feelings of denial, during fertility treatments when they do not get desired result as per expectations, couple experience anger. Guilt and blame are other common emotions. This can lead to severe depression, isolation, and self-esteem problems… Unspoken guilt and blame can make life very difficult. Couple might also find it increasingly difficult to go to work, socialize, or even get out and meet family and friends. Couples require not only time and money, but also intense emotional commitment for treatment. This depression can lead to numerous physical side effects and put a strain on relationships, work, and enjoyment of daily life.

Read complete article on Infertility Treatment Abroad at PlacidWay.com

World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress Announces Latin America Conference

The 1st Latin America Medical Tourism Congress will feature up to 400 attendees from over 25 countries and will focus on the high quality of healthcare available through Medical Tourism in Latin America. It will also bring together the stakeholders in Latin American medical tourism for the ultimate networking event and educational opportunities.

Latin America is poised to be one of the top destinations for medical tourism for the United States, Canada, and Europe. Come to this amazing Congress and network with attendees from over 25 countries to uncover the many possibilities of this exciting medical tourism industry.

Conference Highlights Include:

Up To 400 Attendees
US Health Insurance Companies and Insurance Providers Invited
Understanding Marketing Opportunities In The US, Canada, and Europe
Industry Players From Over 25 countries
Highlighting The High Quality Of Care Available In Latin America
The Top US Medical Tourism Facilitators Invited
Click Here to request additional information about Latin America Medical Tourism Congress in Monterrey, MX

Prevention always better than cure

by Superior A.R.T.

PGD offers a wide range of reproductive options
“Shadow is just an 11-month old boy, but a victim. He has got pneumonia and an enlarged liver and spleen. He was finally diagnosed with thalassemia. A bone marrow transplantation costing over one million baht is the most effective medical treatment to save his life.”

“Marwin is another thalassemia sufferer. He is quiet small and retarded when compared to children of the same age. He has to receive blood transfusion therapy every month to maintain his growth and developement. If not effectively managed, Marwin may die at 15 years of age.”

Thalassemia, an inherited, genetic blood disorder, is a chronic debilitating disease which can be lethal. Patients must struggle through their life in order to fight this severe disease. To live longer, they need constant treatment involving regular blood transfusions as well as regular clinical visits. Repeated blood transfusions can also cause problems of iron overload which can damage many organs such as liver, heart, skin and pancrease. Even more unfortunately, infants with Thalassemia, like shadow, may grow slowly, develop severe problems or die if they don’t receive proper treatment. Although bone marrow transplantations can offer a complete cure for patients with thalassemia major, it is not an easy task. for the best tissue match, bone marrow is donated from a brother or sister.

The dedication of parents to the health of their children is first and foremost as their children grow. In addition to physical health and development, parents always realize that social and psychological health of their children really does count. Sad to say, a life with thalassemia is an absolute nightmare for children and their families.

To tackle the root of the problem, parents who want to have a baby free of disease can take advantage of PCD, an assisted reproductive technology. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) (also known as Embryo Screening) is a form of genetic diagnosis performed prior to implantation. It is a reasonable choice for couples at risk of transmitting hereditary genetic diseases to their children. PGD allows scientists to choose unaffected embryos and transfer them to a woman undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

PGD is very powerful and can be beneficial to many couples. It can be applies in many different circumstances to serve the needs of individual couples that are at risk of conceiving genetically abnormal children. Superior A.R.T., one of the leading providers of PGD in Southeast Asia, offers comprehensive PDG option to interested couples.

Superior A.R.T. also offers PGD to couples who have identifiable genetic disorders, including thalassemia, breast cancer and many more. We believe that it would be less upsetting to discard an abnormal embryo before implantation, rather than go through early pregnancy and make the difficult decision whether to continue with an abnormal pregnancy or abort it. In those couples with a complete analysis of their genetic defects, Superior A.R.T. can test for such abnormalities in their embryos in order to prevent those undesirable genetic abnormalities. A search among family members for a bone marrow donor that can provide HLA matching stem cells may enable you to use PGD to bring a child into the world (this topic will be continued in the next article).

Please click here to read more about PGD Reproductive in Thailand