illnesses http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for illnesses Copyright 2008 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:58:44 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/illnesses What You Need To Know About Health Insurance and How Quotes Are Calculated http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-health-insurance-how-quotes-are-calculated http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-health-insurance-how-quotes-are-calculated#comments Tue, 31 Oct 2006 18:27:03 +0000 health insurance policyhealth insurance policiesprivate medical insurancemedical insurance policyterm illnessesstate healthinsurance quotes http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-health-insurance-how-quotes-are-calculated state health services but if you want additional private cover then this is where taking out a comes in. This article explains about health insurance in general and how quotes are worked out in general.

Private medical insurance will cover the cost of your treatment when you are unwell, but the kind of cover and amount of the cover you get varies considerably from policy to policy.

Make sure that when you are considering which to take out that you carefully read the policy so that you can find out which illnesses you are covered for and which illnesses are not included in the policy cover. It can also be the case that your may require you to use particular hospitals for your treatment.

So what are health calculated on? Well providers calculate your policy quote on several factors, the most important being your age, your health, your medical history, your occupation and they also look at whether you smoke or not. If you do smoke, then you are likely to get a more expensive medical insurance quote.

Some let you choose to have an excess which if you decide to have this option it will lower your insurance quote. Another important thing to take into account when taking out a private medical insurance policy is that no matter how much you decide to spend on your cover you will not get cover for certain illnesses. These illnesses include long , alcohol abuse, AIDS, suicide attempts and illnesses that are related to old age.

It is very important that when you take out your cover that you advise your healthcare insurance company of everything that is relevant to your health insurance application. This means you must tell them about any pre-existing medical condition or illness that you may have and it is highly likely that they will not cover you for these pre-existing medical conditions or illnesses.

And finally it is worth mentioning that it is always a good idea that you shop around to find the most suitable and affordable private medical insurance solution for you. Miguel Poza runs a website about money and personal finance where you can find out where to get good deals on credit cards, loans, mortgages, insurance, savings and pensions. You can also read free money saving tips, so why not check it out at http://www.moneyhelper.co.uk ]]> Do I Need Critical Illness Insurance? http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-i-need-critical-illness-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-i-need-critical-illness-insurance#comments Sun, 03 Jun 2007 12:34:56 +0000 critical illness insurancecritical illnessesmost important thinglife insurancelump sumdavid thomsonloss of earnings http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-i-need-critical-illness-insurance Critical illness insurance is taken out to cover you either for life or for a set period of time against certain , diseases and medical conditions. It differs from in that life insurance pays out should you die. Critical illness insurance pays if you become physically or mentally impaired through illness or disease.

A policy to cover you for critical illness will pay out a tax free if you should fall victim to one of the illnesses defined within the policy. All that is needed to make a claim is the diagnosis by your Doctor of one of the illnesses or conditions defined in the policy; there is usually no requirement for you to prove or for you to need any special medical treatment.

Points to consider when thinking of taking out this form of insurance is that the sum and terms are decided at the outset when you take out your policy.

In order for the policy to pay out then you must survive for at least 28 days after the condition or illness has been diagnosed.



Once the set time of the policy has passed and you haven't been diagnosed as having a serious illness or condition then there is no payout and the policy simply ceases.

Before deciding on whether or not to take out critical illness insurance you should take several factors into consideration. The to decide is how much money you would need if you were to become critically ill and then decide how long you would need the cover for.

You will also have to take into account the various illnesses that are covered as these can vary from company to company. Another thing to take into account is that different companies have different exclusions within the policies so it is important that you read all the small print. is Chief Executive of BestDealInsurance (http://www.bestdealinsurance.co.uk) an independent specialist broker dedicated to providing their clients with the best deal on their home, motor and life insurance. ]]> Malpractice in Medicine Costs Careers http://www.artwoo.com/article/malpractice-in-medicine-costs-careers http://www.artwoo.com/article/malpractice-in-medicine-costs-careers#comments Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:22:15 +0000 critical illnessescocky attitudesaving a lifemedical unitsnecessary precautionsmedical breakthroughsmedical practitioners http://www.artwoo.com/article/malpractice-in-medicine-costs-careers critical illnesses have become entirely alarming these days and most come from various origins. And mind you, these illnesses are not simple issues that you can ignore. They are life threatening and normally people would be jolted by their origins and obvious impact towards healthy living.

There are events to support them. Some people have died because of them and these illnesses do not choose their prey. Young and old have not been spared by them and apparently this is why medical bulletins are being set out to inform people to take the . Don't ignore them. They are a reality.

If you think about health services as a whole, it is more than just making money. It is and making sure you can remedy their pain and suffering. We can see this everyday as people are frequently going to to seek attention.

We can see the rapid development of medical technology and apparently this also means the discovery of new illnesses and diseases. The good thing about it all is that we are defining and discovering new diseases and also finding new ways to cure them. But the thing there is medical professionals are able to aid and help people who often have something wrong with them these days.

If you think technology is the only thing that is expanding these days, guess again. are likewise providing new and faster ways of treating various illnesses and diseases and this stems from the fact that the growing list of illnesses have been plaguing various parts of the world.

Normally, it would baffle and normally it would take time for them to understand. Today, with the help of advanced studies and equipment, checking out the level of complications of most illnesses has become entirely better. It allows them to dissect and make the problem easier to evaluate and of course treat.

Doctors and physicians are human too. But that is no excuse for not being courteous or employing a as far as patients are concerned. Not all doctors would be understanding and crankiness may be experience at some time when you visit their office.

For most, this is something that can be understood. But as far as medication and diagnoses are concerned, false evaluations are unforgivable. They are the supposed masters of medicine and should they make the situation worst, they are in for a lot of trouble. This trouble is not only with the patient but with the law as well as malpractice will not be tolerated anywhere.

Medical practices are still the top need and demand in the world today and apparently this is why more people are inclined to take up this field. Medical and nursing degrees are the apparent hot career jobs to consider and this was made so because of the growing demand all over the world.

We can see the standards for this job growing by the day and apparently it seems that the demand is still high at this point. With most countries from the US and Europe recruiting like crazy, it should not be surprising why a lot of nurses and doctors have declared themselves eligible.Jon Caldwell is a professional content manager. Much of his articles can be found at http://guidetomedicallaborlaws.com]]> How Can Alternative Medicine Help Your Immune System? http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-can-alternative-medicine-help-your-immune-system http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-can-alternative-medicine-help-your-immune-system#comments Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:15:23 +0000 echinacea goldensealcause coldshealthy immune systemcommon illnessestypes of bacterianatural herbsmany other types http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-can-alternative-medicine-help-your-immune-system cause colds and the flu can't always be prevented. As a result the circulate in our homes, offices, schools, and even childcare centers. You can help to boost your immune system against such though with alternative medicine.

When your body is affected by such illnesses it can take quite a while to feel your self again. With the busy schedule that most people have it can be virtually impossible to just stop taking care of them and focus on getting yourself better. Preventative care with alternative medicine may mean that you don't have to .

There are of illnesses a person can suffer from as well. When you have a you will find the effects of them to be less severe than they would otherwise be. Your body can also have the strength it needs to fight such problems as diabetes and forms of cancer. Having a very healthy immune system will help you in many ways so don't underestimate how boosting it can help you stay as healthy as possible.

Toxins can build up in the body due to what we eat and the environment around us. By drinking plenty of water as well as green tea each day you can naturally remove those toxins from your body. When they are eliminated there are less germs and other elements in your body that can lead to various types of illnesses. Exercising each day is also a great way to boost your immune system. Don't forget to get enough rest each night as well.

Echinacea, Goldenseal, and Astragalus are you can use in order to boost your immune system. Echinacea works to help cells grow that naturally fight off any form of infection found in your body. Each of the cells that you already have to fight will be stronger as well. That means you have an additional line of defense from the onset of any illness.

Goldenseal helps to fight off that can cause illness in your body. When you get such bacteria you may need antibiotics to remove it. By using Goldenseal you won't become done with such illnesses. It is also known to prevent parasites from being able to survive in your body.

If you suffer from bouts of the common cold or sore throats on a regular basis you will want to take Astragalus. It is known to prevent people from suffering from such problems. It is safe for children to take as well. These three types of herbs can be found at local health food stores or purchased online.

By incorporating such methods of alternative medicine to boost your immune system you can feel your very best. You will be less likely to suffer from common illnesses that due circulate. If you are affected by them you will also have the ability to fight them off quickly and get back to your normal routine. Being able to stay feeling your very best will improve your mental health as well. As a result your mind and body will be able to find a good balance with each other.Cindy Browne loves everything to do with alternative health and is an author of articles about alternative medicine resource. Visit her site for more information on getting healthy.]]> Use Alternative Medicine to Prevent Illness http://www.artwoo.com/article/use-alternative-medicine-to-prevent-illness http://www.artwoo.com/article/use-alternative-medicine-to-prevent-illness#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:08:17 +0000 types of alternative medicineheart disease and diabetestypes of berriesnatural antioxidantsugary drinksprescription medicinesprescription medications http://www.artwoo.com/article/use-alternative-medicine-to-prevent-illness
This does make sense when you think about it. How many people take a daily vitamin supplement? It seems to go along those same lines as there aren't any negative side effects from doing so. They also won't interrupt what any are to do for them. One of the common ones is drinking green tea each day. This is said to help people lose weight. Therefore they are less prone to certain diseases such as that can be onset due to excess weight.

Green tea is also a so various types of toxins are removed from your body. Since they aren't in place they can't develop into any type of problem for you. Green tea tastes very good and is a healthy alternative to drinking all the time. If you don't like the taste of green tea though you can take it in a tablet form.

One area that is strongly promoted is the concept of eating well balanced meals.

Sure, we hear that all the time. Yet there are said to be certain types of foods that contain ingredients to prevent illnesses including cancer. They include certain as well as other fresh fruits. People do pay a premium price to get them shipped from far away areas.

For those that have a family history of cancer and other illnesses, there is nothing they won't try to reduce their risk. Alternative medicine certainly offers them some options that don't involve that can be expensive or have side effects associated with them. There is plenty of information about what to try for certain types of prevention.

Identify what your risk factors are so you can incorporate those concepts that can offer you the most protection. Pay close attention to how you feel before and after you start that method. Some experts believe that people can convince themselves something works there is a placebo effect going on and nothing else. Those that partake regularly in alternative medicine to prevent common illnesses though will have to disagree with them.

You will have to decide for yourself if you want to engage in forms of alternative medicine in order to prevent common illnesses. Some people don't put much stock in it while others will tell you they haven't been sick like they used to be since they started such a regiment. There haven't been enough substantial tests done on such products to really know.

It is important to understand that people react differently to various types of alternative medicine. That is another reason why it is so hard to give it complete credibility. What may work well for one individual may not offer you the protection you seek. So their opinion would be that it does work while you would have to disagree.Cindy Browne loves everything to do with alternative health and is an author of articles about alternative medicine. Visit her site for more information on getting healthy.]]> Protecting Your Family and Pets From Tick-borne Disease http://www.artwoo.com/article/protecting-your-family-pets-from-tick-borne-disease http://www.artwoo.com/article/protecting-your-family-pets-from-tick-borne-disease#comments Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:25:00 +0000 deer tickborne illnesseshave been infectedprotect your familywarm weatherprotecting your familylyme disease http://www.artwoo.com/article/protecting-your-family-pets-from-tick-borne-disease warm weather rolls around, families around the nation need to be aware of tick- and how they can affect not only pets, but people too. One of the greatest misconceptions about tick-borne illnesses is that you would have to spend a lot of time in the wilderness when, in fact, you can become infected in your own backyard. The key to prevention is through knowledge and care.

is a potentially serious ailment that stems from the black-legged but, despite their title, these carriers aren't only found on deer. In fact, your dog could unknowingly or could pass along the tick that could infect an individual or even a family. The best way to know how to prevent this from occurring is to speak with a veterinarian regarding the specific concerns for your area. Although Lyme Disease has been reported in all 50 states, there are other tick-borne illnesses that may also pose a health risk to your pet and your family.

The next step to and pet against tick-borne illnesses is to be aware of the symptoms and how to identify them properly. As is the case with many symptoms, one ailment often sounds very similar to another. For this reason alone, certain signs may go overlooked. A loss of appetite, depression, pain in the muscles and/or joints, weight loss, fever are all potential symptoms of a tick-borne illness. If any of these symptoms appear, it's wise to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis.

If you are a pet owner, make sure that your veterinarian checks your pet for tick-borne illnesses annually. In addition, you can help by checking his/her coat every day for ticks and, if recommended by your vet, use a preventative medicine for your four-legged friend.

By protecting your pet and being aware of your surroundings, you can also help to from becoming ill. When outdoors, it's a good idea to wear full-length pants and a long sleeve shirt. If you will be spending a lot of time in the woods, hiking boots can be worn and pants should be tucked inside to prevent infection.



The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional medical advice and/or recommendations surrounding the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of tick-borne diseases. For additional information on this topic, including questions regarding symptoms or diagnosis, speak with your physician. http://www.red3enterprises.com ]]> Some Mental Illness Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of http://www.artwoo.com/article/some-mental-illness-symptoms-you-should-be-aware-of http://www.artwoo.com/article/some-mental-illness-symptoms-you-should-be-aware-of#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:01:17 +0000 mental illness symptomssocial anxiety disorderstypes of mental illnessesdepressive illnessesmany other typesmanic depressionnoticeable symptoms http://www.artwoo.com/article/some-mental-illness-symptoms-you-should-be-aware-of depressive illnesses. Even though mental illnesses are very serious in nature, there are plenty of actions that one can take to deal with them. There are some you should be aware of if you wish to manage such conditions effectively.

Some of the most of mental illnesses, especially severe ones like , include those that can be observed through physical changes. Someone who is beginning to show signs of or is currently suffering from a mental disorder or mental illness may have a dazed look, or lose concentration easily when carrying out regular daily activities. Granted, being able to recognize the physical symptoms of a mental patient may be difficult at first, but once one sees that their friend or family member is making such physical changes, he or she will find it gradually easier to recognize such conditions.

Having a withdrawn behavior and "lonely" attitude are some of the more important mental illness symptoms that need to be looked out for by family members and friends. Withdrawing from family life and social activities that had been previously enjoyed by the individual is one such symptom. It is almost always exhibited by individuals who are feeling depressed, have mood disorders, suffer from schizophrenia, , and many other .

Some other common symptoms of mental illnesses are irritability and unprovoked anger. If you are living with a family member that has a mental disorder, or believe that you may be suffering from one yourself, then you may have already experienced such behavior. Someone who is suffering from a mental disorder may be easily angered, yell for no apparent reason, and appear more irritable in general.

It is important to identify and monitor the above mentioned mental illness symptoms in order to obtain good professional help. Contacting a mental health center or a psychiatrist is a great way to get help because they can prescribe various treatment options for the specific mental illness that one is suffering from. For example, prescription medications like anti-depressant medications may be required, and those medications can be combined with counseling and behavior modification therapy. In addition, mental health professionals often extend their services to family members who live with the individual suffering from a severe mental disorder. These services often include family therapy and counseling that benefits all. Multiple solutions and coping mechanisms can be shared and used through such counseling and psychotherapy.

All things considered, dealing with a mental illness definitely is not easy as it requires a lot of patience and perseverance. However, by using the proper treatment for the diagnosed mental disorder and seeking help from the professionals, the symptoms of these major mental illnesses can be treated effectively. Thus, understanding these mental illness symptoms well will enable you and your loved ones to be in better control when facing with such situations.Ian Spencer is an expert in solving anxiety and stress problems at http://www.Mental-Health-Counselor.org . Where he provides anxiety help advice to treat panic attacks and severe anxiety. Click Here to get your FREE anxiety analysis done online today.]]> Critical Illness Insurance -- Another Scam? http://www.artwoo.com/article/critical-illness-insurance-another-scam http://www.artwoo.com/article/critical-illness-insurance-another-scam#comments Wed, 09 Aug 2006 08:27:28 +0000 critical illness insuranceinsurance policyuk insuranceinsurance providerinsurance premiumsmoreoverillnesses http://www.artwoo.com/article/critical-illness-insurance-another-scam critical illness insurance may well be one of the wisest and astute financial decisions you make.

What Is Critical Illness Insurance?

In short, a critical illness is very much like any other insurance policy you take out. Here, however, your premiums go towards insuring that you do not contract a critical illness. In the event that you do contract a critical illness, your provider will pay you out a tax-free lump sum to help you cover the day-to-day costs of having to live with your new medical condition.

Are There Any Limitations With Critical Illness Insurance?

Yes; it is essential that you look at the list of critical that your insurance policy covers, as these will be the only illness under which the policy will pay-out. In other words, the UK will not pay-out on the policy simply because you have a doctor's certificate that you have a critical illness, it needs to be one of the designated critical illness.

, if you are considered by the UK insurance provider to be a high risk -- for example, if you smoke -- then it is likely that either you will not be able to obtain the critical illness insurance, or your will be significantly higher than if this were not to the case. Importantly, you will need to disclose whether or not you have any existing conditions, in which case these will likely not be included, and whether or not your family has a history of the illnesses set out in the policy, in which case this will likely affect your premium payments.

How Will I Be Paid?

As mentioned, with a critical illness insurance your UK insurance underwriter will pay you out a lump-sum tax free amount once you contract one of the critical illnesses listed in the policy. Having paid out the lump-sum amount, your relationship with the UK insurance provider will come to an end. In other words, you will not have an ongoing relationship with the insurance provider paying you intermediate payments.

Is It Worth Having Critical Illness Insurance?

The question of whether or not there is any value in you having a critical illness insurance will depending largely on your age, expenses, and whether or not you have any other insurance. Essentially, critical illness insurance covers an area for which other types of insurance can be obtained. However, unlike other types of insurance, this is a very specific insurance policy paying out for a very specific purpose. That said, there is a strong argument that you can never really have too much insurance and will numbers seemingly showing that more and more of us contracting critical illnesses as we grow as an aging population, this type of UK insurance is always useful. Joe Kenny writes for the UK personal finance sites http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk and also http://www.cardguide.co.uk ]]> Choosing Critical Illness Cover Online http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-critical-illness-cover-online http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-critical-illness-cover-online#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:43:19 +0000 critical illnescritical illness coverkidney failureskin cancersprostrate canceradvancement in technologyheart attack http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-critical-illness-cover-online critical illness are now living longer. can be taken out to protect against the possibility of you falling ill and a policy usually contains a long list of illnesses that are classed as being critical. The cover would pay out not only if you were seriously ill because of one of the illnesses, providing you have waited a certain length of time from contracting the illness, but would also pay if you become disabled as a result.

A policy would usually take into account around 30 illnesses which could include cancer, , suffering a stroke and or transplant. Of course you have to check out the terms and conditions of the policy before taking it on as they do differ. There are also many exclusions which have to be checked and these can apply to the various illnesses. For example while in the majority of cases critical illness cover would payout if you were diagnosed with cancer, not all forms of cancer would be covered. are usually exempt from the cover as is unless it is advanced. There are also exclusions for such as a heart attack and different policies will have different exclusions in them. Therefore you should never skip over the small print however tempting it might be.

When you are looking into choosing critical illness online you are able to take out a policy for any number of years. As long as you pay the premiums each month then the policy can continue running. There is always a period in which you cannot claim when taking on the cover and this would normally be around three months. While the means that you can live longer when being diagnosed with a critical illness it also means that insurance companies are putting up the cost of the insurance and as more advancements are made, premiums will continue to rise.

There are many factors that you have to take into account when choosing critical illness and when you look around you will find that there are many different policies offered by insurance companies. Never just take the first policy you find without looking into what is covered and is not, while you might get the cover cheap it would probably not cover many illnesses.

One thing to look for when deciding which critical illness cover to go for is whether or not the premiums will be fixed. If they are not fixed then you can expect the insurance company to raise them perhaps every other year. This could mean that what once was affordable cover now becomes a burden. A large number of policies will also provide cover for any children you have as standard. Sometimes the company will include children in the policy as standard while other providers could ask for a small premium. If you allow a broker to search around on your behalf for premiums then you can compare these easily for the best cover. All insurance found this way should come with what are called the key facts and these will tell you important information about what the policy entails.David Thomson is Chief Executive of BestDealInsurance an independent specialist broker dedicated to providing their clients with the best deal on their life insurance, critical illness cover and home and motor insurance.]]> Have You Thought About Critical Illness Life Insurance? http://www.artwoo.com/article/have-you-thought-about-critical-illness-life-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/have-you-thought-about-critical-illness-life-insurance#comments Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:20:01 +0000 critical illness life insurancecritical illness insurancelife insurance policycritical illnessessum of moneypeace of mindlump sum payout http://www.artwoo.com/article/have-you-thought-about-critical-illness-life-insurance
With the advancements of technology today more and more people who are diagnosed with a critical illness do recover and go on to lead a normal life. However, it is during the recovery time that you could need help and that you wouldn't have to struggle financially. A could help to pay medical expenses or day to day living expenses whilst you recovered and this would come in the form .

Critical life insurance will pay out a lump if you should be diagnosed with one of the specific outlined in a policy. The sum of money and the term that the policy is taken out is determined at the time of purchasing the policy and if you should suffer from one of the critical illnesses defined on the policy then that sum of money would be paid out providing that you survived for 28 days after you were diagnosed with the illness.

The actual conditions defined as critical illness will vary from policy to policy but they usually all include such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, major organ transplant and multiple sclerosis. There are many others but these are usually the core illnesses so always check with a particular policy under the terms and conditions.

If after the term ends on the policy and you haven't been diagnosed with a critical illness then the policy simply expires there is no cash payout. A policy can bring great peace of mind to you and your loved ones and get you through a stressful period of time but you have to be careful when choosing your policy. The easiest way to get the best deal on a critical is to go to a specialist provider and let them secure the cheapest deal for you. David Thomson is Chief Executive of BestDealInsurance (http://www.bestdealinsurance.co.uk) an independent specialist broker dedicated to providing their clients with the best deal on their home, motor and life insurance. ]]> Do I Need To See A Doctor? http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-i-need-to-see-a-doctor http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-i-need-to-see-a-doctor#comments Wed, 09 Aug 2006 14:27:14 +0000 doctorillnessesmedication informationminor skin irritationsmild diarrheastomach achescommon cold http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-i-need-to-see-a-doctor doctor? Do you ever consider making an attempt to treat your illness without seeking a doctor's advice?

If you consider treating minor at home, you may save yourself, not only hundreds of dollars, but time. Naturally there are illnesses that only a Physician can diagnose, and treat. I am referring to illnesses that almost all of us at one time or another has been plagued with.

For a good example, the can be easily treated at home with over the counter medication, increased fluids, and rest. Yet millions of people continue to seek a doctor to treat a common cold?

Illnesses that can be treated at home:

Just what illnesses can be safely treated in ones home, without consulting a doctor? Many Illnesses can be treated at home with over the counter medication. Illnesses such as; colds, flu, , , stress headaches, and . All of the above illnesses can be treated safely from home, without a costly visit to a doctor. Naturally one should keep in mind there are guidelines to follow when deciding, doctor or no doctor?

Here are some guidelines to follow when deciding to treat illnesses at home.

- You feel only slightly ill - Your symptoms are mild, and relieved with rest. - You temperature is under 100 degrees. - You are not getting relief of symptoms with over the counter medication. - Nausea and or vomiting are relieved by over the counter medication within 4 hours. - Diarrhea that is relieved within 8 hours with over the counter medication. - Headache Pain is relieved with over the counter medication within 4 hours. - Depending on the problem, minor skin problems can be treated with hosts of over the counter medications. Note; improvement should be noted within time period that is listed on given . Otherwise see ones physician.

When to see a Doctor:

If your illness requires you to see a doctor, go to your doctor's appointment prepared to supply him with a good description of your illness. Inform the doctor of any and all over the counter medication you have taken. Along with any prescribed medication you take on a daily bases. Give him a clear description of your symptoms. When did the symptoms appear? When or what makes the symptoms worse? Did any measures you tried at home decrease the symptoms? A good description of your illness can help the doctor better understand your condition, and aid greatly in the doctors treatment plan.

- Chest pain or heart related pain should always be considered an emergency. A doctor should be seen as soon as possible. - Pain that is unusual, in severity and duration. Also, it is out of the normal that you have ever experienced before. - No pain relief with over the counter medication or a notable increase in discomfort. - Dizziness or visual disturbances. - Speech irregularities. - Nausea and or vomiting that is unrelieved by over the counter medication within 4 hours. - Diarrhea that does not subside within 8 hours or shows increase in liquidity. - Notable Blood in stool. - Temperature over 101.0 degrees. - Symptoms that are out of the norm, those appear to be chronic and unrelieved, and have become worrisome. - A cold, flu or stomach problems that seem to be getting worse, ever though you are getting rest, fluids, and over the counter medications. - A sore throat, that is more painful then you have ever experienced. One loses the ability to speak because of laryngitis. - Sputum that is overly thick, and odd in color. Such as gray, yellow or green or blood tinged. Sputum that is odorous. - A cough that is chronic. - Any injury due to an accident, bone breaks, burns, etc. One should always seek emergency medical care. - Increase and unusual bruising, skin discolorations, lesions that won't heal, unexplained lumps. Any moles should be assessed by a doctor.

I hope these tips will help you in deciding how to treat some simple medical problems and when you should truly seek help from your doctor. Sharon Stajda is a retired registered nurse. She practiced her profession for twenty years. For more information, please visit: http://www.oldandsold.com/articles35/common-cold-12.shtml ]]> Critical Illness Insurance. How Critical Can You Get? http://www.artwoo.com/article/critical-illness-insurance-how-critical-can-you-get http://www.artwoo.com/article/critical-illness-insurance-how-critical-can-you-get#comments Sat, 16 Sep 2006 04:27:07 +0000 illnessesprudential policycritical illnessmedical conditionsregardillness policyfinancial advisers http://www.artwoo.com/article/critical-illness-insurance-how-critical-can-you-get critical illness policy on the market which attempts to go some way with to sorting out the perplexity regarding exactly what is, and is not, covered when it comes to claiming on the policy.

Traditional critical illness policies tend to cover up to 35 listed . Policyholders could become seriously ill with a condition that doesn't fall into the scope of the policy and find that their illness is not covered, whilst others may be diagnosed with a listed illness with a lower "grading" which is relatively easily treated, for which they get a full payout.

Because of this inequality, the Financial Services Authority is uneasy with regard to insurers failing to fully understand that cover is restricted to certain specific .

This new product is marketed by the Prudential, under the name of the Flexible Protection Plan, and is unusual in that it claims to cover an amazing 140 medical conditions. However, cover is based on the severity of the condition which could possibly cause some uncertainty regarding the grading of these illnesses.

This is how the plan works:

Listed in the policy are practically all serious illnesses and the payout when one these is diagnosed will be graded according to the severity of the condition. The Prudential says that by tying payments to the degree of seriousness of the illness means that more payments can be offered to people with debilitating illnesses, who may otherwise get nothing at all. An example of this is that should you lose the sight of one eye; the will pay 25% of the sum assured. Normally, critical illness policies would only pay out when total blindness occurs. In all, 140 severe conditions are covered.

A spokesman for one of the specialist welcomed the range of the policy, but voiced some concern regarding the implementation of these severity-based payments, saying that it would be open to argument as to what level of severity some illnesses would be graded as. It was felt that it would not be advisable to enter into this type of policy unless you had a very clear understanding of exactly how it would work. We quote "It will be up to the consumer to decide whether a guarantee of getting a smaller payment is better than possibly getting nothing."

The cost of this new policy is approximately twice as much as conventional critical illness cover.

If your main concern regarding insurance cover should you become critically ill would be the financial outcome, it might be better to consider life insurance. Particularly, if you have a family to support, you may need something that is going to guarantee their lifestyle in the worst case scenario and with the addition of some income protection cover, which would meet outgoings in the event of you becoming unable to work due to illness. This type of cover, unlike the critical , protects you against common conditions, which result in you being unable to carry out your work.

The best course of action would be to contact a broker and check out the alternatives. The internet's a good place to start and there are some good internet discount's available, along with plenty of advice. A good broker will be able to compare the products available and come up with the right insurance product for you. Get great articles on life assurance from Life Assurance Agent http://www.life-assurance-agent.co.uk . ]]> Reflexology For Joint and Muscle Pain http://www.artwoo.com/article/reflexology-for-joint-and-muscle-pain http://www.artwoo.com/article/reflexology-for-joint-and-muscle-pain#comments Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:08:32 +0000 massage massagealternate treatmentoptimal functionpreventative measuresswollen feetdisjunctionphysiological changes http://www.artwoo.com/article/reflexology-for-joint-and-muscle-pain physiological changes within the body and should not be confused with massage. There is one large difference between reflexology and massage, massage treats the underlying area that is being affected - whereas in reflexology the area being worked on causes changes in a different area within the body.

Reflexology has been known for centuries to have beneficial effects on the body in as well as healing properties. Recently, it has been catching on as a way to deal with pain in the joints and the muscles, as well as a way of dealing with chronic pain. The body is a whole and should be treated as such when treating pain -- reflexology successfully treats the body while assisting the prevention future illnesses.

Reflexology has shown to be especially helpful when dealing with foot pain. Using reflexology to treat foot pain literally deals with the root of the problem and is a superb to try. Anything from bunions, and joint have been relieved with specific types of reflexology.
Reflexology has gained credibility since it has been proven that over seventy five percent of illnesses are related to stress, or can be improved by removing the stressor.

The principals of reflexology state that many illnesses are caused by a buildup of chemicals within certain areas of the body such as the hands and feet, and stimulating these areas can breakdown the buildup and therefore improve the symptoms. Uric acid and calcium are two of the minerals that have been known to cause buildups and decrease the of the body including the blood flow and organs. This can have devastating effects on the joints, and therefore causing pain. Allowing these mineral buildups to be released can decrease the tension that is being placed on the joints causing pain.

There are more than seven thousand nerve endings in each foot, and each of these nerve endings leads to the brain. This significant fact begins to give reflexology the merit that it deserves.

Arthritis has been shown a decrease in symptoms when reflexology was conducted on a study of nearly one thousand patients. There are twenty six bones in the hand. All of these bones must function symbiotically to gain the proper working of the hand, and the wrist. When these bones are manipulated it can show significant decrease in arthritis pain.

Reflexology is gaining merit, and beginning to be covered by numerous health plans. It seems as if there is a shift occurring in the medical profession from treating diseases and illnesses with medication to treating and preventing these diseases and illnesses with age-old, non invasive techniques - ask the patients who have seen success with reflexology who are pain free, or try it yourself - to really find out the answer.Raleigh DentistryChapel Hill Sedation Dentistry]]> Pet Health: Top Three Reasons Why Your Dog Should See The Vet Today http://www.artwoo.com/article/pet-health-top-three-reasons-why-your-dog-should-see-the-vet-today http://www.artwoo.com/article/pet-health-top-three-reasons-why-your-dog-should-see-the-vet-today#comments Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:35:00 +0000 fall victimdeadly diseaseselderly petsvaccinationsroutine vaccinationdogsuntimely death http://www.artwoo.com/article/pet-health-top-three-reasons-why-your-dog-should-see-the-vet-today dogs have a tendency to mask their medical problems until they are full-blown. Not only does this create a threat to the very existence of your four-legged friend, but the veterinary care for emergency medical treatment is out of this world. To help ease the burden of emergency care on your pocketbook, here are a few reasons why your dog should see the veterinarian today.

They Are Behind on Their

If your pet is behind on their vaccinations, it may not seem like a big deal to you unless you have lost a pet from one of the illnesses that are normally vaccinated against. Parvo is one of the most devastating illnesses that a dog can get, and the symptoms associating them can be painful for your pet and for you to watch as well. While this is just one disease, it is part of a regular vaccination that most dogs receive in the first few months of their life, as a regular part of the package. Most canine vaccinations can be had for less than $20=97nothing compared to the thousands of dollars that can be spent trying to save your little friend from an at the hands of one of these killers.

You may think your dog is healthy, but they can catch something through just simple motions of everyday life as a dog. Catching a rat and killing it can be deadly if they happen to be rabid, but if your dog has been properly vaccinated you won't have anything to worry about except a potentially nasty mess.

They Are Very Old or Very Young

or infant pets are vulnerable to a great deal of diseases that pets in the prime of their life might not otherwise to. The bodies of very old or very young dogs have a tendency to not resist diseases and bacteria as well as they should, causing them to fall victim to a host of and infections that could threaten their life. Just because they are around and seem to be getting around okay does not mean they are healthy; get them seen by a vet today and put your mind at ease.

Your Dog is Pregnant or Nursing

If your dog is pregnant or nursing, it is vitally important that they see a veterinarian as soon as humanly possible. The nursing stage is a bit late for most dogs, as first time queens tend to have problems with labor and delivery, some of which can be potentially life-threatening.

If your dog is nursing, it is important to make sure that they are in top health so that they don't pass on any potentially devastating illnesses to their young. Many illnesses are transmitted through bodily fluids, including mother's milk, and getting your dog seen by a vet is a great way to make sure that both mother and babies stay in tip-top condition.

Many people think their dogs are indestructible, and they have a way of driving that assumption home. It is a known fact that dogs are people-pleasers and do well at masking symptoms of their illnesses, all to make your life easier. Such loyalty; don't you think you owe it to your dog to have them seen by their vet as early and often as possible? It will do nothing but enhance the length and quality of your time together. Shop pet supplies like Designer Dog Beds http://www.pampermepuppy.com/dog-beds.html and Leather Dog Collars http://www.pampermepuppy.com/dog-collars---leashes-leather-dog-collars.html at Pamper Me Puppy and visit Author's Pet Blog http://blog.pampermepuppy.com/ ]]> Discover The Hidden Benefits Natural Remedies http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-the-hidden-benefits-natural-remedies http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-the-hidden-benefits-natural-remedies#comments Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:30:00 +0000 synthetic drugsantibioticsbreakthroughs in medicinenatural medicinesunnatural chemicalsnatural chemicalshome remedies http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-the-hidden-benefits-natural-remedies home remedies made from natural ingredients such as fruit, herbs and vegetables are become very popular. Some of the reasons for this are that home remedies are simple, have no chemicals, no side effects and are reasonably inexpensive.

Your health and the health of your family are usually quite high on your list of priorities. After all what good are you without your health?

Of course are important and have saved many lives. There are often new that bring hope and help for the sick, which is great. But do we need to use synthetic drugs for all of our ailments.

Synthetic drugs are expensive and many have unwanted and sometimes hard to deal with side effects. So although synthetic drugs have their place, many people are going back to using natural remedies that the human race has been using for thousands of years.

The kitchen is a great place to start when looking for home remedies as it will possibly contain many of the that you would need to deal with many common ailments. By reading up a bit on natural remedies you will be able to equip yourself to handle many illnesses from common colds to toddlers with colic or diarrhoea.

Natural medicines basically use the that are present within herbs, spices and other natural foods to tackle the offending foreign element in the body that is causing infection or pain. This is as opposed to flushing the body with hundreds of milligrams of strong, in the form of . Antibiotics are necessary in many conditions, but unfortunately they are being overused in recent times and many mothers of young children will request antibiotics for their child each time they are ill. When for the overall health of your child you are best to avoid antibiotics unless they are really necessary.

Antibiotics do kill the bad bacteria that are causing the illness, but at the same time they also kill the friendly, good bacteria that our bodies need, which can make you more vulnerable to becoming sick again.

For the long term, it is much healthier for your body to use natural remedies in the case of colds, flu's, and many more ailments. There are many long term illnesses that natural remedies may also be very beneficial for without giving those bad side effects that modern medicine will give.

Although for serious illnesses it is not recommended to rely completely on natural remedies without the advice of a general practitioner as some illnesses will require synthetic medicines and could possibly be life threatening without it.

Often you may be able to combine both modern medicine and natural medicine in your treatment. Natural therapies are also very good for maintaining good health and building a strong immune system to reduce the chance of becoming ill.

Natural remedies can effectively be used to treat a number of illnesses through regular usage. It can be beneficial to boost your child's immune system, to prevent hair loss, treat acne, dandruff and aches and pains and minor burns. There are many uses for natural remedies so do some research and find out just what is in your kitchen that can help you deal with some of those ailments. Discover The Natural Remedies and Cures The Big Drug Companies Don't Want You To Know About. For Your Free Report Visit: http://viphealthsecrets.com/Natural_Cures/ Or Visit http://viphealthsecrets.com ]]> Chronic Conditions And My Life http://www.artwoo.com/article/chronic-conditions-and-my-life http://www.artwoo.com/article/chronic-conditions-and-my-life#comments Wed, 05 Jul 2006 08:27:22 +0000 chronic illnesseschronic illnesscold or flulengthy illnesslose weightcommon coldpuffy http://www.artwoo.com/article/chronic-conditions-and-my-life lengthy illness.

There are 'chronic' illnesses (continuing for a long time), and there are 'acute' conditions (such as the common ). Some es can be fatal, such as cancer. Some chronic illnesses can be relieved and controlled with medical treatment (such as arthritis and asthma), although the condition itself will remain.

Such an illness can leave you drained emotionally, socially, physically and sometimes financially. For the first while, until you adapt to your new condition, you will worry, feel vulnerable, confused, and wonder just what your future holds for you. These feelings are very normal and are just the beginnings of dealing with, and understanding, your condition. Everyone is different, and each of you coming to terms with your illness will accept it at your own own pace. It is very common to feel stressed out trying to live your life, together with your condition, at the same time.

And sometimes people with a chronic illness will keep their condition to themselves, but they soon see this doesn't work. Medications can make you look or make you gain or , which will undoubtedly be noticed. You will lose time at work when/if you are home sick, more frequently than is normal for you. You won't be too surprised to find that people will, without a doubt, acknowledge and accept your condition with the greatest concern. They are your friends and co-workers, and will want to help however they can, even if it's just listening.

After you have adapted to your condition, the next thing to do is learn all you can about it. The more you know about and understand your condition, the better you will feel. It will relieve the anxiety you are feeling, and will reduce your fear. It also helps to have someone to talk to (your spouse, a family member, or a close trusted friend), or perhaps to join a support group of people with your condition.

And don't be afraid to ask the Doctor/Nurse questions; if you don't understand the Doctor's response, ask again, or ask him to clarify it.

Some questions for the Doctor might be:

What is the treatment for my condition? How many treatments will i have? Will they be painful? Are there side effects? What if i forget my medicine? What if the treatments don't work? Will i be cured?

Learn all you can about your illness, the medications, and treatments for it, and you'll soon thereafter be able to live a healthy, happy lifestyle.

It's difficult at the best of times, to say the least, living with a chronic condition.

Your body's not functioning orlooking the way it should, and to you it's very annoying and depressing. But who of us, healthy or otherwise, is happy with their body? Not very many for sure. If you look after your body, appreciate what it's capable of doing, and accept what it can't, you body image will improve, and that applies to everyone, with or without a chronic illness.

And above all, don't let it be the main focus of your life. You had a life before it came along, and you still do. It has only recently become a part of your life. Maintain your lifestyle with friends, family, favourite activities, and whatever else you do on a daily basis. Be firm with yourself; it's your life.

Unexpected challenges (illnesses) leave one to find an inner strength they may have never thought they had. They grow to appreciate their strengths, and adapt to their weaknesses. I hope you are going to be one of these people. You can find more information by visiting http://www.illconditions.com ]]> Dog Illnesses http://www.artwoo.com/article/dog-illnesses http://www.artwoo.com/article/dog-illnesses#comments Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:25:00 +0000 common dog illnessesfoul smelling vaginal dischargedog illnesses symptomsfemale dogspet dogsloss of appetitepainful areas http://www.artwoo.com/article/dog-illnesses pet dogs should be treated as members of our family and adequate attention must be paid to the canine's health. Sometimes dogs become sick but may not look so. It is very important to recognize and understand .

Since prevention is a better cure, we must learn something about dog illnesses and symptoms so we can better understand their conditions. This will help us recognize some . If appropriate and adequate vaccinations are administered to the puppies, most of the common dog illnesses can be easily prevented.

Some elementary observations are useful to recognize certain common dog illnesses. Dogs take a lot of sleep but their sleep is marked by alertness. If a dog is sluggish then there may be various causes contributing to it, right from anemia to old age. If the dog is limping then you should check for prospective using a firm and yet gentile hand. Check out for any signs indicating lameness from time to time.

The appetite of the dog is bound to be affected by ill health. Look for any signs of . An important sign of dog health problems is excessive thirst. A pronounced weight loss is also an indicator of ill health. Check the eyes for any ulcers, discharges, veins or sores.

The mouth of a healthy dog is pink. There should not be any discoloring or cavities in the teeth. Look for signs of discharge from ears. It is advisable to clean the ears from time to time. The dog's head should be regularly checked for sore patches, hair loss, or deep wounds.

Investigate the limbs and trunk for the same signs. If the dog is vomiting, there may be various underlying problems. If the body temperature of your dog is not between the range 38 to 39 Celsius it is an indication of some kind of illness. Check the for any kind of , which needs attention of a vet.

The symptoms of pain and discomfort experienced by a dog can give us many clues about the possible underlying illness. If the dog is suffering any abdominal pain, it may be due to canine hepatitis, enteritis or it can be a simple case of constipation. The abdominal swelling dogs indicate canine bloat and roundworms in puppies. Aggression of the dog may be caused by rabies. Roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms my cause anemia in dogs. Any behavioral changes in dog can be an indicator of hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, canine arthritis, heart disease, canine, or parvovirus.

Kidney diseases sometimes cause blood in urine. Eye infections and entropion cause bloodshot eyes in dogs. A ruptured diaphragm, obstructed airway, lungworm, bronchitis, pneumonia, food poisoning, heatstroke, allergies can cause respiratory problems in dogs.

There are various reasons of sudden change in weight of dogs like heart disease to heartworms. Hernia might be caused due to long term constipation in dogs. Allergies, parvovirus, hepatitis, lungworm, TB, pneumonia or distemper may be one of the reasons of coughing in dogs. Cannine parvovirus can also cause dehydration in dogs. Any pancreatic disorder, food poisoning can give rise to diarrhea in dogs. The dog may suffer from hair loss due to mange, red mange demodectic, scabies, cheyletiella mange, or cushings syndrome.

If dog indicates any signs of failing genital bleeding, persistent constipation, projectile vomiting, fainting, hair loss, seizure, stumbling, trauma, trembling, mouth bleeding, rectal bleeding, lethargy, shaking, urinating problems contact a dog care specialist. If you love your dog, you've got to know "What to do if Your Dog is Poisoned" just in case. Hope you'd never have to use it. http://www.2knowabout.com/dog/what_to_do_if_your_dog_is_poisoned.php ]]> Air Purifiers Aid In A Healthy Lifestyle http://www.artwoo.com/article/air-purifiers-aid-in-a-healthy-lifestyle http://www.artwoo.com/article/air-purifiers-aid-in-a-healthy-lifestyle#comments Fri, 14 Apr 2006 01:00:06 +0000 air purifierspollen moldanimal danderpet danderindoor pollutionillnessesair purifier http://www.artwoo.com/article/air-purifiers-aid-in-a-healthy-lifestyle air purifier. Allergies, asthma, respiratory problems, and the spread of viruses and can all be related to . Investing in a good quality air purifier can protect you and your family by greatly reducing your risk of sickness related to indoor pollution. Every home contains these environmental toxins, even ones that are often cleaned thoroughly. It is proven that the air inside our homes can be more harmful than the air outside because air in the home recirculates and never has the opportunity to be filtered.



Allergens inside the home like pollen, mold, and can be very irritating to people who are prone to allergies. Asthma, an inflammatory disease of the lungs, can cause symptoms like coughing, runny nose, red eye, digestive problems, fatigue, dizziness, and congestion. can provide a huge relief for these symptoms, by greatly reducing the amount of the allergens in the air. This also can cut down the cost of expensive medications that are often used to treat these illnesses.

Air purifiers can also reduce the spread of illnesses and viruses like the common cold or the flu. They are very beneficial to people with low immune systems, like the elderly, and families with children because they lower the spread of illness. By filtering the air, air purifiers stop these illnesses from spreading throughout the house reducing the risk of contamination to other people in the home. Elderly people and people with low immune systems often do not have the means to fight off infection and illness so they are particularly vernable to such contamination. Children in school and daycare are exposed to sicknesses at school that are easily brought home and spread to the family.

There are many toxins in the home including pollen, mold, , smoke, bacteria, and germs. The air in your home will be much cleaner if you decide to invest in an air purifier because they filter or ionize the air greatly reducing indoor toxins. Air Ionizers and Hepa Filters are the most commonly used air purifiers. Air Ionizers distribute negative ions throughout the air causing the toxins to bond and fall out of the air. HEPA filters draw the air in using a fan, where it filters the air, and redistributes it back throughout the house.

In our society today there is more pollution now than there ever was before, especially in the home. Owning an air purifier is the best way for you to protect yourself and your family from such toxins. Air purifiers are essential for the home because they greatly reduce the amount of pollution in your home lowering your chance of developing sickness due to indoor toxins. Air purifiers are one of the best things you can invest in for your home and your health today more than ever. **************** About The Author **************** Dave Michaels writes on home and computer subjects. For more air purifier tips visit http://www.airpurifiertips4u.com **************** About The Author **************** Please use the HTML version of this article at: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?id=41137 ]]> Understanding Critical Illness Cover http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-critical-illness-cover http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-critical-illness-cover#comments Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:35:00 +0000 critical illness insurancecritical illness coverassociation of british insurersheart attackprostrate cancerskin cancercoronary heart http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-critical-illness-cover
will pay out if you are diagnosed as having a pre-determined critical illness, there are a range of around serious illnesses which are now included in a policy such as this, but of course this will vary from company to company and the policy which is on offer, so you should always ensure you understand what your particular policy covers.

However the majority of policies do cover certain conditions which are classed as core or foundation conditions and these include cancer, , kidney failure, a major organ transplant, by pass, multiple sclerosis and a stroke. However not all illnesses are covered and in fact recently, new rulings have been set out by the regarding which conditions can be claimed on.

Due to this it is imperative that you understand conditions which are excluded from critical insurance policies. For example, conditions such as non-evasive and which isn't considered to be advanced is excluded from within a policy. Of course these are just a few examples and there are many more.

Even conditions such as heart attack has to be clearly outlined, for example there has to be evidence that there are pains in the area of the chest, along with changes to an E.C.G scan for example. If the heart problem is thought to be caused by angina then in some cases this is also excluded from the policy.

Critical illness insurance benefits everyone, those who are married and have dependant children as well as those who are single. can be used to pay off the mortgage or for private medical treatment which can be more beneficial than having life cover which will only pay out if you die.

Critical insurance cover can be taken out from between the ages of 17 and 70 and can be taken out for a pre-determined amount of time, such as to go alongside the term of your mortgage. From taking out the cover there will normally be a period of time in which you cannot make a claim, for the majority of policies this is usually a period of 3 months.

Choosing the right type of critical insurance can be a problem as currently there are over 200 different versions of critical insurance cover, so understanding the type of cover you need is essential. Understanding the level of cover is also essential as some policies seem to cover just about anything, when in fact there are a lot of hidden exclusions, while a high price is charged for the product. David Thomson is Chief Executive of BestDealInsurance (http://www.bestdealinsurance.co.uk) an independent specialist broker dedicated to providing their clients with the best deal on their home, motor and life insurance. ]]> Food Safety | Does Your Kitchen Serve Up Food Safety? http://www.artwoo.com/article/food-safety-does-your-kitchen-serve-up-food-safety http://www.artwoo.com/article/food-safety-does-your-kitchen-serve-up-food-safety#comments Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:19:59 +0000 foodborne illnessesfoodborne diseasesfood safety riskscenters for disease control and preventionm yoshidafood safety tipsprotect your family http://www.artwoo.com/article/food-safety-does-your-kitchen-serve-up-food-safety
Since then, you've probably wondered what's safe to eat and what's not, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family from . Plenty, it turns out.

Foodborne-diseases cause roughly 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations and about 5,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, according to the .

To avoid getting sick from contaminated foods, "you don't need to get paranoid; you just need to be careful," says Cynthia M. Yoshida, M.D., a gastroenterologist in Charlottesville, VA, and author of "No More Digestive Problems" (Bantam). Thorough cooking usually kills most harmful bacteria, so the greatest are with raw or undercooked foods. (If you are immunocompromised or have liver disease, avoid risky foods such as raw shellfish and soft cheeses altogether, Dr. Yoshida advises.)

To from foodborne illnesses, you'll want to follow these five food-safety tips in your kitchen:

1. Scrub like a surgeon.

Lather up with warm water and soap from your fingernails to your wrists for 20 seconds, then dry your hands with paper towels. Wash your hands again whenever you change tasks=97for example, when you switch from cutting meat to making a salad.

2. Store raw meats safely.

Place red meats, poultry and seafood on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. That way, their juices won't drip onto other foods and contaminate them.

3. Dedicate cutting boards.

Use one board for meats and another for ready-to-eat foods like produce and breads=97and keep them separate. Wash them well with soap and hot water after each use.

4. Wash produce thoroughly.

Even if the label on a bag of lettuce says it's triple-washed, rinse it in a colander for a few minutes. Do the same for all fruits and veggies.

5. Cook meats properly.

The best way to tell if meat or poultry is cooked thoroughly is to insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part. According to the American Dietetic Association, ground meats, roasts and steaks should be cooked to 160=B0F, while chicken and turkey should be cooked to 180=B0F. After each use, wash the thermometer thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Don't have a meat thermometer handy? "At least cut into the meat to make sure it's cooked through," Dr. Yoshida says. "And there should be no trace of pink in chicken or turkey."

Practicing food safety will keep your kitchen germ-free and protect the health of your loved ones--and is there anything more important?

Writer: Chrystle Fiedler =A9REMEDY, Spring 2007 Get FREE 2-year health magazine subscriptions to REMEDY at http://www.healthisnow.com Reading an article in REMEDY could improve your health and your life. Sign up today! Also check out http://www.HealthyUpdates.com, a health education web site produced by MediZine LLC. ]]>