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St. Elizabeth & The Spirit of Caritas

St. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, is the inspiration of Caritas or Charitable Care.  Helping the elderly with Long Term Care is our core value.  We are driven to educate Catholic seniors — and seniors of all faiths — to plan for their future Long Term Care needs before they need care in a Medical Center or Hospital.  Often patients leave the hospital and head to rehab in a Long Term Care facility or at home.

It is all too common that as people age and begin to depend on another person, such as their spouse, to help with their Activities of Daily Living.  This is the very definition of what Long Term Care.  Often this care can be for a long period of time and can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.  When this life event is not properly prepared for it can set back a family and eliminate any generational inheritance.

Why Is Long Term Care Important?

When a person gets to a point in their life where they cannot perform their basic needs such as eating, bathing, dressing, transferring, or have trouble maintaining continence, they often will need to have a person come into their house and administer home health care, assisted living facility, or a nursing home.  This type of care is constant and can be very expensive.  To learn more here is a good resource.  CompareLongTermCare.org.

Key Types of Cardiovascular Care

The heart is one of the most important organs in the body, but what happens when the cardiovascular system stops working properly? Heart disease is an extremely prevalent condition in today’s society and seeking out the best care in this area is essential for maintaining good health. There are a few main types of cardiovascular care and each type is specific to a certain area. 

Medical cardiology is where diagnosing and therapy for heart disease takes place. Heart conditions that are generally treated in this area are angina, acute myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. These conditions can all be serious and life-threatening, making them an important priority for each patient. When the treatment for these conditions does not require surgery, they are grouped into the medical cardiology service line. This line deals with treatment that is not invasive and comprises a fairly large area of cardiac care. 

Invasive cardiology is the area where patients who are generally described in the medical cardiology service line have also had surgery. These surgeries may include a cardiac catheterization, pacemaker insertion, balloon angioplasty, or placement of cardiac stents. This is the next step in cardiac treatment and is a more invasive treatment method than medical cardiology care. A patient may be recommended for these surgeries to correct a heart condition or prevent a heart condition from progressing. A doctor will always discuss treatment options with patients and may recommend one of these procedures. 

Another type of cardiovascular care is open heart surgery. Most people are familiar with this type of procedure and it may include coronary artery bypass surgery or cardiac valve procedures, just to name a few examples. This is the most invasive procedure and generally requires a hospital stay. Open heart surgery may be recommended in many cases depending on the condition and age of a patient. Not all patients may be candidates for open heart surgery, since it does cause strain on the body. 

When deciding where to place a patient, a doctor will use a wide variety of information to make a diagnosis and recommend the care that is needed. The information used may include gender, age, current condition, family history, blood tests, and other information that the doctor obtains. These are all important determinants of each patient’s outcome and how well they will respond to certain treatments. After carefully considering these factors, a doctor will offer several options generally and then make a recommendation. In most cases, patients and their families will decide on the recommendation made by the healthcare professional. 

These are the major types of cardiovascular care available today. They range from minimally invasive to open heart surgery and comprise the major procedures used in treatment and prevention of heart disease today. Anyone interested in learning more about their treatment options may want to read about each procedure recommended in depth before making a decision. Each patient’s case will be recommended for a certain type of treatment based on multiple factors that are considered by a trained cardiologist.

Neurological Care – Dealing Effectively with Nervous System Disorders

Neurology is a medical area of expertise that deals with nervous system disorders. Specifically, neurology as a specialization and related neurological care deals with the treatment and diagnosis of all types of diseases involving the peripheral and central nervous system or equally, the somatic and autonomic nervous systems as well as their muscle, effector tissues, blood vessels, and coverings. 

A neurologist is the physician whose specialty is neurology and the one who diagnoses, investigates and treats neurological disorders. Most translational and basic research, clinical trials, and clinical research is usually done by neurologists. Neurology is a non-surgical process but its corresponding surgical equivalent is known as neurosurgery. While neurology is a branch of medicine, neuroscience is the scientific study of all the manifestations and aspects of the nervous system. So many neurological disorders today are well described, including those that affect the spinal cord or brain within the central, autonomic, and peripheral nervous systems. 

Physical Examination

Before neurological care is formulated or given, a neurological examination is important. The neurologist usually analyzes the health history of the patient while paying close attention to the condition as it currently is. Next, the patient goes through a neurological examination that tests the state of mind, cranial nerves function including vision, sensation, reflexes, coordination and strength. The information gives the neurologists a better chance to determine the clinical localization and if the current problem is in the nervous system. Differential diagnosis is developed by neurologists through the important process of pathology localization. To confirm a specific diagnosis, appropriate neurological care and management as well as guiding therapy, further tests might be called upon. 

Neurological care usually relates to those afflicted by physical deterioration within the nervous system mostly affecting brain functioning and movement. This care also applies to those patients with what is referred to as acquired neurological situations, especially an injury or stroke that leads to brain injury. Care is provided by extensive high skilled groups of experts dedicated to the treatment and diagnosis of conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, movement problems or disorders, stroke and multiple sclerosis that affect the nervous system and the brain. 

In case of complex neurological conditions requiring intricate neurological care, professional teams derived from multiple areas in medicine are brought together, such as neurosurgeons, neurologists, rehabilitation providers and neuro-radiologists. In such a team approach to neurological complications care the most comprehensive treatment is developed to make sure the condition is dealt with efficiently. 

Comprehensive neurological care understands that neurological conditions portend unique challenges for all the victims and their families. In turn, support services are usually provided to address each patient’s individual needs, from pain management, rehabilitation to counseling. Those with long-term and complex conditions of neurology are offered a huge number of services in most neurological centers helping them to live independently and make their own choices. 

The care centers also help with cognitive and behavior abilities, mobility and movement, personal care, drinking and eating. Neurological care might also include the use of such specialists as physiotherapies, dietitians, doctors, occupational therapists, language and speech therapists. 

Cosmetic neurology has also emerged and highlights the possibility of therapies in enhancing overall happiness, school attention and even workplace efficacy.

Oncology Services for Efficient Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer

Oncology refers to the branch of science dealing with cancers and tumors. Oncology services are concerned with any type of cancer diagnosis in people, therapy such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and other types, patient follow-up after successful treatment of cancer, palliative care for patients displaying terminal malignancies, and ethical questions that manifest in cancer care. Also, oncology is concerned with screening efforts of the patient’s relatives for those cancers resulting from hereditary factors like breast cancer.

Major Disciplines of Oncology 

Clinical oncology has three major disciplines that manifest clearly in oncology services, including radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and medical oncology. 

Medical oncologists are heavily involved in the treatment of cancers using chemotherapy where drugs are also used to kill the cancer-causing cells. 

Surgical oncologists specialize in surgical aspects in cancer treatment, such as biopsy, where small tissues are removed for microscope examination as well as surgical removal of cancer, lymph nodes nearby as well as surrounding tissues.

On the other hand, radiation oncologists are involved in the treatment of cancer through radiation therapy, where x-rays in high energy are used in the destruction of cancer cells. 

Diagnosis

Oncology services include diagnosis of the condition prior to treatment. Screening tools are very important, with medical history termed as the best. This includes the complaints character as well as any other symptoms like paraneoplastic phenomena, unknown fever, unexplained anemia, weight loss, and fatigue. Through a physical examination, it is possible to reveal where the malignancy is located. 

The methods of diagnosis include resection, and excisional or incisional biopsy, which are very reliable ways of a definitive cancer diagnosis. Endoscopy is also another way to diagnose, mostly on the lower or upper gastrointestinal, nasendoscopy or bronchoscopy. Radiological techniques are also used, such as ultrasound, PET scan, MRI scans, CT scanning, and X-rays. Also, diagnosis can also be made through nuclear medicine methods, such as positron emission tomography, and scintigraphy among others. 

Blood tests are also used, such as tumor markers that might heighten the suspicion a specific tumor is active. Apart from being used in diagnosing cancer, these modalities like CT scanning are also put into use often in ascertaining operability, the possibility of removing a tumor completely through surgery. 

Oncology services help to fight cancer effectively, the toughest challenge many people face or will face in life. However, you do not have to face the condition on your own. These services are provided by outstanding clinical expert teams committed in helping a patient to go through this time easily and lovingly as treatments are offered compassionately, respectfully and with great skills, no matter the type of tumor or cancer or care required. 

Cancer screening

Cancer research and oncology involve general population screening to find cancer or patient relatives screening for hereditary cancers. A good example is breast cancer which includes population screening through normal mammography or genetic analysis through familial screening. 

Today, many countries are now adopting oncology services comprised of a multidisciplinary team offering the treatment. Such a team usually meets regularly to discuss the best approach to follow to treat a patient within their care. These multidisciplinary teams consist of clinical oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, surgeons, radiotherapists, and specialists on specific organs such as dermatologists or gynecologists and in certain cases, the general practitioner.

The US News and World Report’s 2014 number one ranked Cancer treatment Hospital in the United States is in Texas. http://www.mdanderson.org/  They have cutting-edge technology and research that have helped lift the center to the top spot.  Also, the fact that Texas boasts multiple excellent Universities is another driver that helps keep the doctor talent in the state.

Long Term Care such as care received at home or in a nursing home as a result of cancer has been a growing cause of claim on Long Term Care Insurance.  This type of insurance helps cancer patients recover by giving them care for their basic needs such as eating and bathing until the patient is back on their feet.

Orthopedics – Effective Treatment of the Musculoskeletal System

Orthopedics is a branch of surgery dealing with cases of the musculoskeletal system. To treat congenital disorders, tumors, infections, degenerative diseases, sports injuries, and musculoskeletal trauma, orthopedic surgeons utilize non-surgical and surgical means. The term orthopedics was coined by Nicholas Andry from “orthopédie”, a French word, in 1741 after publishing orthopedia, the art of preventing and correcting children’s deformities. Bony deformities and spinal correction ended up as the basis for an orthopedic practice. 

The first orthopedic institute was established by Jean Andre Venel in 1780, the first-ever hospital dedicated to skeletal deformities treatment mostly on children. Venel is considered the first-ever real orthopedic surgeon and the father of orthopedics as a result of his hospital and published methods of operation. 

However, this branch of surgery has changed a lot since its inception, with the first-ever successful surgery by David L. MacIntosh pioneering the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) knee management. ACL was a very serious yet common injury that brought the careers of dancers, field athletes, and skiers to an end as a result of permanent joint unsteadiness. MacIntosh worked with football players who were injured in re-routing viable ligaments around adjacent structures so that the complex and strong knee joint mechanics could be preserved, including stability restoration. The subsequent construction surgery development gave hope to many athletes who wanted to return to their professions. 

However, modern surgeries in orthopedics and musculoskeletal studies seek to make the surgery process less invasive for implanted components to be more durable and much better. 

Training and Certification

Orthopedic surgeons require undergraduate education for four years and another four in medical school. Also, the graduates from medical school undertake orthopedic surgery residency training for five years. One year is spent in general surgery training and orthopedic surgery training for the remaining four. 

After the orthopedic surgeon has completed registrar or specialty residency training, they are eligible for the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American Board of Medical Specialties. A certification from any of these two bodies ensures the orthopedic surgeon meets the specified examination, evaluation, and education requirements.

Surgeons practicing orthopedics have a typical schedule involving 55 hours or so of weekly work divided among administrative duties, surgery, clinic, and perhaps research and teaching in academic surroundings. 

Top Procedures

There are so many procedures carried out by qualified orthopedic surgeons that include carpal tunnel release, support implant removal, chondroplasty, knee arthroscopy, trochanteric and femoral neck fracture repair, knee replacement, meniscectomy, and knee arthroscopy, shoulder decompression and arthroscopy, anterior cruciate ligament and knee arthroscopy reconstruction, debridement of fracture, bone, skin, and muscle among dozens of other practices. 

Arthroscopy

Among the areas in orthopedics that have helped patients is arthroscopy, which started with torn ligaments reconstruction and minimal surgery of invasive cartilage. This process helped patients to recover after a few days as compared to the months or weeks that open surgery requires, making it one of the most popular techniques in orthopedic surgeries. In fact, most modern orthopedic procedures are carried out arthroscopically. 

Arthroplasty

Replacement of joints, especially hip joints has also become very popular among very active and younger patients. The operation helps in delaying the need for less bone-conserving and more traditional full hip replacements. To avoid the wearing of the bearing component surfaces, the use of alternative and better-bearing surfaces has increased today, more so in younger patients towards improving the joint replacement components wear characteristics. These alternatives to the metal on plastic that was originally used include all-metal and ceramic implants. 

Other treatment methods in orthopedics include casts, injections, supports and braces, therapy and rehabilitation, medications, and surgery among others, on top of the already mentioned arthroplasty and arthroscopic surgery.

Women’s Health Care – Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is over 100 times more of a common cancer in women than it is in men, making it one of the main health scares in women in today’s generation. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women that starts from the breast tissue and is most commonly produced from the source of the inner lining of your milk ducts or lobules which supply the ducts using milk. Sadly, breast cancer was responsible for over 400,000 deaths worldwide, causing people to want a cure even more than ever before. The first noticeable symptom of breast cancer is the general lump that feels a bit different from your breast tissue.

Over 80% of those who have or had breast cancer are discovered once the woman starts to feel a lump producing. Although younger women are very unlikely to get the cancer, it can still attack anyone at any time. The worst part is that it isn’t just a condition that affects women who are unhealthy because even the fittest women can suffer from the cancer. There are many things that can trigger breast cancer, the most common cause is genetics. However, even if your mother or grandmother did not suffer from breast cancer, you can still suffer from it.

Women’s Health Care – Breast Cancer

One of the most common types of breast cancer that is produced is called ductal carcinoma. This cancer begins inside the cells of your ducts. Cancer that begins inside the lobes or your lobules is called lobular carcinoma which is more often discovered in both of your breasts Inflammatory breast cancer, on the other hand, is an uncommon kind of breast cancer where the breast becomes swollen, warm, and red quite easily. There are many treatments available for those already suffering from cancer, but to prevent yourself from getting cancer, it is crucial to get regular checkups and learn about the potential risks that can increase your chances of getting breast cancer.

A couple of breast cancer risks include:

  • Menstruation at a young age
  • Giving birth at an old age or not giving birth at all.
  • Personal history with invasive breast cancer, lobular carcinoma in the SITU, suctal carcinoma in the SITU, or benign breast disease.
  • Family history of breast cancer.
  • Breast tissue that is dense when on mammograms.
  • Treatment with radiation therapies to the breast or chest.
  • Taking hormones like estrogen and progesterone to help symptoms of menopause.
  • Rapid weight gain or obesity.
  • Not exercising enough daily.
  • Being white.
  • Drinking alcoholic beverages.

According to many recent studies, women that have certain mutations in their genes like BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, have a higher increased risk of getting breast cancer. Also, some women that did suffer from breast cancer in a single breast have increased risks of getting breast cancer inside their other breast. These types of women also have increased risks of getting ovarian cancer, whereas others have a higher risk of getting other cancers. Prevention is key when it comes to breast cancer, because the earlier you spot the cancer, the easier it’ll be to eliminate.