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Why You Should Opt for STD Testing

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There are an estimated 20 million cases of sexually transmitted infections from just eight viruses and bacteria that are diagnosed every year in the U.S. — but that’s 20 million reasons to head to a health clinic for women to get tested.

Why get tested? Getting tested is a quick and easy way to ensure your overall and reproductive health. Many sexually transmitted diseases have little to no symptoms, and can often be mistaken for something else. Some women may be scared to get tested or believe there is a stigma to getting tested; maybe they believe they will be judged by their peers.

Luckily, there are std testing centers that offer confidential std testing. These testing centers can often be found within urgent care centers or the common health clinic for women.

How to get tested: First the individual must ask for an std test in order to be tested. If they are there for an annual physical or at an OBGYN office, the nurse practitioner may ask if they would like to get tested.

Once you have asked your doctor for a test, they will need to first figure out what types of symptoms — if any — you are having so they can determine which type of test is needed. There is no one overall test to determine which std an individual might have.

The doctor will first ask how many partners you have had and how sexually active you are. Next they will ask what form of birth control you use. Note that some forms of birth control, such as condoms, will prevent certain types of stds, while others do not.

It may be difficult to determine from asking questions what std you may have, as many go without symptoms for a long time. Less than 40% of sexually active young women are screened for chlamydia mostly because this disease shows little to no symptoms.

How the test is conducted: There are a number of ways to be tested once the doctor has narrowed down possibilities. First would be a physical exam where your doctor will examine you for any visible signs. A second option would be a blood sample. A third option is a urine sample. A final option would be a tissue or saliva sample.

Where to get tested:
Many women are often unaware that they should be getting tested once a year. There is always a reason to get tested, whether it is because a women has switched partners recently, or there is reason for concern. One of the easiest ways to get same day std testing is through a walk in health clinic.

Walk in health clinics are becoming more and more commonplace as health care is more attainable to those who previously might not have been able to afford it. These days, there are nearly 6,800 urgent care facilities in the country, and that number is climbing at a rapid rate.

Look for a local health clinic for women, as they often have doctors who specialize in reproductive and women’s health and will be able to answer any initial questions about stds you might have. They can also refer you to a specialist if need be.

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Think Twice Before Heading to an ER Urgent Care Services

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If you ever find yourself needing immediate medical care, one thing you might want to consider is going to an urgent care center rather than an emergency room (ER). Urgent care units are generally smaller than ERs but are just as effective for treating most medical emergencies. It is always advisable to go to an ER for life threatening conditions but for everything else, urgent health clinics will do just fine.

There are many similarities between ERs and urgent care clinics — but what about the differences? Here are two features of walk in medical clinics that make going to one much more appealing than heading to the ER:

    It’s Less Expensive: Health clinics are generally less expensive than ERs for the same kinds of services. For the same treatment, urgent care clinics cost between $228 and $583 less than an ER visit.

    It’s Quicker: Urgent care units have lower weight times than ERs on average, mostly due to the fact that they see fewer patients. Sixty-nine percent of urgent care units have a waiting time shorter than 20 minutes; 28% have a time between 21 and 40 minutes; and the remaining 3% have a waiting time longer than 40 minutes. Anyone who’s ever been to an ER knows that 40 minutes is relatively quick for ER standards!

Of course, there is one major similarity ERs and health clinics share: they have the same kind of equipment, staff, and resources. With the exception of special trauma units and other speciality services, ERs and urgent care units have basically the same things, making the medical care equally as good. A good 70% of urgent care clinics, for example, have intravenous (IV) fluids in stock, a resource that is quite common for emergency treatments.

For more information about urgent care, feel free to leave a comment or question at the bottom.

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Forget Liposuction, Cryolipolysis is the New Procedure

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Cosmetic clinics are always looking to find the latest, greatest, and most efficient methods in skin rejuvenation and body contouring procedures to achieve the look their patients seek. One such state-of-the-art procedure is cryolipolysis.

About cryolipolysis Often referred to as fat freezing, this is a medical treatment with the purpose of destroying fat cells. It is called fat freezing for a reason because temperatures reach sub-zero when applied topically to a specific part of the body. A far freezing treatment can occur just about anywhere: on the arms, legs, stomach, and back.

The FDA approved this technique, which was invented by Zeltiq Aesthetics in California, in 2010. Although slow to catch on to the general public, those who seek the procedure are satisfied with their results.

Procedure details: This non-invasive procedure has the ability to reshape the body, with result appearing in just two to four months. For these results to appear, the exposure to the freezing causes fat cells to die. What is so unique and ingenious about this technique is that the freezing apparently does not damage the dermal layer of skin cells — it just targets the subcutaneous fat.

Alternative method: Cryolipolysis is the non-invasive form of liposuction. Liposuction requires patients to undergo surgery and it can often be very expensive and the healing process is much more lengthy. The only requirements for post-cryolipolysis treatment (also known as a coolsculpting) are that the treated areas need to be massaged for roughly two minutes following the less than an hour long procedure which includes a local anesthetic for comfort purposes.

Side effects: As with any cosmetic procedure there may be some side effects in the coolsculpting areas. Some of these include local redness and swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness due to such freezing temperatures. All documented side effects have been subtle and fleeting. Liposuction’s side effects, on the other hand, may include infection, excessive bleeding, and burning of the skin.

Is a coolsculpting experience worth it? In a recent study involving cryolipolysis patients, nearly 86% of those treated saw improvements in body image. During a single treatment, subjects can see up to a 20% reduction in fat cells in the area after just two months, and a 25% decrease at the six month mark.

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Health Care Confusion Understanding the Difference Between Urgent and Emergency Care

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Do you know the difference between the health care services emergency room doctors, primary care providers, and urgent care providers offer? All health care services aren’t created equal, and some can be more appropriate than others depending on the nature of your illness or injury. However, understanding these difference is critical in that it can not only save you money, but may even save your life as well.

Many emergency room doctors harbor concerns over patient confusion in terms of seeking the appropriate level of care for their conditions. In fact, an online poll conducted last year by the American College of Emergency Physicians revealed that the overwhelming majority — 75% — of emergency room doctors are concerned that patients who have true medical emergencies are first seeking treatment at urgent care clinics that are ill-equipped to treat them.

In addition, ninety percent said patients are often redirected to the emergency room due to the severity of their condition, which proved to be more than what an urgent care clinic could treat. Every second counts in terms of a medical emergency, and making this mistake can prove fatal in instances of severe medical emergencies such as heart attacks and stroke.

While urgent care facilities are able to treat a variety of conditions, they are not a replacement for emergency or primary care. Rather, urgent care is designed to evaluate and treat conditions that require immediate medical attention, but are not severe enough to warrant emergency care. Examples of this include rashes, the common cold, the flu, stomach bugs, and even urinary tract infections.

Emergency medical, while similar, should be reserved for true medical emergencies. This can be difficult to determine, especially give the fact that many urgent care centers continue to expand the range of care and services they provide. However, it’s best to err on the side of caution when in doubt, especially if you have an underlying medical condition that my cause further complications.

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Three Things That Every Tennis Player Should Expect from a Racquet Club

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When signing up to workout at a racquet and tennis club, most people tend to go with whatever’s most convenient. Whether they choose by location or pick the cheapest sign-up costs, they may not do their research before joining a tennis club. Most often, this is because they don’t know what to expect to find at a local tennis club.

From professional-grade green clay tennis courts to the various membership perks associated with joining a tennis club, here are three things that any quality establishment should be willing to deliver its members:

Superior Tennis Courts

Good tennis clubs should have professional-level spaces for players of all skill levels to practice and compete. Green clay tennis courts tend to be the standard for the sport and should be found in any quality tennis club. Indoor and outdoor green clay tennis courts have surfaces that are designed for running and playing the game for hours without making you too uncomfortable and putting too much stress on your feet and legs.

Excellent Instructors

Whether you’re looking to go pro and need one-on-one coaching or you’re in need of tennis for beginners workshops as you start out, your club should have great instructors ready to work with you. Many instructors have played professionally before, and some are even current champs. The more renowned the instructors, the better chance you have at succeeding in tennis, no matter what you’re individual goals are.

World Class Service

Racquet and tennis club membership allows you to do more than simply play a sport you love. Many clubs offer extras, including squash courts, fitness centers, and even luxury spas. In terms of tennis-related extras, pro shops and clinics are common services. Figure out what you need to make your tennis game successful and choose a club that reflects your wants and needs.

Have more questions about how to join a tennis club? Leave a comment with us.

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Causes of lower back pain What can i do to prevent low back pain

What’s The #1 Way To Treat Low Back Pain?

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Last year, more than 26 million people in the U.S. suffered from back pain, which is the leading cause of disability among people under age 45. And because so many people suffer from chronic back pain, as many as 19 million patients spend a total of $50 billion on the direct costs of treating the condition every year.

Even though the increasingly office-bound American workforce often suffers from neck pain (as many as 45% according to some estimates), lower back pain is the most common spinal complaint.

What are my treatment options for preventing lower back pain ?

There are three common treatments for lower back pain:

  • Exercise and physical therapy
  • Medications, including painkillers, muscle relaxants, and anti-depressants
  • Minimally invasive spine surgery, or MISS

Exercise and Physical Therapy: Like many medical problems, a healthy lifestyle is often the best prevention. If you already suffer from painful lower back pain that affects your quality of life, then your doctor might recommend a regimen of exercises for your back, such as stretches and low-impact aerobic exercise. Your doctor might also refer you to a physical therapist for ongoing treatment.

Medications: For some, over-the-counter pain meds are often enough. Others may require prescription strength pain killers, muscle relaxants, or oral steroids. Still others take anti-depressants.

Many are surprised to learn that not only does back pain cause depression, but depression may also be one of the leading causes of lower back pain. Plus, both depression and low back pain affect the same receptors in your brain, and certain anti-depressants have proven effective at treating both conditions.

MISS: Although spine surgery may sound intimidating, MISS usually only requires minuscule “keyhole” incisions along your back. Typically, patients go home the same day and recover at home, sometimes within just three days.

Of course, there’s no way to know the best method for preventing lower back pain until you see a doctor. The Web might be useful for finding general background information, but ultimately personal medical problems require professional medical care. See this reference for more.