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The Truth About the Flu Vaccine

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Despite the concerted efforts of medical practitioners, many Americans go every year without getting a flu vaccination. They take the extended period without infection a proof that it is not a necessity for their health. By this flawed logic, however, that same person could say point to years of being alive and not dying as proof that they are immortal. Here is the reality of the flu vaccine.

How It Works

Influenza, or the flu, is a dangerous disease that can cause a person to become so I?ll they must be hospitalized. Some strains are potentially, or have been previously, fatal on a large scale. One such was the strain that killed vast numbers a century ago.
Each year, medical researchers determine the strains of flu that will most likely be prevalent and create the vaccine in response. The result is a shot that protects against three or four influenza strains.

Who Should Get It

Everyone. There is no safe age, especially when a person can transmit the disease to a sensitive person without experiencing many symptoms themselves. Every year, make that appointment with your doctor and keep it. For those that lack insurance and regular health care, many urgent care facilities can assist as well.
A small segment of the population cannot receive the flu vaccine due to complicating health issues such as allergies or certain pre existing conditions. However, there are many types of the vaccine designed with varied individuals in mind. Do not assume you are one of the few that cannot get the shot, always talk to your doctor to be certain.

Timing Issues and Clarification

Many people complain at great volume about the fact that the flu vaccine must be readministered each year. Some even believe this to be proof that it is a hoax and not needed at all. The reality is that this vaccine loses its effectiveness over time. Also, the various strains mean that the most dangerous flu type of last year may not be what most requires protection.
Hopefully, when the new influenza vaccine become available this year, probably in October,e very reader will immediately get one for the sake of themselves and the herd immunity that protects those who cannot get the vaccine. It takes 2 weeks to be effective in the body, so make that appointment early and keep it no matter what. See this reference for more.

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How Telemedicine Can Help You

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Getting the help you need when you have a medical ailment can be difficult and expensive. Almost 50,000 preventable deaths every year could be avoided if people had insurance. Cost is not the only factor that limits Americans’ ability to seek treatment or get medical help. Some people do not feel comfortable going to see a doctor or nurse or may feel that their disorder is stigmatized in some way. Ninety percent of men with low testosterone, for example, do not get any help, and more than 80% of those with some form of depression do not seek out help or treatment. Given that as many as a quarter of all Americans have suffered from pain that lasts longer than 24 hours and acute pain impacts millions more, the need for accessible, easy to use healthcare is even more vital. Telemedicine can be the answer to this.

The telemedicine definition states that telemedicine is the use of technology to deliver medical services remotely. While telemedicine cannot address every type of ailment, it can provide a useful means to access health services at a lower cost both for the medical service provider and the patient. Through such remote doctor consultations, patents can find support and peace of mind. Doctors can monitor conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and mental health conditions.

According to a trends in telehealth white paper, almost three quarters of American patients would use a telemedicine service and a similar number say they are comfortable with communicating with their doctors using technology instead of seeing them in person, according to TrendWatch. Human interaction is rated less highly than access to healthcare for more than 76% of those surveyed and only just over 15%of patients would opt for an emergency room visit if they had the choice of a telehealth service.

The telemedicine definition quoted earlier points to the core benefits of telehealth services: flexibility and accessibility regardless of location. For monitoring and diagnosis, telemedicine offers significant benefits and cut down on over-subscription of general practitioner services and emergency room visits. Qualified, dedicated healthcare practitioners can offer solid, evidence-based advice, monitoring and diagnosis remotely. This can be especially good for those who are anxious or unable to go to the doctor and may increase the number of people seeking help or advice for stigmatized ailments.

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Why you Can’t Ignore Your Sleep Disorder

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If you think that having a sleep disorder is something to ignore, think again. Sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea put your health at risk and damage your quality of life. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have declared that insufficient sleep is a public health problem, causing a variety of social and industrial impacts and may be the cause of vehicle and industrial accidents as well as general health problems.

According to the CDC, there are between 50 and 70 million American adults that have some sort of disorder of sleep or wakefulness, including insomnia and sleep apnea. Snoring, which is an extremely common ailment, is also often an indicator of sleep apnea. As many as 18 million people in the United States suffer from it and two to four percent (one in 50) go undiagnosed.Those untreated have a much higher risk of stroke — four times as much as those without a sleep disorder — and three times are high a chance of developing heart disease.

Those with sleep apnea need a CPAP machine. A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure therapy) machine forces air into the lungs and ensures that the throat does not collapse causing the sufferer to stop breathing. It is usually prescribed by specialists after a sleep test has been conducted. Such testing identifies whether sleep apnea is the problem and also indicates the number apneas per hour and other characteristics of the sleep disorder. As many as 60 sleep apnea episodes may be experienced every hour in an average night’s sleep.

Despite the vital and effective nature of CPAP machines, many sufferers do not maintain the use of one, often cutting discomfort with CPAP masks or CPAP nasal pillows. The sad fact is that more than 80% of those who have had a CPAP machine prescribed to help them with their sleep apnea do not use it regularly enough to safeguard themselves. In fact, half stop using it altogether after about one or two weeks. It is imperative that CPAP machines are used at least 70% of the time over one month and for at least four hours a night. This is the minimum required for best results — and continued insurance coverage.

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From Weight Loss to Laser Hair Removal, Medical Clinics Help You Be Your Best

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Want to have more energy? Want to feel better every day? Want to live longer? Want to like what you see in the mirror? For many, losing a few extra pounds can make all those things happen and more. But losing weight is not as easy as it seems. If you’ve been trying to lose weight on your own, you already know the struggle. In fact, a typical American dieter attempts a new program or diet at least 4 times a year. For many, weight loss programs at a medical clinic make it easier than going it alone. A weight loss clinic can provide the structure and guidance you need to lose those extra pounds that are keeping you from living the life you deserve and desire.
Is a Medical Weight Loss Program Right for You?
Considering more than 2 of every 3 adults is considered overweight or obese, chances are good that you might benefit from a medically supervised weight loss program. Obesity is defined as weighing 20% more than what is considered normal, healthy weight for your gender and height. If you’ve tried fad diets or other weight loss plans without success or without being able to maintain your desired weight, you would likely benefit from the structure and monitoring that a medical weight loss clinic can provide. Your weight is determined by a lot more than simply your caloric intake versus exercise. Hormones, stress and other factors play a role and a physician can help you identify other circumstances that have been affecting your previous attempts to lose the unwanted pounds.
What You Can Expect at a Medical Weight Loss Clinic
At your initial visit, a physician will likely take a full medical history and conduct baseline tests to monitor your vitals. Expect to detail your typical daily diet and meet with a nutritionist. Finally, you should leave your first visit with a goal and confidence you can achieve it.
Your weight loss plan will likely include physical activity. Considering fewer than 5% of adults participate in the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity a day, this lack of exercise contributes to obesity nationwide.
Follow up visits will include vitals, consultation with the physician and an evaluation of progress. The great benefit of being under the supervision of a physician is that adjustments can be made to your plan and goals if the diet and exercise plan is not showing the desired results. You are not alone. You have an entire team of professionals at the clinic who are there you help you succeed. At home weight loss programs lack the support that you have when you are under the supervision of a weight loss clinic.
The goal is life-long health and maintenance of your new weight. There are many health benefits to losing those extra pounds.
Benefits of Weight Loss Programs
Some of the health benefits of losing weight include:

  • Decreased risk for heart disease
  • Decreased risk for diabetes
  • Decreased risk for gallstones
  • Lowered blood pressure
  • Increased sex drive
  • More energy
  • Happiness

Other Services That Improve Your Self Worth
Laser hair removal is another service offered by weight loss clinics that can greatly improve your feelings about the person you see in the mirror. Struggling with unsightly hair or simply the inconvenience of shaving, waxing and at-home removal products make laser hair removal worthwhile. In a study conducted by Celibre Medical Corporation, 97% of women who had a laser hair removal procedure done were satisfied with the results. Perhaps the greatest advantage of laser hair removal is that after 3 to 8 sessions, many patients see permanent results. Laser hair removal treatments are the most common cosmetic procedure for women under 35 and second only to botox for those 36 and older.
Laser hair removal after weight loss programs can make it so much easier to get out there and enjoy your new body. Look great in your swimsuit, shorts, and sleeveless dresses. Those who live along the coast and want to take full advantage of the sun and sea will benefit even more from permanent hair removal. Shaving and waxing is tedious and can be expensive long-term. Investing in permanent hair removal makes economic sense for those in sunny coastal cities.

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Things to Think About When You Pick an Employee Group Benefits Plan for Your Company

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Employee turnover is a big problem for United States businesses. Every year it costs them about $11 billion. Attracting and keeping good people should top the priority list for most employers. Offering the highest salary is not the way to keep people happy. Multiple research studies have shown this to be true. Providing decent benefits is one way to keep people happy and not looking for new jobs. Most workers appreciate their employee group benefits plan and consider it to be one of, if not the, most important benefits they get from their job.

Offering an employee group benefits plan for health insurance is good for employers as well. Giving this benefit to workers gives the company some important tax benefits. It has also been shown to improve employee retention and help prevent expensive turnover. It can help businesses attract new workers and actually has been shown to reduce the number of sick days people take. Picking the right employee group benefits plan can be a challenging task. You want to find a plan that is both good for your employees and your bottom line.

What is the best plan for my workers?

Most small businesses go with a traditional health insurance. Employees like this because they are allowed a wider variety of doctors and hospitals they can go to when they need to. It is one of the more expensive group health insurance plans. Managed care plans are considered to be one of the more cost-effective benefits solutions, whose downsides are that the copayments are higher and that can be harder for employees, especially when combined with high deductibles.

Make a list of what you think your employees would prefer in terms of health, dental health, mental health and even maternity coverage. You can take that to group benefits specialists knowing what you know you have to have and what benefits do not need to be included in your employee group benefits plan.

Do I need to go to a benefits broker?

If you want to go to a broker, and most small businesses do find their employee group benefits plan through one, you should find one who has experience dealing with your industry and companies that are similar to yours. If they are not similar in what they do, they should be similar in size. Talk to people you know in your industry about who they used to write up their employee group benefits plan. Ask how they found them and what working with them was like. Unfortunately, not all brokers are as honest as one might hope. That makes getting recommendations all the more important.

Compare your list to the policies the broker brings to you.

You may look at the different policies your broker brings you for your employee group benefits plan and find yourself wishing you could take some items from one plan and combine them with parts of another plan. If only that were possible but you can find a plan that has as many of the features you need as you can.andnbsp;

How much does it cost? Look at how much you will pay but also how much your employees will pay. Look at their copayments and coinsurance payments and deductibles. How much of the premium will your employees be asked to pay? Will they be able to afford it? If the plan forces your employees to pay for one quarter or more of their treatment costs or if there are other out of pocket costs that are excessive, do not take that plan. That is not a benefit, it is an unfunded mandate.

What is the coverage like? No one likes the fine print but you need to read every word of it. Look at what conditions are covered? What is the maximum they will pay for them? If the plan you are looking for sets unreasonable maximums for expensive conditions you should look to another plan. You are helping people lead better lives, not trying to make them worse.

Finding a good employee group benefits plan takes work but is worth it. Your employees will be happier and more likely to stay at your company.

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2016 National Fly Fishing Championship Beginning June 1

discount fly rodsA national fly fishing tournament in New York is slated to begin in the next few weeks.

The 2016 National Fly Fishing Championship will take place on June 1 at Lake Placid. The tournament will last four days and anglers will compete to win the title of the country’s top fly angler along with a roster spot on the U.S. National Fly Fishing Team that plans on competing in the world championship of fly fishing later this year.

According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife information, there are approximately 3.83 million fly anglers decked out in waders and fishing clothes who share a love for the sport.

Three fishing areas along Lake Placid will host the anglers: West Branch of the Ausable River, the Saranac River and the Salmon River.

Watertown Daily Times reports that the Lake Placid region makes for great angling sites for both trout — who feed below the surface about 90% of the time — and bass.

Each angler participating in the tournament will be designated a 200-meter stretch of public stream where there is potential for local fishing to take place. There will be volunteer teams spread throughout the area to track what each angler catches.

Registration for this national tournament is limited to only 75 anglers and registration costs $50.

Fly fishing brings in about $750 million each year and men and women across the country are passionate about the sport. Sales are likely to increase over the next few months as summer weather approaches.

High-quality fly fishing equipment is necessary for any serious angler. It’s important to know who to talk to and where to go for quality equipment. You’ll be able to find discount fly rods that are still of the highest quality, fly fishing boxes that can store all your fishing items, fishing clothes, reels, and much more at an experienced sporting goods store.

Sportsman’s Finest has just about everything you could ever need for a fly fishing trip. They have discount fly rods that will still be able to bring in some of the largest trout ever, they can provide you with luggage for every fly fishing occasion, wading gear, and other accessories an angler — whether experienced or a beginner — might need.

If you want to learn more about this great sport, talk to experienced professionals, or check out some high-quality discount fly rods and other products, contact Sportsman’s Finest today!

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FYI on FUE Hair Transplants

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Baldness, especially in men, is quite common (see: male pattern baldness). In fact, just in the U.S., two-thirds of men experience some degree of hair loss by the age of 35, and many men begin losing their hair long before this age. But just because something is widespread and normal doesn’t make it less difficult to stomach for some men. Despite its frequency, many men feel self-conscious by their hair loss. This is typically because hair loss is seen as a sign of aging, and no one wants to feel or look older than they are.

Other men handle their baldness with more confidence, embracing their appearance and accepting it as a part of who they are. But for those who have a harder time with hair loss and want to keep their head of hair, there are options out there! Hair clinics across the country offer services such as hair transplants, hair restoration, and hair replacement.

Heard of Hair Transplant Clinics?

Like other clinics, hair transplant clinics are operated by medical professionals who specialize in a particular area–in this case, hair transplant surgery. Doctors have different methods of restoring a patient’s hair. Some methods are more invasive, complicated, and expensive than others. These procedures are relatively new and require a wealth of knowledge, but they are effective.

What is FUE and What Does it Entail?

One of the most common methods of hair restoration is known as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), sometimes shortened to Follicular Transfer (FT). The FUE procedure takes time (up to eight hours), because as its name suggests, one hair follicle is extracted from the area of donation at a time (sometimes groups of a few hairs). Compare this to the “strip harvesting” method which is quicker (multiple follicles are extracted at once) but results in scarring and involves a longer recovery time. Average recovery time of FUE, however, is typically less than a week and there is no visible scarring to worry about.

Does FUE Work, and is it Worth It?

Everyone is different. We all have different skin types, hair patterns, preferences, and concerns. Naturally, some patients who have undergone FUE surgery love the results and recommend it to others suffering from hair loss. Other patients aren’t so satisfied and consider their procedure an unworthy investment. Fortunately, the internet provides a space where plenty of reviews, updates, and opinions can be broadcast for an enormous audience. This way, people considering something like FUE can witness firsthand how it went for someone else. But again, everyone is different, and results are bound to vary depending on the clinic, the doctor, and you.

Another thing that some people will have to consider before entering a hair transplant clinic is cost. But since FUE procedures are permanent, the investment is worthwhile for many. It’s important to remember that losing your hair is not the end of the world–it isn’t even remotely uncommon. But loving ourselves and our appearance is important, and if hair restoration is a gateway to a happier future, then FUE is worth thinking about.

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When it’s Best to Go to Your Doctor, Urgent Care, or ER

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Do you have a significant medical issue and aren’t sure how to proceed in getting treatment?


It’s the type of information that you don’t know that you need to know until you need to know it. When should you wait to be seen by your doctor for medical help? When can it be handled by one of the urgent care locations in your area? When is it best to go the emergency room? Stay tuned, we’re going to give you a simple guide of where to get medical care for any type of health concern:


When to Visit Your Doctor
If you are able to, going to your own doctor for a medical issue is ideal. Your doctor knows your medical history, and will have a hand in any ongoing treatment you need. They probably are in the best position to make decisions regarding your medical treatment plan. However, many of the most common medical treatments aren’t available at a private doctor’s office. Additionally, you should never forgo treatment you need immediately to wait for an appointment to open up with your personal doctor. Here are a few situations where going to a private doctor:

  • The medical treatment you need is not urgent, and you can wait until you are able to be seen by your doctor.
  • You need (non-urgent) medical treatment that will require ongoing participation from a medical professional.
  • You need follow-up care for a previous health issue, even if you were treated at another medical clinic.

When to Visit the Emergency Room
Emergency rooms are designed to treat life threatening issues. They are equipped to handle non-life threatening medical issues, but by going to an emergency room for a medical treatment that could be provided elsewhere, you are tying up ER resources that should be available for saving lives. Also, emergency rooms often cost more for the same medical treatment than you would have to pay at your doctors or urgent care.


Emergency rooms are very important for the following instances:

  • Bleeding profusely
  • Heart attack or stroke symptoms
  • Severe head injuries
  • Compound fractures (broken bones where the bone is protruding from the skin)
  • Other medical emergencies where you believe the vitality of the patient is at risk.

When to Visit Urgent Care Locations
Urgent care locations fill the gap in medical care between what your medical provider offers and what the emergency room is designed for. Getting treatment at an urgent care is in your best interest if you need to be seen before your medical provider can fit you in, you are only able to seek medical treatment after normal business hours or on weekends, or if the medical treatment you require is outside of the scope of what your doctor offers.


Visiting urgent care locations is typically far less expensive than going to the emergency room; many times, insurance providers treat it the same as visiting your primary care physician. Also, you’ll find the wait times at an urgent care to be shorter than that of the emergency room. Emergency rooms are designed to treat patients on a hierarchy of who needs care more. If you have a broken femur, you’ll be bumped after the patient who has a stab wound, regardless of who came in first. Meanwhile, urgent cares units serve patients on a first-come-first-serve basis. A few good reasons to go to urgent care include:

  • Intravenous fluids. Most primary care physicians are not able to, but urgent cares are able to administer IVs.
  • Fracture care. Urgent care offices are usually able to provide X-rays, bone setting, and casts, unless your bone injury requires surgery.
  • Lab services. If you need blood tests, or urine analysis in order to get a diagnoses and treatment, you can usually receive it onsite at an urgent care, rather than having to go to a separate lab.
  • Prescriptions. When you know you just need a round of antibiotics to treat a minor infection, you may be able to get it in a single visit to an urgent care, rather than having to make a trip to a pharmacy.

Do you have any questions regarding when to visit your doctor, go to urgent care, or the ER?