Category: Health & Fitness

How to Find a Good Chiropractor: All the Steps You Need to Take

January 14, 2020 Health & Fitness

Every year, half of all working people in the United States experience back pain.

Back pain is one of the leading causes of missed work and discomfort.

If you have back problems, going to a chiropractor can help. But how do you know that your chiropractor is good?

Continue reading to discover how to find a good chiropractor so that your back can get relief!

1. Talk With Your Doctor

Talking to your doctor is one of the best things to do when learning how to find a good chiropractor.

Your primary care doctor should have a list of places that you can check out. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about back pain, being open and honest with them is crucial.

Once you have a list of suggested chiropractors, you can then choose one based on your preferences and needs. Reviewing these reasons for visiting a chiropractor is recommended if you aren’t sure if you need one.

2. Get a Referral

There are several ways that you can get a chiropractic referral to begin appointments.

Many people get referrals from friends and family members. Talking to people about their experiences with a chiropractor can give you insight on what to expect and who does a good job.

You can also get a referral from your primary care doctor. Your doctor and healthcare provider should be able to supply you with further information on chiropractic care.

Once you have several offices, you should call them to verify that they are accepting patients.

3. Know What Experience Level You Want

Depending on your pain and situation, you will have to select a chiropractor with the experience that matches your needs.

Not all chiropractors have the same area of expertise or experience. If you have serious back and joint problems, you may be better off finding a doctor that has built a strong reputation.

Sometimes you won’t need extra care and only check-ups. If you don’t suffer much from back pain but want to go to the chiropractor as a preventative measure, then minimal experience is needed.

4. Research the Chiropractor

No matter how you find out about a chiropractor, you should always research them before setting appointments.

Researching the credentials of a chiropractor can help you find someone that can satisfy your needs. You should ensure that the chiropractor you choose has proper licenses, skills, and training to do the job. Don’t be afraid to check the history of the chiropractic clinic and make sure that there have been no malpractice claims.

Every chiropractor in the United States should have a valid Doctor of Chiropractic Degree (D.C.). Make sure that you only visit chiropractors with this credential.

5. Think About Gender

When looking for a chiropractor, you will need to find someone that you are comfortable around.

The chiropractor will be placing their hands on your body and giving you treatment based on your needs and concerns. If the gender of the doctor matters to you, you must find someone that matches what you want.

Much like a primary care doctor, you will have to be open and honest about personal information. Many people feel comfortable with the chiropractor as long as they are certified. But don’t be afraid to search for someone that you feel comfortable with.

6. Match Communication Needs

As mentioned above, you must find a chiropractor that you can be honest with and talk to them about issues.

To find a good chiropractor you need someone that you can trust with your personal information. You should meet a chiropractor and talk to them about your concerns. During the conversation, you will be able to identify if they match your communication needs.

With advancements in technology, some chiropractors may be able to communicate with you through text! Try to search for an office that is responsive and helpful.

7. Look at Online Reviews

One of the best ways of finding a good chiropractor is by checking out online reviews of the company and doctor.

The internet is full of useful information and stories about other people’s experiences. Online reviews can help give you information on the doctor and how the business runs. Yelp and Facebook are excellent sources to use when selecting a chiropractor.

8. Identify What Your Insurance Will Cover

There are many things to consider when looking for a chiropractor and insurance is one of them.

Many health insurance plans do not cover chiropractic care. You should check with your insurance company about available options and what to do if chiropractic care isn’t covered.

Even if you don’t have insurance that takes care of chiropractor visits, you can still schedule appointments. Unfortunately, without coverage, you will have to pay more from the pocket.

9. Find a Convenient Location

Finding a chiropractor in a convenient location is an important part of selecting a doctor.

Although there may be skilled chiropractors in other areas, traveling far will be an inconvenience for your care in the future. Try looking for an office that is either near your home or work so that you don’t have to make a day trip for an adjustment.

How to Find a Good Chiropractor for Your Needs

If you want to learn how to find a good chiropractor, utilizing the steps above can help.

Before searching for a chiropractor you must do your research on your needs and what the insurance company can offer you. Looking at online reviews and getting referrals can help you find a skilled chiropractor.

You should look for a doctor that you are comfortable around and be able to communicate with. Don’t be afraid to talk to your primary care doctor about pain, many times they can help by giving you a referral.

Be sure to check out our blog for more articles with tips for the chiropractor and how you can save money!

A Simple Guide to Cutting Down on Your Monthly Medical Expenses

January 10, 2020 Health & Fitness

The average American spends $1,200 a year on prescriptions.

That’s more than a thousand dollars that could go towards paying down debt or even financing a small family vacation. It also means that when money is tight, some families will struggle to afford medications they desperately need.

If you can’t afford the medication that you need, keep reading to learn 7 ways to cut down on your medical costs.

1. Ask for Generic

Perhaps the easiest way to save on medications is to ask for generic.

If you don’t ask, most doctors are likely to prescribe you the name-brand medication, which always carries a higher price tag.

Many medications have a generic counterpart. These medications are available in the same dosage, have the same ingredients, and perform the same duties.

2. Know Your Co-Pay Options

Check with your insurance provider to learn what your co-pays for different types of medications are. You might have a different co-pay for generic versus name-brand drugs, and for preferred brands versus other brands of medications.

3. Shop Around

If you don’t have a co-pay for a certain drug, make sure you shop around before you buy.

Pharmacies are allowed to set their own prices for medications. Often, these prices vary based on the location of the pharmacy and how much of certain medications they sell.

But shopping around town will only get you so far. Drug prices are unlikely to vary by more than a few dollars.

Luckily, you can also shop online. With a little searching, you may be able to order prescription drugs online for a fraction of what you’d pay at your corner pharmacy.

4. Check for Discounts

You may have seen ads and commercials for apps that promise to save you money on your prescriptions. Turns out these aren’t a flashy scam.

From smartphone applications to websites and digital coupons, there are tons of discounts out there that can help you save on the medications you already take. Some pharmacies may be able to offer you discounts directly as well.

5. Ask About 3 Month Prescriptions

If your doctor is willing to write you a prescription with refills every 3 months instead of every month, you’ll pay just one co-pay each time you pick them up.

This savings trick only works if you have a co-pay. But it will not only help you save on your medications but also means fewer trips to the pharmacy.

6. Search for Assistance Programs

If you are low-income or on a fixed income, there are programs out there that can help you afford your medications.

There are plenty of websites that can connect you with assistance programs. Some pharmaceutical companies may also offer patient assistance programs through their website.

7. Talk to Your Doctor

If you’ve tried the tips on this list and still can’t afford your medications, talk to your doctor.

He or she may be able to help find solutions specific to your situation. There may be alternative drugs that are less expensive, assistance programs, or other treatment options to help you save.

What to Do if You Still Can’t Afford Medication

Sometimes even talking to your doctor isn’t enough.

If you still can’t afford medication but also can’t give up your prescription, it may be time to look for other areas of your life where you could cut costs. Or, perhaps its time to start a side hustle or find other ways to earn extra money.

Check out our website for tips, tricks, and ideas to help you do just that.

8 Common Shoulder Injuries and How to Treat Them

January 9, 2020 Health & Fitness

Life is all about balancing a healthy, productive, and enjoyable lifestyle for you and your family.

However, no matter how active you are, there will always be some aches and pains that arise during your lifetime. Some temporary, some that will linger around for a while.

Such is the problem with shoulder pain. There are several different types of pains and several different things that could be causing those pains.

Because of that, it can be difficult to tell what shoulder injuries you’re dealing with.

Here is a list of the most common shoulder problems and how you can go about treating them.

1. Dislocated Shoulder

This injury happens most often while playing sports such as basketball or football, for example.

Generally, with this injury, you’ll know as soon as it happens. It occurs when your arm is pulled back too far in one direction causing the top of your arm to literally “pop” out of its socket.

The only way to treat this is by seeking treatment for a Doctor. However, if you’re looking to prevent the injury from happening, then consider a shoulder stabilizer brace to wear while playing sports.

2. Fracture

Yet another shoulder injury that’s common when playing high-contact sports. There are many different bones in your shoulder that can fracture or break such as the collarbone and humerus.

The pain will be an immensely sharp pain that will also start to bruise fairly quickly.

Most bone breaks will make it impossible for you to lift your arm, indicating that you are, in fact, dealing with a fractured or broken bone.

Just as with the dislocated shoulder, the only way to treat a fracture is with time and proper medical treatment. Be sure to follow every instruction your doctor gives you.

3. Separated Shoulder

One of the more gruesome shoulder injuries on this list. A separated shoulder occurs when hard contact forces the tearing of the ligaments in the acromioclavicular joint (AC joint).

It’s hard to define the pain associated with it as different people experience a different pain. Some feel the pain right away, some experience numbness, but almost everyone will visually see a significant bump at the top of the shoulder.

Your doctor will define a treatment process that includes stabilization, rehabilitation, and lots and lots of rest while the ligaments heal.

4. Instability

Many of you reading this have probably confused shoulder instability as being the same thing as a dislocated shoulder, which is incorrect.

Instability is what comes before the shoulder is dislocated. Sometimes the dislocation actually occurs, sometimes not.

Unfortunately, the only reliable form of treatment is to rest your shoulder and, if the pain persists, a trip to the emergency room. Be sure to take aspirin to relieve some of the pain and discomfort.

5. Torn Rotator Cuff

Many people become the victim of a rotator cuff tear each year. It usually happens either in sports or job positions that repeatedly require shoulder motion.

More often than not, it happens from normal wear and tears rather than one high contact moment such as falling or being hit.

The pain will feel as if it’s deep inside of the shoulder towards the very top of your shoulder.

Your avenue towards treatment depends on the severity of the rotator cuff tear. Some instances have nonsurgical treatment options to get you back on track. While others require the surgery to get things back to where they need to be.

6. Tendinitis

Shoulder tendinitis can happen to anyone at any age. It’s when a tendon in your shoulder becomes inflamed from overuse.

This could be from any number of things such as sports, working out, or even doing a hobby. If you’re reaching your arm above your head a lot, tendinitis may be a side effect.

To be preventative, try to stretch your shoulders when possible and take aspirin to help reduce the inflammation.

If the pain continues to worsen then seek medical attention for further instruction on what treatment routine will get you back on track. This could come via rehabilitation, different stretch routines, or in severe cases, a surgical procedure.

7. Frozen Shoulder

This injury is exactly as it sounds: you won’t be able to move your shoulder as freely as you once could. It occurs when adhesions multiply in the joint of your shoulder.

Most often this problem comes from not using the shoulder enough. Perhaps you had a previous injury that caused you to focus on putting less stress on it.

Meanwhile, by not using the shoulder you’ve actually worsened its movement.

Rehabilitation will be needed to make sure and get your shoulder’s range of motion back to where it once was. The length of time you’ve had the frozen shoulder issue, along with its severity, will determine the treatment route you should take.

8. Arthritis

One of the more common shoulder problems as you begin to age is shoulder arthritis. This pertains to the weakening of the bone, specifically on its outer covering.

Because of this, the bones will start to rub together as the cartilage fades away.

There are treatments such as physical therapy, rest, range of motion exercises, and anti-inflammatory medication for it.

Seek Treatment for Your Shoulder Injuries Right Away!

The most important factor in dealing with any of these shoulder injuries is to seek a diagnosis and treatment right away.

Your urgency to do so might be the difference in fully recovering from the injury or dealing with lasting side affects the rest of your life.

Be sure to read our other articles that pertain to topics like this one.

What Are Gastroenterologists and When Should You Visit One?

December 31, 2019 Health & Fitness

Poor digestive health affects millions of Americans each year. In fact, they’re the primary diagnosis for approximately eight million emergency room visitors.

Do you struggle with poor digestion? Have you ever considered seeing a specialist or wondered if certain gastroenterology procedures could help?

If you answered “yes” to those questions, read on to learn more about what gastroenterologists do and when you ought to consider seeing one.

Gastroenterologists: What Are They and What Do They Do?

A gastroenterologist is a type of medical doctor. They specialize in diagnosing and treating health problems that affect the digestive tract. This includes the esophagus, the stomach, the small and large intestines, and the biliary system (which includes the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts).

Gastroenterologists are different from gastroenterologist surgeons, who are responsible for operating on these parts of the body. They still undergo extensive schooling, though, in order to treat patients struggling with digestive disorders and provide them with the care they need.

When Should You See a Gastroenterologist?

Because a gastroenterologist is a type of medical specialist, not everyone needs to work with one. This is true even when they’re experiencing digestive problems. Many mild digestive issues can be addressed by a general practitioner.

There are certain situations in which a gastroenterologist’s help is definitely needed, though, including the following:

Severe Constipation

Occasional constipation does not require a specialist’s assistance. If you aren’t having a bowel movement at least three times per week, though, and have had this problem for several weeks or months on end, you need to consider working with a gastroenterologist.

Severe Diarrhea

The same goes for diarrhea.

If you’ve had diarrhea for a prolonged period of time, you aren’t dealing with something like a little food poisoning. You could be experiencing something serious, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (or IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (or IBD).

A gastroenterologist will help you get to the root of the issue and figure out the proper protocol for managing it.

Prolonged Heartburn

Long-term heartburn can be a symptom of conditions like IBS and IBD. Working with a gastroenterologist will allow you to determine whether or not another health problem is contributing to your heartburn. They can also prescribe medications and lifestyle changes that will help you to get it under control.

Gallstones

If you suspect that you’re experiencing gallstones, you need to see a gastroenterologist. They can let you know whether or not you need to have your gallbladder removed, as well as what other steps you can take to address your pain and learn what’s causing your symptoms.

Colonoscopies

Gastroenterologists also perform colonoscopies, which involve using a special camera to examine the large intestine (or colon). If you’re over the age of 50, or if you suffer from severe digestive problems, you may need a colonoscopy to find out what’s going on or to screen for potential diseases.

Cancer Screenings

You’ll also need to visit a gastroenterologist to have screenings performed for cancers of the digestive tract. They have the tools and knowledge necessary to perform these screenings and let you know whether or not you have any cause for concern.

Ulcers

If you suspect that you have ulcers, or burning sores in the stomach and/or intestine, a gastroenterologist can help. They can evaluate your symptoms and check to see if an ulcer or something else is causing your symptoms.

Severe Bloating

People who experience severe bloating on a consistent basis have something going on with their digestive system. It’s not normal to feel bloated every day or every time you eat. Gastroenterologists can help you learn what’s causing your bloating and get to the bottom of the problem.

Bloody Stool

A gastroenterologist can also help you figure out what’s causing problems with your stool. If you notice blood in your stool, that’s a sign that something’s not right with your digestion. A gastroenterologist will determine what’s causing the problem and provide you with the assistance you need to feel well again.

Choosing the Right Gastroenterologist

Now that you have a clearer answer to the questions “What does a gastroenterologist do?” and “What kind of conditions does a gastroenterologist treat?”, you might have decided that you need to see one for assistance with your health problems.

You know when to see a gastroenterologist, but you might still be wondering how to choose the right one. Listed below are some tips to help you sort through your options and find the best gastroenterologist for your needs:

Ask for a referral from a friend, family member, or your primary care physician
Do some research to learn about their credentials and ensure they’re board-certified
Find out about their experience and the types of gastroenterology procedures they typically perform
Think about their gender and whether you prefer to work with a doctor who’s the same sex as you
Learn about the hospital where they work or their private practice and the type of care they provide
Schedule a consultation to learn about their communication style and see how you get along
Look up online reviews to see what past patients have to say
Consider your insurance coverage and make sure their services will be covered (unless you want to pay a lot of money out of pocket)

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you begin searching for a gastroenterologist. If you follow these guidelines, though, you’ll be less daunted when it comes to making a decision.

Time to Use Your New Knowledge

Now that you know more about gastroenterologists, the work they do, and when you need to see one, what do you think? Could a gastrointestinal doctor provide you with the assistance you need to get a handle on your stomach problems?

If you’re convinced that they can, keep the tips listed above in mind. They’ll help you ensure you’re able to find the right doctor for your needs.

Don’t forget to check out some of the health section of our site as well. You’ll find lots of great resources there, including tips on how to save money when going to the doctor.

How To Choose The Right Probiotic Products For Your Daily Routine

December 30, 2019 Health & Fitness

The probiotic products industry is growing steadily and will likely reach over $77 billion by the year 2024. People are turning to probiotics very rapidly to help them manage gut issues and other health problems.

But despite their popularity, how do you choose the right probiotic? After all, there’s still much to discover about these friendly bacteria, you don’t want to risk selecting a product that’s not helpful.

Keep reading to learn more about the best way to pick a probiotic supplement that’s right for you?

What Are Probiotics, Anyway?

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that live in your gut or intestines. One of the benefits of probiotics is that they boost your immune system. You can get probiotics into your body by eating fermented foods such as yogurt or sauerkraut, or you can take a supplement.

Some research suggests that they aid in the management of certain ailments like anxiety, diarrhea, constipation, and even heart health.

Choosing the Best Probiotic Products

Taking probiotics doesn’t have to be hard. Here are a few tips to get you started!

1. Decide Why

First, decide why you want to take probiotics. Do you feel you struggle with eating healthy foods? Is there a medical issue you think can be resolved by taking probiotics?

Understanding the reason behind your desire to consume probiotics will help you be more choosey when it comes to picking a brand or a strain.

2. Try Foods First

While taking a supplement is fine, one of the best ways to populate your gut with friendly bacteria is to eat fermented foods.

This includes foods such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, and miso. Whole foods first are always the best route before supplements.

Eating prebiotic foods like beans, onions, and bananas, make your gut more hospitable for probiotics to flourish.

3. Be Picky

There are many different strains of probiotics and they each perform different tasks.

For example, lactobacillus paracasei supports the digestive system and boosts energy, while Bifidobacterium may relieve constipation.

Not only should you be picky about the particular strain, but also about the ingredients in the supplements. Make sure the product has been thoroughly researched and reviewed before making your choice.

4. It Takes Time

Don’t be surprised if you find a probiotic that you think will work for you, only to find you need a different kind. Much of taking probiotics is trial and error because each person has a unique gut flora.

Try not to get discouraged! There are so many products to choose from that you’re likely to find exactly what you’re looking for.

If you need to, ask your doctor if they have any recommendations.

5. Side Effects

Any time you begin taking a new supplement or medication, side effects usually occur. With probiotics, common side effects are often bloating and gas as your body becomes accustomed to them.

Again, don’t get discouraged! These symptoms are usually good indications that the probiotics are effective. If your symptoms don’t disappear, ask your doctor about switching brands or strains.

Friendly Bacteria to The Rescue!

Probiotic products are numerous and difficult to sift through at the store. But with these few tips, you can easily make a choice that will greatly benefit your health!

Want to learn how to be more frugal? Check our websites today for some top-notch money-saving tips!

Should I Get LASIK Eye Surgery? This is How to Tell if it’s Right for You

December 1, 2019 Health & Fitness

Approximately 14 million Americans experienced some sort of visual impairment. Refractive errors cause some of these impairments, while eye diseases are responsible for other cases.

However, because we are an aging population, this figure is only set to rise. By 2050, estimates show that this number will rise to 24.4 million.

Fortunately, it is possible to correct so of these visual impairments so you no longer have to live day-to-day with poor sight. And this could vastly improve your quality of life. Still wondering “Should I get LASIK eye surgery?”

Then read on to find out everything you need to know about LASIK surgery to help you make your decision.

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK eye surgery is just another name for laser eye surgery. It is short of Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. This procedure targets your eye’s cornea to correct refractive eye problems using a laser.

This might sound like something from a Sci-Fi movie but you’ll be surprised how common these surgeries are. In fact, by 2018 around eight million Americans had undergone this corrective procedure.

How Does LASIK Eye Surgery Work?

LASIK surgery works by targetting the cornea of your eye. This is vital for helping you see properly.

Your cornea helps you see by refracting light into your eye at the correct angle. This light passes through the cornea and onto the retina of your eye. This light is how our eyes process images of the world around us.

If your eye doesn’t take in light properly then this will affect your vision. This can happen if your cornea becomes damaged or is the wrong shape. But laser eye surgery can correct this in some cases by reshaping the cornea.

This means that you can correct your vision impairment without having to wear glasses or contact lenses on a daily basis.

Who Can Get LASIK Eye Surgery?

There are several different types of LASIK surgery and each one can treat different conditions effectively. However, there are three common eye conditions that basic surgery targets.

These are:

Myopia or nearsightedness
Hyperopia or farsightedness
Astigmatism, which causes blurry vision

These conditions can vary somewhat in their severity and this might effect if you are eligible for surgery. LASIK is ideal for patients with mild or moderate eye conditions. If the cornea is extremely misshapen you may require more extensive surgery.

There are some other conditions that may mean you don’t qualify for LASIK eye surgery. These include:

Suffering from an autoimmune system illness, even if you take medication for this
Suffering from persistent dry eye
Having thin or irregular corneas
High pressure within your eye that is not under control
Being pregnant or breastfeeding
Having large pupils that dilate easily

If you find that you can get through the days only wearing corrective lenses sometimes then this might not be the procedure for you. And if you regularly play contact sports, such as football or boxing, then you shouldn’t get LASIK. Receiving a blow to the face could damage the results of your surgery.

Finally, when you can get LASIK also depends on your age. You must be over the age of eighteen in order to qualify for the procedure.

There is no upper age limit for LASIK surgery although after forty your eyes start to deteriorate naturally. When this happens, doctors may be more reluctant to advise surgery. So it’s important to keep this in mind if you’re deciding when to get LASIK.

If you meet all these criteria then you’re good to go! So let’s take a look at what happens during a LASIK surgery.

What Happens When You Get LASIK Eye Surgery?

There are several different types of LASIK surgery. Standard LASIK surgery is the most popular type around the world but some other surgeries include:

Intra-LASIK surgery
Wavefront LASIK surgery
Epi-LASIK surgery
LASEK surgery
PRK surgery

LASIK eye surgery involves making a small cut at the bottom of the cornea using a blade. This means that the surgeon can lift the cornea up like a flap. After that, they use a laser to carefully remove thin layers from your cornea.

Removing these layers allows them to adjust and reshape it so that you can see better.

A typical LASIK procedure takes between fifteen and thirty minutes, so it’s over very quickly. This is something to keep in mind when considering the answer to one of patient’s most common questions: are you awake during LASIK eye surgery?

The short answer is, yes you are. This might seem daunting but doctors administer numbing eye drops so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. If you want to distract yourself during the surgery, try listening to a podcast or audiobook.

Recovering from LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK is a pretty quick and straightforward surgery and it comes with a speedy recovery.

You will need to take the day off work as your vision will be weak immediately after the surgery. If you are planning to go home then it’s a good idea to get a friend or family member to collect you. But your vision will start to come back after a couple of hours.

This will continue to improve over the days following your procedure. While this happens it’s very important to stick to the eye care routine that doctors layout for you.

You will need to bathe your eyes regularly to avoid any risk of infection. You should also avoid all contact sports, as this could damage the results of your surgery. Some surgeries also require you to wear protective lenses for four days following your surgery.

While you recover from your surgery you may notice some visual disturbances. These include halos, particularly around bright lights, and weaker night vision. These should improve over time, so wait to see if they continue before seeing your doctor about them.

What Are the Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery?

For anyone who has to wear contact lenses or glasses on a daily basis, the benefits of LASIK eye surgery are clear. But there are actually more than you might realize and you don’t just have to look at LASIK before and after cases to understand them!

As a vision correction solution, LASIK eye surgery boasts quick results. You will find that your vision is corrected on the day of or the day after your surgery. This is remarkable for surgery that takes less than an hour!

You may experience some discomfort during the procedure. However, it is pain-free thanks to the numbing eye drops.

It also is minimally invasive thanks to its short recovery time. Once your vision starts to come back you will be able to go back to work and resume your normal activities.

You may also save huge amounts of money on corrective eyewear by investing in LASIK surgery. The average surgery costs between $3,000 and $6,000 for both eyes.

This might sound like a lot but take a moment to think about how much you spend if you wear contact lenses every day. Standard contact lenses cost around $260 a year but specialist lense could cost you up to $700 a year! And reports show that some Americans spend to up $1,000 on a pair of new glasses!

So within a few years, your spending will quickly balance out. In fact, it could save you a considerable amount of money.

Finally, as we already mentioned, your eyes can deteriorate over time, which might put people off getting LASIK surgery. But the beauty of this procedure is that it isn’t a one-time thing. If your vision deteriorates with time you can revisit LASIK to help correct this.

Does LASIK Surgery Come With Risks?

No guide to LASIK surgery would be complete without outlining some of the risks. Because this surgery involves changing your eye, the most common side effects relate to visual disturbances.

Dry eye, for example, is a possible side effect. This happens when your tear duct doesn’t produce enough moisture to lubricate the surface of your eye. In some cases, this may be temporary but for some, it will become a permanent problem.

LASIK surgery can also have a negative effect on how your eye processes light. This leads to visual disturbances such as halos, starbursts or glare.

These are fairly common immediately after surgery but should go down over time. If they don’t it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible to explore the cause of them.

Unfortunately, some risk factors for LASIK surgery are more serious and can result in long-term problems. These include:

Chronic pain
Detached retinas
Eye infections
Loss of vision

If you experience any of these problems then you may also find that they are difficult to correct. So it’s worth considering this before you go in for surgery. And if you have any concerns discuss them with your doctor before signing up.

Still Wondering “Should I Get LASIK Eye Surgery?”

If you’re still wondering, “Should I get LASIK surgery?” we’ll leave you with these statistics. One surgeon reported that, out of 85,000 procedures, 96% to 98% of them resulted in 20/20 vision. A further 40% to 50% of patients found that their vision was better than 20/20 after their surgery!

For more amazing news about how medicine from around the world could help you, keep scrolling!

Four Tips for Choosing a New Primary Care Physician

November 27, 2019 Health & Fitness

There are over 1 million doctors of medicine in the United States.

If you’re in the market for a new doctor, you want the very best one possible. But with that many choices, it can be hard to separate the mediocre doctors from the superior doctors. Find the right doctor for you takes a little bit of time, but your health is more than worth it.

Keep reading to discover five tips for choosing a new primary care doctor.

1. Look for Doctors in Your Area

When you’re searching for a primary care physician, you’ll want to first create a list of all the doctors in your immediate area.

You don’t want to find the perfect doctor only to discover they’re a two-hour drive from your home. You’ll want to find a doctor that is a short drive so you can easily visit your doctor regularly.

Use an online doctor database and enter your address to discover all your local doctors. Write down a list of all the doctors within a feasible driving distance.

2. Consult Your Insurance Provider

Once you have a list of close doctors, you will then want to consult your insurance provider. You’ll need to check to see which doctors in your area are covered in your network.

If you choose a doctor that’s out of network, you’ll have to pay full price for all of your appointments. With insurance, you’ll pay a co-pay fee that will be much more affordable than the full price. If you’re already paying for insurance through your employer, there’s no reason not to take advantage of it.

3. Look for, Ask for Reviews

Once you have a few strong contenders, start looking and asking for previous patient reviews.

You can look online at resources like Google My Business or Yelp to see what previous patients are saying. With online resources, people are more likely to be honest and open with their reviews since there is a layer of anonymity.

Then, ask your friends and family members which local doctors they recommend. Also, ask around your workplace since your coworkers will use the same insurance provider.

4. Schedule a New Patient Appointment

Before committing to a physician, schedule a new patient appointment to see if they’re the right fit for you.

During a new patient appointment, the doctor will ask you basic medical questions to learn more about your needs. They’ll be able to tell you if they think they’d be able to provide the right care for you.

This is also an appointment for you to test how comfortable you feel with the doctor. You want a doctor that you can be honest with and trust.

Find the Right Primary Care Doctor

Using these tips, you can easily find the right primary care doctor and make your health a priority.

Start by looking for doctors in your area and finding out which ones are covered by your insurance. Then, be sure to ask for reviews and schedule a new patient appointment to see if they’re the right fit for you.

Looking for more ways to keep you and your family happy? Browse the lifestyle section of this blog today.