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Medical Tourism: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Fred Lee — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 19:31:02 +0000

The idea of combining healthcare and travel is not the first thing that comes to mind when we take a vacation. If anything, when we embark on a trip to far-off exotic destinations, seeing a doctor might be the last thing on our minds.

However, traveling to seek out healthcare is becoming an increasingly popular choice among American travelers, and for good reason. Going abroad to obtain medical services, known as medical tourism, is in fact one of the fastest growing areas of travel in the world, the reasons for which make perfect sense: medical tourism is cost effective, it gives patients access to a broader range of medical care, and the quality of that care is excellent.

With this in mind, it is no surprise that medical tourism is growing in popularity. The simple reality of the matter is that, despite having the most advanced and sophisticated medical system in the world, our healthcare system is fraught with issues over high costs. For countless Americans, obtaining prescription medication or seeing a doctor for even the most routine procedure can lead to a difficult financial burden.

When there is a need for more involved medical care such as surgery or rehabilitative care, the costs can prohibitive, especially with insurance companies becoming increasingly restrictive with their coverage. Factor in skyrocketing premiums and rising deductibles, and the results can be catastrophic. In fact, medical care is the number one cause of personal bankruptcy in this country.

In such a difficult environment, medical tourism represents a timely solution. With medical tourism, healthcare can be obtained at a fraction of what it costs here. Furthermore, host countries are becoming increasingly aware of how important medical tourism is to not only their economy, but to their image in the global medical marketplace — such that they are going to great lengths to not only maintain its affordability, but to make it attractive to prospective patients. With this in mind, host countries will offer special packages and accommodations to make a medical visit as comfortable and welcoming as possible.

Medical tourism also offers hope to patients who are in need of medical care that they simply cannot obtain here in the U.S. While the reasons for this are complex, it is not uncommon for insurance companies to deny coverage or for hospitals to simply not offer certain therapies because they are deemed to be too experimental. This can involve novel procedures such as stem cell therapy or the use of probiotic agents, which are routinely consumed in cultured foods such as yogurt. Unfortunately, government approval can take years, even if they have been safely used in other countries. The end result, however, is the same: the patient cannot obtain medical care that could drastically improve their health and quality of life.

Finally, medical tourism is fast becoming the preferred choice for patients because there are excellent doctors throughout the world, and traveling abroad to be treated by them makes perfect sense. This is due to the simple fact that, despite our bias toward healthcare in America, other countries have top-ranked medical schools and train world-class physicians who provide state of the art medical care. This is supported by the fact that school children throughout the world perform at a higher level than children in the U.S., and performance at all levels of schooling leads to first-rate physicians. Furthermore, many medical students come to the United States to get their education and training, thereby bringing their skills and expertise back to their home country.

Indeed, medical tourism is a welcome alternative to what is an increasingly unsustainable situation in this country, especially when you consider the current upheaval that is plaguing the national healthcare initiative. Factor in the rising costs at every level of healthcare, a growing aging population, and an alarming rise in health conditions that cannot always be treated effectively, and one cannot help but think that medical tourism is an idea whose time has come.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Patient Insider, Costs & Insurance, Patient Care

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Top 7 Reasons People Choose Medical Tourism Today

Fred Lee — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:54:19 +0000

By Fred Lee

The United States boasts one of the most advanced health care systems in the world, with top rated medical schools that produce some of the best doctors in the field. They, in turn, have access to the most sophisticated information and technology in medicine.

Americans have therefore taken comfort in knowing that they have access to the most sophisticated medical care in the world, so much so that people from other countries often come here when they need a doctor.

That situation, however, is changing. While 20 years ago it would have seemed unlikely for a U.S. citizen to travel to South America or Asia to obtain medical treatment, it is becoming increasingly common for Americans to seek out healthcare options outside of this country, and not just for simple elective procedures.

These locations span the globe to include Europe, Asia, and South America. Host countries recognize that this shift in the medical tourism (MT) paradigm represents an excellent opportunity to bolster their economy while demonstrating the safety and quality of their respective health care systems.

With this in mind, it is not surprising that MT is quickly becoming a preferred option for many Americans. Here are the top 7 reasons why.

1. Economics

The most significant issue facing American consumers is the cost of medical care, which is the single biggest cause of personal bankruptcy in the U.S. Even with health insurance, many people still find it more affordable to travel elsewhere to obtain medical care, especially for expensive procedures like surgeries, which can be performed at a fraction of the cost overseas. For example, the estimated cost of hip replacement surgery in the U.S. is $50,000, while the same procedure would cost approximately $7000 in India or $14,000 in Korea.

2. Quality of Care

In addition to affordability, one of the primary reasons that people choose MT is because the quality of medical care around the world has increased significantly. Many foreign doctors come to the U.S. to study and train, bringing their expertise back to their home countries to practice and share. Furthermore, seeing the need to address these concerns, the governments of MT destinations have begun to enforce quality standards through a system of accreditation and oversight. By monitoring their hospitals and healthcare professionals, they are able to maintain the highest standards in patient safety.

3. More Options

Many patients in developed nations are finding that their insurance companies limit the coverage of certain procedures, thus burdening them with excessive costs. Many potential MT patients find that it is not only more affordable to travel for medical care, but that it increases their options. This can include cosmetic surgery and reproductive medicine.

4. Availability

Another important consideration for medical tourists is the availability of certain procedures, many of which have been performed extensively in other countries and have been found to be safe and effective. In the U.S. these procedures can still be considered experimental, thus rendering them ineligible for insurance coverage or available only through clinical trials. Examples include stem cell therapy, certain forms of heart valve transplantation, and alternative medicine.

5. Customer Service

Host countries are going to great lengths to attract patients to their medical facilities. In addition to offering highly trained doctors and state of the art facilities, they want to make patients and their families feel comfortable and welcome. To accomplish this, they offer first rate accommodations, transportation to and from the airport, and in some instances, even air transportation.

6. Ease of travel

Today, international travel is easier and more affordable than ever. Airlines offer convenient flights to many of the MT destinations. When patients factor in the assistance that host countries can offer in combination with the difference in the cost of treatment, MT can become a very attractive option for many patients in search of healthcare.

7. Time

Public health care and managed care can result in long delays in receiving non-urgent medical treatment, upwards of several months. MT can expedite this process and reduce the wait to the time considerably.

Today, over 50 countries identify MT as a national industry, and in recognition of its growing importance, the American Medical Association (AMA) has issued its own set of guidelines. Even some insurance companies are beginning to offer global healthcare options, and organizations are being created to act as intermediaries to help match potential medical tourists with hospitals and physicians while helping to address concerns over pre- and post-travel issues.

In the next article, we'll discuss the most popular host countries for MT.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Conditions & Diseases, Beyond Science

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Traveling for Good Health

Fred Lee — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:07:55 +0000

By Fred Lee

Given the hectic pace of everyday life, where the pressure to perform can take a significant toll on our health, it is little wonder that vacations are such an important part of our professional lives. Taking time off allows us to not only get away from the stress of trying to make ends meet, but to get a break from the routines of our everyday lives. Nowhere is this better accomplished than when we travel.

When we think of traveling, we usually envision exotic locations and new and interesting people, but what about stethoscopes, examination tables, doctor's offices? Seeing a doctor is usually not the first thing that comes to mind when we travel, but for many Americans, it is becoming an increasingly popular option.

In fact, traveling abroad to obtain medical care, also known as Medical Tourism (MT), is a rapidly growing segment of the travel population. Interestingly enough, it is not a new concept. If anything, medical tourism has been around in some form or another for thousands of years, dating back as far as the ancient Greeks who traveled to the Aegean sea to seek therapy for their ailments. Trips to spa towns or sanitariums, where mild weather and mineral waters are believed to have healing qualities, can be considered a form of MT.

Patients still travel to obtain medical care, but modern MT has experienced a bit of a paradigm shift. It used to be (and still is) that people from less developed countries who could afford it came to places like the United States or the United Kingdom to seek out what they considered to be the best possible medical care. Today, citizens are now leaving these industrialized nations to obtain medical care in lesser developed areas, including Asia and Latin America.

This change is due mainly to two significant reasons — cost and quality of medical care. With the costs of health care in the U.S. and U.K. skyrocketing out of control in combination with the chaotic state of health insurance in this country, many people have found that they can have the same procedures done abroad at a fraction of the cost.

And while in the past the idea of seeing a doctor in other countries was approached with trepidation, that is no longer the case — and for good reason. Many foreign doctors study and train in the U.S. or U.K. and then return to their native countries to practice. Furthermore, many big cities outside the U.S. boast modern cutting edge universities that offer the best medical education available, as well as modern hospitals with state of the art facilities and equipment, where doctors must meet the same rigorous qualifications to practice medicine as doctors in industrial nations.

Today, more than 50 countries have designated MT to be an official industry, though for anyone considering MT as a option, it is important to know that industry standards vary widely across different regions. For this reason, it is extremely important for potential medical tourists to be informed.

In the next article, we will discuss what you should consider and the initial steps you should take if a trip as a medical tourist is on your horizon.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Patient Insider, Alternative Treatments

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Controlling Blood Sugar With Green Tea

Fred Lee — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:00:53 +0000

By Fred Lee

New research has found that drinking green tea may help reduce the spike in blood sugar that occurs when we eat high starch foods. The compound, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), was found to be effective in reducing blood glucose levels in animal models.

When we eat starchy foods like white bread or potatoes, the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars is so quick and efficient that it causes a spike in our blood sugar level. In response to this, our pancreas secretes insulin, but excessive consumption of sugar and starch puts enormous strain on this organ. Over time, this process can result in a decrease in our body's ability to break down sugar, which can lead to type-2 diabetes.

Furthermore, when our blood sugar spikes, the crash that follows often leads to an increase in appetite that makes us want to eat more. When we choose more starchy foods, the cycle continues and more calories are consumed. This, of course, can lead to obesity.

Consequently, it is of great interest to nutrition experts to find a way to either help people lower their intake of starchy foods, or at least reduce the effects of that consumption. In the study in question, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, researchers looked at whether EGCG might have some beneficial effect.

What they discovered was that when mice were fed EGCG along with corn starch, the resulting blood sugar level was significantly lower than when the animals were fed corn starch alone, in some cases by as much as 50%. The diet was meant to simulate a typical human breakfast of bread or a bagel. The amount of EGCG given was the equivalent of one and a half cups of green tea and was most effective when given simultaneously with food.

Interestingly, the compound did not have a beneficial effect when the animals were fed straight sugar in the form of glucose or maltose. The researchers believe this may be related to how the body processes starch versus sugar, specifically in regards to alpha-amylase, an enzyme produced in the mouth and pancreas. Alpha-amylase helps the body digest starch into maltose and glucose, so some experts hypothesize that EGCG may affect this enzyme. With this in mind, adding sugar to green tea may actually negate any beneficial effects of the tea.

Diabetes and obesity are both significant problems throughout the world, especially with the popularity of processed foods, which are laden with starch, sugar, fat, and salt. The situation is made worse by our increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Health experts encourage people to get plenty of exercise, eat a wholesome diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and reduce consumption of meat, starch, and sugar.

If you have questions or concerns about diabetes, speak with your doctor and visit the website for Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To learn more about good nutrition, visit the website for Nutrition.gov.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Patient Insider, Alternative Treatments, Diabetes, Prevention

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Eye Health Linked to Brain Health

Fred Lee — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:44:28 +0000

By Fred Lee

As we age, some of the faculties that we take for granted begin to decline. Whether it's our physical range of motion or our vision, the simple reality is that our bodies are letting us know that we cannot perform like we used to when we were younger.

Now health researchers believe that the decline in our ability to see might actually be a linked to a larger overall problem. That is because conditions that affect our eyes might also be affecting the neural tissue in our brain, especially when it involves the blood vessels.

In the study in question, published in the journal Neurology, scientists followed over 500 women (511) for ten years. The average starting age of the women was 69 years. Each year they were administered a cognitive test that examined short term memory and thought processes. In the fourth year their vision was tested, and in the eighth year they received a brain scan.

What the researchers found was that women 65 years of age or older who had mild retinopathy were more likely to have vascular changes in the brain as well as a decline in cognitive ability, which would include thinking and memory skills. Retinopathy is a disease of the blood vessels in the retina that is usually associated with diabetes.

With the full group of test subjects, 7.6% (39) of the them were diagnosed with retinopathy, and on average, these same subjects scored worse on the related cognition tests. These same women also experienced more damage to the blood vessels in the brain, with 47% more ischemic lesions in the overall vasculature and 68% more lesions in the lobes of the gray matter. These lesions are believed to be caused by hypertension have been associated with vascular disease and stroke. Interestingly, there was no association seen between retinopathy and Alzheimer's disease.

The data suggests that a simple eye examination could be an initial screening mechanism to help predict future cognitive decline, thus allowing for early detection and intervention. This would be in the hopes of slowing or eliminating the progression to dementia. Furthermore, since retinopathy is often caused by type 2 diabetes or hypertension, an eye examination might help to diagnose the early stages of these diseases before they can be identified by clinical means. This would in turn allow for early intervention by medication or lifestyle choices at a time when they would be most effective.

If you have questions or concerns about your vision, talk to you doctor. For more information about retinopathy, visit the website for the National Eye Institute (NEI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Patient Insider, Conditions & Diseases, Prevention, Patient Care

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Vitamin D and Heart Disease for Diabetics

Fred Lee — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:22:40 +0000

By Fred Lee

Diabetes is a growing problem in this country and, for that matter, throughout the world. It has been estimated that nearly 26 million Americans now suffer from type 2 diabetes, with a growing number of children being diagnosed with "adult-onset" diabetes. In addition to the numerous quality of life issues that stem from the condition, there are serious long term health consequences, as well.

Diabetes can lead to problems with circulation, whereby the body's inability to process sugar can result in a buildup of glucose in the blood. This, in turn, can lead to a clogged arteries and ultimately heart disease. Now researchers believe that low vitamin D levels may also play an important role.

Previous research had uncovered a potential link between vitamin D and heart disease, and now scientists believe they have found further support of this relationship. In order to arrive at their findings, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, doctors compared 43 patients with type-2 diabetes with 25 healthy subjects of similar sex, age, and body weight.

What they found was that when diabetes patients have low vitamin D levels (less than 30 ng/ml blood), certain blood cells (macrophages) were more likely to stick to the arterial walls. This causes the cells to take in cholesterol, ultimately leading to a hardening of the arteries and a reduction in the flow of blood. Vitamin D's role in all this is that it seems to work in conjunction with macrophages, which initially flow in the blood as white blood cells called monocytes. When certain monocytes encounter inflammation, they change into macrophages and no longer circulate.

The researchers determined that vitamin D played an important role even after taking into account such factors as blood pressure, serum cholesterol, body weight, sex, and race. In the end, vitamin D levels seemed to be the most significant determining factor as to whether or not the macrophages stuck to the walls of the blood vessels in patients with diabetes.

The key question is whether or not vitamin D can reverse some of the health factors that contribute to heart disease. Currently animal studies are being done as well as two clinical trials in humans. Some time in the near future researchers hope to gain some insight as to whether vitamin D can have a therapeutic effect on patients at risk.

It is important to point out that no definitive conclusions have been made, and before taking any medication or food supplement, consult with a physician. If you have questions or concerns about heart disease or diabetes, talk to your doctor and visit the website for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Patient Insider, Alternative Treatments, Conditions & Diseases, Prevention

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Regular Consumption of Soda May Aggravate Arthritis

Fred Lee — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:39:01 +0000

By Fred Lee

The consumption of sugary soft drinks has become widespread in our culture, so much so that sweetened sodas and juices are a ubiquitous part of the American diet. The increased number of calories, however, can have a negative impact on our health, increasing our risk for obesity while also contributing to tooth decay.

Now researchers have found that consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks may also be a factor in the onset of knee osteoarthritis (OA), particularly in men. Knee OA is a problem that stems from the breakdown of the cartilage in the knee joint. There are several risk factors that increase a person's chances of developing the condition, including obesity, age, injury, and constant stress on the joint.

To arrive at their findings, doctors looked at over 2,100 men and women who were part of a large multi-center OA study. Initial OA status was determined by X-ray analysis, and baseline sugar-sweetened beverage (not including sugar-free drinks) consumption was noted at the beginning of the program. Researchers then took follow-up OA measurements at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months. OA progression was measured by the change in the joint space of the medial knee compartments, with a decrease indicating progression of OA. Body mass index (BMI) was also measured separately.

What they found was that, after controlling for BMI and other risk factors, men who regularly consumed greater quantities of soft drinks each week had greater knee progression to OA. In fact, men who drank five or more soft drinks per week experienced twice as much shrinkage of the joint space compared to men who drank no soft drinks (0.59 millimeters versus 0.29 millimeters, respectively). Men with lower BMI scores (less than 27.5 kg/m2) showed greater OA progression than men with higher BMI scores. For women, only those with the lowest BMI scores showed any association between soft drink consumption and OA progression.

The authors of the study stress that more work needs to be done, because it is not clear whether sugary soft drinks increase the weight burden on the knees, or if some ingredient in the beverages contributes to OA progression. However, they do suggest that soft drink consumption appears to add to the problem, and that the findings may offer a modifiable dietary risk factor that could have significant public health implications in terms of a what constitutes a healthy diet.

Knee OA is a common physical malady in this country. The condition affects millions of Americans each year, and it is estimated that one in two people will come down with knee OA by the age of 85 years.

If you have joint pain or think you may be suffering from OA, consult with your doctor. For more information, visit the website for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Conditions & Diseases, Prevention

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Leisurely Exercise Is Not Only Fun, It May Help You Live Longer

Fred Lee — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:25:38 +0000

By Fred Lee

They say all work and no play makes a person boring and unhappy, but now researchers believe that it may affect how long they live. That is because a new study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has determined that people who take part in regular amount of leisure-time physical activity may increase their life spans by as much as 4.5 years. This phenomenon was seen irregardless of a person's body weight.

Currently the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults (ages 18-64) take part in physical activity on a regular basis, which translates into 2.5 hours each week of moderately intense exercise, or 1.25 hours of vigorously intense exercise. Moderately intense exercise is defined as activity whereby a person can talk but not sing. Vigorously intense exercise is when a person can only manage a few words without stopping to breathe.

In the study in question, published online in PLoS Medicine, researchers looked at over 650,000 adults, a majority of whom were 40 years of age or older. According to the data, when a person got the recommended amount of exercise, their life expectancy increased by 3.4 years. When they took part in twice the recommended level of activity, their life expectancy increased to 4.2 years.

In other words, more physical activity was linked to greater longevity. Even low levels of exercise had benefits, whereby just half the recommended level of activity led to a more modest increase (1.8 years), though an increase nonetheless. The benefits held true even when accounting for such factors as body weight, gender, and race. In fact, even when a person was obese, some level of activity helped to temper the negative health effects of being overweight. Finally, the correlation between physical activity and longevity was stronger among those individuals who had a history of cancer or heart disease than those with no history of these conditions.

The findings represent further support for the health benefits of exercise, which is something health experts have been encouraging for years. After all, being active benefits our health in a number of ways. Exercise helps us maintain a healthy body weight, strengthen our bones, muscles, and joints, and has tangible benefits on our psychological and emotional health. It is also believed to reduce our risk for certain disease, including heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

When done properly, exercise is also a great way to have fun, get some fresh air, and even meet new people who share common interests. Combined with a wholesome diet, exercise can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

Before beginning any exercise regimen, consult with your physician or an experienced trainer. To learn more about the importance of exercise, talk to you doctor or visit the website for Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Patient Insider, Prevention, Beyond Science

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Your Job May Increase Your Risk for Cancer

Fred Lee — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 21:58:20 +0000

By Fred Lee

We've all heard the expression, "Worked to death." After all, our jobs are an integral part of our lives in so many ways. Not only are they a necessary source of income, but since most of us spend a great deal of our waking hours at our jobs, they can have a major influence on our quality of life, not to mention our overall health.

With this in mind, can a job have a negative impact on our health? In other words, can our workplace environment contribute to conditions that might increase our risk for certain diseases?

According to a new study, this might very well be the case. In fact, researchers have found evidence to suggest that certain occupations might predispose individuals to an increased risk for breast cancer, especially when they increase a person's exposure to carcinogens and endocrine disrupters.

To arrive at their findings, which were published in the journal Environmental Health, researchers examined the records of over 1000 breast cancer patients and compared them with a roughly equal number of randomly chosen controls. Information was gathered on occupational histories and reproductive health by way of interviews and surveys. Special attention was paid to the level of carcinogen and endocrine disruptor exposure at a given occupation.

What they found was that there was indeed an increased risk for breast cancer in professions that had a potentially higher exposure to these compounds. These include agriculture, plastic manufacturing, metal working, and even working in a bar or casino. What was also revealed in the findings was that women in lower socioeconomic strata had an increased risk, possibly due to the increased exposure the stems from lower-income manufacturing jobs.

The authors of the study suggest that the findings are first step towards reassessing what are considered acceptable levels of exposure to these chemicals which might in turn lead to greater regulatory protection. This is especially important in light of the amount of time that we spend at our jobs, where gradual exposure to carcinogens over a long period can become a health hazard.

Breast cancer is in fact the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer for women in industrialized nations, with rates in North America being the highest in the world. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer.

The exact cause of breast cancer is still not clear, though it is largely believed to be a complex interaction between our genes and our environment. While some risk factors like heredity and age are beyond our control, we can control others, including lifestyle choices (smoking, obesity) and environmental exposure. However, the situation is complicated by the possibility that potential carcinogens have not yet been identified.

If you have questions or concerns, talk to your doctor. For more information about breast cancer, visit the website for the National Cancer Institute.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Cancer, Conditions & Diseases

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This Is How I Save My Life: Amy Scher's Healing Journey

amybscher — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 04:31:53 +0000

By amybscher

Welcome, and thank you for being interested in the long, adventurous, and sometimes hilarious story of how I save my life.

This section is intended to help you get information fast and avoid searching the growing number of posts on this site. I hope you find just what you're looking for!

In good health,
Amy

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Amy's Embryonic Stem Cell Treatment

About Dr. Geeta Shroff’s embryonic stem cell treatment

Global Post article (features Dr. Geeta Shroff and Amy)