Avoid The Signs of Aging Through Proper Skin Care
Aging is an inevitable process all creations go through. In fact, the aging process is considered natural cycle that everything and everyone must face. But the signs of aging can be delayed or can be hidden through proper skin care.
The skin is the most affected area when a person ages. When a person ages, the skin loses its elasticity that is why wrinkles and fine lines start to appear especially on the face, neck, and hands. Today, the most common solution people find is by developing healthy skin care regimen and through the use of anti-aging products that can minimizeif not eliminatethe signs of aging. These anti-aging products are marketed and advertised to encourage people to control the early signs of aging such as wrinkles, crow’s feet, and other visible fine lines.
External Factors That Affect Aging
Before finally deciding whether to use these products or not, you must first know the external factors that greatly contribute to aging in order to avoid them. Here are the major external factors that cause aging and skin aging, it is up to you how to avoid these in order to maintain a young looking and vibrant skin.
1. The sun. This is the major external factor that caused aging. Experts say that aging caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultra violet rays is called “photo-aging.” In this process, the sun’s rays breaks down the collagen and elastin in the person’s skin that lead to the development of premature wrinkles and other facial lines. You can protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun by applying sun blocks and sun screens that has high SPF content. You can also wear proper articles of clothing that help protect your skin from the damaging rays and by lessening the time you spent outdoors especially when the sun is its peak hours.
2. The gravity. Science tells us that gravity pulls everything towards the earth. As people age, the effect of gravity becomes visible on the skin and affects its elasticity a lot.
3. Excessive smoking. Nicotine indeed plays a big role in skin’s aging. Studies show that smokers form lines and wrinkles sooner compared to those who do not smoke. Skin is affected by nicotine because it narrows the blood vessels in the outer layers of the person’s skin that is responsible for the reduction of blood and nutrients flow.
4. Several facial expressions. People have a lot of facial expressions. These expressions are quite inevitable depending on the situation they are in. Since facial muscles are used when people make facial expressions, this can lead to the formation of lines in the face and neck.
5. The sleeping position. Although it may sound absurd, improper sleeping position contributes a lot to aging of the skin because it results to the visibility of wrinkles. A good skin care habit should include adopting a sleeping position that can veer you away from forming lines on the face or even on your body.
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What to Secure in Your Medical Tourism Package
Medical tourism packages are offered by various institutions from different countries all over the globe. Before you get one, you have to ensure that you are only dealing with professional and experienced groups and individuals. Also learn every detail and inclusion in the package to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth. You can fall victim to unscrupulous bodies if you do not study your sources first. Here are some tips and tricks.
The Ideal Medical Tourism Package
A good medical tourism package will be well-documented, including all the details of your supposed trip or medical vacation. There should be quotations that specifically indicate why the total package will be priced as such. You should also be provided will all the wavers and coverage of protection available via your current insurance policy. Good hospitals will always inform you about state or national laws that might alter from the ones present in your home country, just so you can stay prepared and avoid any problems in the future.
The package should only come from medical institutions, clinics or hospitals that are accredited by the right agencies, like the JCI, Trent, ISO, etc. The quotation should include the name of the physicians and surgeons conducting the operation, the type of operation to be done, the duration of hospitalization, complete address and contact number of the place and other follow-up treatments and medications required. The package should entail all the features and added bonuses of your trip, if there are any, such as hotel accommodations, transportation, meals and tours.
Your Insurance Policy
A good hospital will provide you a contract which you need to sign to agree to the terms of treatment. You will also be shown all your rights as a patient, such as the right to refuse treatment, the right to choose your doctor and the procedure to be done and the right to choose which place you want to stay. Of course, recommendations will be provided but it is always the patient who makes the final choice, regardless of the results.
Your current insurance policy may not cover medical tourism packages, but you may be referred to companies that now provide several benefits amount up to $100,000 or more to medical tourists. The insurance policy will cover all types of treatment, depending on the feature and premium. You can get protection even after the operation is complete or if you experience complications and other problems back in your home country, related to your previous surgery or treatment.
On Payment
The medical tourism package, will usually require a down payment from you, before it is finalized. You can make the payment via credit card or money transfer online. You can also ask for a third party, such as an affiliated medical group in the States to guarantee your payment. You will most likely be asked to pay anywhere between 10% and 25% of the total cost. The final cost provided should be the same as the one you pay after treatment. You can pay the rest after you get treated.
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What is Medical Tourism?
More and more people from the west are going to Asia to try medical tourism. You may be surprised to know that you can save much more and get more perks and advantages by getting treated far away from home. It is important that you only deal with reliable institutions too, so that you can ensure that operations stay safe and successful. Learn more about the process and find out the different benefits of going through one program.
A Brief Description
Medical tourism is described as the process of going to a different country to get medical treatment. Some of the common procedures done to traveling patients include dental work, heart surgery, plastic surgery and hip replacement. Based on the location and the type of procedure to be done, a medical trip can usually cost you anywhere between 10% and 50% of what you expect to pay in your own country.
The main advantage of medical tourism is that it provides a cheaper means to get the type of treatment done, even if you consider other expenses like hotel accommodations, air fare, car rental services, dining and shopping. These are cheaper than domestic health care because of a variety of factors. Expect to get the same standard treatment or even better with top quality institutions from other nations. Some of the most popular medical tourism stops include Singapore, Thailand, Argentina and the Philippines.
Undergoing Treatment
Patients can travel halfway across the globe to receive various types of health care, including alternative care, psychiatric treatment, convalescent care and even for burial. Customers and service or health care providers from the other country usually communicate through informal means, to hasten the process and avoid very strict legal oversight. More than 50 countries have been named as a medical tourism destination. Some of these consider medical tourism as a major industry and are creating better buildings, facilities, equipment, as well as researching newer technologies to stay updated.
It is important that you research more about the institution and country you are eyeing on, since there are also unscrupulous agencies offering seemingly quality services and care online. You should talk to the right people and also communicate with previous patients to get honest feedback on what to expect about your treatment and vacation.
Things to Expect
A medical tourism package usually includes all the other factors to ensure that you have a safe, successful and enjoyable trip. Patients will be given preliminary meetings and diagnostic procedures before the actual surgery or treatment. They will also be given time to explore and tour around the new country to get the most out of their vacation. Expect to stay anywhere between 3 and 10 days when going to another country.
Today, Asian countries are the most popular destinations, with more and more Americans traveling to the East each year. European countries like Hungary, Ireland and Belgium are also offering excellent medical services. You can include a few personal reasons to determine which destination will fit your situation best.
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Tips on Medical Tourism
More and more medical tourists are going to different destinations each year to receive top quality treatment and world class accommodations. As a medical tourist, you get several advantages such as lower expenses, friendly accommodations and getting to see new sights and scenarios. You have to learn some tips first before you go abroad to stay safe and avoid any further complications. Here is some more information before you travel.
Doing Research
All experts highly recommend patients to do a lot of research first before they travel abroad. They can become victims to scams and unscrupulous individuals. Some may become victims of medical malpractice and other errors because the medical institution failed to comply with the given standards or does not have sufficient accreditation.
First, study and review the procedure you are going through. Are you healthy physically and mentally to undergo treatment? Know the different effects, results, risks and possible complications that can arise. You should also consider the health risks and other potential complications that may arise from traveling far distances or staying cramped inside the plane after surgery or treatment. Determine how much time you will need off from work, how long the treatment will take, if you need follow-up care and how long before you can return to your home country. Also check if you will need other types of treatment afterwards like physical therapy, etc.
Hospital and Surgeon Background
Since more and more hospitals are getting into medical tourism, you should now check for accreditation to ensure that the standards and medical practices sufficiently meet the requirements set by the biggest agencies. Check for accreditation by the JCI, Trent, ISO, JCAHO, etc. You can also compare hospitals and pick the ones that have received numerous awards and achievements.
Identify the success rate, which means how many successful operations and treatments have been done. The figures may be displayed in percentage. Check the available equipment and facilities and how often the institution upgrades these. You should also determine which particular procedures the hospital is known to be good at. Check if majority of the staff understands English or are English-speaking.
Talk to the surgeon who will be doing the surgery. Ask the necessary questions, such as your diet and exercise regimen days before the operation, medical and health hazards, possible risks and complications, medication regimen afterwards and the duration of hospitalization. You should ensure that the doctor is well-experienced in the type of surgery to be done. Ask for some referrals and talk to previous patients to get the full details.
Preparing the Documents
Some foreign countries will not require you to get a visa, but will require you to stay only for a limited period, such as 60 to 90 days. You should consider the distance and talk to your local physician to update him about the developments. Prepare your passport and visa, credit cards, traveler’s check, identification cards, driver’s license, etc. You should include IDs with your photo and full information on it, just in case you get lost or accidents occur.
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The Medical Tourism Hotspots
There are now around 50 countries recognized as medical tourism destinations. If you’re eyeing on vacationing in the Middle East and Asia Pacific, you have to learn more about the country and culture. It is very important that you also research more about the technologies available and the recent updates that each nation and institution has that applies to your specific condition. Here are some guidelines on the hot places and what to look for.
The Middle East
Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel are among the hottest countries to visit when going for medical tourism in the Middle East. Israel is quickly becoming a medical tourist hot spot, with over 15,000 visitors entering the country in 2006. In-vitro fertilization is one of the most popular procedures that foreigners go for in Israel. They also wish to view the Dead Sea, plus other historical and biblical landmarks.
Jordan is quickly growing as a medical tourism hotspot. In 2007 alone, over 200,000 visitors went and brought in more than $1 billion in revenue. Most of the foreigners come from Iraq, Sudan and Palestine. Compared to prices of health care in the United States, expect to save as much 75% on treatment. The World Bank rated Jordan 5th worldwide as a medical tourism hotspot.
The UAE or United Arab Emirates has also upgraded a lot of their equipment, facilities and practices to become competitive in the global market. More hospitals are aiming to get accreditation from the biggest agencies to attract more foreigners.
Asia and the Pacific
China is a favorite among medical tourists because of its unique approach to treatment. Chinese hospitals and institutions are widely known for fusing modern medical practices and technology with traditional Chinese medicine and therapeutic techniques. Stem cell treatment is one of the most common procedures that visitors go to China for. China is also very rich in culture, so you get the most out of your vacation by choosing this country.
Hong Kong is another popular medical tourist hub. All 12 private hospitals are accredited by Trent and ensure that patients only get the highest quality and standard of care available. Dual international accreditation is also acquired by the hospitals, with the second being from JCI. Hong Kong hospitals boast of having the latest technologies and equipment to ensure patient safety and well-being.
More Asian Destinations
Taiwan aims to become a big medical tourism center in the years to come. The government has been very active in providing funds and campaigns to help boost and advertise the different programs offered by hospitals and medical institutions. Some of the reasons that visitors go to Taiwan include the low cost of procedures and the many shopping places available. Some of the popular procedures that foreigners usually go for include bone marrow transplant, liver transplant, plastic surgery and joint replacement surgery.
Westerners prefer going to Asia because of its rich culture and cheap costs. You get the advantage of getting great packages and the best in accommodations and transportation. People in Asia are also known to be very warm and hospitable, making the places very ideal for both medical treatment and vacationing.
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The Groups Helping Medical Tourism
Since medical tourism is very much a part of health care, it is only important that you review the several questions and issues raised about the subject. There are now a variety of agencies that continues to observe the activities and practices all over the globe, to ensure that patients get the best and safest medical treatment available. You have to learn more about the agencies so you can make the necessary precautions to stay safe and healthy.
About the Groups
There are a number of factors to consider when going for medical tourism. Some of the inclusions are quality assurance, evidence-based practices and medications and international health care accreditation. In America, the Joint Commission International or JCI is the most well-known accreditation group. Since 1999, the group has been checking and accrediting health care institutions outside the United States. Several medical institutions at present find that being accredited by JCI helps them get the trust of many American patients.
The Joint Commission is connected with JCI in America. The two groups are independent private groups that do not function for profit. These groups try to develop internationally and nationally recognized standards and processes to boost patient safety and health care. These groups work with different hospitals to ensure that the health care organizations meet the standards of patient care.
More Groups
The Trent International Accreditation Scheme in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom is also considered an important agency when it comes to medical tourism. The schemes of accreditation groups can change in terms of cost, size, quality, skill and purpose. The cost to health care groups and hospitals can also change. A number of hospitals are aiming for dual international accreditation. JCI is responsible for attracting American patients, while Trent is good for attracting European clients.
Before you go for any medical group abroad, you have to check the background first and ask for a number of accreditations to make sure that you are only dealing with professionals who are well-trained and updated about the latest practices and technology. Not complying with this practice can lead to dangerous and life-threatening procedures.
Other Responsible Agencies
The Medical Tourism Association is a pioneer non-profit trade group for medical tourism. It is comprised of health care providers, international hospitals, insurance companies, medical travel advisers and other agencies that commit to providing patients with excellent health care globally. The three tenets of the agency are Communication, Education and Transparency.
The SOFIHA or Society for International Health Care Accreditation is another group that gives forums and discussions about standard practice and ideal patient care. The role of the group is to ensure that hospitals give the best environment for treating patients.
The UKAF or United Kingdom Accreditation Forum is another big network, comprised of accreditation groups with the objective of sharing new ideas and standard practice to help organizations implement standards safely and successfully. Some of the activities done by the network include training, evaluation, recuritment, monitoring and recognizing accreditation awards by different health institutions.
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The Different Treatments You Get in Medical Tourism
Medical tourism is fast becoming a preferred choice among individuals living in big countries like Canada, United Kingdom and the United States because of lower cost and added convenience and luxury. There are now various treatments available and people can expect to get the highest quality care available anywhere in the world. Some countries, however, are known to be experts in some types of treatment. Here are the different procedures.
About ACLS
ACLS stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery or Repair. The procedure aims to reconnect a torn ACL ligament. There are 4 total ligaments that stabilize the knee, and ACL is one of these. Among the four, the ACL is the most commonly damaged. Some individuals choose to have ACLS abroad if they suddenly feel unstableness in their knee while playing sports, after a rehabilitation program or if the problem has long been existent.
The procedure generally takes around 1 to 2 hours. ACLS does not require patients to stay in the hospital. As a medical tourist, you can choose to get back to your hotel right after the procedure and continue to recuperate there. After a few days, you may take tours that do not require a lot of walking or heavy lifting. Patients can go back to their home country 1 to 2 days after the procedure.
About Hip Replacement
Total hip replacement or THR is one of the most common surgeries that patients look for abroad. The procedure involves rebuilding a damaged or deteriorated hip joint for it to return to optimal and functional condition. During the process, an artificial prosthesis can substitute for the damaged joint. A hip replacement is sought after by medical tourists who experience stiffness in their hips, thereby limiting leg movement, have problems with bending and are taking medications that lead to side effects or are not that effective. Patients can expect the surgery to last 1 to 3 hours.
When traveling abroad, you will be advised to take about 1 to 2 weeks off, since you will be staying inside the hospital for 4 to 10 days. Doctors will recommend patients to recuperate for 4 to 7 days before going back to their home country.
About Spinal Infusion
Some medical tourists go to destinations like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia to undergo spinal infusion. The procedure involves linking two vertebrae to get rid of the friction and extra motion in between. The lumbar spinal fusion can treat various conditions, such as scoliosis, slipped disk, degenerated disk, herniated disk and other injuries. The procedure is done when other types of treatment are not working.
Patients may also undergo the surgery abroad, aside from having other types of spinal surgery. Other techniques may be incorporated based on the condition of the patient and the extent of the damage. Patients can expect the surgery to last 3 to 4 hours. When traveling abroad, you should book for a minimum of 1 week, since you will be hospitalized for 3 to 4 days after the operation. Patients can return to their home country after 5 to 7 days.
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Searching for Medical Tourism Packages Online
The internet is a very rich source of information if you want to look for the best medical tourism packages. A lot of medical groups and institutions have created their official web site to provide you with all the details you need to travel. You can get all the data, such as the price, what to expect from the procedure and the available surgeons and physicians. You can also make early reservations online for quick perks and promos. Here’s how.
Checking Web Sites
Different medical institutions now have web sites on the internet where you can view the different offers and medical tourism packages. You will most like see sections, such as the background of the company, the mission and goals of the hospital, the available staff and doctors, patient testimonials, the procedures done, FAQs and how to contact them. When viewing the background, check how long the company has been existent and determine their mode of staying updated with the recent technological advances. You should also find out if they are affiliated with other well-known organizations or have accreditation with the JCI or Trent.
Read the FAQs or Frequently Asked Questions section, as well as the testimonials by previous patients to determine if the objectives of the company coincide with your own interests. You should read more about the specific procedure you are about to take and which doctor will be assigned to your case. Consult your own local physician about the medical institution you are eyeing on and ask for honest feedback.
Reading Packages
You should find out more about the package you plan to get. Determine the kind of accommodations available, how you will be transported from the airport to your hotel and finally, to the hospital, duration of the stay, if you are allowed a medical or travel companion and which areas you will most likely visit. Find out more about the country you are going to visit as well by visiting various web sites and online discussion boards.
Learn more about the country by talking to other past patients and travelers online. Learn about the pros and cons of getting medical treatment from one place and compare the prices with others available. You should also consider the distance of the other country from your origin. Ask about the possible risks and complications of having to travel very far after your type of treatment or surgery.
Joining Forums
An online forum or discussion board will greatly help you determine which medical tourism package will best suit your case. There are special boards online where you can talk to patients all over the globe. You can also contact doctors online and ask them about the available technologies that should be available in a given country or hospital. You can ask for recommendations on the best physicians and surgeons, as well as the best accredited hospitals that can guarantee the safety and success of your operation.
An online discussion board will keep you updated about the latest changes in any given country or medical institution when it comes to medical tourism. You can take advantage of big promos and other perks depending on the season, by talking to frequent flyers. You can also make the necessary preparations by communicating with experts and other experienced medical travelers.
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Risks and Issues Around Medical Tourism
Medical tourism can cover a variety of practices and procedures. As much as you need to review the benefits and advantages, it is equally vital to learn about the possible risks and other issues about the trip. Some patients have suffered life-threatening conditions because of errors and lack of research. You have to know more about the potential risks before you consider going abroad for treatment. Here are some more tips and guidelines.
Knowing the Risks
Medical tourism also includes a number of risks, compared to getting health care from local sources. A number of countries experience sporadic infectious diseases once in a while. These include Thailand, Malaysia, India and the Philippines. The diseases may not be present in other nations like the United States and European countries. Weakened individuals may be exposed to the problems, like malaria, HIV, avian flu, tuberculosis and typhoid. Some of these diseases are considered rare in first world countries.
The quality of care pre and post-operative can also differ, based on the country and medical institution. Some of the standards may be different from what you were accustomed to in America. Trent and JCI can ensure that you get the best standards of care in these countries. If you travel long distances after undergoing surgery, you can also boost the risk of developing other problems and complications. Some of the causes of complications include being cramped and staying immobile for a long period of time inside an airplane. It is vital that you include several days off after surgery before going back to your country to get better and recover faster.
Legalities
Some complaints that you can easily pass on in your country may not be as easy to deal with when traveling abroad. The policies and rules may change drastically thereby limiting patients’ abilities to get satisfactory results after any given procedure. If you get medical treatment overseas, you may be unfamiliar to some legalities and regulations. The limited regulations in some countries can explain the lower cost of health care. Some individuals have been victims of medical malpractice and inadequate care stemming from lack of equipment and tools, inexperienced doctors and incompetent programs. Some institutions and medical experts may not even afford some of the financial damages that come from lawsuits.
About Ethics
One problem that medical tourism may cause is that locals no longer can receive quality and standard care because hospitals and doctors are focusing more on foreign patients who can pay more and afford drastic procedures. Although foreigners may no longer have problems when it comes to paying and waiting, the locals will have to deal with the increased cost of care that local institutions are offering globally.
Pioneering modern technologies can also mean that some devices and medications are not yet fully proven to provide all the beneficial effects. It is not uncommon to see some foreign patients come back and experience very bad side effects after a few months, because of unconventional therapy and practices. Always research all the equipment you are going to use and the procedure you are planning to go through.
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More Countries to Visit for Your Medical Tour
There are about 50 countries you can choose from to get medical treatment. Some of these countries offer the best hospitals and treatments, while others also have very colorful culture and experiences to add. Whatever your choice may be, it is important that you learn more about the country to blend well with the locals and have the vacation of your life. Here are some more nations that decided to become globally competitive in medical tourism.
Thailand
Thailand is the number one choice of most medical tourists because of its wide range of medical expertise and the several available tourist hotspots all over the country. Medical tourism has significantly grown in Thailand in the past few years. A single hospital in 2005 admitted 150,000 foreign patients. Some of the procedures sought after by patients include cardiac surgery, orthopedic surgery, cosmetic surgery, organ transplant and dental work. Some other procedures include physical therapy, mental treatment and spa.
The cost of health care in Thailand is also very cheap. Expect to pay only 10% to 25% of what you are charged in the United States. Several hospitals also have interpreters so that patients can communicate better with doctors. Most hospitals have English-speaking staff too. Today, several hospitals in the nation are accredited by the International Organization for Standardization and JCI. Traveling to Thailand will expose you to a variety of world class resorts, restaurants and other popular sights and events.
European Choices
Even though Asian and South American countries are the most popular choices, Europe has also grown in medical tourism. There are so many European nations now offering medical tourism packages, such as Germany, Hungary, Malta, Spain, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Portugal, Poland and Lithuana. The Czech Republic primarily focuses on spas and health care that competes with the best in the world.
Germany is another top destination because of its state of the art equipment, very high standards and modern facilities. All citizens have health coverage. Waitlists are also considerably shorter in Germany and cost of treatment is 50% cheaper compared to America. Middle Eastern patients now prefer going to Germany instead of the United States because of the very strict regulations since the September 11, 2001 attack.
New Zealand and Mexico
New Zealand is new to the list of medical tourist hotspots. Several of the hospitals in New Zealand are accredited internationally. The cost of surgery is especially cheaper by around 80% compared to the United States. You also get to enjoy tranquil scenes and a very safe environment when vacationing this side of the world.
Mexico is a popular spot for Americans who live very near the border. The specialty treatments of the country are plastic surgery and dental work. The cost of care in Mexico is only 20% the cost you pay for in America. Medical tourists going to Mexico report that treatment and accommodations are very satisfactory. A lot of foreigners also go to Mexico each year to undergo lap band surgery and bariatric surgery to reduce weight.
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