My name is Keith Ledbetter, 53 years old, married, and I live in Jacksonville, Florida. I have had trouble breathing during my sleep and suffered from chronic sleep deprivation, which led to tiredness, constant irritation, and poor concentration. It also started taking a heavy toll on my cardiac health. Needless to say, everyday was troublesome and upsetting. My condition dates back to the time when I, along with my family, moved from Tampa to Jacksonville around five years ago to start my own business. It was during this time that I started feeling dizzy all day long, couldn’t work for more than four hours per day, started gaining weight, was unable to focus on my business, and experienced sleep attacks during the daytime. I never had enough sleep and took smaller naps during the day to compensate for the lack of sleep at night, but nothing seemed to work out. My productivity reduced and I could not keep up with any new projects. Back at home, the condition was worse. At nights, my loud and constant snoring disturbed my wife’s sleep too. In the beginning, she mentioned about counting the number of hours I snored and the moments she couldn’t hear me breathing.

Thousands of deaths occur as people do not receive emergency medical aid when needed. This highlights the need for knowledge of first aid and CPR. Training in CPR and first aid allows people to provide immediate medical help which can save lives in emergency situations. Receiving training in CPR and first aid is highly important. If you’re thinking of undergoing training, you can look for some of the best courses available. You can also choose to take an online course for CPR and first aid training. Before choosing the most relevant course online, you must learn what an ideal course should offer to make the right choice. Course inclusions to expect CPR: CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR training includes certain series of techniques that are designed to assist anyone in need, including infants, children, and adults. Most courses will provide videos and illustrations to ensure that students understand this topic clearly. AED: Automated external defibrillator (AED) is a device used when CPR fails or is not effective. This device is used to resuscitate the affected person. Courses will have details about the method to operate the equipment along with a guide on handling emergency situations. First-aid: First aid training teaches students how to handle all common medical emergencies.

Medical billing is often a complicated process. People involved in formulating medical bills are often asked to take certification exams such as CPB exam, CMRS exam, and RHIA exam. Training in medical coding, audition, and transcription can be also useful. A bachelor’s or graduate degree in medical information science and technology is often a prerequisite qualification for medical billers. However, these certifications and qualifications have not been made mandatory by law. The process of medical billing is required for receiving payments for services such as treatments, testing, and procedures. Adopted by insurance companies and healthcare institutions to settle medical treatment and services bills, the medical bill process has three broad stages—check-in, claim and post claim. When the medical billing process runs smoothly, a claim filed by a patient will go through each of these stages once. Ideally, in such cases, the process is hassle-free without any roadblocks. This makes the claim reimbursement quicker. However, the medical billing process can be quite tedious. This is due to the inclusion of multiple authentications and verifications required to prevent fraudulent activities. Here are the 9 key steps involved in the medical billing process. Patient registration Also known as patient check-in, this is the first step of the medical billing process.

As a dog parent, you might frequently catch yourself deliberating over your pet’s health, especially their diet. At the moment, there are myriad of dog food manufacturers, and though they market their products as “highly nutritious” or “organic,” in reality, they aren’t forthcoming about the “other” ingredients that can affect your dog’s overall health. In a nutshell, you have to very particular about what’s healthy and what’s not for your dog. We know that it can be confusing to pick the right product for your furry buddy. To help you out, we have listed down some parameters that can come in handy while shopping for healthy dog food. Choose dog food with high-quality animal protein It is imperative that your dog regularly consumes a sufficient amount of protein for muscle strength, skin cell regeneration, hair growth, and steady hormone function. You can pick a product that comprises of animal meat like beef, chicken, fish, lamb, rabbit, or venison. Some manufacturers might include egg protein in their ingredient list, which is good, but you should preferably pick dog food that contains top quality animal protein. Ensure that the food you buy specifies what kind of animal meat it contains. If the pack just mentions “animal meat,” then be wise, and look for other options.

N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, or NAC, is an FDA-approved health supplement that promotes physical and mental wellbeing. It helps prevent infections, lowers inflammation, and improves the functioning of various organs in the body. There are many NAC options available in the market. But when it comes to having supplements, it’s crucial always to get them from the best, most trusted sources. This article lists the five best NAC supplements out there that one can consider. Nutricost NAC Nutricost uses high-quality ingredients to make its NAC capsules. Their supplements are free of artificial colors, gluten, and preservatives, which help stabilize the production of proteins. It also helps strengthen the immune system and optimize the function of the liver and lungs. Nutricost’s 120 servings bottle costs around $18, and the company offers a 90-day moneyback guarantee. Swanson NAC Swanson’s NAC helps fight free radicals and toxins and improves lung function. In addition, it helps replenish glutathione, a component necessary for strengthening the body’s defense mechanism. The brand sells its 100-capsule pack for around $7, and customers can avail of a 100% moneyback guarantee if they aren’t satisfied. Life Extension NAC This is another NAC option that promotes healthy glutathione levels. In addition, it improves respiratory functions, immune health, and liver function.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a rare neurological disorder in which individuals experience involuntary and unusual movements in the mouth and the surrounding muscles. Some patients may also experience symptoms in the neck, arms, or legs. This disorder occurs as a result of prolonged usage of certain neuroleptics medication. These medicines are often prescribed to manage mental, neurological, or gastrointestinal disorders and are usually only prescribed for a shorter period of time. Tardive dyskinesia can be treated with the help of medication and certain natural vitamins and supplements. Some such vitamins and supplements and their natural sources are: Manganese When suffering from medication-induced tardive dyskinesia, the doctors may prescribe certain medicines that contain the appropriate amount of manganese. This condition can be prevented by ingesting at least 15 milligrams of manganese in a day, either through supplements or natural sources, such as nuts, soy, whole grains, and leafy vegetables. Vitamin E Vitamin E is an essential vitamin that is necessary for the smooth functioning of the body. This vitamin is a group of eight fat-soluble compounds (four tocopherols and four tocotrienols) that act as antioxidants in the body. When an individual suffers from tardive dyskinesia, the doctor may advise them to consume vitamin E supplements daily.

Arthritis is a health condition where one or more joints swell and become tender. This leads to symptoms such as stiffness and joint pain, which subsequently worsen with age. There are treatments to deal with different forms of arthritis that help reduce its symptoms and make life easier. Studies also show combining treatments with certain foods helps get rid of arthritis or reduces its symptoms. Leafy green vegetables Leafy greens contain high levels of vitamins E and vitamin C. A few leafy green vegetables are kale, spinach, cabbage, beet greens, collard greens, watercress, arugula, and Bok choy. Vitamin C helps produce collagen, facilitating joint flexibility. Vitamin E is known to ward off inflammatory molecules from the body. Berries When it comes to foods to help get rid of arthritis naturally, berries deserve a spot on your grocery list. Just like all fruits, berries are rich in antioxidants, which are known to help eliminate potential inflammations. Also, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries contain anthocyanins that help reduce inflammation. Fatty fish Fishes like mackerel, salmon, and tuna help deal with the symptoms of arthritis. These are rich in vitamin D and contain Omega-3 fatty acids that can significantly reduce any inflammation in the body.

Prostate cancer occurs when cells grow uncontrollably in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small gland between the base of the penis and rectum. While no specific food can cure prostate cancer, consuming lots of nutritious foods is crucial to improve the condition. Besides, eating healthy helps an individual deal with the side effects of various cancer treatments. Here, we’ve listed six foods that can help fight prostate cancer and improve overall health. Broccoli Broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables. Not only is it loaded with a variety of beneficial nutrients, but it also contains certain phytochemicals that may target and destroy cancer cells in the prostate. The vegetable contains compounds that can reduce an individual’s risk of developing prostate cancer. Tomatoes When it comes to foods to help fight prostate cancer, tomatoes are one of the best choices. That’s because they contain a powerful plant compound called lycopene; it’s an antioxidant that may reduce cell damage and slow down the production of cancer cells. Those who don’t eat tomatoes can source lycopene from fruits like watermelon, guava, and papaya. Fatty fish Fatty fish are full of omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats have proven to reduce inflammation, and some studies also show that they can inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that is characterized by tremors, shaking, and stiffness. It affects the person’s ability to walk, talk, and function in day-to-day life. While medication is an essential part of managing Parkinson’s, eating certain foods can also help tackle the symptoms of this condition. In this article, we focus on understanding foods that one should eat to help alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Fatty fish When it comes to managing Parkinson’s disease, one needs to eat foods with high omega-3 fatty acids. This is because research suggests that consuming omega-3 fatty acid-rich products, such as fish oil and fatty fish, can help slow down the progression of this degenerative condition. Omega-3 may also help reduce inflammation in the nerves, improve transmissions in the brain, and slow down the process of neurodegeneration. Common seafood items high in omega-3 include salmon, sardines, anchovies, herring, and oysters. Aside from managing Parkinson’s symptoms, eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids can also help improve heart health. It is also shown to reduce the risk of confusion and dementia caused due to Parkinson’s. Fava beans Fava beans are great for managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s. They contain high levels of levodopa, which can help treat multiple signs of Parkinson’s disease.

Foods play a significant role in helping one manage pain in the body. Consuming foods that are deep-fried or high in sugar can worsen bone health and increase pain. On the other hand, eating foods that help improve bone density and contain anti-inflammatory properties may help manage pain and inflammation effectively. Let’s take a look at foods that help fight pain. Omega-3 fatty acids Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. This helps reduce inflammation in the body and reduce pain significantly. They also protect against heart disease and other chronic conditions. Moreover, they improve brain function and provide one with protein, vitamins, and nutrients. Flax seeds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Berries and cherries Berries like blueberries and strawberries contain phytonutrients that help reduce pain and inflammation. One can consume fresh or frozen berries to help manage their pain effectively. Similarly, cherries contain anthocyanins, vitamin C, and polyphenols, all of which help control inflammation. If you cannot get access to fresh   cherries, you can consume sugar-free cherry juice as it has similar effects on the body. Root veggies Garlic and ginger are two root vegetables that help elevate food preparations significantly.

Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) is typically caught during annual physical exams. During the exam, physicians inspect the joints for swelling, sensitivity, and range of motion. If OA is expected, additional medical tests will be performed. X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be performed to visualize changes in the joints. While an X-ray cannot image cartilage it can reveal narrow spaces between joint bones and bone spurs. MRIs can directly image cartilage. MRI is not typically used for diagnosis of OA, but may be used for more intricate cases. Blood tests can be used to rule out other possible forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. Joint fluid can also be examined for elevated levels of inflammation and to rule out other causes of pain such as infections. Treatment of Osteoarthritis Most treatments for OA aim at relieving symptoms rather than reversing the disease. Painkillers such as acetaminophen are prescribed to reduce the pain. In mild to moderate cases nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed to treat inflammation and pain. While effective at reducing pain, long-term use is associated with severe side effects such as liver and kidney damage, gastric bleeding and cardiovascular complications. In more severe cases, opioids and narcotics are used to relieve the pain.