HowToDoThings.com Recent Elective Health Care Articles

How To Get Rid of a Mole

marcalex — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:33:42 -0500

Moles are dark spots on the skin that appear in various shapes, colors and sizes. You can find a mole basically anywhere on your body. They can be small or large, and for many people, they can be a nuisance. If you want to get rid of a mole, consider following these steps.

How To Get Rid of Skin Tags

marcalex — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:29:47 -0500

Skin tags tend to be small growths of skin that start to hang off. They may be the same skin tone or slightly darker in color that the rest of the skin. Usually these tags are not dangerous to your health, but many people find them unsightly to look at. They can also hurt if they are in places where you shave regularly and scrape them during shaving. If skin tags are a problem, follow these steps and you can get rid of skin tags.

How To Avoid Potential Dangers of Cosmetic Surgery

JimLow — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:36:04 -0500

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics, in 2007 nearly 11.7 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed. Plastic surgery is becoming more popular each year but there are possible risk factors and complications to be aware of and steps for insuring against these when considering surgery.

Risk of death from cosmetic surgery is relatively low, with statistics stating that one in 57,000 procedures are fatal. Other potential complications are also rare, and there are steps that can be taken by a person considering plastic surgery to ensure their safety or that of a loved one. It is important to find the right surgeon and to get a medical checkup by your regular doctor to rule out unknown health issues, as well as researching about the procedure you wish to have done. The 5 steps listed below are important to making a final decision in preparing for plastic surgery.

How To Whiten Teeth

bronwyn — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:01:08 -0600

Tooth bleaching has now become the most sought-after dental treatment in the United States, with the number of tooth whitening procedures being performed in dentists' offices increasing by more than 300 percent in the last five year. There are many different options for those wishing to whiten their teeth - from $25 over-the-counter strips to $600+ specialized in-office dental procedures.

Determine if you are a candidate for tooth whitening. Children under 16 years old, those with sensitive teeth or gums, pregnant and nursing women, and those with peroxide allergies should ask their dentist for advice before embarking upon a tooth whitening journey. Also, remember that fillings and crowns will not bleach, and tooth whitening does not work on all stains.

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How To Prepare for a CT Scan

jamiev — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:55:21 -0600

In healthcare these days, Computed Tomography scans, or CT scans as they are more commonly referred to, are being prescribed by doctors quite frequently. The goal of this article is to better prepare patients for one of these exams. I have been a diagnostic radiology and CT scan technologist for over 16 years. During those years I have witnessed that many times patients aren't properly prepared when they come into a hospital or clinic setting for their cat scan. Quite frequently this is because patients are not provided with adequate information about the procedure. I have outlined a few areas that seem to have caused the most problems throughout the years.

How To Communicate with a Non-Verbal Child

teacher — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:59:23 -0500

Laryngitis is a viral infection that affects the larynx and the use of the vocal chords. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a disorder that affects various areas of a person's life such as their communication skills, their processing of information, development of hypersensitive issues and so much more. In the case of Dasan, my son, one of the areas of his life affected by this disorder made him officially a non-verbal child. Now the question is: "How to communicate with a non-verbal child?"

Since he was diagnosed with Autism at 3 years of age, he has used several communication tools to express his needs, his feelings and desires to us and others. While we are proud to see that his vocabulary expanded to approximately 10 words, he still needs these other tools as his vocabulary is not extensive enough to communicate effectively with others.

How To Deal with the Way Strangers See Autism

teacher — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:38:35 -0500

I am the mother of two young children living with the Autism Spectrum disorder. My oldest child is a seven-year-old boy that is located between moderate to severe on the spectrum. My youngest one is a five-year-old girl that is considered to be on the lighter end of the spectrum. From the time prior to the diagnosis of my son (which happened at 3 years old) until now, I have encountered numerous situations with strangers that were difficult due to their lack of knowledge about autism.

How To Whiten Your Teeth

Staff468 — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:13:00 -0500

Whether you're reentering the dating world after a long hiatus or just finally admitting that your coffee and cigarette routine has caught up with you, you want whiter teeth. You don't want to go the Chiclets route-where your teeth look more like Chiclets than enamel-but on the other hand, that yellowish hue has dulled your smile.

Once you start considering teeth whitening options, you'll begin to notice people's teeth in a way you never have before. Teeth come in lots of different colors, from white to yellow to gray, with stains in a variety of colors as well. You may notice that you're running in a pearly white crowd without the requisite ingredients-the pearly whites, that is.

Here are a few tips on how you can whiten your teeth and how much the teeth whitening process will lighten your wallet:

How To Learn About Tattoo Removal

Staff468 — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 14:31:00 -0500

Thanks to Angelina Jolie, we all are more familiar with the concept of tattoo removal than we might be otherwise. Although the images of Angelina Jolie's tattoos were removed from Tomb Raider frame by frame by frame, chances are that you don't have that same option available to you for say, your upcoming wedding video. Here are a few tips on how to get your own personal "Billy Bob" removed:

How To Remove Plantar Warts

Brian263 — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 19:32:00 -0600

Did you know that the same virus at the center of the current cervical cancer awareness is also responsible for plantar warts? Sounds crazy, but it's true - human papillomavirus (or HPV), albeit a different type of the virus than the cervical cancer types, is what causes those painful and ugly plantar warts to appear on the soles of our feet.

What causes plantar warts? People get warts through direct contact with HPV, of which there are many different types. The type that causes plantar warts likes to hang out in damp, warm environments - the kind that arouse your suspicion anyway, like public showers, swimming pools, locker rooms, your roommates shower mat, or communal shoes (if you're sharing shoes with people, you might want to inspect their feet first). If you walk barefoot through these areas, you could acquire plantar warts.

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How To Qualify for Bariatric Surgery

Staff468 — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 12:53:00 -0600

Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the control and treatment of obesity. Bariatric surgery is simply another term for weight loss surgery. In order to qualify for bariatric surgery, you must be classified as morbidly obese. In other words, if you have been looking for a way to shed those fifty pounds that have been plaguing you for most of your life, bariatric surgery is not the option for you. Bariatric surgery is a surgery of last resort for those who are classified as morbidly obese. Here are the criteria that you must meet in order to qualify for bariatric surgery:

How To Use Body Contouring after Weight Loss Surgery

Staff468 — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:27:00 -0600

Body contouring is the removal of excess skin leftover after massive weight loss. Body contouring is a relatively new field of plastic surgery. Previously, there were very few people who lost massive amounts of weight and were able to keep it off. But since the advent of weight loss surgery, the demand for body contouring has skyrocketed.

After massive weight loss (of approximately 100 pounds or more), most people are left with substantial excess skin. There is no cream or exercise that will eliminate this excess skin; nothing can make it shrink or go away. Removing the skin is not an issue of pure vanity; it is a health concern. People suffer yeast infections in the folds of the skin or skin infections that can lead to cellulitis and abscesses. The excess skin can also get in the way of physical movement. The only way to eliminate the extra skin is through the surgery known as body contouring surgery.

How To Choose a Weight Loss Surgeon

Staff468 — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 22:22:00 -0600

The risks of weight loss surgery are comparable to those of other major surgeries. You'll want to know that you are in the hands of a qualified surgeon. Here are some tips on how to choose a weight loss surgeon:

Meet with several different surgeons. It's a good idea to meet with several different surgeons before deciding on a weight loss surgeon. Ideally, you should choose surgeons who specialize in each of the different weight loss surgery options that you are considering (i.e. gastric bypass, gastric band and duodenal switch) so that you can get their informed opinions on the different options available.

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How To Choose Weight Loss Surgery

Staff468 — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:12:00 -0600

There are several different types of weight loss surgery and it is important to understand the differences among them. In order to qualify for weight loss surgery, you must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher with at least one co-morbidity. Common comorbidities include diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, joint problems and incontinence. Anyone who qualifies for weight loss surgery qualifies for any of the weight loss surgery options listed below. Here is an overview of the three primary types of weight loss surgery available today:

Lap Band. In lap band surgery, a laparoscopic donut-shaped rigid silicone band is put around your stomach and connected to a port just under the skin in the wall of the stomach. (A tube comes off of the band and leads to the port.) Doctors inject saline into the port to adjust the lap band, making it tighter or looser.

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How To Help Your Senior Who Is Hearing Impaired

L544 — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 10:19:00 -0600

Hearing impairment has far reaching implications not only for the individual with the loss, but also for those close to them. A recent study by the University of Florida indicates that 62% of elderly people admit to difficulty hearing. When you consider our aging population, this is a staggering number of people coping with hearing loss either directly or indirectly as a result of a family member or loved one who is hearing impaired.

In order to effectively help the hearing impaired senior in your life, consider the following tips:

How To Get Laser Eye Surgery

Staff468 — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 16:34:00 -0600

Laser eye surgery is a term commonly thought to be synonymous with refractive eye surgery. Well-known refractive surgical procedures like PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), LASEK (laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis) and LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) have cemented the association between refractive surgery and laser eye surgery. In truth, a nonrefractive procedure can involve the use of a laser, just as refractive surgery does not necessarily involve a laser. For the purposes of this article, however, we will explore how to get the refractive kinds of laser eye surgery.

How To Know If You Qualify for LASIK

Staff468 — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 13:54:00 -0600

LASIK eye surgery is a great option for many people who suffer from poor vision. The word "LASIK" stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, a procedure to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. But not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK.

Age. If you are under the age of eighteen, you are not eligible for LASIK.
History of vision correction. Recent history is more the concern when it comes to LASIK. Risk of complications rises if you are in a period of what is known as "refractive instability." Essentially, this means that your vision is possibly changing because it has changed very recently. If you have been seen by an eye doctor within the past year, and prescribed new corrective eyewear, then you are not a good candidate for LASIK. Vision is often in flux for young twentysomethings and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

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How To Find a Lasik Surgeon

Staff468 — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:14:00 -0500

Looking for a Lasik surgeon? Many people struggle with poor vision and yearn for a reasonable solution. Lasik surgery can dramatically improve your vision, and Lasik surgeons are becoming increasingly easier to find. But when eyes are concerned, you can't be too careful. Find the best possible Lasik surgeon in your area.