Are you at a higher risk for Fibromyalgia and thyroid conditions? Use an Ancestry.com coupon code to find out

risk factors for hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia

Is there a connection between Fibromyalgia and thyroid conditions? The latest research shows that there definitely might be, specifically if you suffer from hypothyroidism such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. There might also be a genetic or hereditary component to both these health issues, and we have an Ancestry.com coupon code that can help you trace your family history. We’ll talk about some of the research, some of the risk factors, and steps that you can take to help mitigate symptoms.

What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and what is Fibromyalgia?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is also sometimes referred to simply as Hashimoto’s disease, or the medical name is chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disorder where your body will actually attack and eventually destroy it’s own thyroid, which causes hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid does not function at a high enough level, so you will need to take medication. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common hypothyroid condition affecting adults in the United States.

Fibromyalgia is still not well understood, both in terms of what causes it and what it is exactly. Currently it is not classified as an autoimmune disorder, although that could change with the mounting evidence of it’s links to various ones. Both fibromyalgia and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis have several symptoms in common, such as fatigue, pain in the body, depression and/or anxiety, as well as ‘brain fog’ or cognitive issues. Both diseases are also more likely to occur in women than men, specifically those of child bearing age.

Okay, so why the Ancestry.com coupon code?

While the causes of Fibromyalgia are still unclear, there does seem to be a strong correlation between those who suffer from hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia. We do know that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis tends to run in families, so there is likely a genetic or hereditary component to your odds of developing the disease. Some argue that this may be more of a nature vs. nurture situation, as things like lifestyle, nutrition, and trauma are also possibly contributing factors to developing a thyroid condition as well. People who grew up in a lower-income family may not have had as much access to recreational opportunities, high quality nutrition, and may have been exposed to more traumatic events at a young age. They are also more likely to stay in a lower income bracket and have their children grow up in a similar environment.

However, we feel there is enough evidence behind the hereditary evidence that it warrants being used as an indicator if you are at risk for developing something like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and therefore fibromyalgia. If you are unsure of your family history, you can use a tool like Ancestry.com to research it. A lot of people think of the service as more for entertainment value, but it can give you clues into potential health issues you should be aware of and possibly take steps to mitigate. And since we believe in good value as well as good health, make sure that you use a coupon code when signing up for the service to save yourself up to 30%.

hereditary component to autoimmune and thyroid conditions

How to treat Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Fibromyalgia

Neither disease is fatal on their own, but they are certainly not comfortable to live with. Aside from the chronic pain associated with both, the chronic fatigue and feeling like you never get restful sleep can be very mentally taxing which is likely why you see anxiety and/or depression frequently as a symptom of both. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and fibromyalgia won’t kill you, but they certainly aren’t a lot of fun to live with untreated.

If you have Hashimoto’s you should definitely work with a doctor on medication to supplement your body’s low thyroid gland production. In fact most doctors won’t diagnose fibromyalgia until this step has been taken, to rule out it just being particularly severe Hashimoto’s symptoms due to a low functioning thyroid.

There is the saying of ‘let your food be your medicine’ and I think that the next step in addressing any disease after medication should be rooting out any dietary issues. For both Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and fibromyalgia you will want to follow an anti-inflammatory diet to try and reduce flare ups. That means reducing your intake of sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and refined oils and grains. Basically, you should try to limit your intake of ‘junk food’ and other highly processed items. Instead you will want to focus on eating whole foods and doing a lot of cooking at home. That means lots of leafy green vegetables, fruits & berries, animal products in moderation, and don’t forget spices. Anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and cumin in particular can be really helpful.

Exercise can also be very helpful for both conditions. One of the common side-effects of Hashimoto’s is weight gain due to the sluggish thyroid gland, and regular exercise can be very helpful in combating that. Getting regular movement, especially outdoors, can also be very mood boosting which helps if you are feeling the depressive or anxiety-related effects that are common with both hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia. It can be difficult to start regular exercise if you are feeling the chronic fatigue that comes with both conditions but try to make it a habit and soon the positive effect exercise has had on your health will be all the motivation that you need.

How Discount Codes Can Help You Lead a Healthier Lifestyle

healthy lifestyle voucher codes

January is a traditional time to take stock and make plans for the new year. For many people this includes setting up some new goals around health and fitness. Whether you want to make sure that your diet is tip top, or that you are getting plenty of exercise discount codes can help you achieve your healthy lifestyle goals. Websites like Discountpuppy have promotional codes for all sorts of online retailers and services so that you can get the best possible price.

discount codes for a healthy lifestyle

Save on Vitamins & Supplements with Discount Codes

The best place to start when undertaking a healthier lifestyle is your diet. If your diet is not in order and you are not getting proper nutrition then any other measures you take will be less effective. Vitamins and supplements can be pricey though, so you should always look for a promotion or use a voucher code when purchasing online. The online retail space for supplements is quite competitive, so there is always a deal to be had. The quality can vary quite a bit, so make sure to always purchase from a reputable company with good reviews. If you are unsure what vitamins and supplements you should take, consult with a nutritionist first.

Get Home Fitness Equipment at a Discount

With many gyms having been closed for close to a year now, a lot of people have looked to working out at home. It’s certainly much more convenient, and you don’t need a ton of equipment to be able to get a good workout in. Start with a few dumbbells, and don’t forget to use a discount code when you purchase them or wait for a good sale. You don’t need anything crazy heavy to start, and you can always purchase more as you get stronger.

I would actually skip purchasing treadmill. They are very expensive, take up a ton of room in your home, research shows they can be hard on your joints, and running for an hour isn’t really all that helpful. If you enjoy walking, doing it outside is better and free. If you’re looking for more of a cardio challenge there are lots and lots of HIIT workouts on Youtube at no charge. 30 mins of that is much more effective than an hour on the treadmill.

Other good equipment for home that doesn’t take up much room includes resistance bands, a yoga mat, and a stability ball.

Quitting Smoking with Vape Coupons

If you’re a smoker, you know in your heart that if you want to be truly healthy you need to stop. I won’t get into the myriad of ways that smoking is detrimental to your health, everyone knows what they are. But, I do sympathize that nicotine addiction is very difficult to overcome. You might consider switching to vaping, which can be expensive (although so are cigarettes, I will point out) however most companies offer promotional codes or offers for new customers that can save you a lot. It may seem a bit overwhelming at first as there are different vaping devices and liquids with different concentrations of nicotine. What’s right for you? Most companies will have a customer service team that can answer any questions you might have, and possibly even set you up with an exclusive voucher code not advertised anywhere else.

Use a Promo Code to Save on a Healthy Food Subscription Box

If you never know what to make for dinner and end up ordering a pizza too often, you may want to consider signing up for a meal delivery service. They will send you the fresh ingredients in a box with the recipes, all you have to do is assembly and cooking. They have options for vegetarian and vegan, and if you have a food allergy they can accommodate that as well. I’ve used one before, it was a great way to try out a bunch of recipes that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. It was a little on the expensive side, if you use a promotional code and factor in the savings from not eating out so much it’s not so bad. If you are wanting to full out on the healthy lifestyle, there are subscription plans that cater to weight loss and muscle building as well. If you’re pretty confident in your kitchen skills and just lack the time to go to the market, then there are also services that will deliver you groceries.

Recharge & Destress with a Vacation for Less

An often overlooked element when embarking on a healthier lifestyle is mental wellness. Stress & anxiety can certainly take a toll on your physical health so it’s an important part of the equation. I think we can all agree that this year has been a stressful one. While I don’t currently advocate getting on airplane to go to a tropical resort (at any other time, by all means), you could hire a car for a weekend and rent out a secluded cottage in the countryside. Sometimes all we need is a little break from routine to feel refreshed and reinvigorated. And because the travel industry has not had a very abundant year there are many excellent promotions and voucher codes available right now. You can also book a trip for next year at a great discount, sometimes even just having something to look forward to can do wonders for your mental well being.

Cheers, and good luck

Wanting to improve oneself whether it be physically, mentally, or spiritually is always a worthy undertaking. While there are usually at least some financial costs associated with this it doesn’t have to break the bank. Shop sales, and use those discount codes. Cheers to 2021 being at least a little better than the last!

An Ancestry.com coupon, and what DNA testing can tell you about your health

Coupons for Ancestry.com and genetic health risks

Did you know that your genetic makeup can indicate if you’re pre-disposed to certain health conditions? We’ve known for a while that certain ethnic groups seem to have a higher (or lower) rate of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and host of other health issues.

Use an Ancestry.com coupon to save on their services

At home DNA kits came on the market a few years ago and most people use them just to satisfy a sense of personal curiosity. However, a DNA test could give you important information about potential health risks you might face down the road. And with an Ancestry.com coupon you can take the test for less. If you know what health issues you might face down the road, then you can take pro-active steps now to mitigate your risk. At full price the tests can be a little pricey, but if you use a promo code it can significantly reduce your cost. Besides that health is wealth, you really can’t put a price on being able to live a long and healthy life.

Ancestry.com coupon

Heart Disease in those of African Descent

There are a whole host of other socioeconomic factors that can play into ones risk of developing heart disease. As they say your zip code is a better indicator or your risk of heart disease than your genetic code, because those in more affluent areas tend to have better access to healthy food, quality health care, and spaces for exercise. However, even when adjusted for socioeconomic factors there does seem to a higher risk for people of African heritage in developing heart disease. Researchers think this may be due to the fact that they are more sensitive to salt, which is of benefit in a hot and dry climate. However it also leads to increased blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease. For people with African heritage, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet that is low in sodium.

Ashkenazi Jews and Colorectal Cancer

On a global scale, Ashkenazi Jews (those from Eastern Europe) are the ethnic group at the highest risk of developing colorectal cancer. Researchers believe that this is due to a mutation of the APC gene. Approximately 6% of the Ashkenazi Jew population have this variation. It may not seem like a large percentage, but 6% of ten million is 600,000. As far as we know there is no sure-fire way to prevent colorectal cancer, aside from generally keeping in good health by eating well, getting regular exercise, not smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption. The best defense by far is regular screenings and early treatment, especially for those who are descendants of Ashkenazi Jews.

Diabetes in Hispanic and Latino Populations

Research shows that you may be at a higher risk of developing diabetes if your background is Hispanic or Latino. It is believed that as much as 10.4% of the adult Hispanic and Latino populations have diabetes. Specifically they seem to be genetically pre-disposed to developing Type II diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes as symptoms typically don’t surface until you are older. Again there is no 100% effective way to prevent diabetes, but the usual advice of following a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise applies here as well. Smokers are also more likely to develop diabetes and suffer more serious complications from it, so quitting can lower your risk as well. Interestingly, although Hispanics and Latinos are at a higher risk for diabetes, they don’t seem to develop heart disease as much as other ethnic groups even though the root causes for both diseases are largely the same.

Atrial Fibrillation in Caucasians

Atrial Fibrillation is the medical term for having an irregular heartbeat, and research has shown that it is most common in Caucasian populations. In Caucasians over the age of 40, there is a whopping 26% chance of developing cardiac arrhythmia and it does not seem to be related to other risk factors such as high blood pressure which suggests there is a genetic reason for it. Atrial fibrillation itself is rarely deadly and many people who get diagnosed go on to live long lives. However it does open you up to an increased risk for strokes which can have very serious negative impacts on your health. As for how to prevent this disease, again the causes are largely unclear although it is much more common in adults over 50, and men are twice as likely to develop it. As far as we know keeping your heart generally healthy through regular moderate exercise such as walking is your best bet in keeping A-Fib at bay.

Know ahead of time, use an Ancestry.com coupon

As we can see from above, the best risk prevention across the board is following a healthy lifestyle. However if you know that you may be genetically pre-disposed to certain diseases you can make sure to schedule regular screenings and catch any problems early on should they develop. Use the Ancestry.com coupon linked above, and get your DNA test today.

How Children with Medicaid Can Receive Behavior Therapy

children medicaid behavior therapy

Finding the right resources for your special needs child can be a tough and confusing process. That’s why the state of Florida has partnered with the Better Support Service to offer healthcare assistance to parents, guardians, and caretakers of children with psychological health disorders. Parents of children with cognitive disorders such as Autism, ADHD, and ADD may be eligible to qualify for Florida Medicaid’s assistance program, which offers Behavior Analysis services to special needs families at reduced costs.

What is Behavioral Analysis?

The Behavior Analysis (BA) program is designed to help parents and guardians reduce unwanted behavior, like tantrums and outbursts, while affirming healthy activity and promoting effective communication. Using behavioral therapy techniques, the Behavior Analysis program specializes in improving social, behavioral, and adaptive proficiencies, which may be severely lacking in children with cognitive disorders.

The Behavior Analysis program takes a scientific approach to therapy, using rewards and consequences to reinforce acceptable behavior, reduce unacceptable behavior, and encourage the development of new skills. By setting concrete goals and exposing special needs children to constructive therapy environments, Behavior Analysis has been shown to dramatically improve learning ability, conversational attentiveness, and social interaction among recipients. To ensure quality of care, all Behavior Analysis analysts are required to be certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

How can I start receiving these benefits?

To deliver respectful, discrete, and therapeutic healthcare solutions, Better Support Service employs highly trained and certified behavioral health professionals. As a licensed and qualified provider with a history of providing excellent care, Better Support Service is able to efficiently link families with the resources and benefits they need.

Behavior Analysis services are now available to all qualified recipients of Florida Medicaid who are 21 years of age and younger. To apply for the program and start receiving assistance, parents and guardians should contact the Better Support Service, whose professionals can walk you through the application and documentation process. As a qualified provider, the Better Support Service has the resources and connections necessary to approve your request and begin providing behavioral resources as soon as possible.

To gain access and begin receiving your Medicaid sponsored benefits and assistance, parents and guardians of children with cognitive disorders should complete the following steps:

  • Step 1: Visit your doctor to obtain a written order for Behavior Analysis services
  • Step 2: Contact the Better Support Service about receiving resources and assistance
  • Step 3: Submit the required documents to the Better Support Service team
  • Step 4: Work with Better Support Service to receive your benefits and improve your child’s behavior through therapy

Who should I contact?

The team at Better Support Service is passionate about making health care easy and hassle free for parents. To get in touch with Better Support Service, learn more about the Behavior Analysis program, and find out what benefits you may be eligible to receive, you can contact us at (786)-534-7172. Take the next step to receiving your benefits and contact us today!

Physician’s Convention: Hotel Promo Codes and More.

strep throat convention

The International Physician’s Convention is Only Two Months Away!

Dates: November 1st-14th.

Travel and Hotel Coupon Codes:

As members of our association, you have access to an exclusive discount code that you can use on Hotels.com to save 20% off when booking your room at the Marriott.

Our Convention Theme: Strep Throat – A Fact of Life

Each year we take a closer look at one particular disease or ailment that affects the population at large. This year our speakers and presentations will be discussing strep throat.

If you need a primer, or at least a little refresher, on the situation, then here is a quick summary of Strep Throat:

Unfortunately, sore throats happen. You can eat all the right things, get plenty of exercise, wear a hat when it’s cold, and dry your hair when it is wet, but the truth is that sore throats will still happen. Whether it was the 5 year old at the bank who never covered his mouth when he coughed or the fact that you never washed your hands before leaving the birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese, as far as your immune system is concerned, it is only a matter of time before an infection will set in. Thankfully, a number of safe, easy, and reliable testing methods have been developed in recent years to aid clinicians in identifying these elusive agents of infection and help patients arrive at a speedy recovery. 

Let us take a closer look at these microbes. We will examine the characteristics of the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, a microbe responsible for strep throat, and become familiar with the various diseases associated with it. We will also discover current methodologies for testing and treating these infections in a clinical setting. With any luck we will be able to arm ourselves with perhaps the most effective weapon to date, knowledge. 

Signs and Symptoms

Surprisingly, it is our body’s immune response that can be attributed to many of the complications resulting from aggressive cases of strep throat, especially in cases of neglected or undertreated infections. Once the bacteria is recognized by our macrophages a cascade effect of cytokines or cellular signals are released that bring about a variety of changes. Not only are white cells called to the site of the infection whereby phagocytosis and complement fixation can take place (when bacteria are either engulfed by macrophages or tagged by protective proteins for certain death by osmotic implosion), but inflammation is also induced by those white cells that are called to serve. The distinct molecular attributes of the streptococcus bacteria, or antigens, are largely to blame. The antigens (in this case, membrane bound proteins and carbohydrates that elicit an immune response) on the surface of the bacteria kick the immune system into overdrive, producing chemical cytokines or cellular signals that induce white blood cell action and inflammation. This is what produces the characteristic soreness, swelling, and redness at the site of the infection. This not only makes swallowing difficult and painful but, lymph node glands can also begin to swell resulting in muscle ache in the neck. Fever and chills may also accompany the infection, as well as nausea and vomiting often in response to the persistent pain and discomfort. 

Sources of Infection

The bacteria can be spread from person to person by droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person. It is also possible to pick up the infection after touching contaminated surfaces like door handles or keyboards and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth whereby the bacteria can easily gain access to the upper respiratory tract.  Strep throat caused by S. pyogenes typically effects children or anyone with a weakened immune system. The infection can clear up on its own, however in some cases; S. pyogenes infections can lead to further complications, such as glomerulonephritis, rheumatic fever, and scarlet fever, with outbreaks believed to have been first recorded as far back as the time of Hippocrates.

Behind The Scenes 

Typically when clinicians test for strep throat they are looking for the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes in order to diagnose streptococcal pharyngitis. That is not to say that other bacteria as well as viruses are not just as capable of causing upper respiratory infections, but when it comes to the characteristically red, inflamed sore throats, in this region of the world anyway,  it is S. pyogenes that usually gets called in for questioning. It is a group A, Beta-hemolytic strain of bead like bacteria that can produce mild to aggressive infections. “Beta hemolytic” refers to the ability of the bacteria to completely rupture (lyse) red cells on a culture plate, demonstrating a distinct, clear zone of red cell destruction. That zone of hemolysis is a diagnostically reliable behavior that clinical professionals look for when S. pyogenes or any group A strep is suspected. 

When S. pyogenes is suspected physicians will typically request that the patient have two throat swabs. One swab is for a rapid strep test, which is a quick screen for the bacterial antigen. The test utilizes an immunoassay “sandwich principle” and if that is negative than a culture is routinely run on the remaining swab.

Test Principle

Though there are a number of manufacturers of strep testing kits, they all tend to work off a similar “immunoassay” principle whereby a sought after antigen (in this case the S. pyogenes membrane bound carbohydrate) is bound to specific antibodies within the testing media that in conjunction with a color indicator form a unique complex that displays the presence of that antigen. The color change is then interpreted as a positive result. Since this test utilizes the high specificity of antigen-antibody binding, there is a low incidence rate of false positives. These tests are limited by sensitivity, meaning that an individual can in fact have a Strep infection that is below the detectible limits of the testing media. This is why it is a good practice for the physician to order a follow up culture for negative rapid strep screens.

Treatment and Prognosis

Antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin are the usual course of treatment for bacterial sources of infection. Antibiotic treatments today have proven effective against Strep throat, with an often rapid patient recovery. However, in parts of the world where proper medical treatment is scarce S. pyogenes infections can prove to be very aggressive. A lack of antibiotic treatment in these cases also means that infected individuals remain contagious for longer periods of time during the course of their infections. 

Conclusion

While antibiotics often prove effective in the vast majority of cases and innovative techniques like immunoassays and follow up cultures provide relatively reliable means for detecting S. pyogenes infections, we must not waiver in our vigilance of these microbes.  Even something as common place as strep throat, if left unchecked can wage war on the body. Maintaining a healthy diet, reducing stress, and nurturing an active lifestyle can greatly improve your body’s ability for fighting off infections like Strep throat. It is however, in the hands of an informed and responsible public where the key to controlling the spread of such infections rests. 

Best Medical Management Practice Software Systems

Systems to Make Your Doctor’s Office Run Smoother.

There have been software systems for doctor’s offices since the late-80’s but they were expensive, and had questionable effectiveness.

But in the age of the smartphone, there is no reason why there can’t be a dead-simple and effective software system that can handle bookings, billings and more. These systems are the best of the best: they are evaluated based on the features they provide, how effective these features are, and cost.

1. NextGen Healthcare:

NextGen is hands-down the best all around healthcare management software around. It’s designed to run an office for just 1 Physician, or you can scale it up to 150 Physicians. The billing system includes a person database with demographic data that helps prevent any duplicate entries. It’s also set up to seamlessly adapt to new regulatory changes, such as the ICD-10 code set.

Visit their website:

www.nextgen.com/Products-and-Services/Ambulatory/Practice-Management

2. AthenaCollector

athenacollector - medical billing software
Athena Health’s medical billing software is the best at billing and collecting medical payments. The cloud-based service uses a billing rules engine to help it collect on billings from customers. Offices that use Athenacollector, at least according to their website, see an increase in bills paid on time, as well as a reduction in the average number of days from billing to payment.

View more On their website:
http://www.athenahealth.com/practice/athenacollector/medical-billing

3. eClinicalWorks Practice Management System:

eClinicalWorks has been around a long time, but it has adapted and improved to become one of the mainstays on our ‘top picks’ lists. The system is a very sophisticated scheduling software system that tracks multiple doctors and their patients, and can even include multiple office locations. You can customize it to include blocked-off hours, rules for recurring appointments, and more.

Official Website:

www.eclinicalworks.com/products-services/

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