Educate Yourself about Ebola with Facts, not Fiction

B'SD

18 Tishrei, 5775

Headlines and conversations about Ebola aka Hemorrhagic Fever are scary, and increasingly often.

Rumor-mongers are not improving matters. I suggest that you take their comments with skepticism.

Here are four sensible ways to cope with your concerns about Ebola/Hemorrhagic Fever:

1. Educate yourself with facts about the Ebola scare, via the World Health Organization Ebola Fact Sheet.
2. Read the Centers for Disease Control (though some people wonder if Ebola is under any sort of control) fact sheet at Ebola Virus Disease/Hemorrhagic Fever Updates.
3. Ask your trusted medical professionals about sensible ways to protect yourself and loved ones, and how to behave overall during this frightening time. 
4. Bolster your efforts with prayers and decent behavior. They can keep you calm. Calmness can help you overall. 

 UPDATE: See WHO's Risk Assessment for Ebola and Arutz 7's "Problematic Questions (second half of the article)".

Epidemiologist Dr David  Dausey declares, in the Washington Post, "Stop the Flights Now."

NEWER UPDATE: Can Protalix Pharmaceuticals produce the CURE for Ebola?



Need to cheer up over some sort of medical, mental or emotional health issue? 

Want to know which worldwide organizations are willing to pay part or all of your specific medical bills?

You need to read the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.  

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Fight ignorance with facts.


 

How ICD10 is Poised to HELP the Average American - and Beyond

B'SD

9 Nisan, 5774

ICD-10 is the newest version of International Classification of Diseases designed by the World Health Organization. It enables medical researchers and medical professionals in industrialized nations to communicate in optimal fashion to protect global health.

It has received bad press for quite some time.

It is maligned for being more complicated than past ICD versions, and loaded with obscure meanings, improbable situations and other bothersome stuff.

What critics fail to realize is that ICD-10 aka I10, enables medical coders such as me to explain the nature of problems and treatments that have become part of life since the invention of the Internet:

• Extreme sports and attendant injuries are newish developments. 

• So are problems which result from using digital devices, exposure to chemicals recently added to public life, increased medical awareness of disease processes plus their causes and cures. 

• The skills for identifying child, spouse, employee and other abuses are better than they were in the past, too. 

Those are only a tiny smidgen of issues that matter to the new ICD-10 version of medical coding and to your medical insurance reimbursements. 

They also matter to the way public health care is improved.

New medicines, medical devices, medical strategies and medical insight invented after the creation of the Internet are being used today. The previous version of medical coding, ICD-9, can't possibly reflect that.

Without ICD-10 available as a communication tool in the wider medical care, medical coding, medical research and medical insurance worlds, there is simply no way to adequately, thoroughly inform many people who need to know of those realities.

When you read condemnations such as New Coding System to Add Costs, Burdens to Healthcare, you need to put things into perspective.

Anyone using a new tool needs to learn how to use it. That adds costs of money and time to the picture. 

But the cost-effectiveness of inevitably better insurance reimbursements improves the overall situation.

So do cutting-edge medical reporting and research, used to protect your health.

What about doctors who feel burdened by the learning curve? I propose that they consider what it would be like to deliver medical care without knowing developing trends in public health and harm. Working without sufficient information can limit medical care. So can lower medical insurance reimbursements to their medical practices and facilities.

Look at Coder Coach's Newsflash for a brief overview of the situation.

Now consider this: When medical coders can better explain to your insurer about why you benefited from medical practices refined and more effective than what was available before 1979 (when the present form of medical coding went into effect) or invented after the invention of the Internet, you stand to receive BIGGER and more frequent medical insurance reimbursements for the medical care keeping you optimally healthy/alive.

You'd also be able to benefit from more accurate medical research statistics. They teach medical professionals about what's likely to harm or help you. Stuff all of you need to know.

Here's a peek at the evidence mounting about the effects of improved medical care. 

The ICD-10 medical coding system enables important people to process that information for the betterment of public and financial health.

So, are you ready to benefit from the wealth of updated medical procedures and more?

Tell your senators, congressmen/women and president that you want ICD-10 medical coding in America, NOW.



Need to take action to nurture yourself through a medical or mental health setback in the meantime?

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.


Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Fill your mind with facts, not rumors. That's good for your health.



 

Why the Western World is in Surprisingly Poor Health

B'SD

25 Adar 1, 5774

WHEW! Medical Coding classes have filled my daily schedule and free time with lots of work. I study and take exams around the clock. Graduation in May is coming up, so I am uber-focused on completing my hard work and doing well. 

I'm completing a 2-year college course in under one year. LOTS of work!

What I've learned along the way is that the rates of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and mental health problems have risen with the passing years. 

A rather shocking number of people in the Western world are in fragile health. They need to slow down, to enjoy pleasant past times, and to fill up on wholesome foods, not the pre-packaged, highly adulterated stuff sold in stores. That junk is sickening the people who eat it, including children who don't know any better.

Trust the medical world: There is no proof that you need preservatives, color - smell - taste enhancers, pesticides, synthetic hormones or other poisons in your diet. Ever.

I learned the hard way, when I went from blind to sighted by dumping commercially prepared "food" from my menu.

Each year I prepare whole home made foods in the baskets of treats I share with friends on Purim. The happy holiday happens in about 3 weeks. Here's a peek at the highly detailed story: Purim Animated.

 
Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.  

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Fill your lives with what you need.

(PS - Medical Coding is the translation of medical records from hospitals, clinics, private doctor offices etc, into alpha-numeric codes that tell insurers and medical researchers why a specific person needed medical care, what was done for them, what worked or failed and the prognoses for the patient's future)

 

Doctors & Patients Promoting Patient and Family-Centered Care Together

B'SD

5 Adar 2, 5771


When you consider that a doctor who caused an adverse medical reaction – complications, worsening illness or death – is usually abandoned by her/his colleagues and administrative staff – you are able to realize some of the horrific mental anguish piling on that person.

Knowing that your loved one suffered or died due to innocent mistakes, medical neglect, medical malpractice and/or even medical indifference, is a Living Hell.

Put both sides of the issue is one room dedicated to preventing similar disasters and you have a phenomenon.

Today I attended the debut SHEVET conference at Assaf Harofeh Hospital in Tel Aviv. SHEVET is a non-profit foundation for people who want an active role in improving patient safety in Israel. The genuine effect of these nascent efforts, however, is already going global.

The SHEVET Foundation is dedicated to building a partnership between doctors and patients with the aim of safer health care, fewer mistakes in treatment and overall improved outcomes.

Policy makers, doctors and patient group representatives attended the conference. They invite patients and families of patients to join them to ensure open discussions in the developing future.

Today's launch-date conference included remarks by Margaret Murphy, a compelling guest from the World Health Organization (and the only participant to speak in English). Margaret founded the international Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care and is a member of WHO's 'Patients for Patient Safety' initiative. Margaret has been honored for her pro-communication, pro-patient work affecting the entire medical world. Margaret's precious son, Kevin Murphy, died due to severe medical mismanagement. Margaret's adoring husband supports her international efforts to prevent grief for more people due to

Miscommunication

Condescending disregard
for nurse observations

and

Leaving patients plus
loved ones out of
the medical treatment plan.

Margaret's "Do Nothing About Me, Without Me" remarks received enthusiastic applause today. Her lilting Irish brogue was one of several international accents at the meeting as medical professionals and laypersons spoke of the need to end counterproductive medical practices.

I was charmed when she pronounced my name correctly on her first try ;^ D

When medical professionals and patients linger at the same emotionally powerful conference, sharing smiles and innovative ideas for improved healthcare, then the outcome can only improve patient care and medical careers.

EDITORS: Contact me to purchase my feature story about the ground-breaking event. Photos and interview remarks included.

If you have ideas and/or want to learn more about pro-patient advocacy, see www.shevet4patientsafety.org (the English-language version is at http://shevet4patientsafety.org/?lang=en)

If the above remarks excite you, you'll definitely like E-book EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. Buy it at Booklocker!

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.

Know the Facts about H1N1

B'SD

3 Elul 5769


I'm noticing increased nervousness about H1N1/Swine Flu on listservs, in mainstream media and in conversations. People are increasingly fearful of the World Health Organization's recent projection about an "Explosion" of new cases.

Calm yourself with a look at the

Center for Disease Control's site about H1N1.

Then look at the

CDC's Tips for Preventing the Flu.

You can follow the CDC guidelines for safe coughing by using disposable tissues or washable 100% cotton handkerchiefs.


Toss out the tissues as soon as you've finished wiping your nose or covering your cough (flush them to the sewer for additional precaution if that makes you feel safer). Place used hankies in your pocket or purse. Toss them into the hamper when you return home, and launder the load ASAP.

None of that stuff should pile up on your desk, kitchen table, dresser, etc.

Keep several packages of tissues handy so you won't be tempted to reach for used tissues again and again. Buy several handkerchiefs so you'll have a ready supply on hand when some are in the laundry. You might grow to prefer handkerchiefs. The cottony softness won't irritate your skin as much as paper tissues can.

Your neighbor or someone else might make persuasive, frightening remarks about H1N1/Swine Flu (I prefer not to repeat the fear-mongering rumors I've learned about), but you owe it to yourself to check the facts. Rumors are generally good for raising your blood pressure, not your chances of remaining healthy.

Know the facts, ignore the rumors.

See the August 21 2009

International Situation Update.

Now please take my frequent advice on this blog and throughout my book: nurture your inner giggle. Focus on something that pleases you and do something that makes you feel happy. Keep a happiness journal to remind yourself of good stuff when you're feeling very down. You need to increase your sense of optimism.

Smile on purpose.


THAT can help you to cope with a medical challenge, including flu.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

Level 6: What You Can Do to Protect Your Health

B'SD



URGENT UPDATE: You can click on the World Health Organization's updates here: http://www.who.int/en/

(I apologize for failing to include these sites earlier:

World Health Organization updates in French http://www.who.int/fr/index.html

and in Spanish http://www.who.int/es/index.html

Check out America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Get the CDC's specific updates about Swine Flu/H1N1

Breaking News: How to Protect Yourself During H1N1 Pandemic )

Israeli readers can find Hebrew-language information about the H1N1 Influenza Pandemic and all other Israeli health issues at http://www.health.gov.il/.

The English version of the site is http://www.health.gov.il/english/


I've written about this pending situation before. My blogpost Swine Flu H1N1 Level 6? contains safety precautions. My Travel Warning holds other relevant information.

I won't bore you with links to additional prescient "Level 6" posts at this blog.

What I will do is to ask you to:

Stay as clean as possible,

To keep your surroundings
as clean as possible,

And to refer to
impeccable sources of information

within the medical world.

DO NOT rely on what "somebody" told you.

You're scared already.

Listening to someone speaking

out of panic and ignorance

is not going to improve your life.

Calm down and think more sensibly
when you click on

I'm Buying
"It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry if I Need To"
because I'd like to avoid a sense of panic.
As the title explains, it is
"A Life Book that Helps You
to Dry Your Tears
and to Cope with a Medical Challenge."

To your good health,

Yojeved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

If You're Facing a Medical Crisis...

B'SD

11 Sivan 5769

I've weighed my words all day in order to create this post. Here goes:

You're facing a medical challenge as it is.

I strongly suggest that you make sure not to overtax your body, to keep washing stuff that's handled often (toilet handles, door knobs, phones, etc.), and to avoid crowds if you are dealing with an illness as the sick person or as the caregiver.

Here's why:

WHO: World 'getting closer' to flu pandemic...

PHASE 6...

According to the advice I've learned so far from medical professionals, the best defense for guarding one's health from the above-mentioned dangers is to minimize your exposure to germs.

If you cough or sneeze, aim at the inside of your elbow (raise your arm to your face). Cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent the spread of germs.

Reward yourself for your sensible protective efforts. You can learn about little to no-cost fun ways to treat yourself (and other helpful stuff) in "It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry if I Need To: A Life Book that Helps You to Dry Your Tears and to Cope with a Medical Challenge."

To your coping skills,

Yojeved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

Swine Flu/H1N1 Level 6?

B'SD

24 Iyar 5769

Sorry for the late-in-the-day post. My schedule suddenly filled with some quickly pending due dates in the journalism world (whew, that's GOOD news for me in the chaotic news world) and I'm working hard to satisfy my editors.

Back to this blogpost:

I've alerted you before to potential dangers of the H1N1 (Swine Flu for the scientific vocabulary challenged folks among us): World Health Organization Statement

I even specified my travel warning

Why bring all this up?

I'm increasingly concerned at WHO's reluctance to declare a Level 6 situation as it notes progressively far-reaching cases of infection:

Influenza A(H1N1) virus

WHO/PAHO/Harold Ruiz
Antiviral drugs arrive at Mexico City airport, Mexico.18 May 2009 --

As of 06:00 GMT, 18 May 2009,
39 countries have officially reported

8480 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

then notes this:

Concern over flu pandemic justified.

WHAT is a concerned person to do in this confusing situation? I suggest that you read Director-General's address to the Health Assembly

and keep checking in at http://www.who.int/en/ to stay up-to-date on things.

Don't rely on hearsay, rumors, and urban legends. Not even from friends and relatives. DO NOT respond to irresponsible E-mails promising you cures and preventatives for Swine Flu/H1N1.

Stick with verifiable facts.

Click on I'm Buying "It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry if I Need To: A Life Book that Helps You to Dry Your Tears and to Cope with a Medical Challenge" to Learn More about Protecting My Health and that of My Loved Ones.

Folks, I've worked in the healthcare industry and reported on it for decades.

Pay Close Attention to this URGENT UPDATE: CDC: 100,000 LIKELY INFECTED WITH NEW STRAIN IN USA

Keep washing your hands, the children's hands, doorknobs, you name it.

Cleanliness is the best safeguard I know of so far.

To your good health,

Yojeved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

World Health Organization Statement about H1N1 Flu

B'SD

10 Iyar 5769

Whew, I'm glad to note that mainstream media did not turn present headlines into an allegedly "Level 6" problem (though I've heard broadcasts - later retracted - claiming this fiction to be true).

I've been monitoring conflicting news reports about the name and danger of the "Swine Flu" sweeping the world. If you call it H1N1 or anything else, the name-change will not affect its harmful power.

Here is a rather definitive statement about "Swine Flu-H1N1" from the most impeccable news source I know of - the World Health Organization:

WHO Warns Against Flu Complacency

Please use good sense. And please follow my suggestion to ignore assurances that it is "safe" to eat foods made of pigs. I suspect that this will soon prove to be false. And dangerous.

URGENT UPDATES: Top Flu Expert Warns of Swine Flu-Bird Flu Mix

Swine Flu Could Hit Up to 2 Billion People, WHO Estimates

and

Swine Flu Spreading Too Fast to Count, CDC says...

If you want to monitor infected parts of the globe, click on Swine Flu/H1N1 Records Map.

Click on I'm Buying "It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry if Need To" So I Can Learn More about Coping with Medical Problems.


To your good health,

Yojeved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

Here's Why You Need "It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry if I Need To: A Life Book that Helps You to Dry Your Tears and to Cope with a Medical Challenge"

B'SD

6 Iyar


America's healthcare is going down the tubes. Why?

Obama Says Swine Flu ‘Not a Cause for Alarm'‎

Obama's first 100 days in office have been filled with serious anti-social activity. An expensive indulgence (in this age of economic freefall!) - New York flyover of Airforce 1 that terrified onlookers who feared another 9/11 - among other things.

The once robust US auto industry is disappearing with his help. So is much of America's remaining economic life: AP FACT CHECK: Obama disowns deficit he helped shape...

He has trashed healthcare (see my past posts on that). And he's repeatedly trashed America's law-abiding conscience and society: FBI Raids Office of DC Office of Obama Appointee

And there's an alarming focus on superficialities as he and Michelle stress appearance/form over substance:

PEOPLE MAG 'MOST BEAUTIFUL': Barack's Beauties...
Michelle, Rahm Emanuel, Geithner...

with a touch of megalomania he has not protested: Obama Coronated as Messiah, Wears Crown of Thorns


The World Health Organization has gone to Level 5 (and soon to reach 6 in the next 24 hours), the last steps it can take before a worldwide pandemic renders all of us susceptible to disease and death extremely difficult to prevent.

The president of once-strong America is no help. He's part of the problem.

The USA is deteriorating, vulnerable to far more than mere health problems. Only GD Above can correct the problem.

Meanwhile, you can take action to protect yourself with "It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry if I Need To." It truly is "A Life Book that Helps You to Dry Your Tears and to Cope with a Medical Challenge."

Learn coping and cost-cutting strategies.

The book holds a wide variety of helpful information.

The RESOURCES section in back
lists global resources for

affordable, quality medical care
and medication, medical appliances,

travel assistance, and
psychological care

PLUS organizations offering

financial help

to people in medical crisis.

Live with greater dignity and

a better set of healthcare options.

Don't wait for a health crisis

to hurt you.

Protect yourself.

Click on I'm Buying Yocheved's Book TODAY!

To your good health,

Yojeved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

WHY Would You - or I - Limit WiFi?

B'SD



6 Nissan 5769





PCs and other digital technologies are necessary parts of present-day lifestyles. But you might decide to limit how much you use them after reading why WiFi and other Electromagnetic Field sources endanger your health and everyone else's:

Health Fears Lead Schools
to Dismantle Wireless Networks

The prestigious
World Health Organization

is also concerned about WiFi/EMF threats to health

Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome

Listen to my most recent online presention to catch some comments about the brain tumor-EMF connection.


Going low-tech can be good for your health. And that of your pets!

CLICK HERE to remember when I warned you about the health hazards from Fluorescent Light Bulbs on February 20 2008.

Forewarned is forearmed. You can switch to incandescent bulbs, stop saving money for an early funeral and see better, too.

Click on I'm Buying Yocheved's Book
to Learn Why
Medical Professionals Suspected
that Radiation had Caused
Her Brain Tumors,
and then Doing What She Did
to Improve Her Health.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's very cheerful blogpost. It'll bring smiles to many faces.

Signing off my PC for the day,

To your good health,

Yojeved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

A Powerful "Secret" for Prolonging Your Life

B'SD

20 Tishrei


You know I rarely post on weekends but this important piece of information warrants immediate attention.

The United Kingdom's famous paper The SUN has an article warning the world about mobile phone use, by Health and Science editor Emma Morton. Read all about it at:

CANCER RISK IN MOBILE PHONES: OFFICIAL

Mounting scientific evidence and relevant media publicity are at odds with the "secret" that many consumers keep from themselves. Cell phones and mobile phones are radiating your heads with danger. Please. Get rid of your cell phones and the mobile devices in your vehicles. The convenience and efficiency may just kill you - faster than you expect. The world will still spin on its axis when you rely on E-mail, landlines and fax machines. You just might live long enough to ENJOY the wealth you're trying to accrue, instead of spending it on painful cancer treatments.

Read the sections in my book about excellent communication skills. BUY IT'S MY CRISIS! AND I'LL CRY IF I NEED TO: A LIFE BOOK THAT HELPS YOU TO DRY YOUR TEARS AND TO COPE WITH A MEDICAL CHALLENGE TODAY!

Remember: my book is about coping skills. Throughout my text, I highly recommend sensible health-promoting alternatives to counterproductive unhealthful behavior. Medical and mental health professionals recommend IT'S MY CRISIS! and give it to patients.

To your good health,

Yojeved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life.