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	<title>Elaan&#039;s Blog</title>
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	<link>http://elaan.org</link>
	<description>One Life to Live</description>
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		<title>Fighting off the Cellular Parasite, H. Pylori</title>
		<link>http://elaan.org/fighting-off-the-cellular-parasite-h-pylori/</link>
		<comments>http://elaan.org/fighting-off-the-cellular-parasite-h-pylori/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:07:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://elaan.org/?p=30</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[H. pylori as a Cellular Parasite
In addition to directly blocking the activities of the immune system in hand-to-hand combat, H. pylori has found ways to escape notice by the immune system. The immune system is slow to react to bacteria that live inside the host’s own cells, so if the invading organism can find its [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>H. pylori as a Cellular Parasite<br />
In addition to directly blocking the activities of the immune system in hand-to-hand combat, H. pylori has found ways to escape notice by the immune system. The immune system is slow to react to bacteria that live inside the host’s own cells, so if the invading organism can find its way into these cells, it has time to become well established before being detected and attacked. H. pylori has a couple of niches in which it escapes death by immune cells. One particularly interesting escape mechanism is its ability to survive inside immune cells themselves. Normally, when bacteria are engulfed by macrophages, they are promptly killed; however, some strains of H. pylori apparently produce a protein that inhibits the ability of the immune cell to kill them. </p>
<p>As a result, live bacteria are present inside the immune cell for up to 24 hours. H. pylori defends itself by causing the vacuoles in which it is engulfed by the macrophage to fuse together, generating one large vacuole inside of the macrophage that contains many bacteria. These large vacuoles are less efficient at killing bacteria than are numerous small vacuoles. In this way, the bacteria are able to delay being killed. It is unclear whether these bacteria later escape back into the tissue, but the fact that they can survive for several hours suggests that this is a potential reservoir of re-infection.</p>
<p>Another hiding place for H. pylori is in the epithelium. H. pylori lives within and beneath the mucus layer of the stomach, and a fraction of these organisms (around 10 percent) actually attach to the epithelial cells. This close association often leads to the bacteria being taken into and between epithelial cells. This is beneficial for the bacterium in several respects. Because the immune system is extremely well trained to avoid killing host cells, H. pylori can avoid attack by hiding inside them. In addition, using an antibiotic as an <a href="http://hpylorisymptoms.org/h-pylori-treatment/">h pylori treatment</a> as well as other harmful substances that might be present in the stomach are not as effective at reaching the bacteria when the organisms are enclosed within the epithelial cells. Furthermore, internalized bacteria avoid being washed away when the stomach empties its contents into the duodenum. In spite of the advantages of life inside the epithelium, however, the majority (90 percent or more) of H. pylori organisms in an infected animal or human appear to be free-living in the stomach, rather than epithelial cell parasites. H. pylori expresses them to trick the immune cells into thinking that the bacteria cells belong to the host. Because the immune system is very careful about turning its weapons upon itself, it is prevented from initiating attacks against the disguised bacteria.</p>
<p>This camouflaging process is a controversial topic, however, as immune reactions do occur as a result of other activities that the bacteria perform, and because other notions about the function of this protein have been suggested. Since the receptor for Lewis antigens is also expressed on the surface of the stomach’s epithelial cells, it has been suggested that the real function of this protein is to serve as an anchoring point for the bacterium. Only a minority of the germs (around 10 percent) actually attach to the epithelium, while the remaining 90 percent are distributed throughout the mucus layer. Thus, it has been argued by some scientists that the Lewis Blood Group proteins are more useful in allowing the bacteria to avoid attack by the immune system than in helping them adhere to the epithelium. Additional work on this subject will undoubtedly reveal more about the function of these proteins in the life cycle of the organism.</p>
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		<title>Pursuing a Career as a Medical Assistant</title>
		<link>http://elaan.org/pursuing-a-career-as-a-medical-assistant/</link>
		<comments>http://elaan.org/pursuing-a-career-as-a-medical-assistant/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:14:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Technical Careers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://elaan.org/?p=28</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Medical Assistants play an important role in doctors’ offices, clinics and even hospitals. They help ensure that these places run smoothly by rendering important services and tasks. The duties and services provided by medical assistants may vary from one office to another. Most medical assistants are trained to do both administrative and clinical tasks. Full [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Medical Assistants play an important role in doctors’ offices, clinics and even hospitals. They help ensure that these places run smoothly by rendering important services and tasks. The duties and services provided by medical assistants may vary from one office to another. Most medical assistants are trained to do both administrative and clinical tasks. Full time medical assistants are needed to work 40 hours weekly and constantly interact with patients.</p>
<p><strong>Medical Assistants Training and Qualifications</strong></p>
<p>Those who are looking forward for a medical assistant career will be required to complete a 1 – 2 years medical assistant training. Medical assistant schools offer various trainings that promote different competencies. Well rounded medical assistant school includes curriculum from clinical requirements like anatomy, physiology, administration of medication, first aid to administrative work like recordkeeping, transcription, and accounting.</p>
<p>Trained medical assistants are most preferred though not all clinics or physicians require these trainings. Most of the skills needed to succeed in the medical assistant career are acquired while on the job. Assistants who are not trained through medical schools will be required to work closely with senior assistants or will require more supervision.</p>
<p>With or without training, to be able to succeed in the medical assistant career, there are different accreditations that must be completed. There are some states in the U.S. that allows medical assistants advance tasks like taking an xray or giving injections. Two of the largest accrediting bodies in the United States for medical assistants are the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Association of Medical Technologies (AMT). These organizations award certificates and credentials to medical assistants.</p>
<p><strong>Employment Expectations for Medical Assistants</strong></p>
<p>Medical assistants assigned in different facilities holds more than 450,000 jobs in 2008 within the United States alone. A large chunk of these jobs are in the offices or clinics of various physicians, personal medical assistants account to more than 60%. About 14% of medical assistants are assigned in public and private hospitals (including inpatient and outpatient facilities) to assist doctors and nurses. Furthermore, about 12% are working with specialized health practitioners like optometrists or chiropractors. The remaining 14% works in other health care facilities like nursing homes, residential care, outpatient care centers and rehabilitation centers.</p>
<p>Employment opportunities are seen to be constantly on the rise for people who are in this profession. Since healthcare is an important part of any government around the world the demand for a skilled medical assistant is seen to rise as much as 30% yearly. Medical assistant careers are projected to grow more in countries that have aging population. Additionally, since healthcare services and facilities are continually being improved, more medical assistants will be required.</p>
<p>Medical assistant salary varies depending on skills, location and experience. Medical assistants on an average receive annual compensation of $28,000. Public and private hospitals usually provide the highest compensation because these institutions usually require advance skills from medical assistants.</p>
<p>Working as a medical assistant will require skills, good training and experience in order to succeed. This great career opportunity can be a great way to learn advance studies in healthcare. Medical assistants are also a great asset to the medical industry since they make the jobs of the doctors and nurses bearable.</p>
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		<title>A Dental Assistant&#8217;s Life</title>
		<link>http://elaan.org/a-dental-assistants-life/</link>
		<comments>http://elaan.org/a-dental-assistants-life/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Nov 2010 04:25:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Technical Careers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://elaan.org/a-dental-assistants-life/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As children, we often feared the noise coming from the dentist’s office. We were afraid of the needles used to numb our gums while the Dentists worked through our oral cavities, oblivious to the thunderous beating of our hearts. While the Dentist is the one who gets to do the dirty work in our teeth, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As children, we often feared the noise coming from the dentist’s office. We were afraid of the needles used to numb our gums while the Dentists worked through our oral cavities, oblivious to the thunderous beating of our hearts. While the Dentist is the one who gets to do the dirty work in our teeth, there is another person responsible for making sure that no “accidents” happen during the procedure. That person is the dental assistant. The one we see preparing the items to be used during the procedures and handing out dental instruments is the dental assistant. She’s the one who makes certain that all our dental records don’t get misplaced after the procedure, oftentimes she’s also the one who assists us as we sit down on the dental chair and get prepped for our cleaning.</p>
<p>A career as a dental assistant can be a rewarding experience, especially for those who consider dental hygiene as an integral part of maintaining overall health. Very few people appreciate what it means to have clean and healthy teeth. The dental assistant is responsible for making new or retrieving old patient records.  They make sure that everything in the office is still present, jot down inventories to ensure that Dentists don’t loose anything and make sure to order materials that are lacking. These clerical jobs are part of what it means to have a successful dental assistant career. They need to be organized in everything they do because the Dentist basically depends on them to perform these tasks.</p>
<p>In the area, a dental assistant can perform prep work and basic cleaning of the equipment used. They are the ones who mix the cleaning compounds used by the dentist. Many dental assistants can also perform teeth cleaning duties. Those who need braces will have molds of their teeth taken by dental assistants. Taking x-rays of teeth are part of the hob description as well. For x-rays, the dental assistant needs to have steady hands so the plates come out perfectly clean and easy to read.</p>
<p>In order to become a dental assistant, one has to have a strong background in basic sciences such as biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. While clinical skills are the most important aspect of being a dental assistant, being educated in schools that offer training programs can help a great deal. Studying in a school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation within the American Dental Association can get one an associates degree or certificate- something that employers are bound to notice when looking for jobs. Studying in an accredited school also means a better <a title="Dental Technician Salary" href="http://dentalassistantsalary.org/">dental assistant salary</a> bump and job security. Some dental offices can train lay persons to perform the duties of a dental assistant, but oftentimes these people don’t get to perform much of the tasks that a certified dental assistant can do. These on-site trained dental assistants also get lower salaries because of their poor qualifications, but some dental clinics offer free training for a minimum timed contract.</p>
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		<title>The Daily Jobs of a Certified Nursing Assistant</title>
		<link>http://elaan.org/the-daily-jobs-of-a-certified-nursing-assistant/</link>
		<comments>http://elaan.org/the-daily-jobs-of-a-certified-nursing-assistant/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Nov 2010 04:24:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Technical Careers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://elaan.org/?p=15</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Those who are considering becoming certified nursing assistants are usually given the major details of what their job comprises when they train in schools. The schools however, cannot tell you the exact impact of what it means to work as a certified nursing assistant in a healthcare setting like a hospital or a long term [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Those who are considering becoming certified nursing assistants are usually given the major details of what their job comprises when they train in schools. The schools however, cannot tell you the exact impact of what it means to work as a certified nursing assistant in a healthcare setting like a hospital or a long term care facility. Theory alone is not sufficient to show you what a difference your presence will make in rehabilitating a patient back to health. People often take nursing assistants for granted because their job is not as glamorous or as well reimbursed as nurses, but they don’t know that without nursing assistants to constantly aid the nurses, patient care would suffer and many patients would suffer from the hands of understaffed and overworked nurses.</p>
<p>As soon as a nursing assistant punches in for work, she makes sure that the patients she will be working with are comfortable. During this time, she can take care of their activities of daily living such as changing clothes, brushing teeth, feeding them their daily share and sometimes even bathing the patient. For patients who chronically bed ridden, the nursing assistant performs range of motion exercises along with their morning care duties. They make sure that a patient remains safe at all times by raising the side rails and watching out for any objects that could cause bed sores. During times when a doctor comes in to examine a patient, the nursing assistant ensures privacy of the patient by providing drapes. Some hospitals allow nursing assistants to take the vital signs of the patient and then reporting this directly to the staff nurse. Interacting with the client on a day to day basis is an important task to accomplish. They serve as a form of social interaction for those deprived of social companionship due to the severity of their illness.</p>
<p>Serving people to aid them during their most trying times can take its’ toll on nursing assistants, who earn roughly around $30,000 a year. But once they see a patient walk out of those doors, a certain sense of job satisfaction is eminent. The salary is not much, but it is above minimum wage and they even get wonderful insurance and retirement packages.</p>
<p>Training to become a certified nursing assistant can take as long as 4- 12 weeks in a facility. Hospitals can train you for as little as two weeks to ensure you get the basic concepts of your job, but studying in community colleges can take months to complete.</p>
<p>Getting jobs as a nursing assistant won’t be hard as the healthcare industry needs them to properly divide the work in the hospital. In order to get a higher than most salary however, nursing assistants need experience and certification. Those who have worked for a year or more in an acute health care setting can expect an easier time locating for an employer to higher them. Becoming a certified nursing assistant will also prove to employers that your have passed the minimum qualifications in order to work.</p>
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		<title>General Overview of a Surgical Technician Career</title>
		<link>http://elaan.org/general-overview-of-a-surgical-technician-career/</link>
		<comments>http://elaan.org/general-overview-of-a-surgical-technician-career/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:17:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Technical Careers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://elaan.org/?p=13</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Being paid up to $39,000 is a good job to consider. This is the salary range for a surgical technician. This is one of the best and in demand career in the field of medicine. The wage may vary through experience and education.  Before we enroll or jump shift to this course, there are a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Being paid up to $39,000 is a good job to consider. This is the salary range for a surgical technician. This is one of the best and in demand career in the field of medicine. The wage may vary through experience and education.  Before we enroll or jump shift to this course, there are a lot of things to know on how to become a certified surgical technologist. This is important to have a better understanding and overview on the benefits of taking up this course. With this knowledge, you will know what to expect after graduating from schools that offer this career.<br />
Finding the right school that could provide with quality training is essential for this craft.  Make sure that the school you are enrolling to is accredited by a national agency. Otherwise, your training would be a waste. Finding a job would be difficult if you enroll in a non-accredited surgical technologist school. Check out your area for schools that offer this course. The basic requirement to take up this program is a high school diploma or equivalent. You should have a good general knowledge in Science, Math and other relevant subjects.  Expect more medical subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical Terminology when taking up this course.  Make the most out of hands on training in Hospitals or other surgical facilities. Hands on training offer a significant background of the job, compared to classroom trainings. The ability to succeed in this course depends on your study habits and interest. Some may take up additional certifications and specialization. This could help increase your chances of earning a higher <a title="Surgical Assistant Salary" href="http://techniciansalary.net/surgical-technician-salary/">surgical technician salary</a>.<br />
The duties of a surgical technician usually revolve around the operating room. They are responsible for preparation of equipments and other surgical tools. One vital task is to keep the operating room clean and sterile. This reduces the risk of infections and complications.  Tools should be organize and sterilize always by the surgical technicians. They also prepare the patients that would undergo surgery. Assisting in handing instruments for the surgeon is another role for this job. A vast knowledge on instruments and surgical equipment would make it easy to perform this task.<br />
One should have a good stamina and presence of mind, since this job would require you to stand for long periods during surgical procedures. You should not be scared of unpleasant sights, odor, and materials present in operating. You might end up vomiting if not prepared so having a strong stomach would be an advantage. This job is greatly in demand nowadays. Some advance surgical technicians handle special types of surgeries. Others work with a management position, keeping track of supplies and needs. There are many opportunities if you pursue this career. You could be a consultant for a company that concentrates in surgical technology. All of this depends on your capability, ability to learn and grasp the task. This career increases your chances of having an excellent living along with your family.</p>
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		<title>Cellulite and Its Affect on Women</title>
		<link>http://elaan.org/cellulite-and-its-affect-on-women/</link>
		<comments>http://elaan.org/cellulite-and-its-affect-on-women/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:21:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://elaan.org/?p=5</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Why Does Cellulite Affect Some Women and Not Others?
There are a number of reasons why cellulite can affect some women and not others.
Diet and Lifestyle
Cellulite wasn&#8217;t a problem for women in the 1950s and 1960s because their diet and underwear were different. If you do a lot of traveling to developing countries, you will notice [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Why Does Cellulite Affect Some Women and Not Others?</p>
<p>There are a number of reasons why cellulite can affect some women and not others.</p>
<p>Diet and Lifestyle</p>
<p>Cellulite wasn&#8217;t a problem for women in the 1950s and 1960s because their diet and underwear were different. If you do a lot of traveling to developing countries, you will notice that cellulite doesn&#8217;t affect the locals unless they are consuming a Western-style diet.</p>
<p>Furthermore, underwear in these days didn&#8217;t have elastic bands. Today&#8217;s underwear do and this band cut circulation off to the skin of buttocks and thighs. A good idea for cellulite prevention is to wear a thong.</p>
<p>Muscle vs Fat</p>
<p>Research has shown that cellulite can occur when there is an imbalance between the muscle and fat on the legs and buttocks. The more muscle you have the more defined, smoothed and tight the area will be. Some skinny women have cellulite because they have a lack of muscle, not because they have too much fat. You can either use strength training to increase lean muscle mass or a new treatment called Ionithermie cellulite reduction therapy.</p>
<p>Genetics</p>
<p>The final nail in the coffin is genetics. You either susceptible to the condition or you are not. While you can&#8217;t change your genes, you can influence how they get turned on through avoiding the lifestyle risk factors or undergoing anti cellulite treatments.</p>
<p>Why Do You Have Cellulite?</p>
<p>If you were to take a look at photographs of women on the beach in the 40s, 50s and 60s, you would notice many full figured women who showed no signs of cellulite. In the decades that followed, women&#8217;s diet and environment changed so that they increased their likelihood of developing cellulite. Here are the main factors that have caused this change.</p>
<p>Hormones: science has shown that the main cause of cellulite is estrogen. Medications, food and the contraceptive pill are all factors that can increase the production of estrogen and influence the severity of cellulite that a woman experiences.</p>
<p>Skin cream: lotions that contain mineral oils are known to block the ability of the skin to absorb healthy nutrients. Without these nutrients, toxins and fluids build up in the fat cells worsening the cellulite.</p>
<p>Fat: the wrong types of fat can cause an increase in weight gain and cause an increase in cellulite. In contrast, the right types of fat can actually help combat the condition.</p>
<p>There are number of treatments that can target these factors. These remedies include Ionithermie cellulite reduction, anti cellulite creams, massage and exercise. Spend some time talking to your local beautician and they will be able to advise you on the best treatment for you.</p>
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