Online Medicine

Toned shoulders gives the appearance of a smaller waist.  Try these simple exercises to strengthen, tone, and define your shoulders.  Stand with your feet shoulder width apart.  Slightly bend your knees, tuck your pelvis under, and keep your back straight.  Hold 2-3 lb. weights in front of your upper thighs.  With straight arms bring them both up at the same time lifting them no higher than shoulder height (i.e., your arms should be parallel to the ground).  Do 15-20 reps.  With your stance in the same position as the first exercise, start with your arms at your sides.  At the same time lift both arms out to the side no higher than shoulder height.  Do 15-20 reps.  Work up to 2-3 sets of each exercise.

NEW YORK: Viagra, an oral drug for male impotence, may also help treat non-sexual problems like pulmonary hypertension and mountain sickness, says a new study.

Sildenafil, a drug manufactured by Pfizer under the trade name Viagra, has been in the market for the longest amount of time and is the most studied.

Viagra is now also marketed under the name Revatio for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension - the uncommon but serious disorder of high pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs. The condition leads to shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting and other symptoms.

The new report on the use of Viagra appeared in the August 2007 issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch.

Although it's yet not clear if the other erectile dysfunction (ED) pills offer similar benefits, but Viagra may prove useful for some other conditions like mountain sickness, Raynaud's phenomenon and heart disease, reported health portal News Medical.

Mountain sickness is an illness that ranges from a mild headache and weariness to a life-threatening build-up of fluid in the lungs or brain at high altitudes.

The report said Viagra could reduce pulmonary artery pressure at high altitude and improve the ability to exercise in low oxygen conditions.

Raynaud's Phenomenon is a condition in which poor blood flow results in discomfort and skin colour changes in affected parts of the body. If left untreated or uncontrolled, it can affect fingers, toes, ears, nose and knees. There is no cure for the disease but it can be controlled in most cases.

Both Viagra and Levitra, another ED medication, have been helpful in clinical trials, the report said.

Studies also suggest that Viagra might help patients with congestive heart failure.

HOUSTON -- (July 31, 2007) -- Donna K. Sollenberger, a nationally recognized leader in health care administration, will lead Baylor College of Medicine's first College-owned hospital. Her appointment as chief executive officer of the Baylor Clinic and Hospital and executive vice president of BCM was announced today.

Donna K. Sollenberger

"Donna Sollenberger was our No. 1 choice to fill this critically important role for the College," said Dr. Peter G. Traber, BCM president and CEO. "Her extensive background in health care leadership and strong ties to the Houston community will ensure the successful implementation of our vision for the future, delivering personalized medicine through the Baylor Clinic and Hospital."

Sollenberger currently serves as president and CEO of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics. Her appointment at BCM is effective Oct. 22.

"I am delighted to be joining such a prestigious institution as Baylor College of Medicine. The College's strong national standing, its exceptional science and culture of innovation, and its unwavering commitment to providing patient-centered care were particularly attractive," said Sollenberger. "While I am leaving the incredibly caring and future-thinking environment at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, I embrace the opportunity to help build the future of health care at Baylor. It is, in many ways, a return 'home' since I both worked there and have family who live in Houston. This community has always been generously supportive and demonstrated great compassion to my family and me. My husband, Kent, and I are looking forward to reconnecting with our many friends and colleagues."

Under her leadership, UW Hospital and Clinics received many national honors, including recognition as one of Solucient's Top 100 Hospitals in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and a Top 100 Heart Hospital in 2006 and 2007. During her tenure, the system was named as a top performer in quality and accountability, outpatient diabetes care and outpatient orthopedic care by the University Health System Consortium, one of the "100 Most Wired Hospitals in America" multiple times, and one of the Top 100 Integrated Health Networks. Earlier this year, Sollenberger was selected as one of the Top 25 Women in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare.

Prior to joining UW in 1999, Sollenberger served as executive vice president and CEO of City of Hope, vice president for hospital and clinics at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and chief administrative officer – surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

BCM announced its plans to build a comprehensive adult heath care campus, the Baylor Clinic and Hospital, last year. The campus, which will include an in-patient hospital, outpatient clinics and research and education components, will open in 2010.

Did you know that you can tone your abs while you’re pregnant without doing harmful situps?  Try this simple pregnancy exercise to tone your tummy.

Standing lift your left leg and touch your heal with your right hand.  Repeat 15-20 reps then switch sides (i.e. left hand to right heal).  Work up to 3 sets on each leg.

Benefits: Tones your waist and inner thighs

NEW DELHI: Hospitals may soon be asked to meet prescribed quality standards in order to provide cashless mediclaim facilities. Insurance companies are in consultation with the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals and Healthcare providers (NABH) to identify hospitals and diagnostic centres that will be allowed to process cashless claims.

This move will streamline the process of mediclaims, since hospitals inflate costs, driving up claim amounts. Once hospitals are graded, insurance companies may be able to give discounts on mediclaim policies depending on the track record of the hospitals. The certification will provide a system of empanelment by insurance and other third parties.
Quality Council of India secretary general and NABH CEO Girdhar Gyani said: “We are coming out with the standards of certifying small healthcare service providers such as clinics, dental clinics, diagnostic centres (radiology) and nursing homes.”

The purpose of the certification of small healthcare centres is to provide alternative centres of healthcare treatment which can process mediclaim policies, he added.

“There is a misuse of the cashless transaction facility, because hospitals overstate costs accrued by the patient. Many tests that may not be necessary are also conducted to artificially inflate bills. If claims can be streamlined, the cost of premium for mediclaim will also come down, on the back of better healthcare services,” an official at a public sector insurance company said.
Many hospitals charge more for five star facilities than for the actual costs incurred on account of medical facilities offered, he added.

The initiative will take into account the cost differential across cities in India.

It will also factor in medical inflation. By grading the hospitals, insurance companies will also get pointers to their price policies accordingly.

“The hospital must demonstrate their commitment to providing quality healthcare without having an intent to overcharge,” an official said. Third Party Administrators introduced to strengthen the functioning of insurance companies for better coordination with hospitals and customers, have been criticised for their disservice to customers.

“The idea is to improve the service for policy holders. We will ensure that the access to mediclaims for policyholders should not be affected because of a shortage of quality healthcare providers,” Irda chairman C S Rao said.

In the event of a directive that mandates mediclaim reimbursements only from NABH hospitals, there are concerns that only few hospitals, mostly corporate run, would have such a certification and therefore restrict consumers to a selected few hospitals. Currently, there are only seven hospitals which have got NABH verification.