Newest Medical Advancements in 2011

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The year 2011 has seen numerous advancements in the field of medicine and medical research. Here’s a look a few of the more exciting advancements.
For more information on medical advancements you can do research at online directories such as Canada 411.

New arthritis medication. NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are used as the main treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The most common of these NSAIDs is aspirin. However, these drugs can cause stomach issues. A new drug called Vimovo combines an anti-inflammatory drug with another drug called esomeprazole that helps alleviate any stomach issues.

Prostate cancer drug. Abiraterone is a pill that is given to men with advanced prostate cancer. Previously, chemotherapy was the only option to help slow the spread of the cancer and it had side effects such as nausea and hair loss. This new medication extends survival rates and does not have as many negative side effects as chemotherapy.

New drill to clear arteries. A new pneumatic drill has been developed that can break down deposits in leg arties caused by peripheral arterial disease. Previous medical treatments for PAD included inserting a tiny tube into the main leg artery. A wire was then sent through the tube to break up the deposit. However, if the deposit was a hard substance, the wire could not break it up. The new drill uses a wire whose tip vibrates at a very high speed, which puts a hole in the deposit. After this, a balloon can be inserted and inflated to break up the deposit.

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Cutting Health Costs for Chronic Illness

With rising medical expenses, it can be increasingly difficult to afford the health care that you need, especially if you have any chronic illnesses or health problems. Even if you do not have any expensive or chronic health problems, doctor’s visits and basic health check-ups can become large and difficult expenses. These ideas may help you find a way to cut down on the price you pay for health care and medicine.

Avoid the emergency room. Not going to the emergency room doesn’t mean you need to deal with an injury and not get treated. Instead, find a walk-in clinic where you can go to have minor injuries treated and save the emergency room runs for fractures and true emergencies. These are a few conditions that may be appropriate for a health clinic instead of the emergency room: a fever, a sprain, and a mild allergic reaction. However, once you find a clinic to use, call and confirm what they can treat before you have even suffered any injury.

Find new places to buy medicine. Buying your prescription medications from different stores or even out of the country may be a good way to save on some pretty significant expenses. Buying medicine from a pharmaceutical company in Canada is an example of this. It can be much cheaper, but just as legal. However, be sure to double check the legitimacy of a company before using them. Consider using Canada 411 to find a Canadian pharmacy to fill your need.

Make a list of things to discuss with your doctor before your appointment. This is one of the simplest ways that you can cut down on regular health expenses. Making sure that you can address all of the questions and concerns that you have can save you another appointment down the line, as well as make the best use of your time.

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