Apr 192015
 

By now everybody has heard about Botox, the miracle injection that instantly erases wrinkles. Yes, we all know that it’s based on a deadly toxin and intended for an entirely different medical use, but having a deadly toxin injected directly into the face is much less scary to most than living with wrinkles.
With that said, Botox is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dermal fillers, or facial injectables, if you will.

To “inject” a bit of humor into the subject of dermal fillers (or facial injectables as they’re also called), the aging and old people are young people with high mileage. It is extremely difficult for young people – regardless of their chronological age – to accept that their true mileage is not just a burden to themselves but visible to others. That’s why at a certain age in any person’s life there comes a point when we have to make the much dreaded decision to either chase after youthful appearance or “age with dignity” if that’s at all possible. No wonder dermal fillers are a booming industry in spite of the recession. Embarrassment is more powerful than hunger.

Back to the subject of dermal fillers: facial injectables are relatively inexpensive (as compared to plastic surgery, not a loaf of bread); the injections take no time (10 minutes to one hour); the patient can usually return to work immediately or the next day with full recovery within weeks. The downside of dermal fillers is that they don’t last forever, in most cases 3-6 months (but it could be even shorter), after which the procedure needs to be repeated.

Dermal fillers, starting – of course! – with the most popular:

Botox is a great solution for fine lines and wrinkles, particularly frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines. It works by temporarily blocking “communication” between the nerves and muscles in the treated area stopping the muscle from contracting. As a result the skin stops wrinkling. For continuing wrinkle control, Botox treatments should be repeated every 3 to 6 months.


Unlike Botox, collagen and Hyaluronic acid injectables are biocompatible which means that they are accepted by the human body as its own substances. (Treatments with Hyaluronic acid and collagen dermal fillers need to be repeated because the patient’s body gradually absorbs these semi-natural substances.)

Collagen facial injectables provide another option for controlling wrinkles; they are also used for lip and cheek augmentation. Collagen dermal fillers are effective at filling up minor depressions in the skin.) The results achieved with collagen injectables vary from patient to patient and may last from three months to one year. To maintain the results repeated treatments are recommended.


Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are made of a synthetic version of Hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in our bodies: in the skin tissue, cartilage, joint and eye fluid. With age the natural levels of Hyaluronic acid in a human body drop which causes us to develop – among other things – dry, thin skin and wrinkles. Well known brands as Restylane® and Juvederm® are some of the Hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers. (Juvederm® is commonly used to fill in facial “parentheses” which run from the nose to the corners of the mouth.)
Injecting Hyaluronic acid filler into facial wrinkles helps to minimize them. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers increase the skin’s volume as well which gives it a youthful appearance.
The duration of results achieved with Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers varies; the average duration is set at 3 to 6 months, still in some individuals can be as short as one month. With that said many sources credit Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers with stimulating the skin’s production of natural collagen which naturally enhances the cosmetic results.

Once the aging process has led to the formation of deep laugh lines, furrows or skin folds, the facial injectables mentioned above may not be sufficient. Other – also injectable – fillers were developed specifically for a soft tissue augmentation and can help correct these issues. Such soft tissue fillers as ArteFill and Radiesse™ can fill in and augment larger skin depressions.
There is however a strong word of caution, soft tissue fillers which can produce great results have drawbacks too, most notably: the injected material can shift so badly that a surgical intervention may be required. There are other risks involved as well, among them: infection, facial paralysis, bleeding, rashes and skin eruptions.

(On a related note, there are several plastic surgeons and other physicians who practice cosmetic medicine in Los Angeles who are providing facial rejuvenation treatment that relies on a combination of dermal filler injections.  The focus of this new treatment is wrinkle removal and facial plumping. Just like wrinkle reduction creates a more youthful appearance, increasing facial volume makes a face younger and the skin less prone to wrinkling… The results can be impressive and the procedure doesn’t involve surgery.)

When it comes to dermal fillers in general, not everybody is a good candidate, discuss your specific health issues and medications you’re taking with your doctor before the procedure.

Of course, if the dermal fillers don’t produce good enough results in your specific case, don’t forget dermabrasion and chemical peels…….. and when all else fails, hey: there is always a face lift……. To paraphrase the song “We’re way too young to be that darned old”………..

Mar 182015
 

The need for home health services (or just a plain home health) arises under various circumstances. Most often, the need for home health is temporary for as long as the patient recuperates. It may be necessitated by a sudden illness. It may occur in the aftermath of an accident. It may be needed in the course of a disability. Finally, it may be required for an elderly person who’s no longer able to care for him or herself.

Whatever may have led to your interest in home health, immediate family members – and / or a spouse as it may be the case – often times feel guilty about relying on strangers for care of a loved one. The truth is – with all due respect to your feelings – not being qualified to provide medical care, not being able to provide immediate personal care to a person who is either ill, disabled or elderly; or even not having the time to tend to such a person is nothing to feel guilty or embarrassed about. Failing to ensure that the person in need of care is well taken care of by a qualified and licensed professional, now that’s shameful, not to mention neglectful. So put your apprehension aside and let’s explore the available options in Los Angeles home health and L.A. home care; yes, there is a difference.

About Los Angeles home health:

Assuming you have no prior experience, not all of home health services are equal. There are organizations that specialize in providing for personal care only which may be appropriate in a case of an older person who has trouble with grooming, getting dressed and other personal needs, including meal preparation and running errands. This would be akin to senior care.

Other L.A. home health providers are focused on providing for medical needs. Some provide for both: personal and medical needs.

The home care only services are self-explanatory, so lets focus here on home health services. Home health serves one main goal, enabling the patient to stay at home so he or she can heal better and feel better in comfortable and familiar surroundings.

Many home health service organizations provide skilled nursing and / or therapy services such as:

  • Vital Signs and Glucose Monitoring
  • Catheter Care
  • Pain Management
  • IV therapies (Antibiotics / Hydration)
  • Administration of Injections
  • Post-Surgical Care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Wound Care

Some Los Angeles home health organizations may have on their staff a licensed dietician as well as physical, speech and occupational therapists, even  medical social workers. Regardless of the spectrum of home health services provided, these are specific to a patient care.

Before exploring the waters and even attempting to hire either a home health or home care provider, you must be aware of it that in L.A. (and in California at large) there are strict regulations and licensing requirements for both. Be sure that the provider you’re considering holds the required licenses; if you don’t, you – or worse yet, the person for whom you’re seeking care! – may end in all sorts of trouble. One more thing, most of Los Angeles home health providers have a minimum hours requirement. Ask about it before making a commitment. Now you know, sometimes home health or home care are a necessity, armed with some information you’ll be able to choose the provider who meets your specific needs best.

Aug 012014
 

In lay terms, diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is a form of metabolic malfunction. The pancreas – an important part of the digestive system – of a diabetic fails to supply adequate amounts of insulin which is needed to propel glucose derived from food from the blood into cells. (Glucose – a form of blood sugar – supports growth, supplies nourishment and energy. It’s basically the fuel that powers us.) As a result of the metabolic malfunction, a diabetic excretes much of the valuable glucose in urine while his or her cells are starved for glucose.

There are three types of diabetes.

1) Type 1 Diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes, early-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes) affects children and adults before the age of 40. Only about 10% of all cases of diabetes are type 1. The body of a type 1 diabetic doesn’t produce insulin.

2) Type 2 Diabetes is the most common and accounts for nearly 90% of all cases of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or as is the case in insulin resistance, the cells of the body fail to react to insulin.
People who are overweight, physically inactive, the elderly and men with low testosterone levels are most likely to develop type 2 diabetes. It’s been proven that many (but not all) type 2 diabetics can control the disease by losing weight, eating smart, exercising and monitoring their glucose levels. Unfortunately, in most cases type 2 diabetes is progressive which means that it gets worse with time and should it be the case for you, you may have to take insulin. (Significant weight loss following a Lap Band surgery has been credited with “recoveries” from diabetes type 2 as well as with lowering the risk of developing diabetes.)

3) Gestational Diabetes can occur in pregnant women who have very high levels of glucose in their blood and whose bodies don’t produce sufficient amount of insulin to propel the glucose into their cells. Undetected and untreated gestational diabetes can result in childbirth’s complication and also in a larger than normal baby.
It is believed that women with high pre-pregnancy cholesterol levels are most likely to develop gestational diabetes. Most cases of gestational diabetes can be managed with dietary changes and exercise. Only a small percentage (10-20%) needs medication.

Gestational diabetes is usually temporary. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be managed with lifestyle changes and / or medication. Los Angeles Health Directory features several videos on the subject of diabetes. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, watch the videos.

What Is Diabetes

Tips For Living With Diabetes

How To Cure Diabetes

Jul 312014
 

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult.

The airways through which air travels within your lungs, in asthma patients are often red, swollen or inflamed. In addition, environmental triggers such as smoke, dust, chemicals or pet dander can bring about asthma attacks (also known as asthma flare-ups and asthma episodes). While breathing is an effort for asthma patients under normal conditions, an environmental trigger – even cold temperature could be a culprit! – causes the airways to narrow even more, stimulates excess mucus production and may cause the muscles surrounding airways to tighten, making breathing nearly impossible.

Asthma is chronic and incurable. It can be serious and even life-threatening. Still, provided your asthma is well managed, it is possible to live a normal life with asthma.

The cause of asthma is unknown; it is believed that genetics, environment, a history of lung infections and allergies are among contributing factors.

Learn more about asthma by watching the videos below.

What is Asthma
 

Living with and managing Asthma

Aug 192012
 

There is no better advice for patients than to stay well informed!

Learn about your condition, crack the secret behind a medical abbreviation, learn more about your new prescription, its correct usage and – by all means – learn about its side effects as well.

To help you stay informed, Los Angeles Health Directory provides a quick medical abbreviation and medical dictionary lookup (below) as well as access to prescription medication research.

 

Medical Abbreviations
Search By Abbreviation

Search By Definition

Medical Dictionary

medical dictionary search provided by MediLexicon.com

 

The best place to learn about prescription medication is www.Drugs.com

  • You can get the complete info about your new prescription: learn the brand and generic names; indications, counter-indications, side effects and the best way to take your new prescription.
  • Got pills you can’t identify? The pill identifier will help! (Considering the cost of prescriptions, it’s better to know what you’re about to throw out…)
  • If you’re worried whether your new prescription can be safely taken with those you’re already taking, the drug interactions checker is a great solution.

 

Aug 082012
 

Some people maybe confused by the term “ancillary”. In plain English, ancillary medical services are services that support wellness, medical treatment and / or otherwise assist patients.

Examples of ancillary medical services are: in-home care or non-emergency medical transportation as well as transportation for seniors.

MRI services, medical supply are also considered ancillary.

 

View video showcase of a few L.A. Ancillary Medical Services’ Providers, below:

L.A. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

L.A. In-Home Care

L.A. Medical Supply

L.A. In-Home Care

Jun 182012
 

Helpful health tips come from many sources. On this page Los Angeles Health Directory features a few wellness videos with simple and effective tips that can improve your well-being.
Take a look and choose the one that fits your specific needs.

Health Benefits of Garlic

The Benefits of Probiotics

Health Benefits Of Sleep

How To Improve Your Butt?

How to Get Rid Of Saddlebags?

Jun 182012
 

Interview with Barbara J. Brighton, M.A., M.F.C.T.

Ms. Barbara J. Brighton, M.A., M.F.C.T. is a Psychotherapist specializing in Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Adults and Adolescents as well as Psycho-Oncology. She has graduated from Cal State Northridge with a BA in Psychology and has earned her Master’s degree in Psychology from Antioch University. She is in private practice for 29 years. Barbara Brighton’s professional accomplishments have earned her ‘excellent reputation. She has achieved acclaim while working with many cancer patients and their families helping them to cope with the disease and successfully overcome it.

Barbara J. Brighton: Would you like me to start by explaining what psychotherapy is?

Editor: It would help!

Barbara J. Brighton: Psychotherapy is a place where you can talk about your most personal, private thoughts, feelings and life experiences. As the therapist I provide a safe and comfortable environment, listen without judgment, analyze and interpret the information and ultimately assist and guide you in a way that allows you to put together the pieces of the puzzle of your life.
As children, we get information from our family and environment that determines the way we look at ourselves and the world and what our expectations are. Ideally, children get positive messages about themselves, feel loved, know how to trust their environment, and all those good things. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case and the negative and distorted messages and experiences that occur stay with a person into adulthood. Through the psychotherapeutic process, we begin to look at the messages and experiences and unravel them. The client develops adult eyes to review and reconsider the way they look at themselves and the world and reevaluate their choices.  The therapy can also include learning new coping mechanisms, how to communicate effectively and how to intervene on your own behalf when negative messages come into your head that undermine the success of your life.

Editor: So if I came to therapy with you, it would help me become a more effective adult?

Barbara Brighton, L.A. Psychotherapist

Barbara Brighton, L.A. Psychotherapist

Barbara J. Brighton: I would say that I would work with you to find a healthy adult within yourself. When you open yourself in therapy, many aspects of your life are affected. I use the metaphor that as you go through life you throw things that you don’t want to deal with in a closet and shut the door. You keep throwing things in the closet and eventually it is so full that the door doesn’t want to shut so you have to lean on the door all the time to keep everything from falling out. This can cause stress, anxiety, depression and more. You expend so much energy making sure you keep that door closed that you don’t have anything left for your life. Part of what we do in therapy is to gently and slowly open up that door. We take things out and look at them and decide where they fit in your life. This can be a very painful process, but not as scary as you might think it would be. You can live through it. You find your truth and your humanity and you have the opportunity to have a relationship with yourself that is loving.

Editor: Who can benefit from therapy the most?

Barbara J. Brighton: I think most people can benefit from therapy to different degrees. The more motivated you are to improve the quality of your life, the more you’ll benefit.

Editor: How would I know that I need therapy?

Barbara J. Brighton: Sometimes people come because there is a crisis in their life. Often people come to therapy to talk about their relationships and the problems within those relationships. Although it is reasonable to address those issues, my approach is to focus equally on the relationship you have with yourself. How would you describe that relationship? Is it abusive, loving, critical? Do you honestly look at what is going on in your life? When you heal the relationship you have with yourself, you have a much better chance of having successful relationships with others. When you get to that place it might mean that you will choose to let people go who aren’t supporting your emotional health, and deepen the relationships that enrich your life.
I would also say that it is a good idea to get into therapy if you find that many of your days feel like an effort. When you find that you have no energy and most importantly, when you find that you don’t feel joy in your life and that you don’t look forward to the day.

Editor: Thank you for talking with me and sharing your insights with the visitors of Los Angeles Health Directory, Barbara.

Barbara J. Brighton, M.A., M.F.C.T.
16055 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 1010 in Encino
Phone: (818)905-4692
E-Mail: bjbjazz@earthlink.net