Articles

Pharmaceutical birth control has come a long way since 1960 when the first hormone-control contraceptive was introduced. Since then, many types of birth control medications have become available, and intrauterine devices (IUDs) have also become popular. More recently, medicines like Nexplanon (etonogestrel) have become the preferred choice for women who would rather not have to take a daily pill to prevent contraception. What is Nexplanon? Nexplanon is a birth control medication administered slowly over time via a rod implant. This implant is placed in a…

If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, it means that you may have vision loss due to optic nerve damage. The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, a slow-developing condition that causes peripheral vision loss initially, loss of central vision, and finally blindness if it isn’t treated. In the United States, approximately two million people have glaucoma. It’s more common in the over-65 age group and is the leading cause of blindness for African Americans.  You might be at a higher risk for getting…

Kidney failure is also known as end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). When you reach this stage of chronic kidney disease, the condition is irreversible, but having dialysis or getting a kidney transplant can extend your life for years. Medicare benefits are available to help cover the cost of both treatments.  Treatment in a dialysis facility When you have ESRD and Part B coverage, you are eligible for three weekly kidney dialysis treatments. The dialysis center coordinates the services at home or…

Tuberculosis (TB), also known as consumption, is an infection caused by the mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. It mainly affects the lungs but it can also harm other organs in the body. People who are infected should receive immediate medical care because TB can be life threatening if it isn’t treated. It is a contagious disease that can be transmitted through airborne droplets.  Fortunately, if you test positive for TB, your health care provider can prescribe treatment. It’s also a preventable disease when people get vaccinated.  According to…

The blood in your body is used to transport essential resources to your organs. Oxygen, nutrients and more all depend on the normal circulation of blood through your veins and arteries to keep your body functioning. When clotting problems develop, blood can become too thick, causing clots to develop. This may raise the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke since clots block the flow of blood. Conditions like deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism and non-valvular atrial fibrillation can also put seniors at…

Computed tomography (CT) scans are important diagnostic tools that give physicians detailed images from inside a person’s body. CT scans use rotating X-ray tubes to take images that are processed on computers through tomographic reconstruction algorithms which in turn produce cross-section images of the body.   Your physician might order a CT scan to assist in diagnosing bone damage, blood flow problems, stroke, cancer, internal injuries, heart disease, or heart abnormalities, or to find tumors or lesions within the abdomen.  If you’re enrolled in Medicare, your…

After the death of a family member or close friend, most people experience devastating emotional and physical pain, and they might have difficulty functioning through daily life activities. For many, grief counseling, or bereavement therapy, helps them get through these difficult times, learn how to accept their loss and continue in life without their loved ones.  When you take part in grief counseling, you usually work with a counselor, therapist, psychologist, or a support group, to discuss and come to terms with your feelings and emotions….

While transport chairs are similar to wheelchairs, you might find that a transport chair works better for you in some instances. Transport chairs are more lightweight, have a narrower frame, and aren’t self-propelled. They have four small wheels rather than two large wheels.   If you need a short-term solution, or you use a wheelchair at home, you might also need a transport chair when you go to doctor’s appointments, for daily outings, during or after a hospital or skilled nursing facility stay, or during recovery…

Medicare insurance provides access to medically necessary clinical diagnostic laboratory tests that are either routine or necessary in emergencies. This coverage is available for Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and, or B) or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. This benefit includes lab tests such as blood tests, urinalyses, tissue specimen exams, and certain preventive and screening tests.  Diagnostic laboratory tests are invaluable tools for physicians because they can show changes in health conditions, help them diagnose or rule out…

Today in the United States, approximately 49 million Medicare beneficiaries who also have prescription drug coverage. You can purchase a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) if you have Original Medicare. As an alternative, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that includes prescription drug coverage to get these benefits, a plan sometimes referred to as an MA-PD.  Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and MA-PDs are optional for eligible beneficiaries, and coverage can be purchased through private insurance companies that work…