Don't Live With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The key to curing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is to first identify the cause. The most common causes of IBS are gut dysbiosis or imbalanced gut flora (bacteria that protects our gut), and food sensitivities. This occurs by taking antibiotics, certain medications, other disease processes, parasites, yeast, misalignment of the spine, undue stress and anxiety over long periods of time. Think of the stressors you are exposed to, the life changes you experience. Even happy changes like getting married, buying a new house, having a baby, starting a new job, will affect your immune system and digestive system. The day to day stressors will add up too. If you are overwhelmed at home and work, eating the wrong foods, not exercising, not sleeping well, all of these will chip away at your digestive system.Our digestive system is very complex and affects our nervous system and immune system. More than 70% of your immune system is tied in with your intestines. If the intestines have been compromised, you will develop "leaky gut". This simply means that things are getting through your intestines and into your bloodstream that shouldn't be there. This will get your immune system involved and create inflammation. This will also aggravate the nerves that innervate the Gastrointestinal tract. The end result is your body will try to tell you that something is not right. You may experience symptoms such as gas, bloating, burping, pain in abdomen, the feeling that food is not moving or feeling too full, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, joint aches, thyroid problems, and many more.


Once you have IBS, it can put you at risk for developing other chronic diseases like Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, autoimmune conditions, gastritis, stomach or intestinal ulcers, depression, anxiety, behavioural issues (ADHD, OCD), and potentially colon cancer. This condition should not be ignored. It will not go away on its own.What to do next? First thing is to see a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor (not a Traditional Naturopath) that can take a full history and order the appropriate tests to determine the extent of help the digestive system needs. These tests may include a complete stool analysis and a comprehensive digestive analysis. From those results, your digestive issues can be resolved with certain vitamins, minerals, botanicals, nutritional and lifestyle changes. It's one thing to fix the digestive tract, but it is also very important to prevent this from recurring.You will typically feel better within a week, but the treatments may take 3-6 months to completely heal the gut.

The Rehab Alcohol Process Involves Everybody

Recovering from an alcohol addiction is not an easy process. It can be as difficult and frustrating a process for the family of the person recovering, as it is for the recovering person themselves. Rehab alcohol treatments and centers are filled with professionals that are there to encourage, advice and support anybody in need. Everybody involved should take the steps to be aware of the process, the ups and downs and know where they are best able to help with this journey.Know your StrengthsIt is easy to read a book on how to best support your loved ones during their alcohol rehabilitation process. Yet it is a very different process to be able to do what you are expected to do. As much as the person directly involved in recovering needs an individualized process, so do those supporting them. Know where you are best able to help and where your weaknesses are. For example, you are living with or supporting an individual that needs direction but space to make choices. A rehab alcohol process with this person will inevitably fail if you are constantly giving strict orders and over managing their recovery process. If this is an area you are not strong in, be aware and be honest. Perhaps involve the use of counsellor or other family members to oversee their daily process and help in other ways. Be a listening ear, be the transportation to checkups and counselling sessions, find other avenues where you can assist that are better suited to you.Know the facts


Alcohol is currently the most expensive addiction, with $166 billion being spend each year on this beverage. It is followed by smoking at $165,000. This is simply for the money being spent on purchases; this does not include counselling for its damaging effects. This does make it hard to place a price tag on sexual and other dangerous addictions. However, this shows that you are not alone when you are seeking help. Always remember, it is not just the person going through the rehab alcohol process that has access to help, everybody involved has avenues for their own counselling and support.The rehab alcohol process is not a quick weekend fix. It is a lifestyle change that will deeply affect all involved. It will take dedication, support and forgiveness for the ups and downs and high and low points. Many relapse, but many more succeed. All involved need to be fully aware of the full process and where they can help. It is a long journey; it is a tough time for everybody involved. The most important thing to remember is that this stage is rehab from alcohol. The users have noted their problem, have sought help and are trying to improve. It is easy to say that the worst is over, it may be. There may be hard times ahead, but know for sure that this is recovery. The user is trying to better their life and the lives of those they love. This is what you have hoped and waited for. Learn where you can help and be ready for a tough journey that has a beautiful outcome.

Health Insurance Terminology for the 99%

I've had some interesting conversations this past week and wanted to take a step back to discuss health insurance in general. I'm slowly learning that the vocabulary regarding health insurance is very foreign to some folks and they are having difficulty understanding the terms that are used. I want to take this opportunity to educate folks on some of the basics and how it pertains to you, the consumer.So lets start off with the basics of insurance terminology in its most simple form- in regards to how it plays out in the medical world.Premium- this is the amount of money you pay to have health insurance (your safety net), can be paid monthly, quarterly, or all at once.Deductible- this is the amount of money that you must pay before your insurance even begins to cover costs. There are fine details associated with this but in my mind, this is how I think about it. These can vary from a few hundred dollars to $10,000, depending on what kind of insurance that you have.Co-insurance- after you have paid the entire amount toward your deductible (the amount of money you pay prior to your insurance actually kicking money in), your co- insurance represents the amount of dollars you are still responsible for. Let's use an example to demonstrate this. If you see a doctor and the bill is $100, the first hurdle is whether you have paid your deductible yet or not. If you have paid the deductible amount, the insurance carrier will pick up a portion of the bill and the rest you will owe. If your Co-Insurance is 20%, then you are responsible for 20% of the bill. In this case its $20. If your Co-Insurance is 35%, then you are responsible for $35. The higher the co-insurance, the more money you will have to kick in for medical services.Out of Pocket Maximum- this is the amount of money in a given YEAR, that you will likely need to pay on top of health insurance. Some plans include your deductible towards this amount. Some do not. The other fine detail here is that your insurance carrier can deem certain services not included in this out of pocket maximum. For example, if you really hurt your knee and need an MRI, your insurance carrier can say that the MRI is not a covered service meaning that they will not pay for it. The MRI bill will come to you on top of all the other bills that you have accrued.IN- Network/ OUT of Network- This seems to be the area of most confusion for most patients. The simplest analogy I use is to think of discount membership stores like Costco or Sam's Club. When you have a membership to either place, the products they sell have been approved by Costco or Sam's, at an agreed price, and then the you the consumer can purchase it from the store, typically at a discounted rate. If a product that you want is not at Costco or Sam's, then you are going to pay full price at another store. IN- network means that the doctors office has agreed to terms set by the insurance carrier, and you the patient only pay a pre-determined amount of money based on these negotiations. Most times- your charge is a nominal fee. OUT of network means that your doctors office is NOT a part of the insurance plan. The fees associated with this visit are ultimately your responsibility and sometimes your insurance carrier pays you back for services rendered. NEVER assume that your doctors office is IN NETWORK. I always assume OUT of network coverage until I see it in writing.


Co-Pay- The amount of money that you must pay at the doctors office. Think of this as an entry fee. Primary care doctors have a low copay. Specialty doctors and the Emergency Room have high Copays. The copay is devised as a financial barrier. The insurance company and the medical practice wants to make sure that you the patient are coming in for something truly medical related. You would be surprised at how many people that have $0 co-pays come to the doctor for a hang nail, or non medical related issues. It's a way of allocating resources as well. For every hang nail, there is also a sick patient that may have not been seen. Some patients have commented to me about copays in the past, thinking that this money goes straight into our pockets as supplementary income. Rest assured, I tell them, the amount of money collected barely covers the electricity bill.So in essence, the question I hope that many of you are asking yourselves, is what's the point health insurance? It does not provide any health benefits. There seems just to be layers of payment schemes. So why get health insurance? You need to start thinking of health insurance like car insurance. Most of us get car insurance to help protect us from financial woes if we total our car or get into a serious car accident. It offers a layer of financial protection for us. We still get our oil changed, brakes fixed, tires rotated, get our maintenance done at our own expense. This is how I view health insurance. It's there to help pay for medical services if you should get really sick or really hurt. It will offset a majority of costs that you may have been responsible for. In the event of a serious accident or surgery like appendicitis, those with high deductible insurance plans will burn through the deductible within hours of such an event. It will offset the bill of $20-30K coming to greet you 30 days later.The last point I will leave you with came out of a patient conversation this past week. There is a perception out there that doctors receive discounted rates for our own healthcare insurance and coverages. The assumption is based on the fact that since we are in the medical arena, that insurance carriers cut doctors a break. Nothing could be farther from the truth. For years, I paid, through my former group, $6000 per year ($500/month) for my own health insurance, something I rarely used. I was not given a higher level of coverage than any of my staff. The only difference is that I also was responsible for paying for their premiums as well. Realizing over time at my cost for this, I switched myself to a high deductible insurance plan with an HSA (health savings account). The HSA or health savings account is a tax deferred account where I can set money aside for any medical needs, separate from any bank or retirement account. For me, this was the most cost effective solution. This coupled with a subscription pay primary care group such as Flat Rock Health Seattle covers all my bases for health, wellness, and serious injuries.Now that you are empowered with this terminology, I hope that each and everyone of you will understand some of the insurance company jargon. I hope that this will allow you the ability to make informed decisions for you and your family regarding your safety net (health insurance).

Holistic Medicine For Seniors

The definition of holistic medicine
There are any number of definitions offered to help pinpoint what holistic medicine really is, and in most cases they have a few elements in common. These include, but are not limited to, the following:• An approach to healing that takes into consideration the patient's mind, spirit, and body
• Integration of both traditional medical treatments and alternative therapies
• Focuses both on prevention and treatment of disease
• May involve a range of diagnostic and treatment strategies
• High quality holistic care is a partnership between patient and provider with each responsible for active participation in the process
• Takes into account physical, social, emotional, spiritual, nutritional, environmental, and lifestyle issues and influencesAs you can see, holistic medicine emphasizes an all-encompassing approach to health care and illness prevention. The full range of holistic approaches may emphasize a variety of techniques and philosophies that cover the entire spectrum from very traditional to extremely new age.A word about certification and training
What should you look for in terms of certification and training? How do you know if a holistic practitioner is qualified and trained to practice this type of medicine?This is where holistic medicine becomes somewhat vague when compared to traditional medicine. There are several holistic medicine associations that offer various certifications and accreditations, but these also cover a wide range of requirements. Certified holistic practitioners may be licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, or any other of the familiar and traditional medical occupations. However, certified holistic practitioners may also be people whose expertise developed via non-traditional treatment approaches such as acupuncture, naturopathy, homeopathy, herbal medicine, psychotherapy, massage, and nutritional therapy just to name a few.So let's go back to the original question above, what certification and training should you look for in a holistic medicine practitioner? The answer depends on how traditional versus non-traditional you are when it comes to medical treatment.For instance, if you prefer someone who uses traditional medical treatments but also incorporates holistic principles of treating the whole person then look for a licensed medical doctor, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner who has additional training in the holistic approach. On the other hand, if you prefer to step away from traditional medical treatments and focus instead on non-traditional and alternative medicine (homeopathy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, etc.) then look for a practitioner who has certification from one of the reputable holistic medicine professional associations.


These two examples represent the full spectrum of holistic medicine, from traditional medicine adding in holistic principles to alternative medicine using holistic principles. Before you make the switch from your current medical provider to a holistic medicine practitioner be sure to thoroughly research the people in your area who use the holistic approach and determine very specifically what kind of certification and training they possess.Who should consider holistic medicine?
This is another tricky question to answer because it depends a great deal on your own philosophy and approach to health and wellness. Some people dismiss holistic principles as new age nonsense, while others take the same very negative view of traditional medicine with its emphasis on science, medication, and diagnostic procedures. If your own perspective fits with one or the other of these two extremes then it should be fairly obvious whether or not holistic medicine is something you should consider for yourself.If, however, your own perspective falls somewhere between these two extremes then the choice to consider holistic medicine should be a very careful one. You must balance your own health needs and medical conditions against your willingness to consider a range of traditional and non-traditional approaches. Part of your decision making process should be to research about this topic in more details, give careful consideration to the advantages and disadvantages of making changes, and find a practitioner whose approach and perspective is a good fit with your own.Holistic medicine may not be for everyone, but it is an approach to health and treatment that is rapidly becoming more main stream in the medical world. It is certainly worth learning more about it before deciding whether to embrace it.

Alternative Medicine - Cure With Care

Alternative medicine encompasses medical treatments that are not part of the conventional means of treatment (evidence based medicine). Its effectiveness has been discussed, debated but never dismissed. An excellent example would be the use of accupressure and accupuncture. Though claims suggest that the health benefits derived from accupressure and accupuncture are more of a placebo effect, nevertheless the benefits are real with a wide number of patients globally claiming pain relief, better mobility and various other health benefits from accupuncture and accupressure.Alternative medicine includes the use of ancient systems of healing, such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, which are ancient practices of healing and have developed outside the domain of 'Western Medicine'. Alternative medicine does not treat a disease as a standalone problem. It takes a holistic approach and considers the body as a whole while administering any treatment. So, unlike convenional medicine where one just pops a pill to get well, alternative system of medicine is more like a lifestyle correction aimed at treating the very factors that caused the disease in the first place.There continues to be an ongoing debate for only one form of medicine to exist, the one that is scientifically proven. I do agree with this point of view wholeheartedly, but how can one neglect the beneficial effects of a particular line of treatment, even though the scientific eidence to back that claim may not have been fully explored. This is a grey area open to both positive and negative opinions.


Having said that, one cannot deny the fact that people are now turning their attention to holistic treatments much more than what was being taken few years ago. The term 'complementary medicine' is one that is now gaining recognition and refers to the use of conventional science based medicine along with alternative medicine with the intention of making patients feel better and assist in their speedy recovery.Patients can derive the real benefits of alternative medicine when used adjacently with ongoing medical treatments. Such treatment requires a working level of understanding between practitioners of western and non-conventional medicine. Alternative medicines are here to stay and there is no denying that this field of science is open to both scientific examination and reproof. It is time that people start taking such treatments seriously and begin exploring the numerous health benefits it has to offer at the hands of certified and trained professionals.

Which Factors Influence the Cost of Medicines?

In the present scenario, a consumer is completely bombarded by advertisements shown on television, newspapers and magazine ads that suggest of a new breakthrough in the field of medicine or the 'first' or 'only medication' of its kind etc. The direct-to-customer concept of advertising is a very persuasive means for the promotion of a medication convincing consumers that the newer treatments are superior to the already existent prescription drugs. Although, newer medications may offer benefits which are superior in nature over older treatments, it is important to make a note that there are always alternatives that might be available that offer the same clinical results at a reduced cost. Because certain generic manufacturers may lack the ability to advertise their products effectively, consumers are left unaware of alternative low cost treatments that may be available.Advertising is the biggest and the single largest factor that influences the cost of prescription medicines. The direct-to-consumer approach of advertising and marketing of medicines to physicians has not only increased the cost of drugs, but has also influenced the patterns of prescription. Manufacturers employ drug marketing executives to aggressively promote products to physicians. In most cases, the marketing materials that a pharmaceutical company provides are the single source of information regarding a new drug for a doctor. Also, because the information is provided with the intention of increasing sales, this information seems to be more biased. Generic medicines that are not promoted tend to be less recommended as the physicians themselves are not aware of their availability. Also, healthcare providers hand out free samples in large quantities. This may lead to an increase in the number of prescriptions of brand name products as compared to generic ones.In our society, we tend to equate high costs of medicines with better quality. It is a general trend wherein consumers believe that since it is costly, it must be better. This is not the case with prescription medicines. Studies have shown that inexpensive medicines that are generic have been in the market for quite some time and were found to effectively reduce blood pressure than most expensive brand name medicines. Such compelling evidence makes us question why patients end up paying more for therapies that have otherwise cheaper alternatives. Consumers need to realize that just because a medication is expensive; it does not mean that it is better. Not only are generic medicines cheaper than brand name medications, they have also been in use for a longer duration and thus have a proven track record of its safety and efficacy. Newer medications do not have such a proven safety profile and need to be tested across a wide population spectrum in order to observe its adverse effect or side effects.


Not only are generic drugs significantly less expensive than brand name medications, but generics have stood the test of time and usually have a proven track record of safety and efficacy. On the contrary, new medications do not have a proven track record of safety and efficacy. They may not have been tested in a large enough population to observe rare side effects.Few Tips to minimize your medication costs:1. Remember that new or expensive drugs need not always be the best option. Ask your physician to prescribe alternative medicines of cheaper generic brands.2. Ask your doctor if the medication is extremely necessary. For example, as people age, they tend to rely more on sleep medication. The truth is, we need less sleep as we grow older and hence feel that we are suffering from insomnia. In such a scenario, your physician may agree that such medication is not required.3. Express your concern over excessive advertising of a particular brand of medication in a patient waiting room.4. Ask your physician if there are cheaper OTC (over-the-counter) products which are available and which might provide the same results as that of prescription medications. Often these OTC drugs would be cheaper than the prescription ones.In the past few years, drug costs have increased rapidly and have outpaced inflation as well. Rise in the price of drug costs is one of the largest reasons for increase in the cost of healthcare. Although it is not possible to stop the rising costs of drugs, you can work closely with your physician to minimize prescription drug costs while maintain your health effectively.

Finding a Good Remedy for Toenail Fungus Infections

Are you carrying an infection of toenail fungus? Are you prepared to get the infection treated immediately? If so, it is essential for you to understand that you will not be able to see results overnight regardless about the type of treatment you choose. You will have several options available to you when looking forward to dealing with such issues. Let us look into the options you have to manage this infection.If you notice the infection in its initial stages, you can look at some of the grandma's recipes, which can help. Mixing a little vinegar with water and applying it on the affected part of the nail is often mentioned as an effective home remedy. Some people have also recommended Vicks VapoRub as an effective method of treating nail fungus. Whether people have really been successful or not in managing this condition with common household ingredients are unknown because no research has been conducted scientifically to prove their veracity.The next option ahead of you will be to visit physicians in your locality. This can be an expensive process because you will be required to go through several examinations and spend a lot of money apart from sparing the time required to visit a physician of your choice. Instant results will not be available to you despite using the expensive methods used. However, if you prefer to speak to a qualified physician, there is nothing in this world, which can stop you.


Option number three is to search through pharmacies and supermarkets where plenty of remedies for nail fungus infections will be displayed. Each will claim that they are the best in the world and can provide you with instant results. Do not fall for this gimmick because treating nail fungus infections is a long-term procedure.When searching for over-the-counter remedies ensure that you go through the ingredients of the product. Furthermore, look for instructions that have been provided by the manufacturer about how you must use the remedy. Ensure that you follow the instructions regularly and without fail if you desire to see healthy toenails on your feet. Reputed companies that sell nail fungus remedies will be prepared to back the claims they make and can be contacted for any queries which you may have in your mind. In some cases, they will also offer a money-back guarantee and refund the money you pay the moment you return the product purchased. Look for a nail fungus remedy manufactured by such companies because this is the best way to deal with the infection.

What Is Pharmaceutical Granulation?

What is pharmaceutical granulation?Pharmaceutical granulation is a process whereby granulated active ingredients (the drugs), are combined with excipient substances (additional inert powders). The binding of these powders creates medicines in tablet form. No tablet can consist of purely an active ingredient therefore extensive tests are carried out to find the perfect excipient to mix in. Just a small variation in the type or quantity of the excipient, can have a significant impact on how the drug works, along with the ability to distribute a tablet that is always exactly the same. Although the significant amount of trials carried out to test the excipient within each pill can be highly costly and time consuming, it is essential that the correct one is found. Once the perfect excipient is found, it will help the active ingredient to bond and evenly distribute itself around the body. It may also be flavoured to make the tablet more pleasant for the consumer. Coatings can also be used to improve the flavour of the tablet; these often contain sugar to create a sweet taste. The coating may also be designed to control where in the digestive system the active ingredient is released, this will ensure the most beneficial release of the drug.The process of pharmaceutical granulation is not the same for all tablets. There can be different problems depending on the density or particle size within tablets, along with other compatibility issues. Here the active ingredient may not blend with the excipient and segregation can occur. Tablets may cause problems when consumed or simply not work effectively where this has happened. It is therefore necessary to run tests to completely ensure that the particles are correctly bound and distributed with the ability to do so in large scale production. Sometimes segregation can be resolved by granulating the active ingredient alone in the first instance, and then granulating it alongside the excipient afterwards to form the tablet.Why is pharmaceutical granulation used?The most widespread form of medication used across the world is tablets; thus making the process of pharmaceutical granulation extremely commonly used and incredibly important. Tablets are used in the treatment of a huge quantity of illnesses and diseases. They are very convenient to carry around and can be consumed easily without any need for extra devices, possibly just a fluid to aid swallowing. This is a strong advantage over other medicines which may require a measuring spoon or syringe at least. Individuals that are required to take a number of pills each day are able to take tablets out of their original packaging and place them into portion boxes for each day, allowing them to be better managed and organised. Pharmaceutical granulation helps to create strong hard tablets which will not disintegrate into a fine powder and therefore can be managed and handled easily. The ability of the pill to avoid crumbling also ensures there is no loss of any active ingredient. This is highly important as it guarantees the consumer is receiving not only the same dosage each time, but also the correct dosage throughout their treatment. Furthermore hard, strong tablets can be snapped without any crumbling to enable individuals who perhaps prefer to swallow smaller parts at a time, to break the tablets in half.


Machinery used for pharmaceutical granulationPurchasing machinery for pharmaceutical granulation can be extremely expensive, particularly in the testing stage. Both Spheronization and Extrusion equipment will be required to perform the process which can be bulky and difficult to store. Fortunately there are a few options for new or smaller pharmaceutical companies carrying out trials to reduce both the cost and need for storage space. Some manufacturers provide the option of hiring the equipment, allowing pharmaceutical companies to pay a smaller fee and return the product after use. Alternatively small scale versions of the machines can be bought which are easier to store and cheaper to obtain. One of the leading providers of small scale speronization equipment is Caleva, their Spheronizer 380 is specifically designed for small scale trials and production. They also offer machine hire to those who only require the machinery for shorter periods of time or for those who are not ready to commit to full scale production.

Do I Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? A New Treatment Option

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common condition affecting up to 7.8% of the working population. Symptoms include numbness to the thumb, index and middle finger as well as weakness and pain in the hand / wrist. Symptoms can also include pain radiating up to the shoulder and neck region. These symptoms usually worsen after strenuous or repetitive activity. They can also worsen with awkward hand positions such as driving a car, holding a phone, or while sleeping at night, which place increased pressure on the nerve. Certain conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism also increase the amount of pressure within the carpal tunnel and subsequently increase the likelihood of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients can also be genetically prone to developing this condition because they may be born with a smaller than usual tunnel which increases the risk of developing pressure on the nerve.This condition can lead to permanent nerve damage when left untreated. The nerve fibers can tolerate just so much pressure before the nerve cells permanently lose function. A physician can diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome with a proper history and exam. This diagnosis is then confirmed with either a nerve study, which can show the abnormal function or an ultrasound, which can show any possible areas of nerve compression.


Treatment includes conservative management with splints, anti inflammatory medications or steroids. These typically help with new or mild symptoms but are less effective as the condition progresses. It is not uncommon to hear of some initial relief with these treatment options then decreasing relief over time as these treatments lose effectiveness. Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome has been improved considerably over the last decade. New minimally invasive procedures (endoscopic release) allow the release of pressure on the nerve causing the symptoms with minimal pain and significantly quicker recovery compared to traditional open procedures. These newer minimally invasive techniques do have increased risk and should be performed by experienced surgeons for the best outcome and least risk for injury. When these endoscopic procedures are performed with the proper equipment by experienced surgeons they allow the quickest return to normal function.Carpal tunnel syndrome is an extremely common condition, which produces symptoms of numbness, tingling, weakness in the hand and pain in the wrist. These symptoms can occur together or separately and can even radiate up the arm. This condition can be easily assessed and treated with excellent results by a hand surgeon before permanent nerve damage develops.

For Patient Safety To Improve, These 3 Things Must Happen First

Over the years there have been many suggestions offered by people in the healthcare industry on how to improve patient safety, but whether or not hospitals or healthcare executives are actually listening it's hard to really tell.There are quite a few organizations that are dedicated to improving patient safety. The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) has been around since 1997. Just recently the organization announced the creation of a program called the NPSF Patient Safety Coalition, which is a program to align stakeholders from across the continuum of care in a unifying mission to make healthcare safer for all.When you hear about studies such as the one conducted by Johns Hopkins Hospital in which researchers discovered that a surgeon in the U.S. leaves a foreign object in a patient's body at least 39 times per week and that wrong type of surgery is performed on a patient about 20 times per week, it does make you wonder if hospitals are truly making efforts to put patient safety first.So what exactly will it take to improve patient safety?We can talk about improving hospital systems or improving communication between healthcare professionals and providers, but there are a few things that need to be put in place if we are to ever truly experience change. These things are more about changing the attitude and mental paradigm of people working in the healthcare industry.


Acceptance of change - Everyone within an organization needs to be on the same page when it comes to making changes to the system. People have to recognize that improvement is necessary. Even having a few people who are not open to making changes can make it that more challenging for the organization as a whole to advance to another level of care.Commitment - Every single medical professional working within an organization must make the commitment to put patients first above all. Through monthly meetings, newsletter, or reminders posted in work areas, you can keep the idea of patient safety at the forefront of people's minds on a daily basis.Positive Daily Habits - It's been said that it takes about 21 days for change to take place, so positive actions and tasks have to be performed daily to turn them into a habit. Whether it's a new way of administering medication or a new way of interacting with patients, the focus has to be doing these tasks well and doing it with every patient.What are your thoughts about improving patient care? Are there any tips that you would add to this?

How to Minimize Risk in Cold Chain Packaging

To ensure the best management of pharmaceuticals in terms of both manufacture and protection, companies have to aggressively follow all the right evaluation methods. Minimizing risks in cold chain processes is not just a strategy but also a need for companies to comply with all rules and regulations.Companies can follow best practices and guidelines, but considering every region's different shipment structures and carriers, it's a challenge for companies to follow them exactly because regulations are normally not region-specific but general, yet they are still very detailed.So how can a company meet their targets for both profit and safety? Here are few tips to ensure best packaging which fulfills the needs of the company, makes customers happy and also adheres to health and safety rules.What is your weakest link?It's extremely important for every pharmaceutical company to detect its weak areas, where it needs improvement. Do you deal with shipment preventions on a regular basis due to bad weathers or handle cold attitudes of cargo-handlers? Finding the weakest link in the entire logistics chain requires both time and resources. Therefore, you must consider the following to see if you are dealing with your weaknesses efficiently:a) Perform a gap analysis and document all the risky points.b) Manage the risk for each point in the entire logistics.c) Establish quality and validation system in a way that trains your employees and optimizes your carriersd) Carefully review everything mentioned above. Perform final security measures testing to see if all the previous steps are in place to reduce the risk.How effective is your packaging?Temperatures at the manufacturing plant and the destination are different, which can cause damage to liquids inside shipping vehicles and containers. The damage could also be caused by sudden flight delays or prolonged security inspections.To handle this problem, companies must ensure the following:a) Usage of specialized containers which meet expectations of green companies, have longer hold capability, are cost-effective and weigh less.b) The complete checking of packaging, for example; validate gel pack conditioning procedures, equipment usage during shipment, temperature qualifications, CQ/DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ)


Do you excessively opt for new, technologically advanced packaging?Using more of something is not always good - it can be fatal. Are you confident that your packaging has a perfect match with your distribution process and the product inside? Will it stand up to damage due to bad weather, or face other major or minor issues? If this is the case, then you must be spending a lot of money in using the right material, temperature and shipment weight. Is this excessive spending really necessary for the product, or is it over-engineering the packaging activities? Taking the right measures comes from knowledge, and knowledge is acquired through gathering data. Therefore, you must go through the following:a) Any research study which reveals the perfect temperature ranges for the biochemical and pharmaceuticals. (Conducted in your region of business operations)b) Any research study which has examined the impact of seasonal changes on productsc) Any research study which has examined the impact of packaging on productsd) Any technical reports which make perfect cost comparisons of all packaging options.Do you address changes in the environment and undertake training programs?In-house training programs are always beneficial if adopted pro-actively. The training programs should always be chosen with respect to the organization's specific shipping and receiving needs. These programs must focus on:a) Proper guidance on evaluation, screening and rejectionb) Assessment of packaging optionsc) Training on quality assurance and complete auditd) SOPs for pre-conditioning packaging (+2 to +8 C shipments)e) Proper training on industry guidelinesf) Complete information on supplier qualification for shipment projectsg) Usage of advanced equipments for temperature assessment and temperature controlled packaging solutions, training employees how to carry out such an assessment and deciding appropriate ranges.

What's the Difference Between Food Allergies and Food Intolerances?

In practice over the past 10 years, the most common question related to food intolerances is "what is the difference between food allergies and food intolerances?"For me the answer brings me back to a research project and presentation on food intolerances that I completed during my residency at Bastyr University. Food allergies (as classically defined) are caused by IgE antibodies. Food intolerances are caused by IgG antibodies. Allow me to explain this science talk."Ig" is scientific shorthand for Immunoglobulin, which is another name for antibodies, the messengers of our immune system. The letters "E" and "G" are assigned to each antibody based on their unique characteristics. (Wouldn't it be fun to rename them something more descriptive?IgE antibodies work quickly and cause severe reactions, such as hives, swelling and anaphylaxis. When a person is exposed to a food or substance that causes such a reaction, emergency care is often needed. This is the classic "food allergy," such as to peanuts or shrimp, that are tested for by allergists with a skin prick test.IgG antibodies, on the other hand, work more slowly, taking even up to 72 hours to cause much more subtle or mysterious symptoms, as fatigue, sinus congestion, digestive upset and/or uncomfortable, yet non-emergency, symptoms throughout the body. Unfortunately, from my perspective, conventional medical care has not integrated IgG testing into the standard of care. That is why this may be the first you are hearing of it.While many people know about "lactose intolerance," what I am describing is much more broad based then an inability to digest the sugar in milk. I am talking about the immune system launching a full attack on the foods you are eating, which then leads to deterious effects in any number of areas of your body.The most common symptoms related to IgG food intolerances include: headaches, fatigue, constipation/diarrhea, eczema/psoriasis, urinary frequency/urgency, susceptibility to infections (anywhere in the body), anxiety/depression, and weight gain/loss. These symptoms can potentially cause, and be labeled as, much more serious conditions, such as autoimmunity, chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer, to name a few. The foods types that are most likely to be involved in this condition are: dairy, gluten (the protein in wheat products), eggs, and nuts.


While practicing in an allergy specialty clinic I started to notice that people who are intolerant ("sensitive" is another word used) to gluten tend to be intolerant to many other foods as well, such as certain fruits and vegetables, as well as the foods that are most common in their diet.This phenomenon is referred to as "Leaky Gut," or medically referred to as Intestinal Permeability. One way to think of it is as if the intestinal lining looks like a colander instead of bowl.As I originally learned during my undergraduate training, in a healthy digestive tract food particles must be fully digested and pass through the cells that line the intestine in order to get into the blood stream. In which case the immune system, which sits between the lining of the intestine and the blood vessels, is only exposed to nutrients, never actual food particles.In order for IgG antibodies to be created, the immune system must be exposed to food particles, which means that the intestinal lining has been compromised, allowing partially undigested food to get between the cells. Thus the sieve effect, called Leaky Gut.A frequent culprit in causing Leaky Gut is gluten, which explains why people who are intolerant to gluten are often intolerant to many other foods. In fact, most often the very foods that are coming down through their digestive tract frequently. (It's not unusual for people to eat the same foods over and over again.) Another common cause is too-frequent exposure to antibiotics and/or disruption of the balance of healthy bacteria in the intestines.So how can you tell if your immune system is attacking the foods you eat and wreaking havoc each time you have a meal?Thankfully a highly refined antibody testing device, known as ELISA testing, can be used to determine which antibodies, to which foods, are being produced in your bloodstream. And it only requires a few drops of blood to test for close to 100 foods. To order the test go to: http://dld.bz/cKnvy.With this test result you'll get answers and insights into what's going on within your body. And with the right guidance, you'll know exactly what to do with this information.

Basic Guidelines for 2013 Anesthesia Billing and Coding

The proposed 2013 Medicare physician fee schedule contains a 27% pay cut for the top 10 anesthesia codes. Moreover, CMS has released the 2013 OIG work plan stating that Medicare Part B claims will be reviewed closely to determine whether they were supported in accordance with Medicare requirements. Also, the use of modifier "AA" will be scrutinized for Medicare requirements. This should prompt anesthesia groups to re-evaluate certain anesthesia care team scenarios.While the use of the AA modifier has been determined there are cases that occur in the anesthesia care team model that do warrant additional review. Clear cut billing guidelines do not exist for scenarios where a case starts as medically directed and ends as personally performed, or vice versa. These scenarios can present billing challenges as the existing modifiers of AA (personally performed by the MD), QK/QX (medical direction by the MD/medically directed CRNA) and QZ (services provided by a non-medically directed CRNA) do not fully describe these situations. In such cases, reimbursement is not impacted for groups that employ the CRNAs as the modifiers could affect the payment amount received by the physician group. Provider groups that encounter clinical scenarios which are not accurately described by the current modifiers available may consider seeking clarification from their MAC for clear guidance on appropriate billing procedures.


Lately, CPT 2013 updates have been making the rounds, but there were no new or deleted anesthesia codes. However, revisions have been made to 01991 and 01992 anesthesia billing codes with the description when block or injection is performed by a different physician or other qualified health care professional.Also, the term "other qualified health care professional" has been included to stress on the fact that CPT does not limit code reporting to specific specialties or providers; instead, scope of practice laws, regulations, contracts, and hospital policy/bylaws determine whether a provider is qualified to perform a service. The individual is also required to be qualified to perform services and independently report it. Clinical staff who do not report their services independently do not fall within the scope of this definition provided by CPT.ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. 288.60 ICD-9 code is one of thousands of ICD-9-CM codes used in healthcare. Although ICD-9-CM and CPT codes are largely numeric, the only point of difference is that CPT describe medical procedures and services. 288.60 ICD-9 code is used to report Leukocytosis, unspecified and is a billable medical code that can be used to specify a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim.

Urologist Vs Nephrologist

What is the difference between a urologist and a nephrologist? No, it's not a setup for a joke: many are unsure about the difference between these two medical specialties. The confusion probably stems from the fact that both urologists and nephrologists deal with the kidneys, and the fields of urology and nephrology often overlap.A urologist specializes in treating all aspects of the urinary system. The urinary system includes ureters, urethra, bladder and adrenal glands, plus the prostate and testicles in men. Urologists perform surgery on the urinary tract and kidneys, and deal with urology conditions such as kidney stones, kidney blockages, kidney, bladder and prostate cancer, incontinence, low testosterone, erectile dysfunction etc. The medical field of urology is vast, and it overlaps not only with nephrology, but also with gynaecology, andrology, pediatric surgery, oncology, gastroenterology, and endocrinology.To become both a urologist or a nephrologist, one must complete undergraduate education and medical school, after which a future urologist completes an internship and residence raining in urology, passes a licensing examination and gets board-certified, while a nephrologist has a residence training in internal medicine, before completing a nephrology fellowship program. He can also become board-certified in nephrology.Urologists and nephrologists both work in hospitals and private practice. They may further specialize, for example in treating specific age groups: there are pediatric nephrologists as well as pediatric urologists. There are urologists who specialize in the male reproductive system, neurological disorders, reconstructive urologists, urological oncologists, laparoscopists, endourologists, female and pediatric urologists.


A nephrologist is a kidney specialist who studies chronic kidney disease, manages dialysis centers and programs, treats end stage renal disease, urinary tract infections, regulates uric acid counts as related to gout, electrolytes, and deals with diseases that can lead to kidney problems, like diabetes and high blood pressure. He recommends patients for kidney transplants. A nephrologist delivers nonsurgical treatments. Some of his patients may require surgery - which is performed by a urologist. A nephrologist is, however, responsible for the care of that patient before and after the surgery.Since the roles of a urologist and a nephrologist tend to overlap, urologists and nephrologists often work together to diagnose and treat patients. The cases when the treatment of a specific condition has both medical and surgical requirements are not rare: a patient may need a urologist, a nephrologist - or both. However, each of them is trained to deal with a specific type of problems.

What Are Compounding Pharmacies?

When I saw my dermatologist regarding the brown spots on my face he mentioned I needed something more potent than what is available over the counter. The prescription was for compounding ingredients for facial medication. It requires individual ingredients to be compounding into a new formula. My specific medication was for Fluocino.01/Hydoq 4/Treti.05%. I'm no doctor and don't know the specifics to the medications that was compounding but it worked. I tried many expensive creams such as Clinique, Ambi, and another popular prescription Triamcinolone Acetonide which is a bleaching cream and none of this worked for my hyper-pigmentation. Other names for this condition are age spots, sun spots, dark spots or liver spots. Bottom line is they are unattractive and if they are located on your face, it's even worse.Now let's talk about a compounding pharmacy. I won't mention my medical center; their prescription was over $200.00 so I shopped around. Most big chain pharmacies don't offer this because they don't extract ingredients to make a new ingredient according to the exact percentages required on your prescription. So what do you do? You need to find a compounding pharmacy that specializes in these types of medications. Most facilities will do it for less, but may require a day or so to fill in the new formula so if this is of an urgent matter, fill it at the medical center. My compounding pharmacy center actually closed down, but they were polite enough to send me a letter letting me know other compounding pharmacy in the area if I ever needed a refill. In addition they did it for 1/3rd of the cost and had the medication available the next day. Make sure you follow the directions and use sun screen if you use it during the day. I use mine during the night and on days that are gloomy as I don't want the sun to distort any of the medication process.


The ironic side of this is I didn't realize you can break up medication and mix it with others to formulate a specific prescription for your brown spots or any other ailments. These over the counter medications may work, but if they don't I recommend seeing a dermatologist as they know your skin better than anyone else. No sense of buying expensive creams and lotions if they don't make the dark spots disappear. A compounding pharmacy are one of those specialty places that you can count on for different ingredients from your prescription.

Warning - Superbugs and Your Risk to Them

With the news that "superbugs" are on the rise in U.S. hospitals, the worrying thought must be - Am I susceptible to catching one while visiting? - No! would be the answer, unless you are in for a long stay, ie. as a patient, as most superbugs seem to be associated with taking antibiotics - or more so, the OVERUSE of them.A new study attributed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has contributed these new findings to the lax use of antibiotics. That is to say - the overuse of them in certain circumstances is a real public threat to many (believed to be the opinion of Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, associate director for healthcare associated infection prevention programs at the CDC).It was released to the public that the use of antibiotics in U.S. hospitals is up two-fold, and at the level of overuse. So what is the gen behind this?Today, doctors are simply over-prescribing antibiotics by up to 50% to patients that may not even need them (as a precautionary measure), resulting in many patient side-effects, and the creation of drug-resistant bacteria (common superbugs). Because of this, new strains of bacteria increase on a daily basis together with their victims (the patients).It is believed that most over-prescriptions occur is the writings for "Vancomycin" (used to treat infections of the intestines that cause colitis), and prescriptions for urinary tract infections (one-third ordered without proper evaluation), lung infections, and infections caused by drug-resistant Staphylococcus bacteria - MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) are the most common.


Other contributors to the findings were as followers:(a) Not just the over-prescription of antibiotics, but also to their extended use (antibiotics used on patients for too long).(b) The tendency for patients to cry-out for antibiotics when they are ill (unjustly and ill prescribed by doctors to help get their patients well [to seek beneficial results and conform to their patients requests]).Scary Facts:

More than 2-million people a year in the U.S.A alone get sick from drug-resistant bacteria, resulting in over 23,000 unjustified deaths.

Over $20 billion a year is directly associated with superbug health costs.

Over $35 billion a year is the result of lost-productivity.
Conclusion:Every year over $55 billion is wasted as a direct result to the underfunding of the U.S. health system, where if just a fraction of it were to be spent on the better understanding of modern-day drugs (and their use) - less pressure would be put on doctors to get results as better results would be forth-coming as part of a natural process.

Do Medical Malpractice Claims Take Too Long to Resolve?

Dealing with a medical malpractice lawsuit can be emotionally and physically draining. Having this issue hanging over your head adds even more stress to your work, which makes you even more paranoid and afraid that you'll make the same mistake again. It's not just something you can forget about. For doctors and healthcare providers, it's important to be in the moment and to focus on the patient in front of them with no worries.Peter Ubel, MD recently wrote an article on KevinMD.com about the issue of medical malpractice claims. Dr. Ubel pointed out that malpractice claims associated with temporary injuries take about a year to resolve while claims associated with permanent injuries or deaths take about a year and a half to resolve. For neurosurgeons, the wait time is even more, spending about a quarter of their careers with open malpractice claims.Is this timetable to settle medical malpractice lawsuits fair to either party involved? Is it the fault of politicians? Are they not doing enough to make medical malpractice reform a priority? These are just some of the questions posed by many in the healthcare community.One surgeon claims that one possible reason claims take too long to resolve is the involvement of lawyers. Since defense lawyers are paid according to billable hours, it is in their best interest to make the claim last as long as possible.


It's obvious that the malpractice system is broken and needs to be fixed, but how can people push for an improvement? What is the next step?One idea that has been proposed is to implement "Health Courts" where legal experts would review a claim and decided immediately whether a case required further investigation or if the claim has no merit.Because of the fear of being sued again doctors and healthcare providers continue to practice defensive medicine. This means that they're ordering more tests and prescribing more medicine just to make sure that everything is OK with the patient and that they've investigated every possible avenue to prevent the patient from coming back and suing for negligence.It's obvious that change does need to happen, and it will take a great deal of time, energy, but most of all, a commitment from the healthcare community, politicians, and the public at large to make these changes. Educating people and spreading the word about this issue is something we can do right now. With enough intention, the ball will get rolling and build momentum for positive action to be taken.

Family Complete - It's Time to Consider a Vasectomy

Having a family definitely changes everything. Instead of just being focused on yourself and your own goals, you suddenly have other people that are counting on you. If you and your spouse have finished your family, it might be time to start considering permanent options of closing the doors on further fertility. This doesn't mean that you suddenly dislike children or that you're tired of them. Quite the contrary -- usually a couple is very comfortable with their life after they make the decision to stop having more children. There are really only two permanent options: tubal ligation for the woman, and a vasectomy for the man.The trouble with tubal ligation for women is that not only is it permanent, but it's very invasive compared to the vasectomy. While both are classified as outpatient procedures, the tubal ligation generally requires general anesthesia and a longer recovery time. A man facing vasectomy has local anesthesia and a shorter recovery window to deal with. If you're concerned about health risks on the woman's side of things, a vasectomy just makes sense. The risks are lower, and the failure rate is just as good. The highest chance of failure is within two months after the procedure has taken place.Keep in mind that while a woman is rendered infertile immediately after a tubal ligation, a man is not. It can actually take up to three months after the procedure to be fully cleared of sperm. Until then, there is still a chance that there could be sperm left in the tubes and conception to occur.


Taking charge of family planning by pursuing permanent sterilization isn't for everyone. Given the permanent nature of the vasectomy procedure, this is a step to be taken only after you've decided that your family is truly complete. It's not enough just to be satisfied with the life that you have now. Since you're closing the door on your fertility, you have to also think about potential "what if" situations. For example, what if your current spouse dies and you were to meet someone new later down the line? Would you still be okay with the current number of children that you have? It's little things like that which need to be kept in mind. You may feel okay with closing the proverbial door now, but will you regret the decision later on? This is very much a series of questions that need to be asked when you're relatively young, as the chance of wanting children later down the road again are quite high. If you're in a relationship that isn't serving your needs currently, closing the door on your fertility may be something that you would be better off avoiding. As always, it's completely up to you. If you are ready to schedule a vasectomy consultation, there are plenty of quality clinics available to meet your needs. The doctor can follow up with you and ask further questions, while also answering any questions that you may have. Good luck!

Post-Nasal Drip - Causes, Symptoms and Remedies

Post-nasal drip is a condition in which the mucus membranes, present around the nasal passage, gets affected. On such occasions, these membranes get inflamed since mucus starts being produced in too high an amount, and starts collecting behind the throat and nose. This can be very irritating, leads to a runny nose, scratchy throat, cough, breathing difficulty, and can even cause bad breath.Causes Various factors can cause post-nasal drip, and the most common one is cold and flu. Other well-known causes include inhaling nasal irritants, and allergies. Conditions like bacterial and viral infections and sinusitis can also lead to drip. In some cases, hormonal changes and pregnancy can also cause such mucus flow.Symptoms and signsMucus draining thorough one's throat is one of the symptoms of post-nasal drip, but there are other signs too, including:
Nasal congestion.
Bad breath.
Sore throat.
Vomiting or nausea.
Wheezing.
Constant swallowing or spitting.
Hoarse voice.
Tonsil stones.
Breathing trouble.
Itchy chest and throat.
RemediesIf you are suffering from post nasal drip, it is essential you take some quick actions to avoid more complications. Various remedies can be used to gain effective results, and some of them have been mentioned below.Drink fluids - when suffering from post-nasal drip it is important that you drink as much of fluids as is possible. Drinking fluid can provide you relief from the mucus that has stuck on your pharynx region. As you drink fluids the excess mucus will be drained down into your stomach, and it is here that the mucus is destroyed.


Stay away from dairy products - you should try to completely avoid dairy products. Most dairy products are known to trigger factors leading to nasal drip. The reason behind this is that the content of dairy products will lead to over production and thickening of mucus in the nasal passage, and thus can worsen your condition.Saltwater gargle - gargling with a combination of salt and water is said to provide great results. This remedy is perfect as a primary treatment. Take a glass of warm water and to it add half tbsp salt. Gargle with the help of this mixture three times a day. This will rid you of the excess mucus that has collected in your nasal passage.Plant extract - plant extracts like thymus and cinnamon can relieve you from irritation that post-nasal drip causes. Cinnamon and other plats extracts used for the purpose has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and they help make your immune system better. If you are suffering from nasal drip, you can consume about 125 mg cinnamon extract each morning. Thyme is also popularly used to get relief from the condition.Steam bath - this is a very simple yet effective remedy for post-nasal drip. This will help in clearing the mucus that has collected in your nasal passage or throat. You can also boils some water in a pan or use a facial steamer and take the steam by keeping your face over the pan or steamer. If you take a steam bath, it will thin the excessive mucus and thus provide you with relief. If none of these remedies seems to help, you should consult your doctor without wait.

Jaundiced, When Baby's Eyes Are Yellow

While working at one of the inner city hospitals in New York City, I had the burden of telling a mother that her new-born will not go home as planned because the baby's skin is too yellow-jaundiced and that the baby needed to be treated with light {phototherapy}.My assessment brought tears on the mother's eyes. 'This is not a cause to cry for', I said, 'your baby will be okay'. I went on to tell her about the baby's condition and what I intended to do about it.There is a long list of what can cause jaundice in the newborn. This article addresses only the most common cause, which is the problem of high level of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood of the new-born baby. The problems posed by a high level of conjugated bilirubin in the blood do exist, but these will not be discussed in this article.What is jaundice?Jaundice is a term used to describe yellowness of the skin, eyes or other parts of the body. It can occur in both the young and the old. For the purpose of this article, yellowness of the skin and jaundice has the same meaning and are used interchangeably.Where does bilirubin come from?Bilirubin is the name of the pigment that gives the body the yellow stain. It comes from broken or hemolyzed red blood cells. The form of bilirubin responsible for most of the jaundice seen in the newborn is known as the unconjugated bilirubin. The baby's liver is supposed to get rid of bilirubin. When their levels are high, they stain the body. When the level of bilirubin is dangerously high, they can injure the developing brain.How do I know if my baby has jaundice?Every new-born baby has some bilirubin in their blood. When a baby is visibly yellow, it indicates that it has a higher than expected level of bilirubin in their blood.


Newborn babies are looked over and examined multiple times a day by doctors and health care providers for jaundice. Eye examination is highly subjective. Two experienced health care providers may differ on whether a baby is jaundiced or not based solely on eye observation. It is harder to tell when a black -skinned baby is jaundiced, when compared to a light- skinned baby. Experienced parents, or relatives---those who had babies with jaundice may suspect abnormal yellowness of the skin.Laboratory confirmation is frequently needed. One of the ways is to collect blood from the baby's heel. The blood is then taken to the laboratory for analysis of the degree of jaundice.What causes jaundice in babies?Two reasons account for most of the jaundice seen in the newborn:• There are more than expected red blood cells breakdown or hemolysis and release of bilirubin• The baby's liver enzymes responsible for facilitating the excretion of bilirubin in the stool and in the urine are not fully functional or are not entirely activated.Physiological jaundiceGentle rise of bilirubin during the first three days of life, followed by a gradual fall within five days of life is expected in many newborns. This normal trend of rise and fall in bilirubin level is called physiological jaundice. Bilirubin levels in physiological jaundice can go from around 2 mg/dl to about 6mg/dl. By the time a baby is 5-7 days old, the level falls back to around 2mg/dl or below. No treatment is needed for most physiological jaundice.