Good News for the Migraine Sufferer
February 1, 2011 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.If you have ever experienced a migraine, you know how debilitating it can be and that it is not, in any way, like a normal headache. A migraine occurs when swollen blood vessels around the brain press on nearby nerves, causing intense pulsing or throbbing pain. Migraine headaches affect approximately 12{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3} of Americans, typically in the range of 25 – 55 years of age. Women are three times more likely to experience migraines. Stress, diet, and hormonal change can trigger migraines. Migraines can also develop as the result of trauma when involved in an automobile accident. The migraine headache is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness and intense sensitivity to light and noise. Some individuals will also experience an “aura”. During ancient times, the Greeks and Romans used peppermint tea and also drank infusions made from chamomile, rosemary and lavender. They also applied raw potato, cabbage and onion to attempt to relieve the pain. In more recent times, treatment has consisted of prescribed medications, including Imitrex and Relpax once the migraine surfaces; and daily medications such as Topamax. Unfortunately, many migraines occur without warning and migraine sufferers do not always improve with these medications. The F.D.A. has recently approved Botox as a method to treat chronic migraine headaches in adults. Patients with a…
Read MoreEmail and Private Health Information
January 26, 2011 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.A Minnesota man left the snow-filled streets of Minneapolis for a vacation in Puerto Rico. His wife was on a business trip and was planning to meet him there the next day. When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick email. Unfortunately, when typing her address, he missed one letter, and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher’s wife whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint. At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen; Dearest Wife, Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow. P.S. Sure is hot down here This is an old tale reminding us of the importance of email accuracy and security. While electronic mail has become second-nature to most of us, we should strive to be more aware of private issues being transmitted over the internet. This is especially important when requesting and transmitting a client’s protected health information (PHI) for review. The requirement to protect the privacy of PHI extends to electronic transmission of PHI between two parties, such as an…
Read MoreTexting While Driving – A Dangerous Combination
January 18, 2011 | Adriel B. VillarrealWe live in a society where technology has, without question, made our lives easier and perhaps more organized. With the push of a few buttons we can communicate with friends, family, business associates located on the other side of the world or in the same room. During this last holiday season I finally agreed to purchase a cell phone for my 10 year old daughter. Of course my purpose for the phone was much different than hers. With the cell phone in hand my wife and I would be able to contact her instantly and get updates about homework, soccer practice and school activities. In her mind it was all about TEXTING and staying connected with friends and cousins. Naturally, the cell phone carrier was happy to add a new phone to the contract with unlimited texting for approximately $15.00 per month. While the new cell phone has been fairly convenient it has also proven to occasionally be a distraction during homework, dinner and bed time. I chuckle because she is now glued to her cell phone in the same way I have become dependent on my Blackberry. Recently, while driving home from work I heard a public service announcement about texting while driving. In short, the message to all drivers was that…
Read More