Botox by Untrained Cowboys Poses Danger

Enhancing your looks with “quick fixes” are getting increasingly popular around the world. As more patients dare to use fillers and laser, the number of quacks are growing by the day.

A new study shows that women’s faces today are in great danger at the hands of people who are giving Botox injections, sometimes with as little as half a day’s training behind them. The Independent Healthcare Advisory Service (IHAS) has revealed that many firms in the UK are offering Botox lessons. However, many of these do not have any medical background. Many so called students pay £350 for a course lasting half a day, and £600 for a full day. Some of them actually learned to inject Botox into oranges!

To fight this, the IHAS presents a list of plastic surgeons in the UK that you can actually trust. The British Department of Health has expressed its happiness at this initiative.

We also do our own qualitative research about the healthcare providers presented in the Novasans directory, and make sure to present you with trustworthy information that is up to date. Many of the hospitals, clinics and wellness centers featuring on the Novasans website are internationally or nationally accredited, so that you as a patient will feel at ease when making your choice about going abroad for treatment!

The U.S. releases statement on Global Health Initiative

The U.S. government continues its efforts under the U.S. Global Health Initiative (GHI), which is a six-year and USD 63 billion initiative to help partner countries improve measurable health outcomes by strengthening health systems and building upon proven results. The program focuses on improving the health of women, children and newborns through addressing issues such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, family planning, maternal and child health and neglected tropical diseases.

The above mentioned activities are now being implemented in the more than 80 countries where the U.S. government already is working. The program has now announced the first round of “GHI Plus” Countries, together with a governance structure of the program itself. The eight countries that have been selected as the first set of “GHI Plus” Countries are Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Guatemala, Mali, Kenya, Rwanda and Malawi. These countries will receive additional technical and managment resources to quickly implement GHI’s approach and its healthcare programs.

With this initiative, the U.S. government is pursuing a comprehensive approach to global health and health assistance. As help and guidance, the government has put together a strategic council, consisting of representatives from various offices at the Department of State, the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Treasury, the Department of Defense, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and finally the Peace Corps.

Common Knee Pain in Runners can be Reduced by Hip Exercises

In recent years a jogging wave have spread across many countries, with more and more people lacing up their jogging shoes and getting out in the running tracks. However, for untrained joggers pushing themselves too hard in the beginning, it can be devastating. Knee pain is very common among runners due to the sudden stress on the knees. But now; researchers have found a solution.

Researchers have now found that hip exercises can reduce a common type of knee pain in runners. A twice weekly hip strengthening regimen performed for six weeks, has proven to be surprisingly effective at reducing, and in some cases eliminating, knee pain referred to as patellofemoral pain (PFP), especiall in female runners. The study, led by Tracy Dierks at the Department of Physical Therapy at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, was based on the theory that stronger hips would correct running form errors that contribute to PFP. This helped, even though the study participants were given no instruction in gait training. When using a pain scale of 0 to 10, with 3 representing the onset of pain, and 7 representing very strong pain, the injured runners begain the six-week trial with registering pain 7 when running on the treadmill. When they finished the study period they instead registered pain levels of 2 or lower.

Dr. Tracy Dierks

The reducement of pain is highly significant, and Dierks himself admits “I wasn’t expecting such huge reductions, to be honest. We’ve had a couple of runners who have been at level 2, but the overwhelming majority have been a 2 or below”.

PFP is one of the most common running injuries. It is caused when the thigh bone rubs against the back of the knee cap. Runers with PFP usually don’t feel pain when they begin running, but once the pain begins, it increases fast. Once they stop running, the pain goes away almost immediately. In the study, Dierks show that PFT wears away cartilage, and can have the same effect as osteoarhritis.

The hip-strengthening exercises were performed by the study group twice a week for about 30 to 45 minutes, and involved single-leg squats and exercises with a restistance band. The exercises can easily be performed at home across all ages. So, for all of you runners suffering from this painstaking condition; there is hope, and it’s fast, easy and cheap!

Novasans Announces Media Partnership to IMWell Summit 2010

Today, we can proudly annunce another Media Partnership. Novasans will from now on cover the important IMWell Summit 2010.

“There is a growing need for regional cooperation aimed at developing and strengthening the medical travel, wellness and retirement sectors, and the IMWell Summit addresses exactly this issue. This landmark event provides a platform where delegates and participants can share their thoughts and best practices, as well as find ways that will sustain the growth and development of healthcare travel and retirement in Asia,” said Philippines Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Cynthia Carrion, who also acts as the Chairperson of the IMWell Summit.

The four-day event features a full agenda that includes plenary sessions on Industry Perspectives, Opportunities and Risks; Regional Presentation of Best Practices; Global Opportunities in the Retirement Industry; Marketing and Branding for Global Markets; Quality Management and the Continuity of Care; and the Future of Medical Tourism and Healthcare Travel Industry.

The IMWell Summit also includes Executive Workshops about Balanced Score Card in Healthcare Organization and Effective Leadership Styles in Healthcare Organization. Four break-out conference tracks will be presented: Quality in Healthcare, Marketing, Investment and Capacity Building, and Retirement, giving an in-depth look at each specific aspect of medical and wellness tourism.

“We have ensured that the program of the IMWell Summit is comprehensive and at the same, attuned to the needs and gaps in information of this growing field. By gathering the region’s leading policy makers, decision makers and solution providers, we aim to redefine, redesign and refine healthcare delivery around the world,” stated Dr. Sanjiv Malik, a renowned international guru in medical tourism, who sits as the Conference Honorary Chairman.

“Our topics aim to develop and strengthen trade in healthcare goods and services in the interest of participating countries and for the benefit of international patients and retirees. They also serve to determine how organizations and countries can enhance positive gains and avoid risks resulting from international healthcare travel,” said Joyce Alumno, IMWell Summit Conference Director.

The Advisory Board and Speakers of the IMWell Summit include prominent leaders in their fields of expertise, including Dr. David Vequist of the Center for Medical Tourism Research (USA), Dato’ Jacob Thomas of the Association of Private Hospitals in Malaysia, Dr. Nipit Piravej of Bangkok Chain Hospital (Thailand), Dr. Ares Leung of Union Hospital (Hong Kong), Mr. Samie Lim of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Dr. Girdhar J. Gyani of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (India), Dr. Jeff Staples of Parkwayhealth (China), Cornelius Steger of Lotuswell (Thailand and Switzerland); Li Jianglian of the Guangzhou YIHE Group (China); Tony Gibson of the Australian Human Resource Institute, Henry Schumacher of the European Chamber of Commerce, and many others.

The event also features a Hosted Buyer Program, which will present opportunities for companies and organizations to collaborate and forge mutually beneficial alliances. B2B interactions and one-on-one sessions will be held for buyers to meet with exhibitors and other delegates, enabling them to maximize networking and business opportunities during the event.

The summit is produced and organized by HIM Communications, supported by the Department of Tourism as Host and Presentor, and in collaboration with the Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Retirement and Healthcare Coalition, Health and Wellness Alliance of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Wellness and Spa Association, and the Indian Medical Travel Association, with HealthCORE and Asian Academy for Healthcare Executives as Knowledge Partners.

The summit is one of the key events for global healthcare tourism in South East Asia this year, and the Hong Kong based internet business will be one of an exclusive number of media partners covering the event. Novasans will cover the event through newsletters, and interviews and articles posted on its websites and blogs.

Novasans participates in the summit with the aim of exchanging ideas and knowledge with other players in the growing medical tourism industry.

We hope to see you at the summit!

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More U.S. Women May Be Obese Than Thought

A new study, appearing in the May issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, says that federal guidelines on obesity should be revised so more women fit into the category of “obese”.

Today, guidelines that determine who is obese is based on body-mass index, also known as BMI. Body-mass index measures wheter a person’s height and weight are proportional. But when comparing this to the World Health Organization‘s guidelines – which use body-fat analysis instead of BMI – about half of the women that were considered obese under the WHO’s guidelines, were not obese under federal guidelines.

Under the international guidelines, about half of white women and more than two-thirds of Latino women are considered obese. Study author Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, at the Univerisity of Texas‘ Medical Branch’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology said “It is especially important to accurately assess obesity in reproductive-age women, as they are more likely to be obese than similarly aged men.” He continues, “These women are at risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other obesity-related health conditions, and may forgo or be overlooked for needed tests and treatments.”

Dr. Abbey Berenson, director of the University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health, says “BMI is not ‘one size fits all.’ Inaccurate classification can decrease the impact of obesity prevention programs that will result in many women not receiving the help they need.”

To find out more about how to measure your BMI, look here.