More and more people are opting to have cosmetic surgery. Choosing the right surgeon and clinic can be difficult unless choice is informed by balanced advice. The decision to undergo any type of cosmetic surgery is intensely personal. Although cosmetic surgery will not change your life, it may give you greater self-confidence and add to your sense of well-being. Do not make this decision lightly. It will not solve personal problems or make you look like someone else.
Research the procedure
Read as much as you can about the procedure or treatment you are interested in having. This will help make sure that it is right for you and that you are aware of the pros and cons of treatment.
The best way to find a surgeon is word of mouth...through a friend or family member, or perhaps your doctor. Also check out our message boards on different sites to get surgeon recommendations from men and women who undergone the same procedure you're looking for.
Choose the right doctor
Get a referral from your GP - they can make sure that, with your permission, any important information about your medical history is passed to the cosmetic surgeon. It also means that your GP can provide for you if you have any problems or need advice after the procedure. You should be offered an initial consultation with the doctor who will perform the operation/procedure. Do not be afraid to ask the doctor about his/her qualifications and expertise in the procedure you are interested in, how many times they have performed the operation and how often complications occur.
Price should not be a deciding factor in which surgeon you choose, and many 'cosmetic' surgeons charge less than plastic surgeons. Be suspicious of special offers you see in newspapers or in magazines as most plastic surgeons charge a similar amount and rarely, if ever, give 'specials'. Prices can vary between surgeon depending on location, experience, where the surgery is performed (hospital vs. private clinic) and implant chosen. If you decide to go to an unqualified surgeon because of the price you could end up spending more money later on revision surgery.
Find out about the clinic or hospital
The best way to choose a clinic or hospital is through your GP. If this is not an option, make an appointment at a few clinics, so that you can compare prices and the services offered.
• There should be registers of all private clinics and hospitals that are registered to provide cosmetic surgery in your country. The latest inspection report can be obtained from the Hospital or Clinic by requesting it.
• All cosmetic surgery clinics and hospitals should be required to provide a memo detailing the services they offer, the cost, as well as information on making comments, complaints or suggestions.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Middle Ear Infections
Any infection of the middle ear is referred to as otitis media. There are three types of this infection: otitis media with effusion, chronic suppurative otitis media and acute otitis media. Bacteria usually cause acute otitis media but viruses may also be involved. Symptoms are the sudden onset of an earache, accompanied by fever and a generally sick feeling. Acute otitis media often accompanies or follows an upper respiratory or throat infection. Otitis media is treated with antibiotics and eardrops. If these prove to be ineffective, a needle or scalpel is used to make a small hole in the eardrum allowing the infected fluid to drain out.
Otitis media with effusion occurs when the infectious symptoms of acute otitis media are absent but there is fluid present in the middle ear. Most often this happens after the infection has healed but the fluid remains. However, it can also be caused by colds, barotrauma or poor functioning of the eustachian tube Eustachian tube malfunction occurs in children with cleft palates. Patients who have had acute otitis media often retain fluid in their middle ear for one to three months after treatment. When this happens doctors may continue antibiotics or use corticosteroid medications.
When chronic suppurative otitis media is present, the ear will drain for six or more weeks. A cholesteatoma may also occur. A cholesteatoma is an overgrowth of the eardrum skin into the middle ear. The first treatment administered is the use of antibiotics and eardrops. If this is ineffective, doctors may resort to administering the antibiotics intravenously. When symptoms persist, they usually begin diagnostic testing that may involve audiometry and computed tomography (CT scan). Surgery may also be necessary.
All middle ear infections can produce complications. Acute otitis media may cause the eardrum to rupture. It can also cause mastoiditis. Mastoiditis is an infection of the bone behind the year. Meningitis is another complication of acute otitis media. However, both mastoiditis and meningitis are rare. Middle ear infections commonly occur in children and acute otitis media can recur. If it recurs more than three times in six months, parents should look for other causes. These could be allergies, immune deficiencies, sinusitis, or enlarged adenoids. Two bacteria that cause acute otitis media are Streptococus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. There are immunizations available for these and your doctor may recommend them. Low daily doses of antibiotics may also be prescribed for weeks or in some cases even months. Another treatment is to insert tubes in the ears through the eardrum to drain the accumulated fluid from the middle ear.
The major problem connected with otitis media with effusion is hearing loss. When hearing loss occurs in a very young child the result can be a delay in speech and language development. If a child who is taking antibiotics has fluid in both ears for three months, it is recommended that ventilation tubes be inserted. This should also be done for a child who has fluid in one ear for six months. Not only are ear infections common in children but they are also the most common cause of hearing loss, therefore they need prompt treatment.
Otitis media with effusion occurs when the infectious symptoms of acute otitis media are absent but there is fluid present in the middle ear. Most often this happens after the infection has healed but the fluid remains. However, it can also be caused by colds, barotrauma or poor functioning of the eustachian tube Eustachian tube malfunction occurs in children with cleft palates. Patients who have had acute otitis media often retain fluid in their middle ear for one to three months after treatment. When this happens doctors may continue antibiotics or use corticosteroid medications.
When chronic suppurative otitis media is present, the ear will drain for six or more weeks. A cholesteatoma may also occur. A cholesteatoma is an overgrowth of the eardrum skin into the middle ear. The first treatment administered is the use of antibiotics and eardrops. If this is ineffective, doctors may resort to administering the antibiotics intravenously. When symptoms persist, they usually begin diagnostic testing that may involve audiometry and computed tomography (CT scan). Surgery may also be necessary.
All middle ear infections can produce complications. Acute otitis media may cause the eardrum to rupture. It can also cause mastoiditis. Mastoiditis is an infection of the bone behind the year. Meningitis is another complication of acute otitis media. However, both mastoiditis and meningitis are rare. Middle ear infections commonly occur in children and acute otitis media can recur. If it recurs more than three times in six months, parents should look for other causes. These could be allergies, immune deficiencies, sinusitis, or enlarged adenoids. Two bacteria that cause acute otitis media are Streptococus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. There are immunizations available for these and your doctor may recommend them. Low daily doses of antibiotics may also be prescribed for weeks or in some cases even months. Another treatment is to insert tubes in the ears through the eardrum to drain the accumulated fluid from the middle ear.
The major problem connected with otitis media with effusion is hearing loss. When hearing loss occurs in a very young child the result can be a delay in speech and language development. If a child who is taking antibiotics has fluid in both ears for three months, it is recommended that ventilation tubes be inserted. This should also be done for a child who has fluid in one ear for six months. Not only are ear infections common in children but they are also the most common cause of hearing loss, therefore they need prompt treatment.
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