Using gas to fight fat. A bright future for medical assistant careers. Ways to deal with grief. These are just a few of the interesting stories we've found for you this week in the world of health and medicine.
C02 Injections May Trim Inches
Italian researchers have reportedly found a way to remove fat deposits from thighs, knees and bellies. The "magic bullet" is old-fashioned carbon dioxide—C02—the same that oxygen-breathing beings exhale and that gives soft drinks their fizz. By injecting carbon dioxide under the skin with a fine needle, doctors were able to kill fat cells, which were then flushed out of the body. The technique only works on fat located near the surface (not the more dangerous abdominal fat) and its effects are temporary. But the researchers say it could be the boost some people need to get on a more traditional weight-loss program.
Medical Assisting Jobs Due to Rise
A new report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) contains strong evidence that health care is the employment market of the coming decade. Of all the jobs expected to be created between 2008 and 2018, 96% are expected to be in the health care field, according to the study. This includes 772,000 new jobs in physicians' offices, including medical assistants, bringing that total up to 3.048 million. This represents a 34.1% increase over numbers for 2008.
(Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "The 10 Industries with the Largest Wage and Salary Employment Growth 2008-2018," published December 11, 2009.)
How to Deal With Grief
Grief is a universal human experience that can result from the death of a loved one, the loss of a job or a debilitating injury. For years, psychologists have talked about the classic "5 Stages of Grief," as if the process follows a predictable progression. However, the December 2009 issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource notes that every person experiences grief in his or her own way, that many different emotions can be involved and can occur in any combination. The magazine does suggest some common sense steps to dealing with grief that include: 1) Express your feelings to friends and family; 2) Delay making any decisions or life changes; 3) Take care of your personal health; 4) Be patient—recovery can take weeks or months; 5) Consult a doctor if depressive symptoms persist.
Mayo Clinic Offers Germ-Fighting Hand-Washing Techniques
We all know that washing our hands helps prevent sickness. But most people don't wash their hands in a way that actually helps fight germs and viruses. A recent edition of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter advises the following: 1) Use warm water and lots of soap; 2) Work the soap up into a lather for at least 15 seconds; 3) Pay special attention to the wrists, cuticles and fingertips; 4) After rinsing, use a paper towel to shut off the faucet (if the facet is not motion-operated). Avoid touching the faucet, door handles or other commonly touched surfaces after washing, or you'll just pick up more germs.
Professional Medical Assisting Training Programs at Everest
Interested in a career in the fast-growing and exciting health care field? Programs that help you qualify for a variety of entry-level positions are available now at Everest. For more information, please contact Everest today!
