Houston Medical Center Health Blog

Health insurance cost factors can be a significant damper when it comes to expanding the workforce of a small business. Many individuals working at corporations take for granted the very expensive benefit health insurance has become. For large percentages of individuals working at small businesses, private health insurance is a reality. While many small companies will insurance the individual, the cost of family care health insurance most often falls on the shoulders of the employee.

For individuals under a corporate health insurance plan and are considering leaving for a smaller firm or starting their on business, consider these factors. Find out more about Health Insurance Cost and options.

Juvederm is one of the most recent gel-type dermal fillers based on naturally occurring hyaluronic acid. Juvederm relies on hyaluronic acid, as this substance is responsible for hydrating and smoothing skin. As the body ages it loses the ability to produce hyaluronic acid and as a result skin will wrinkle and lose its fullness. Juvederm replenishes these diminished substances and returns the skin and facial areas to a more youthful appearance. More more information be sure to check out our full article on Juvederm

Female Hair Loss is a topic most women would rather not face, after all hair loss is an issue mostly faced by men. While many women may find bald to be beautiful, things change when they face it themselves. Fortunately there are many options available to women who are facing the loss of hair.

Endermologie appears to be the latest method that Hollywood has discovered for its emergency body-shaping needs. America Ferrera is the latest star to tout Endermologie’s benefits. According to TMC .com Endermologie becomes very popular around Oscar season.

Read more about Endermologie and it’s reported benefits.

Acoustic Wave Therapy or AWT is a new Cellulite treatment that is making news due to its success in the treatment of cellulite. Acoustic Wave Therapy Cellulite treatment is exciting in that there are minimal side effects and virtually no pain. Acoustic Wave Therapy utilizes a high pressure wave that passes through the dermal region to impact the fibrous hardening of collagen tissues, one of the factors in the formation of Cellulite. By targeting the dermal region Acoustic Wave Therapy enables the release the skin resulting in a smoother appearance of the skin’s surface.

Read more about Acoustic Wave Therapy

Vibration exercise machines may be the perfect exercise equipment for those juggling a hectic schedule.

The vibration exercise machine is a recent breakthrough that has been the secret of many celebrities and athletes. Vibration exercise machines claim to work by stimulating muscles via a special frequency of vibrations. Also known as Vibrating Plate exercisers, these machines claim the benefits of hours of exercise in the span of 10-15 minutes per session.

Read more about Vibration exercise

Good news for those with Fatty Liver Disease!

A drug that is known to treat diabetes has now shown promising results in treating Fatty Liver Disease. (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) The drug Actos (pioglitazone) could reverse the symptoms and effects of fatty liver syndrome. Research on Actos was performed at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. The results of the conducted research were the first completed study on effective pharmacological intervention for this disease. (i.e. Fatty Liver can be treated by pharmaceuticals)

In the study at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Dr. Kenneth Cusi, M.D. gave 55 patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and impaired glucose tolerance and/or type-2 diabetes a liver treatment plan for six months. The study consisted of two groups undertaking a low calorie diet. The first group undertook the low calorie diet and took Actos. The second group also group undertook the low calorie diet, but were given placebo medication. The treatment included the drug Actos in addition to a low calorie diet. After of six months on the low calorie Actos or placebo regimen both groups showed improvements with a reduction in liver inflammation. However the group that incorporated the low calorie diet and took Actos reduced the levels of fats in the liver by half. It also was said to have decreased their insulin sensitivity.

Read more about the Actos - Fatty Liver Disease Treatment breakthrough.

PCOS is a health issue that can affect a woman’s health and well-being in a multitude of ways. PCOS impacts such things as, menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, weight, and physical appearance. The results of these physical impacts can also result in poor self image and depression. Often women with PCOS have characteristics that first appear in their reproductive systems. Women with PCOS can display a degree of symptoms including:

Weight gain or obesity, typically consisting of extra weight around the waist

Abnormal growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, and toes

Irregular menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding

Infertility or difficulty in becoming pregnant due to lack of ovulation

Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair

Read more about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - PCOS at Houston Med Center.

Smartlipo is a technique for eliminating a targeted area of subcutaneous fats that is minimally invasive in its procedure. Smartlipo is a laser enhanced liposuction procedure that works by targeting and disintegrating the fat cells membranes that it comes in contact with. SmartLipo’s use of a fiber-optic based cannula results in the laser’s ability to contact and disintegrate the subcutaneous fats that reside under the skin.

Read more about SmartLipo - Laser Liposuction at Houston Med Center.

While most commonly associated with men and branded as male pattern baldness, hair loss is also a problem that many women experience. Like their male counterparts females can be subjected to a decline in the amount of hair above the top and front of the head. This particular example of hair loss affects approximately one-third of all at risk women. This particular pattern of hair loss most frequently occurs following a women reaching menopause.Female hair loss treatment options follow a similar approach to that of male hair loss treatment in that a medication based approach is often utilized.

Read more about Female Hair Loss at Houston Med Center.