Cannabis can Help in the Fight Against Drug Addiction

Published on: 30 October 2018 Last Updated on: 31 October 2018
Cannabis

The substances contained in cannabis can help those who are addicted to hard drugs to quit their addiction. The first signals about the effects of cannabis on addiction to one form of cocaine appeared relatively early, more than 30 years ago. Dealers smoked it along with cannabis to avoid addiction. Although cannabis is also can be addictive, addiction to rapid-acting crack is much faster and much more serious in effect. Just a dozen or so minutes after firing one dose there is an irresistible desire for another… and another… and the next one… pushing the smoker crack to behave dangerously for himself and others, Risky sexual behavior, the tendency to violence and breaking the law are typical. Tolerance is developing rapidly: crack cocaine addiction requires more and more doses. In addition to acute symptoms such as high blood pressure, heart rate and temperature, nausea, seizures, hallucinations, panic and paranoia, the body can also be destroyed over time, cognitive decline, persistent psychotic conditions, depression, destruction of teeth, lips and mucous membranes of the oral cavity, myocardial infarction or stroke.

Research indicates that of the 122 identified cocaine users who want to throw cocaine in this form, they started to take cannabis. In an average of 30 months, these people had 89% more chance to reduce their crack intake compared to the time they did not take cannabis. It also seemed that cannabis made it easier for them to stop using this form of cocaine altogether or to maintain this decision. Without cannabis, only 11% of people managed to stop without cocaine. However, when they used it, crack was not needed by 28%. Although the experiment did not meet the conditions for a clinical trial, its results were considered by specialists to be very intriguing.

Animal studies suggest that Cannabidiol (CBD) that’s in the cannabis flowers in various concentrations is the most promising. You can buy it even in countries where Cannabis is still completely illegal, like Poland. It’s sold in form of oils, liquids, chewing gums etc. It has a lot of medical potentials, it can help in depression and many other medical conditions. But most importantly, It is likely to have an impact on the reward system in the brain, reducing the pleasant sensations associated with certain drugs. In rats, this has been proven to be possible.

Animal tests show that THC also reduces opiate dependence.

THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, injected into the blood of heroin and morphine-dependent rats, restores the chemical balance in their brains. As a result, rats treated with THC when they were young were deprived of the consequences of using much stronger and more harmful drugs in adulthood. Young rats, taken away from their mothers just after birth, were given powerful doses of THC. Deprived of maternal care, they have undeveloped brains. Neural nets are less developed and rats become more addicted. The effectiveness of THC injections has been proven in such animals. Although in theory, they should become more addicted, the “treatment” with THC resulted in the fact that although they were given morphine and heroin, the addiction did not occur.

Scientists hope that this unusual discovery will help create an alternative drug addiction treatment for drug addicts. It is difficult to predict whether, in the future, the social priorities so far regarded as priorities, or whether medical considerations will prevail, and cannabis-based preparations will go to pharmacies. This discovery can be extremely helpful with the recent opioid epidemic in the United States, where doctors prescribed opiates (powerful and very addictive painkillers) to almost everyone, and as a result, Donald Trump had to call it a state of a national emergency.

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Medical Billing Errors

Common Medical Billing Errors And How Software Fixes Them

An authentic stream of revenue is needed for your medical practice to be efficient and profitable. However, you may need optimized billing efforts to avoid some challenges. Some medical billing problems you may encounter include client complaints and delayed payments. Bear in mind that these problems are capable of hurting your medical practice. Your primary task should be getting rid of those medical billing errors by fixing them. Billing errors are now common, but there are ways to fix them. Various software has been developed to help with practice management and reduce the chances of running into a medical billing problem. This software provides a medical billing solution that makes practice easy and smooth. This article will focus on the common medical billing errors you might face in your medical practice and tell you how software fixes those errors. Medical billing: Explained Medical billing is important in the healthcare industry. It involves the processing and submitting of healthcare claims to insurance companies so that medical services offered to patients by providers can be reimbursed. Medical billing is a complicated process with many steps, like claims submission, denial management, coding payment posting, and charge capture. Medical billing ensures that healthcare providers get their payment timely and accurately for services provided, which is vital for financial stability. An understanding of billing regulations and medical coding is needed for medical billing to be effective. Effecting billing also requires the potential to find your way around complex insurance systems. Excellent problem-solving and communication skills are must-haves for medical billers. This will help them resolve issues that might arise in the billing process. Electronic medical records (EMRs), electronic health records (EHRs), and electronic billing systems have risen. These systems have reduced errors and streamlined the billing processes. In essence, medical billing is challenging and complex; the task requires expertise and specialized knowledge. Medical billing is a vital role that must be addressed in the healthcare industry. Healthcare providers must receive reimbursement for services rendered n a timely and accurate manner. Despite the priority given to this medical billing process, various issues are bound to occur. These issues can make cash flow slow, claims can be denied, and financial difficulties may arise. Medical billing errors Let us explore the most common medical billing errors. 1. Data entry errors This billing error is prevalent. It occurs when incorrect information is entered into the billing system. Some errors may include procedure codes, insurance information, and patient demographics. Data entry errors increase administrative costs, delayed payments, and claim denials. To prevent this error, healthcare providers should conduct regular audits to ensure accuracy and implement a double-entry system. 2. Coding errors When a medical service is assigned a wrong procedure code or the code is not specific, a coding error occurs. Coding errors lead to fraud allegations, delayed payments, and claim denials. With proper training of staff in medical coding, this error can be prevented. Healthcare providers should also ensure that they update their coding manuals regularly. 3. Upcoding and down coding Upcoding occurs when a healthcare provider bills for an expensive service than what was provided. Downloading occurs when a healthcare provider bills for a service that is less expensive than the provided one. Upcoding and down coding are fraudulent activities that can result in and attract legal actions and fines. Billing practices must be based on detailed and accurate documentation to prevent this error. 4. Duplicate billing Billing for the same service multiple times is duplicate billing, which occurs accidentally. Duplicate billing happens when a claim is resubmitted due to a technical error or intentionally as a fraudulent practice. Note that duplicate billing leads to legal actions, delayed payments, and claim denials. Implement a system to track and reconcile all claims to prevent duplicate billings. 5. Coordination of benefits errors This occurs when two or more insurance companies are responsible for a medical service payment, and a disagreement arises about who is responsible for the payment. Coordination of benefits errors can lead to increased administrative costs, delayed payments, and claim denials. Healthcare providers must ensure that their patient’s insurance information is updated and accurate. 6. Out-of-network errors Errors like this occur when the healthcare provider bills for services an out-of-network insurance provider provides. This comes up when a patient receives medical services from a provider outside their outlined insurance network. Out-of-network errors lead to increased administrative costs, delayed payments, and claim denials. Educate patients about insurance coverage and be sure that they obtain prior authorization for out-of-network services. How to fix them with software? Here are some ways software can be used to fix medical billing errors and improve the financial health of a healthcare practice. 1.   Automated claims management Automated claims management software is one of the best strategies to stop medical billing mistakes. Before submission to insurance companies, this software may automatically examine claims for mistakes and inconsistencies. Automated claims management software decreases the likelihood of claim denials and delayed payments, which may check for coding mistakes, duplicate billing, and other frequent problems. Eliminating the need for manual claims review and resubmission can save healthcare providers time and money. 2.   Electronic health records EHRs can improve medical billing efficiency by automating certain aspects of the process. For example, EHRs can automatically generate billing codes based on the services provided, reducing the risk of errors related to manual coding. The advancements in EHR software development have been pivotal in enabling these automations and ensuring the accuracy of medical billing and coding. EHRs can also facilitate submitting claims to insurance providers, reducing the time and resources needed to complete this task. Patient outcomes can be improved by healthcare providers by providing them with a complete picture of their patient's medical histories. By having access to comprehensive medical records, healthcare providers can make more informed decisions about patient care and avoid mistakes related to incorrect or incomplete information. 3.   Real-time eligibility verification Real-time eligibility verification software can help healthcare providers improve their revenue cycle management by reducing the time and resources needed to verify insurance information. By automating checking patient eligibility and coverage parameters, healthcare providers can free up staff resources and focus on delivering high-quality patient care. The software can also improve the accuracy of insurance information by reducing the risk of errors related to manual data entry. By automatically verifying insurance information in real-time, healthcare providers can ensure they have the most up-to-date and accurate information before providing medical services. 4.   Automated payment posting Automated payment posting software can help healthcare providers improve their revenue cycle management by reducing the time and resources needed to process payments. By automating the posting of payments from insurance companies, healthcare providers can free up staff resources and focus on delivering high-quality care to their patients. Automated payment posting software can also improve payment processing accuracy by reducing the risk of errors related to manual data entry. By automatically matching payments to the corresponding claims, healthcare providers can ensure that payments are processed accurately and promptly. 5.   Data analytics Data analytics tools can help healthcare providers track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to their revenue cycle, such as days in accounts receivable, collection rates, and net revenue. By monitoring these metrics, healthcare providers can identify areas of their revenue cycle that need improvement and implement strategies to optimize their financial performance. These tools help healthcare providers identify opportunities to streamline their operations and reduce costs. For example, by analyzing supply usage and waste data, healthcare providers can identify areas where they can reduce waste and save money. 6.   Automated denial management This software can help healthcare providers identify patterns in claim denials, allowing them to improve their billing processes to prevent future denials. By streamlining the appeals process and reducing the number of denied claims, healthcare providers can improve their revenue cycle management and ultimately increase their bottom line. Automated denial management software can provide real-time insights into claim status and help healthcare providers prioritize which claims to focus on. This can be especially helpful for practices that handle large claims or have limited staff resources. It is a valuable tool for healthcare providers looking to improve their revenue cycle management and reduce the time and resources spent on manual appeal procedures. 7.   Patient payment portals Patient payment portals can also improve patient satisfaction by offering a convenient and secure way to pay medical bills. Patients can access their payment history, view outstanding balances, and set up payment plans through the portal. This level of transparency and control can help reduce patient anxiety and promote trust between patients and healthcare providers. It also saves healthcare providers time and resources by automating payment processing and reducing the need for staff to handle payment transactions manually. This can allow healthcare providers to focus on delivering high-quality care and improving patient outcomes rather than on administrative tasks. Conclusion Medical billing errors are a significant problem that can lead to financial loss and legal action for healthcare providers and patients. Healthcare providers can improve their revenue cycle management by implementing effective strategies to prevent these errors and ensure high-quality patient care. Software programs help streamline billing practices to provide better care to patients. Try using software to fix your medical billing errors to experience swift medical billing processes. Read Also: How Can A Dallas Functional Medicine Doctor Help You? How Can Healthcare Staffing Benefit You? American Healthcare and its Woes

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Feel Tired

4 Reasons Why You Might Feel Tired During The Day

It is very normal to be tired throughout the day from time to time. However, if you notice that you feel tired every day over a long period of time, there may be something going on with your body. Ongoing fatigue and the constant feeling of tiredness can adversely affect your mental and physical wellbeing, which can make it hard to go about your daily life, so it is important to try and pin-point the cause of these sorts of issues before they take hold. Luckily, once you figure out the cause of your tiredness, making a few simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference to your energy levels throughout the day. Here are 4 Reasons Why You Might Feel Tired During The Day: 1. Caffeine intake Most of us like to have a few cups of coffee or tea to give us a little boost throughout the day, but consuming a lot of caffeine during the day can cause you to lose sleep at night. This is because caffeine is a stimulant, and while it is great to make us feel more alert and give us energy during the day, it can keep you up at night if you consume too much of it. People who consume too much caffeine may experience issues such as insomnia, irritability, muscle tremors, fast heartbeat, and fatigue, all of which can have a serious impact on your overall health. If you think that your caffeine intake may cause you to lose sleep at night and feel tired throughout the day, you should limit the amount you consume each day, or stop drinking tea and coffee a few hours before bedtime. 2. Poor sleeping habits It is recommended by the Sleep Health Foundation of Australia, that the average adult should get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. However, due to different age and lifestyle factors, you may need less than 7 hours or more than 8 hours of sleep to function throughout the day. The main point is that this sleep has to be uninterrupted because disrupted sleep can cause fatigue during the day. If you create a sleep routine for yourself and go to sleep at the same time in the same conditions each day, you will find that it is a lot easier to get to sleep each night and that you feel more rested in the day. This is because of your internal body clock that gets used to a certain wake and sleep cycle as time goes on. If you are struggling to get to sleep each night, you should try to make your bedroom the right environment for sleeping. Most people find that a dark, quiet room with cool temperatures will help them to get the best night’s rest, so you should try to make these changes in order to sleep well at night. 2. Eating a big meal Nutrition can have a significant impact on your mental and physical wellbeing, so what you eat during the day can prevent or cause fatigue. Choosing a healthy and well-balanced diet can help you to beat fatigue and tiredness. Foods that have a higher concentration of carbs and sugar are not very good fuel for the body compared to lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Eating raw and whole food can do so much more for your body, but you have to remember to wait at least 3 hours between meals to avoid indigestion. You should also consume dinner at least 3 hours before you go to sleep, in order for your body to properly digest your meal. If you feel hungry before going to bed, bananas are a good choice for a snack because they are rich in magnesium, which helps the muscles relax so that you can sleep easy. 3. Sleep disorders According to a recent study, more than 60% of Australians suffer some kind of sleep disorder that severely affects their quality of sleep. And because sleep disorders can affect all aspects of your physical and mental health, it is important to consult a doctor or a sleep specialist when you exhibit any signs or symptoms. One of the most common sleep disorders that a lot of people may have without knowing is sleep apnea, which is a serious sleep disorder that can affect you in several different ways, but mainly affects a person’s breathing as they sleep. Currently, there is no cure for this disease, but there are many ways to manage and treat the problems that this condition may bring on. One solution that most doctors recommend for patients is a combination of a sleep apnea mask and a machine, like the models available from CPAP Direct. These machines help patients to breathe easier as they sleep so that they can sleep through the night and in turn feel energized during the day. There are many reasons why someone might feel tired during the day, but only you can determine what is making you feel tired over a long period of time. If you are not sure about what the cause of your tiredness is, think about your lifestyle factors and your sleep routine to see if any changes can be made. If you still feel tired throughout the day after you have made a few minor changes to your lifestyle, contact your doctor as soon as possible so that you can help you with your fatigue during the day. Read Also: Why The Best Time To Relax Is When You Don’t Have Time For It 5 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Manage Anxiety at Work Why is sleeping well so important for job performance?

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Opiates

A Loved One Addicted to Opiates? Here Are Common Signs

If you've been paying attention to the news, you already know that the opioid crisis in the United States has reached critical mass. In some areas, opioid overdoses increased by 70 percent in just over a year's time. The opioid epidemic now touches the lives of millions of everyday Americans. As a result, the chances that you know someone with opioid addiction have increased astronomically. For anyone concerned that their loved one might have a problem, it's important to recognize the early warning signs of opiate use. That's what this article is for. Below, you'll learn a few basic things to look for when trying to determine if a loved one has an opiate problem. With any luck, you won't need this information, but preparedness and awareness are always important. Physical Signs of Opiate Use : When dealing with opioid abuse, there are two major categories symptoms can fall into: physical and behavioral. Let's tackle the former first. One major and obvious physical warning sign to look for is needle marks. Often, an addict will start to use drugs intravenously, which means they're injecting it. This will usually leave clear signs of use at the injection point, which is very often the major artery in the arm. Beyond the clear physical appearance of abuse, addicts will often suffer from other physical ailments. One prominent side effect is "nodding," which means that the user falls asleep suddenly and at inappropriate times. If your loved one frequently drifts off mid-conversation, this can be a sign there is a more serious problem under the surface. Other than the two unmistakable signs above, physical signs of opioid use are hard to spot. Other symptoms like constricted pupils and flushed skin can be attributed to many other things, so it's best not to worry about them alone. However, if they're paired with needle marks and nodding, there is cause for concern. Behavioral Signs of Opiate Use : The behavioral side effects of opioid abuse can be tough to spot because they closely resemble side effects caused by other common ailments like depression, stress, and anxiety. But since they're so often paired with physical signs, you'll most likely be able to tell the difference. Withdrawing from social activities is a big early warning sign. If your loved one suddenly retreats from social groups or things they once enjoyed doing, it can be a sign of a much bigger problem. Isolation is one of the earliest and most clear indicators that something is up. Mood swings and drastic behavior are also something to look for. If someone is acting highly out of character, breaking the law, and engaging in unusually high-risk behavior, something is probably wrong. All in all, behavioral shifts can be hard to hone in on, but drastic changes are almost certainly a sign of something worse. Even if it isn't an opioid addiction, it's always worth checking in with a loved one if their behavior changes unexpectedly. There are treatment centers like SMC Recovery that specialize in opiate addiction rehabilitation. Reaching out to a facility such as this can provide you with the resources and expertise you need to determine if your loved one requires medical follow-up. What's Next? Now that you're familiar with some basic signs of opiate use, you can stay vigilant when it comes to keeping loved ones safe. Addiction is a notoriously difficult problem, but there's always hope. People recover every day. If you or a loved one has an opiate problem, don't give up. With the help of professionals, friends, and family, no obstacle is too tall to scale. Stay strong, and with a little help, recovery is well within reach. Follow our blog for more health-related news and updates. Read Also : 5 Reasons Why It’s Not Too Late To Get Help Effects Of Sleep Deprivation On Your Skin & Good Sleeping Habits

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