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Are Home Diagnostic Kits Reliable As A Substitute For Professional Medical Opin


Let's face it. A trip to the drugstore is a whole lot easier than a costly and time-consuming trip to the doctor's office. No time wasted waiting for the physician; no embarrassing questions to answer; and no sticker shock when the bill comes. Just head for the section of your pharmacy with all of the gadgets and home test kits and you are ready to play doctor.
With skyrocketing medical costs and increased concerns about privacy, more and more Americans are taking advantage of products designed to help monitor existing conditions or to help diagnose new ones. Blood glucose monitors help diabetics manage their condition, blood pressure kits help monitor hypertension while those with cardiovascular concerns can track cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Of course, home pregnancy kits have been available for years. But now it is possible to go well beyond health management with these off-the-shelf products and individuals can now perform diagnostic tests in the comfort and safety of their homes.

But is this trend really safe?

Health care professionals have expressed concerns that the use of home test kits may cause users to delay or avoid proper medical care. Misinterpreting the results of self-administered tests can lead to decisions that are based on false assumptions. For example, there have been reports of people changing their medication dosage based on results of blood pressure readings at home. Decisions about any treatment based on self-administered tests should be deferred until a physician confirms them.

The list of conditions for which home diagnostic products are available is expanding rapidly. It is now possible to test for drug use, alcohol use, HIV, prostate cancer, hormone levels, diabetes, blood type, anemia, allergies, hepatitis, cholesterol levels, fertility and even certain strains of flu.

The opportunity is always present for a user to improperly administer a test or to misunderstand the results. Delaying treatment based on these results could have serious consequences. Now that the number of tests available is so large, and the conditions so potentially serious, it is absolutely critical that these test results be validated by a doctor.

Given this diverse menu of tests, users are sure to get results for which they may be unprepared. A positive reading for HIV could be devastating. Health care professionals are trained to address the concerns and possible psychological issues faced by a patient receiving bad news from a test. Individuals trying to cope with a similar result at home may find themselves alone and unable to cope.

Home health tests should be used with great care and should never be considered as a replacement for proper medical care. If you are seriously concerned about your health and well-being, it is fine to practice a bit of do-it-yourself medicine as long as you get a second opinion.

J. Terrence (Terry) McDermott is the developer and administrator of a variety of websites that offer information, resources and products related to health care. Alpha Medical Supplies is at http://www.alphamedicalsupplies.com and is a site featuring medical supplies and equipment plus resources for home caregivers.

Basic Medical Insurance Versus Major Medical Insurance

We all know the importance of looking after ourselves. Sure, it means exercising and eating well. But it goes beyond that. We need to insure ourselves against situations that are beyond our control.

Misfortune usually strikes without warning and often when we are least prepared. This is where good medical coverage is a necessity. For if we do not have medical coverage, not only will our health suffer, but our financial health will suffer greatly as well.

Full medical insurance is one of the perks of working for an employer with a full medical benefits package. But what if your employer doesn't offer a medical program or, you are self employed.

Low cost insurance is an option if you have to cover the cost of insurance yourself. But the low cost may imply that it is only the most basic of coverages. Check the reputation of your health care provider, and know that most well established companies will not vary greatly and their prices will be in a close range for the same services. If you find a quote that appears very low, you may wish to look at it more closely and compare it to other basic programs.

But if you can find a policy with all the coverage you need, and not pay a high premium, then take advantage of it. No one wants to pay more than they need to for anything they need to buy.

Now, if you and your family need greater coverage, or you feel your health is an issue, a carefully selected policy will give you coverage for many kinds of situations that the low end, standard insurance may not.

Major medical insurance can be far more comprehensive in the situations they will provide coverage for. It may provide you with coverage while you are away from home. This is an issue that many people do not consider. Your basic, low cost coverage may have restrictions that could be hazardous.

Also, major medical insurance can provide you with services that you may otherwise not have access to in a basic coverage package. If you want a private hospital room when you are sick, or special care ambulance service, major medical coverage will take care of this.

It is difficult to predict what our medical needs will be in the future. Many people prefer to cover all bases if they can afford the extensive coverage premiums.

Whether you are buying basic or full coverage, investing in any insurance should be done with care and education. You need to know about the provider as well as the policy. You need to know about the health yourself and your family. And you want to make sure you can financially afford the better program.

One thing is for sure. If you have no medical insurance, you certainly cannot afford that poliCY.

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