Medical volunteer Anthony Loeff is writing about software applications for visually impaired

The primary audience for such applications is those who have difficulty reading because of learning disabilities or language barriers. Further functionality remains limited compared to equivalent desktop applications, the major benefit is to increase the accessibility of said websites. Access technology such as screen readers and Screen magnifiers enable the blind to use mainstream computer applications. While Apple Mac OS X includes VoiceOver, a more feature-rich screen reader. Comming year medical volunteer Anthony Loeff is reporting software for visually impaired people Screen reader choice is contentious: differing priorities and strong preferences are common.

Approximately 3 percent of those deemed legally blind, by any measure, have no vision. A screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen. This interpretation is then represented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a braille output. Most legally blind people 63 percent do not use computers.

The Macintosh OS also comes with a built-in screen reader, called VoiceOver. The rest have some vision, from light perception alone to relatively good acuity. Web browsers, word processors, icons and windows and email programs are just some of the applications used successfully by screen reader users. More and more, screen readers are being bundled with operating system distributions. The open source GNOME desktop environment long included Gnopernicus and now includes Orca. Screen readers can be assumed to be able to access all display content that is not intrinsically inaccessible.

The movement towards greater web accessibility is opening a far wider number of websites to adaptive technology, making the web a more inviting place for visually impaired surfers. There are also open source screen readers, such as the Linux Screen Reader for GNOME and NonVisual Desktop Access for Windows.

A persons choice of screen reader is dictated by many factors, including platform and the role of organizations like charities, schools, and employers.

Screen readers are a form of assistive technology potentially useful to people who are blind, visually impaired, or learning disabled, often in combination with other AT such as screen magnifiers. Only a small fraction of this population, when compared to the sighted community, have Internet access.

The console-based Oralux Linux distribution ships with three screen-reading environments: Emacspeak, Yasr and Speakup. The latter developed in part by Knopper who has a visual impairment. Linux distributions for the blind include Oralux and Adriane Knoppix. Nevertheless, using a screen reader is, according to some users, considerably more difficult than using a GUI and many applications have specific problems resulting from the nature of the application. Recent versions of Microsoft Windows come with the rather basic Narrator. Experimental approaches in sensory substitution are beginning to provide access to arbitrary live views from a camera.

Later versions of Microsoft Windows include an Accessibility Wizard and Magnifier for those with partial vision, and Microsoft Narrator, a simple screen reader.

What Happens when You Stop Smoking?

The benefit timeline

This timeline shows when the benefits of stopping smoking will come through after your final cigarette.

20 minutes, 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 2-21 weeks, 1 year, 10 years, 15 years

20 minutes after giving up

Your blood pressure and your pulse rate return to normal.

What this means

Raised blood pressure and high pulse rate both put strain on your heart, increasing your risk of a heart attack. The minute you stop your risk is reduced.

8 hours after giving up

The carbon monoxide levels in your blood are halved.

What this means

Carbon monoxide from smoking can also produce distortions of time perception, psychomotor and visual impairment and negative effects on cognitive skill. Reducing the level of carbon monoxide in your blood will reduce these problems. Carbon monoxide reduces the uptake of oxygen from the lungs - the higher the levels of carbon monoxide, the lower the levels of oxygen.3 Oxygen is vital for the functioning of all energy systems in the body; so as soon as you cut carbon monoxide levels, you will experience enhanced energy levels.

24 hours after you >Stop Smoking

Carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body.

What this means

Look forward to better sports performance, with stronger endurance, lower levels of fatigue, improved recovery after exercise and a lower heart rate for each level of exercise.

48 hours after you Stop Smoking

Nicotine is eliminated from the body.

What this means

Nicotine has a number of unpleasant side-effects on the body. It can act as an emetic (cause vomiting) and it can produce stomach upsets. It raises blood pressure, and increases the likelihood of hypothermia and seizures. Get rid of the nicotine and you will get rid of these symptoms.

2-21 weeks after you >Stop Smoking

Circulation improves.

What does this mean

Bad circulation causes numerous problems, ranging from persistently cold feet, slow skin healing, Raynaud’s disease and peripheral vascular disease (PVT) which can even lead to limb amputation. Giving up smoking will reduce your risk of most circulation problems.

After 1 year

Your risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.

What this means

Each year, tobacco smoking accounts for around 26,000 deaths from coronary heart disease in the UK - approximately 17 percent of all heart disease deaths. The UK has one of the highest heart disease deaths in the world. Luckily, giving up will quickly start to reduce your risk.

After 10 years

Your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker

What this means

In 1999, 22 percent of all cancer deaths were due to lung cancer, making it the most common form of cancer death. Over 80 percent of all lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking. Giving up is the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk.

After 15 years

Your risk of a heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked.

What this means

A better chance of a long, healthy life!

Mark Barrus can be reached through http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com
The Stop Smoking Hypnosis People

How Correct Nutrition can Improve the Health of your Hair

It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. Beyond this, hair
loss can result from general nutrient deficiency. One of the
problems with nutrition and hair however is that we can’t
programme nutrients to do what we want - and hair growth is not
a priority so nutrients may be used up in other areas first.

B vitamins (especially B6, biotin and inositol) have all been
found to be important in hair growth, so a heavy duty B complex
is recommended. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they destroy B1
and other B vitamins. Other important nutrients are manganese,
magnesium, silica, kelp and vitamins C and E.

Stress worsens hair loss. It can reduce scalp blood flow, in
addition to interfering with digestion and absorption. If stress
is a consideration support the adrenals with vitamins B5 and C
or glandulars.

Healthy hair needs good circulation and blood supply. Standing
on your head - to raise body over head will boost circulation to
your scalp, but ONLY attempt this if you are very healthy and
fit! A more practical approach is an Indian head massage — it
increases blood flow and circulation in the scalp, helps
transport minerals to the scalp and is wonderfully relaxing.
Organic cider vinegar massaged into the scalp opens up the
pores. If you are actually losing hair from the root (as opposed
to brittle hair) then the cider vinegar can help unclog sebum
glands that sometime block causing the follicle to die off as
hair cannot get through.

Essential Fatty Acids promote healthy hair, and water obviously
is vital to avoid dehydration. Filtered or bottled water is best
- glass bottles preferable to plastic to avoid taking in
plasticisers.

Thinning, dry hair can be a sign of protein deficiency.
Increasing protein (possibly as protein shakes) can restore
vitality and sometimes colour. But if protein intake is good,
another possibility is low hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is
needed to digest protein. If you’re low in HCl, proteins are not
digested properly, so the minerals they contain are not
released. Mineral deficiencies could also be due to absorption
problems in the gut. A ‘leaky gut’ can result from food
intolerances, so if you suspect poor digestion, consider a food
intolerance test when other symptoms suggest this.

Zinc has, in some cases of alopecia, been found to restore
bodily hair growth as well as on the scalp. Iron is often
suggested after a study attributed hair loss in non-menopausal
women to lack of iron. Keratin - the hair protein - is
predominately sulphur - which is probably why biotin is so
useful as this is also predominately sulphur. MSM may be helpful
for the same reason.

High copper has been associated with hair loss especially in
women on HRT or who have taken the Pill. Good liver health will
help keep copper down. Mercury, lead and cadmium toxicity have
also been associated with hair loss.

Hair loss can also be due to hormonal imbalance especially
post-menopausally, or with polycystic ovary syndrome. (PCOS can
lead to elevated testosterone and hair loss). Herbal medicine
can help here — some PCOS clients have had good results from
taking saw palmetto and agnus castus. Horsetail (a good source
of silica) may also help, but a herbalist should be consulted if
you wish to take herbs.

Hormone imbalances promote copper retention. A thyroid self-test
may be useful as thyroid activity is reduced in the presence of
high copper. Calcium and copper often rise together. The balance
of copper and zinc together is a better guide to copper levels
than copper alone. Smoking and high consumption of chocolate,
white wine and coffee can tip it the wrong way. B3 and zinc are
good antagonists to copper. Essential fatty acids also help
hormonal balance.

So how do you assess you mineral status? Hair Mineral Analysis
can provide a detailed mineral analysis, plus personalised
supplement programme designed to address imbalances. Learn more
about Hair Mineral Analysis and discover how to how check your
levels of nutrient and toxic minerals on my website below.

The Malign Effects of High Cholesterol

Statistics reveal that around 20 percent of people in the United States have abnormally high cholesterol. High cholesterol is a major factor of risk in heart disease and therefore it needs to be reduced to normal levels in order to maintain the health of the organism. In some people, high cholesterol levels can be lowered through the means of a healthy diet and proper physical exercise. However, people with genetic predispositions to heart disease and cholesterol accumulation sometimes also require medications for lowering blood cholesterol levels. Some people have high cholesterol levels due to liver hyperactivity or other internal dysfunctions. For this category of people, appropriate diet, frequent physical exercise and lifestyle improvements aren’t sufficient in normalizing blood cholesterol values.

There are many factors that facilitate the accumulation of cholesterol inside the bloodstream. Unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcohol abuse all contribute to cholesterol accumulation in the organism. However, age, gender and genetic heritage are also major factors that determine either overproduction or inappropriate elimination of blood cholesterol.

High cholesterol levels are usually characteristic to people with ages over 50. Women generally have lower blood cholesterol levels than men. However, post-menopausal women have higher blood cholesterol levels than young men. Genetic heritage also affects blood cholesterol levels and people with a family history of cardio-vascular diseases usually have high cholesterol and are very exposed to developing heart disease.

Cholesterol is needed inside the organism in very small quantities. In excess, the substance can cause a lot of damage to arteries, tissues and body organs, perturbing normal blood circulation. By clogging the coronary arteries, cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is a viscous substance produced by the liver. This substance has a very important role in synthesizing vitamin D. Cholesterol is also required for producing hormones (testosterone and estrogen) and bile salts that contribute to the digestion of fat.

The best thing to do when you have high cholesterol is to keep a good diet. Although diet alone can’t always overcome cholesterol problems, it can considerably reduce “bad cholesterol”. “Bad cholesterol” (low-density lipoprotein) is very harmful for the body and it is the major factor of risk in heart disease. By following a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, natural fibers and unsaturated fat you can normalize blood cholesterol levels. In order to reduce blood cholesterol levels, you should avoid foods that are rich in saturated fat (animal products) and include more vegetables and fruits in your diet. Fresh fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibers that can help in decongesting the arteries filled with cholesterol deposits.

You should avoid smoking and alcohol, as they are known to facilitate the accumulation of cholesterol inside the body. People with high cholesterol levels should exercise regularly and lose extra pounds, as obesity is also a factor of risk in heart disease. High cholesterol levels are reversible and if nothing seems to be working for you, there are medical treatments that can improve your condition.

If you want to find great information on different cholesterol subjects check out this links. You You can find great content regarding Low cholesterol food, high cholesterol and many more.

Dangerous Drugs

Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra: An editorial regarding dangerous drugs

Generally my web site deals with Internet and other media markets, but whereas our motto is “Caveat Emptor, Let the buyer beware ” and is consumer advocacy oriented, we will from time to time discuss anything in that is relevent to warning readers of problems.

This is one of those instances where the public should be aware of what’s going on. Ther’s been a lot of publicity regarding Vioxx which is probably the best known of the so-called “Pain Killer Drugs”, but Vioxx is not alone in this genre. Celebrex and Bextra are in the same family of drugs and are widely used to kill the pain of Arthritis and other ailments.

It is not my place to criticize these medications; it is only to CAUTION YOU that these drugs are dangerous as are many other drugs, including Aspirin if it is abused.

Far be it for me to demean the makers of these drugs, or the people that use them. I am plagued with Arthritis and other bone disease, but I cannot take this type of drug because of their side effects on other parts of my antaomy. I take others that are just as dangerous. In fact a year ago after I had had hip surgery I spent a week in the hospital because of overuse of Oxycontin and Hydrocodone

My advice is Use caution and common sense consult your doctor befor taking any of these drugs. Never take any of them or any other drugs without his or her knowledge, even those sold over the counter. Many of them are not necessarily dangerous when taken by themselves, but taken in conjunction with other medictions, can be lethal.

Here’s an example of a drug conflict that occurred even when my physician was aware of all the medications I was taking and in this case, no one was to blame. I doubt that this situation occurs frequently. Drug manufacturers are careful to list side effects and it’s a good idea to read them and if you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

I am a Diabetic and for seveal years I took a drug called Glucophage, a very benign medication. I develoed a case of Edema, swelling of the legs. To remedy Edema it is required that I take a Diuretic, or water pill. Every time I took a Diuretic I became violently ill. This became a crisis when I had a hip replacement, as I filled up with fluid and the only relief was a diuretic, which had near lethal effects.

I’m over eighty years old and take a number of drugs so it wasn’t esy todetect this problem. When I was in rehab after hip surgery I was taken off all my oral medications and given Insulin for my Diabetes. Guess what? The Edema disappeared. Since I do not take Glucophage any more I am able to take diuretics daily with no ill effects.

So the word is CAUTION be alert, be aware, keeep your doctor informed of all the medications you take, even over the counter products. BE AWARE.

I won’t get into the ramifications to do with the FDA and the manufacturers, you can read it in your local newspapers or go to the Food and Drug Administration web site:

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/vioxx/vioxxQA.h

Written by: George W. Cannata the publisher of the web site : http:// http://www.caveatemptorus.com July 8,2005.

Medical Review Companies Role in Your Insurance Claims - Your Health, Coverage, and Guarantee

A medical review company supplies more than a second opinion. The unbiased nature of a medical review company is critical not only to the bottom dollar, but to the final result. Too often, patients think they are just numbers in a file or bits of information in a computer program. The maligned image of an insurance company’s automatic denial of claims without really understanding the patient’s need contributes consumer dissatisfaction and frustration.

What Does It Have to Do With You?

Patients are people and when they need healthcare, they don’t want to read the fine print or a medical dictionary, they just want their claims covered. Most often, it’s unlikely they would realize that their insurance claim went through an Insurance Review Organization’s medical insurance review process. In fact, they probably just fill out the forms, hand a receptionist their insurance card and sign on the necessary release forms.

One of the most common complaints about needing healthcare is the cost followed closely by the complications of paperwork generated through authorization forms, claim forms and more. An insurance review organization is an intermediary company that insurance companies may outsource their claims to in order to determine with medical and insurance coverage accuracy the validity of a claim filed by someone insured by their company.

Your Health Matters

Insurance companies who deny a claim are often portrayed as heartless or more interested in the bottom dollar than they are about showing compassion. This perception is only augmented when an insurance company rejects a claim for anecdotal evidence. When a claim goes through a medical review company’s insurance review process - it will not be rejected or denied based on anecdotal evidence.

For example, a patient suffers from shoulder, back and neck pain as well as bra strap grooving and eczema. Her medical history indicates years of chiropractic treatment as well as advice for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. Tylenol, Advil) and worn specialized support bras to support a 34DD frame and all of it to no success. Excessively large breasts can cause many of the symptoms the woman’s medical history indicated.

The doctor recommended a breast reduction procedure to alleviate the problem and the symptoms.

Your Coverage Matters

When the claim is submitted to the insurance company, the policy may not cover elective cosmetic procedures. Many policies do not. Claim managers lacking medical expertise will often compare a procedure request against a list of approved procedures. If cosmetic procedures are not covered, it is likely the claim will be denied. The patient is left either choosing to pay for the procedure out of pocket or continuing to suffer.

If the claim is submitted to a third party intermediary such as a medical review company, the answer will be different. The medical review company has access to a large number of medical specialist and insurance experts. The medical specialists will review the patient’s medical history and the doctor’s recommendations. When her file is reviewed, the third-party specialist will take into account the history of shoulder, neck and back pain. They will note the visits to a chiropractor and other pertinent symptoms.

If the medical specialist agrees with the patient’s physician that she is suffering from Macromastia (excessively large breasts), then he or she will understand that the cosmetic surgery of breast reduction provides the patient with the best option for the patient’s relief.

Confidence Matters

The review process may be transparent to patients whose insurance company uses a medical review company; but the effect is profound. Their coverage premiums will likely be lower. Their medical needs will be addressed. They will not see their healthcare costs rise due to the underwriting of unnecessary procedures. When it comes right down to it, a medical review company gives patients confidence that both their medical and insurance needs will be met. They won’t have to suffer misery unnecessarily nor face collections over mounting debt.