HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jbyrd@chpc.utexas.edu (Jan Byrd)
Newsgroups: sci.med,ca.general,ba.general
Subject: Re: Insurance, TMJ and Takecare
Keywords: Insurance Takecare TMJ
Date: 21 Jul 92 20:01:47 GMT
Organization: Center for High Performance Computing, Univ. of Texas System

In article <12345@inews.intel.com>, weis@ismdqa.intel.com (Paul Weis ~) writes:
|> 
|> Two questions:
|> 
|> 	1) What was your experience getting insurance coverage for 
|> 	   TMJ?  Has anyone out there had trouble getting insurance
|> 	   coverage for surgery to correct TMJ?  I'm particularly
|> 	   interested in jaw reconstructive surgery.  Have you
|> 	   had an insurance company argue or even deny compensation?
|> 
|> 	2) Has anyone out there had trouble with Takecare, again
|> 	   arguing or denying due surgical compensation?
|> 	   
|> The questions are of course related.  But I'd appreciate replies
|> on either or both.  
|> 
|> Thanks in advance,
|> 
|> Paul Weis - weis@ismdqa.intel.com
 
My daughter had (has?) TMJ, and was covered by Prucare.  They covered
a procedure whereby fluid was injected into her jaw to dislodge any
debris (her jaw was locked - and had been for several months - in that 
she could close it but could only open it about an inch); this procedure 
didn't help.  At the next stage, Prucare would have covered the jaw recon-
structive surgery, but would not cover the less-extensive arthroscopic 
surgery that the oral surgeon was recommending.  Prucare said the 
arthroscopic surgery was "experimental" (therefore, not covered), but 
the radical jaw reconstructive surgery was proven (therefore, covered).  
Obviously the more radical approach would cost them more, but that's
what their ruling was.  We chose not to do either since she was in college 
and unable to work out a timeframe for the radical surgery.

The interesting epilogue, though, is that when my daughter broke up with 
her boyfriend and dropped out of college, her jaw spontaneously unlocked
on its own and now, 2 years later, except for a slight stiffness sometimes,
she has no symptoms of TMJ at all.  A favorite author of mine (Joyce
Landorf Hetherly) suffered mightily from TMJ for years (some of her most
impressive writing was done from the vantage point of her pain), and it 
went away miraculously when she split from her husband of 30 years.

I'm glad we decided to wait for a while.  The oral surgeon had indicated
that stress (which can sometimes cause someone to clench the jaw
or grind the teeth at night) is definitely a contributer, and sometimes
the cause, of TMJ.  It would be a shame to go under the knife if there
are less invasive alternatives.  The jaw might be fixed, but if the stress-
producing conditions are still there, what might the body choose next?  
migraines? ulcers? back trouble? 

It's something to consider.

Jan
Newsgroups: sci.med,talk.politics.drugs,pnw.general
From: dcb@kopachuk.uucp (David Breneman)
Subject: Re: government still at large (was Re: FDA still at large)
Organization: Tacoma Screw Products, Inc.
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 19:46:47 GMT

In article <1992Jul24.121817.14027@linus.mitre.org> lewis@aera8700.mitre.org (Keith Lewis) writes:
>In article <1992Jul23.185038.3415@eskimo.celestial.com>, kurt@eskimo.celestial.com (Kurt Cockrum) writes:
>
>>                                          (I hope some innovative ideas come
>>out of this without forcing me to go out and suffer thru Ayn Rand's novels,
>>or slog thru the Accumulated Dry Works of Friedrich von Hayek, in order to
>>understand said ideas -- both are *consummately* *boring*!!!).
>
>I'm currently reading _Atlas Shrugged_.  After the first 100 pages, it gets
>exiting.  BTW, does anybody else see parallels between Rearden metal and
>Hemp, as described in _The Emperor Wears no Clothes_?
>
The problem with Ayn Rand's writing style is that every time she introduces
a new character, she does it with pages and pages of biographical 
information that at the time seems a little pointless and only becomes
relevant as the story (or an episode in it) reaches its climax.
If she could have found some way to integrate this information into
the plot a little more seamlessly her books would not seem quite so
dry to some readers who want thrill-a-minute writing.  The sad thing is
that when Rand died she was working on a miniseries version of 
_Atlas Shrugged_; this could have exposed a whole lot of people to
her philosophy (and changed the political debate of the 80's for the
better) as well as have allowed her to modernize the locales, etc.,
of the story - it would have been interesting to see what she
would have come up with.  The differences between the book
and movie versions of _The Fountainhead_ are interesting and
insightful.  The same basic message but with alot of plot differences.
The skyline of "New York" is almost never directly referred to in
the film, but its always there with all its ugly pseudo-classical
and neo-gothic buildings.

-- 
David Breneman     Sys Admin, Tacoma Screw Products, Inc. |  ____  ____  ____
dcb@tacoma.uucp           |   SCREWIE the TSP CLOWN sez-  |   /   /___  /___/ 
 ..!uunet!tacoma!dcb      |  "Nylok lock nuts lose their  |  /   ____/ / 
CompuServe: 75760,1232    | binding strength after 1 use!"|
From: geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Red Hot Chili Peppers...(was: Colonic irrigations)
Keywords: alt medicine
Date: 28 Jul 92 14:30:41 GMT
Organization: Decision Systems Laboratory, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.

In article <2466@tau-ceti.isc-br.com> cecilw@access.isc-br.com (Cecil Williams) writes:
>
>While we're talking about worms here, I would like to throw out this
>highly speculative theory of mine for comment...  Ever since my first
>trip around Asia and my first taste of hot (HOT!!!) curried chicken,
>I've had the idea that people in third world countries tend to eat
>extremely spicy hot food because the hot spices would drive parasites
>from the body (or kill them, or maybe just make them unhappy, and we all
>know how difficult it is to procreate when you're unhappy...) People
>who eat the hottest foods would therefore be the healthiest, and have
>the greatest longevity...

I don't know whether capsaicin is effective at killing parasites or
not, but I eat chile because it tastes so good.  Thus, there being
good and sufficient reason besides parasites, I have to remain skeptical
of your theory.



-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  it is shameful to surrender it too soon." 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xref: sparky sci.med:14490 soc.culture.jewish:12953
From: backon@vms.huji.ac.il
Newsgroups: sci.med,soc.culture.jewish
Subject: Re: Israeli Doctors treat Scoliosis
Date: 26 Jul 92 09:52:46 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

In article <1992Jul23.194303.15354@mailhost.aa.cad.slb.com>, web@mailhost.aa.cad.slb.com (William Bulley) writes:
> In a recent installment of the syndicated Australian television program
> "Beyond 2000" as shown on the Discovery Channel, one of the topics covered
> was a new medical device developed by doctors in Israel for the treatment of
> scoliosis.  Scoliosis is the painful back condition where the human spine is
> unnaturally curved in one or more places instead of being perfectly straight.
>
> The medical device was a clever box which applied an electric current (of
> low amperage) in the range of sixty to seventy volts to back muscles through
> small pads which were taped to the skin of the back.  The box used a high
> rate (kHz) of pulsing to interrupt the applied current which was limited to
> so many seconds on followed by so many seconds off so as not to damage any of
> the back muscles.  The human muscle tissue reacts involuntarily to all of this
> by contracting nicely (one cannot prevent this reaction) and the result was a
> strengthening of certain back muscles to help counteract the curvature of the
> spine.  I am glossing over details due to 1) ignorance and 2) net bandwidth.
>
> What I would like to know is how do I contact these Israeli doctors to find
> out where in the United States or where in Israel I can obtain this device?
> Please, send any feedback to one of the e-mail addresses below.  Thank you.
>
> --
>
> William Bulley        web@mailhost.aa.cad.slb.com  OR  web@lokkur.dexter.mi.us
> Schlumberger CAD/CAM  sharkey!applga!web  OR  sharkey!lokkur!web
> Ann Arbor, Michigan   (313) 995-6211
> --
> William Bulley, N8NXN           DOMAIN: web@mailhost.aa.cad.slb.com
> Schlumberger CAD/CAM            UUCP:   sharkey!applga!web
> Ann Arbor, Michigan             MaBell: (313) 995-6211

I assume you're referring to a device developed by AGAR Electronics of Kibbutz
Ginosar 14980, Israel. You might like to contact the two leading spine surgeons
in Israel, Yizhar Floman and Gordon Robin  at the Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel. Gordon was (is) a leading
figure in the International Scoliosis Society. Unfortunately, neither of them
have an email account.

Dr. Josh Backon
backon@VMS.HUJI.AC.IL
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Colonic irrigations
From: Robin.Salmansohn@f715.n273.z1.fidonet.org (Robin Salmansohn)
Date: 24 Jul 92 04:29:42 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:273/715 - Alternative Lifesty, Wyndmoor PA

>from: bhjelle@triton.unm.edu

 b> In article <Brp1A5.DEy@hpbs654.boi.hp.com> 
 b> kmarko@hpbs654.boi.hp.com (Kurt Marko) writes:
>
>I have been reading some material by Dr. Norman Walker who also
 b> So for just $49.95 I will send you a package of "colon floss" and
 b> a "colon brush" designed to keep your colon free of lint, plaque,
 b> decaying matter, beer bottles, televisions, etc.
 
Make sure that you market the colonic floss in peppermint. Or day-glow
colors. Surely an impulse item to be sold at the check out counter at
the supermarket or at a flashing blue-light special at K-Mart, and
Wall-Mart. Perhaps you could convince Kurt to buy a franchise for door
to door sales. We need this in Congress! The only trouble that I forsee
is that you will be removing the greatest part of the Congressional
Brain Trust.
 
Come to think of it you have just cured Congress!
****Give the man the NOBEL PRIZE!****


 

--  
Internet: Robin.Salmansohn@f715.n273.z1.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: cec@roberts.colorado.edu (Cathy Cormack)
Subject: Re: "Headaches"
Organization: NOAA Climate Research Division
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 16:27:32 GMT

I also have suffered from headaches for as long as I can remember.  I
also had 2-3 a week, sometimes lasting for several days at a time.  My
dentist had recommended jaw surgery, my G.P. also wasn't interested....
Then I read a book called Headache Relief by two doctors who ran
a headache pain relief clinic in New York.  (I'm sorry I can't 
remember their names).  They stated that anyone who suffered from
headaches should eliminate caffeine and alcohol from their diet for
a month and then reasses their headache frequency.  

I was not and never have been a heavy coffee drinker.  I drank about 2-3
cups of tea a day.  Usually, in the morning, and I usually woke up with
a headache in the middle of the night.  But I'm happy to say that
completely eliminating caffeine from my diet has cured my headaches.
I'm also losing weight because caffeine, evidently, was stimulating
my appetite and since I gave it up I'm just not as hungry.  

Cathy Cormack
cec@noaacrd.colorado.edu
Boulder, Colorado
From: geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Use of term allopath
Date: 29 Jul 92 13:41:56 GMT
Organization: Decision Systems Laboratory, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.

In article <1992Jul27.235859.7935@island.COM> green@island.COM (Robert Greenstein) writes:
>
>I did not claim alternative medicine did all of those things. I did say
>Chinese medicine can cure asthma. Chinese herbal medicine is effective for
>certain types of heart disease, not valvular heart disease. IT usually 
>does not cure diabetes, but it can reduce insulin dependence. It can very
>effectively treat many forms of arthritis. Please provide the quote 

What is the evidence that it cures asthma?
What types of heart disease does it cure?
How much less insulin can people take when on Chinese herbs?
How were these things determined?



-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  it is shameful to surrender it too soon." 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: jon@mila.ps.uci.edu (Jon Saunders)
Subject: Re: Books about diabetes
Newsgroups: sci.med
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Date: 28 Jul 92 11:15:00 GMT

In article <1992Jul18.182652.21635@athena.mit.edu> armann@athena.mit.edu (Armann Ingolfsson) writes:
>A close relative was recently diagnosed with diabetes.  He asked me to
>look for books about diabetes, i.e. books that discuss what is known
>about diabetes and contain practical suggestions.  I've gone to one
>bookstore and looked around in the health section.  I found a couple of
>books, but didn't really feel like I could judge how good they were.
>Can anyone out there recommend good books that are likely to be available
>in the U.S. (Boston area)?

With regards to practical suggestions I know of a good book if your
relative has any trouble resisting sweets.  The title is 
"Sweet & Natural" by Janet Warrington.  It's published by Crossing Press 
and is a cookbook containing recipies for desserts without refined sugar, 
honey, molasses or artificial sweeteners.  It also contains exchange 
list information of the ADA.  I believe it's out in a 2nd edition.  
If you don't find it at your local bookstore you can call Crossing Press 
at 1-800-777-1048.  I think it goes for about $13.  The people I know 
who have it are very pleased with it, for what it's worth.

Newsgroups: sci.med
From: pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith)
Subject: Re: Declomycin
Organization: The MITRE Corporation
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 14:17:24 GMT

In article <HLBK711965186@um.cc.umich.edu>, userHLBK@um.cc.umich.edu writes:
> 
>                             Francis V. Jackovich
>                       1540 Parker Rd., Holly, MI  48442
>  
>                      (313)634-0640 phone (313)634-9502 fax
>               internet e-mail    Fran.Jackovich@UM.cc.umich.edu
>  
>  
> Has anyone information on DECLOMYCIN discoloration of dental enamel ?
> My wife developed dental staining as a result of Declomycin therapy
> during childhood and has been bothered by the cosmetic effect since.
> If there is a treatment available that would remove this discoloration
> would someone let me know.
> We've already consulted two Dentists and bleaching or bonding for this
> condition are very expensive (and of course not covered by insurance).
> Appreciate any information...
> Thanks
> 
> Look into getting porcelin laminates.  I found prices range from about $250
per laminate to $500 depending on dentist and locale.  They are cosmetic
but perhaps you can get a time payment plan.  Some dental insurances may
pay for them.  Try submitting the charge and see what happens.  These laminates
are better than bonding and bleaching and are supposed to last a lifetime.
You do have to be careful flossing but I eat ribs and bite into apples with no
problems.  
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: drand@spinner.osf.org (Douglas Rand)
Subject: Re: MRI, is it safe?
Organization: Open Software Foundation
Date: 22 Jul 92 13:45:36

In article <1992Jul21.224910.27246@ux1.cts.eiu.edu> cfaks@ux1.cts.eiu.edu (Alice Sanders) writes:

   I need some feedback asap.  I'm supposed to have an MRI on my shoulder
   tomorrow a.m.  Is it completely safe?  Hurry.  Thanks.

There aren't any known side effects -- unless you have metal in
your body.  Then the strong magnets could, ah, apply force to the
metal and thus to you.  But it's safe otherwise.




--
Douglas S. Rand <drand@osf.org>		OSF/Motif Dev.
Snail:         11 Cambridge Center,  Cambridge,  MA  02142
Disclaimer:    I don't know if OSF agrees with me... let's vote on it.
Amateur Radio: KC1KJ
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Subject: Re: How does nervousness cause shaky hands?
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 17:27:12 GMT

In article <1992Jul21.161325.12835@NOC.Vitalink.COM> rbuchanan@vitalink.com (Rick Buchanan) writes:
>In article <1992Jul20.172635.28120@cs.ucf.edu>, long@next1.acme.ucf.edu 
>(Richard Long) writes:
>> Sounds like early Parkinson's disease.
>At 73 it might not be such a bad idea to start right in with Sinemet 
>(L-Dopa/Carbidopa) (assuming, of course, that this person is actually
>diagnosed with Parkinson's)

Getting a diagnosis from a competent physician might be a good
first step before starting any drug therapy. :-)  It might well
not be Parkinson's Disease.


-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
Newsgroups: sci.med,talk.politics.drugs,pnw.general
From: billmcc@seanews.akita.com (Bill McCormick)
Subject: Re: FDA still at large
Organization: SEANEWS - Seattle Public Access News & Mail
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 13:27:27 GMT

In article <1992Jul31.051843.23946@klic.rain.com> keithl@klic.rain.com (Keith Lofstrom) writes:
>There was an article in the paper this morning about ritodrine, a drug given
>to over 100,000 pregnant women last year, at a cost of over a billion dollars,
>to prevent premature delivery.  A recent study shows it doesn't work, and may
>be killing more mothers than saving babies.

I'd call this a great argument *for* allopathic medicine.

Scientific validation showed that a treatment was ineffective and now
changes are being made to change treatment methods.  When was the last
time homeopathic, Chinese medicine, fruit-juicers, etc., critically
examined one of their treatments and stopped using it because it's
worthless or worse?

Bill
-- 
SEANEWS        [] Seattle News + Mail []         +1 206 937 9529
billmcc@seanews.akita.com                          Public Access

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M$/;[OJV=/%6- WFVTR#(''.](%&>D+[#H)%X6^-*P\QHN$Q<DD >/'RJ"CH%
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From: doctor1@cbnewse.cb.att.com (patrick.b.hailey)
Subject: Re: government still at large (was Re: FDA still at large)
Organization: AT&T
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1992 06:48:32 GMT
Keywords: FDA, unconstitutional illegal action,single-issue blindness

Kurt Cockrum writes:
>>>Another thing I've never liked is the concept and apparent necessity of 
>>>having to sell one's toil/time or the best part of one's life to others in 
>>>order to stay alive (or the other leg of the so-called "free choice": 
>>>starve), an inherently irreversible transaction.  In other words, "work 
>>>sucks".
Chuck Huffington writes:
>>You would prefer that someone else toil and spend the best part of
>>their life so that you would not have to?
Kurt Cockrum writes:
>This is such a pitiful rejoinder that, beyond this, I will not dignify it
>with a reply.

No, Kurt, it's not pitiful.  It's precisely the reply I was going to make, but
Chuck beat me to it.  We must not be hearing what you're saying.  Please
clarify your point.  It sounds to me and Chuck, at least, like you're saying
exactly what Chuck implied.  I thought it came thru loud and clear.  Your
reply makes me realize I must be wrong.

  Thanks awfully,
            Patrick
From: Patricia Peterson@nicmad.uucp (Patricia Peterson)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: anxiety attacks
Date: 21 Jul 92 11:51:04 GMT
Organization: Nicolet Instrument Corp.

In article <92202.130231EWN1@psuvm.psu.edu> EWN1@psuvm.psu.edu writes:
>A friend of mine (grad. student) has been having problems with anxiety
>attacks for several years now.  She feels nervous and anxious all the
>time and has problems getting to sleep.  Can anyone out there share
>anecdotal information about how they've dealt with this problem?  My
>friend is on a limited budget, so professional counseling would probably
>be too expensive for her.  Thanks in advance.

Before professional counseling how about a physical exam.  There could be some
physical problems causing this anxious feeling.  Is she sure their anxiety
attacks.  How much caffeine does she consume?  How is her diet?  Could this
possibly be low blood sugar?  

The reason I ask these questions is that my sister (who was 23 at the time)
began having "anxiety attacks"; shaky feeling, heart racing, etc.  After
several trips to the ER with her a resident finally suggested she see a
cardiologist.  After several test she was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse.
She is taking Inderal and has had no problems since.  

Also when I was in college I used to drink a lot of coffee.  Now I can't drink
it at all.  I get dizzy and I feel jittery.  I can only drink about 1 can of 
caffinated soda before I get this feeling.

SO, if she hasn't already gone this route tell her to go to the university 
clinic for a physical and some lab work.  If she has been this route there
must be counseling she can affored thru a county mental health program.  Or
maybe she just needs to take a break from school for a while.

Patricia



 -- 
---Dennis Peterson

    Compuserve 70244,412@compserve.com
    UUCP: uwvax!astroatc!nicmad!peterson
Internet: nicmad!peterson%astroatc.uucp@spool.cs.wisc.edu
-- 

 -- 
---Dennis Peterson
From: Brian.McGuire@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Brian McGuire)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Medicare Tips
Date: 12 Jul 92 16:19:31 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/140 - Black Bag BBS, Newark DE

I've posted a couple of notes in the local chatter area, but think this one 
might be more appropriate.  I am an insurance billing and reimbursement 
speicalist with my own company doing electronic media claims, providing coding 
and reimbursement assistance, etc. for docs.            

Question:  Would some tips on increasing reimbursement - especially from 
Medicare be helpful to the participants on this BB?  With all the coding 
changes, global surgery and the like, getting paid by Medicare and other 
insurance is more challenging than ever.  Let me know if this would be 
something of interest.

Brian McGuire
Professional Healthcare Services
Longview, TX


 

--  
Internet: Brian.McGuire@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: green@island.COM (Robert Greenstein)
Subject: Re: 60 Minutes-Heart Disease & The French
Organization: Strawman Incorporated
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 19:37:28 GMT

In article <15830@pitt.UUCP> geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks) writes:

>As far as I am concerned, 60 minutes, and most other so-called
>investigative reporting on TV are pure crap.  Stick to Consumer
>Reports.

Consumer's Reports is great for evaluating toasters and toilet paper, but
it's medical reporting stinks. They're medical advisory board consists
of a bunch of AMA-types who do nothing but parrot the party line.
-- 
******************************************************************************
Robert Greenstein           What the fool cannot learn he laughs at, thinking
green@island.com            that by his laughter he shows superiority instead
                            of latent idiocy - M. Corelli