The
cost varies depending on how complex the problem is and which tooth is
affected. Molars are more difficult to treat, the fee is usually more.
Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for endodontic
treatments.
Generally, endodontic treatments and restorations of natural teeth are
less expensive than the alternative, which is having the teeth
extracted. An extracted tooth must be replaced with a bridge or
implant to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from
shifting. These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic
treatments and appropriate restorations. With root canal treatments
you save your natural teeth and money as well.
Will the tooth need any
special care or additional treatment after an endodontic procedure?
You
should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it
restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to
fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as
soon as possible. Otherwise, you only need to practice good oral
hygiene, including brushing, flossing, regular checkups and cleanings.
Most
endodontically treated teeth last as long as natural teeth. In some
cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal
or the pain continues. Seldom, the tooth might present discomfort or
become diseased months or even years after a successful treatment.
Often when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save the
tooth.
▲
TOP
of Page
What is psychology?
Psychology is defined as the
scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The field of
psychology is much broader than most people realize. It is much more
than the study of people with bizarre behavior; psychologists are just
as concerned with functional behavior as dysfunctional behavior.
Psychology encompasses all influences on thought and behavior:
learning experiences, brain function, genetics, peer pressure,
cultural norms, personal motivation, parental influences, thought
processes and the list goes on. It is a vast and diverse field, and
because it synthesizes so many other areas, it has been called "the
essential science." Its strongly interdisciplinary nature makes it an
excellent liberal arts major.
What is the difference between clinical
psychology and health psychology?
Clinical Psychology refers to the
specialized area of psychology dealing with the study and remedy of
abnormal dysfunctions involving human cognitions, emotions and
behaviors. Health Psychology grew out of Clinical Psychology. This
sub-specialization focuses on the interactions between psychological
processes and physical health. Originally, clinical psychologists
experimented with therapies for psychophysiological disorders (or
psychosomatic conditions). Health Psychology matured as behavioral
interventions and educational or psychotherapeutic techniques were
applied to a host of medical problems (e.g., shortening the time
needed for recovery from surgery, pain management, increasing the
survival rate of cancer patients, reducing the risks of heart attacks,
mitigating harm from diabetes, lessening the frequency of seizures,
quitting smoking, etc.).
What are the differences between a psychiatrist
and a psychologist?
Psychologists are trained to
observe, measure, and change the cognitions, behaviors and emotional
responses of organisms. They learn how to design experimental research
and how to carefully interpret data from scientific literature. Those
who specialize in clinical psychology become well acquainted with
various principles and techniques crucial to diagnosing and treating
people with significant life struggles and with mental illnesses. They
closely study the factors that affect the course of all human
relationships, including those that influence a therapeutic
relationship.
Psychiatrists are trained to
recognize and understand medical diseases as well as the neurological
and physiological processes involved in mental illnesses. They learn
how to administer psychoactive drugs and other somatic procedures
(e.g., electroconvulsive shock) in order to mitigate the symptoms of
mental illnesses.
▲
TOP
of Page
What is healthy eating?
Healthy eating is about variety,
balance and moderation. Eat a variety of foods using the Healthy Diet
Pyramid as a guide to get all the nutrients you need. No one food
supplies all the nutrients your body requires to stay healthy
therefore it is important to enjoy a variety of foods from the food
four groups, as well as within each food group. Balance your food
choices over the day to get enough of each type of foods. Also,
moderate how much you eat. Eat appropriate amounts without excessive
fat, added sugar and salt.
What is the difference between calories and
Kcal?
A calorie is a unit by which
energy is measured. These units of energy are so small that a single
food item will have tens of thousands of them. Therefore, to ease
calculations, they are expressed in 1000-calorie units known as
kilocalories (kcalories / kcal / *Calorie / *Cal). 1 kilocalorie
(kcal) is equivalent to 1000-calorie units (*a capitalised version is
sometimes used depending on which country the product or information
is from).
However, confusion may arise when
you speak of energy from foods. You would say 'calories' although the
actual measure is kilocalories. If an apple provides 150 kcal (150 000
calorie-units), it is commonly said that an apple provides 150
'calories'.
What are the effects of a high-sodium diet?
A diet high in sodium is linked
to high blood pressure, which in turn can lead to stroke, heart attack
and kidney failure. Sodium acts like a sponge that holds water in our
bodies. This makes our blood volume expand, which raises the pressure
in our veins and arteries, hence leading to health problems as
mentioned above.
Are all foods labeled "trans
fat-free" good for me in terms of nutrition?
Not necessarily. If these "trans
fat-free" foods lack nutrients, such as doughnuts or sweet rolls, then
they are still low in nutrients and fiber, even when made with
healthier oils. Consider eating these types of foods only
occasionally.
What are the additional nutritional needs of
pregnant women?
Even prior to pregnancy and
during the very early stages of pregnancy, it's very important to have
a balanced nutritional plate. The caloric requirements of the body
increase to about 300 to 500 extra calories a day all throughout
pregnancy. And breast feeding requires an additional 200-calorie
increase on top of that.
In early pregnancy, nutrition has
a big impact on fetal development. Amazingly, the body compensates and
takes the fats, carbohydrates and proteins from whatever you give it,
but if you have a healthier, balanced diet there are fewer problems in
development. There's an increased need of folic acid. Studies have
shown that folic acid actually decreases spinal problems and genetic
problems.
Since nutrition is so critical,
especially during the early stages of pregnancy, we tell women to
actually start on prenatal vitamins even before conception, and to
continue that all the way through pregnancy. But it's very vital in
the very early stages of pregnancy, during the first four to eight
weeks of early fetal development.
▲
TOP
of Page
What is considered a normal cholesterol level?
-
Total cholesterol should be
under 200.
-
LDL should be under 100.
-
HDL for a man should be above
40.
-
HDL for a woman should be above
50.
-
Triglycerides should be under
150.
-
Blood pressure should be 119/79
or below.
-
C-reactive protein should be
1.0 or less.
Does smoking affect blood cholesterol levels?
Smoking slightly increases total
cholesterol and triglycerides, but significantly decreases the "good"
or HDL cholesterol. This, together with the toxic effects of cigarette
smoke, leads to damage of the blood vessels in the heart and legs. In
fact, smoking doubles an individual's risk of heart attack at any
level of blood cholesterol.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is sometimes
called the "silent killer" because it usually has no warning signs or
symptoms. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure.
That’s why it's important to get your blood pressure checked
regularly.
What can you do to reduce your risk?
There are several things that you
can do to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range
-
Get your blood pressure checked
regularly.
-
Eat a healthy diet.
-
Maintain a healthy weight.
-
Be physically active.
-
Limit alcohol use.
-
Don’t smoke.
-
Prevent or treat diabetes.
▲
TOP
of Page
What is physical therapy?
Physical Therapy is a health profession that combines the "science of
healing and the art of caring" to treat movement dysfunctions. A
physical therapist performs a comprehensive analysis of movement,
which includes identifying joints dysfunction, tissue limitations,
muscular imbalances and structural pathologies. In order to assist
patients, physical therapists use a variety of methods to create
changes in tissue and movement patterns to ultimately restore
function. Treatment consists of skilled manual therapy (hands on)
with therapeutic exercise that simulates daily movements to
rehabilitate the body, restoring maximal mobility and optimal
mechanical motion, as well as provide preventative care.
What do I wear?
You should wear comfortable
workout clothes that are loose-fitting. The physical therapist will
need to examine, touch, and treat the injured area.
How often are my treatments? How
long do they last?
Frequency and duration of
treatment will be determined by your physician or after the initial
evaluation by your therapist. The typical frequency is 2-3 times per
week.
▲
TOP
of Page
If I am breastfeeding, Can I begin to exercise?
Healthy breastfeeding women may
continue to exercise if they wish and it will not interfere with
either the quantity or quality of breast milk.
How long will it take to see results from your
Personal Training?
The length of time you will see
results depends on your initial level of fitness, diet nutrition,
genetics, and your commitment.
How much physical exercise should be done each
day?
The American Heart Association
recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity
cardiovascular exercise most days of the week, in addition to
resistance exercise (weight lifting). It also recommends a minimum of
60 to 90 minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day for those trying to
lose weight or maintain weight loss.
What kinds of exercise can you do to lose
weight?
Walking briskly for 30 to 40
minutes a day will help the most, and you are less likely to become
injured or overwhelmed with the requirements during the period when
you are trying to lose weight. Weight training, Zumba and other
activities are also great to add on to the walking several times a
week.
▲
TOP
of Page
Can I do some sightseeing while I am in Costa Rica?
Yes, that's one
of the many benefits. We can also put you in contact with our
associate
Travel Agencies (
Marbella and TACHIZ
)
so they can show you the amazing plans they
have in stored for you.