Expatriate, retiree health & medicine

Healthcare & Medical Tourism in Asia
In most Asian countries, unsurprisingly there is a general lack of western standard facilities for healthcare. Notable exceptions are Thailand and Singapore which both have world-class medical (and cosmetic surgery) facilities available. In fact more and more people from North America are combining holidays with medical and dental treatment and cosmetic surgery, and many travel to Asia for this purpose. Operations and procedures cost between 30 and 80 per cent less than in the USA or parts of Europe.

Although prescription lenses may be relatively cheap in SE Asia, quality frames are imported and may cost even more than at home. I recently paid the equivalent of $150 in Thailand and was disappointed to find the frames corroded within a few months. Now I order prescription eye or sunglasses direct from the USA in many frame styles, simply by entering my prescription details online. These cost from as little as $39 – and inexpensive worldwide delivery is available too. Click below.

Weight and Fat Loss, Middle-age Spread, Fitness and Diet
As we get older and approach retirement, we usually do less physical work and tend to 'let our bodies go'. Men especially develop a 'beer belly' very easily in the heat of the tropics, as beer tastes so much better and thirst-quenching than plain water!

In 2009 alone, more than half a million Americans (not to mention the rest of the world's travelers) will have gone or will travel overseas for operations and medical treatment for many reasons – primarily economic. While obesity may not be the most popular of them, losing weight and/or fat loss is becoming the number one concern of many people, including parents and their children and also members of the medical profession – worldwide.

Weight loss is near the top of the list of most-searched-for topics on the internet. Diet and exercise, so-called "healthy living" seems to be the solution, but most people try it for a while, then give up. They haven't really put their minds to it.

Any permanent solution to a weight problem must emanate from 'within' – from the mind and resolve of the person who wants to lose weight. Fixing the problem by going to its root is the only sensible course of action. Surprising as it may seem, there is a way to lose weight permanently by directing your mind – simply listen to a CD recording (sent free anywhere in the world). Learn more here:

If you're in a real hurry to start learning how to lose excess fat, "Fat Loss 4 Idiots" is a best-selling guide. The title means that anyone can understand it. Learn more here. Download and be reading Fat Loss 4 Idiots within minutes of ordering.

Medical tourism, as this practice is now known, is rapidly becoming popular for those who face ongoing and increasingly expensive medical bills, or extended waiting times for operations under national health care programs. Already 60 million Americans are uninsured or 'under-insured' and this figure is likely to increase rapidly in the next few years and global medical tourism is expected to become a $40 billion-a-year industry by 2010.

In Southeast Asia, relatively low cost medical care is available in Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia. Learn the truth about cosmetic surgery here.

Emergency Treatment
If you do suffer the misfortune of an accident or other severe medical crisis while travelling or living overseas, you need to be sure you will get good treatment and care, and if it's not available where you are at the time, that you can be treated where there are proper facilities and doctors.

Travel and health insurance with emergency evacuation can be arranged with a reliable international expat health insurer like eHealth Insurance. No personal questions are asked and you can get a free quote instantly, even if you're overseas already. Also, you  pay a lower premium than by going through a broker at home or abroad. Visit the eHealth site if you want affordable health insurance.

Pharmaceuticals and Medicines
Drugs, medicines and treatment for less life-threatening ailments and conditions can often be obtained cheaply and OTC in many countries – both brand name and generic drugs. There is an increasing danger of fake drugs being supplied, but this is not confined to Asia by any means – they now reach Europe and probably the US too. At least in Asia they are cheap!

For itches and skin conditions like eczema while you're in Thailand or Laos, try ZEMA lotion (strong) or cream (milder). Available everywhere, it's very cheap and provides effective itch relief from insect bites and rashes. Surprisingly, Zema helps clear up other skin conditions including psoriasis. Use the lotion sparingly as it is powerful and will dry out the skin until it flakes. We know from experience!

Back and Joint Pain in Middle Age and Beyond

One of the lesser joys of ageing are joint or back pain, gout and arthritis. Fortunately there are now various medical and natural remedies for these conditions, and many of them are very cheap. In Thailand and Laos, for example, you can buy a whole month's supply of pain prevention over the counter for the equivalent of a few dollars. For effective gout control, allopurinol (GSK's Zyloric is one brand name) is very effective. For other joints and back pain, try generic diclofenac, glucosamine or chondroitin. In the US these may be more expensive. Joint Advance combines these important supplements and more, and offers a free trial.

Want to relieve back pain without drugs, surgery, appliances, exercise or diet change – within a few minutes per day? If you can't get rid of annoying and often debilitating lower back pain any other way, then what have you to lose by trying this completely non-medical solution that is working for many people, contained in a short manual you can download instantly? If you don't get positive results within 60 days, you are guaranteed a full refund – no questions asked. Learn more.

Prostate Cancer and Related Problems in Men

Prostate cancer is one of the biggest cancer-related killers in industrial countries, affecting over 500,000 men worldwide every year; this number is expected to increase with the ageing population.

Antioxidant levels are the key to reducing prostate cancer risk in men. A recent US study, as well as many other epidemiological studies, encourages dietary increased intake of selenium, vitamin E and the tomato carotenoid lycopene. According to US researchers, these nutrients have been shown to reduce prostate cancer in one out of every four Caucasian males, or those who inherit a specific genetic variation that is particularly sensitive to oxidative stress. Learn more about this important issue for all men.

 

Hemorrhoids (Piles)
This is a common ailment among adults and although there are many creams and ointments on the market that are supposed to clear this condition, there are still many sufferers. However, there is a 100% natural way to cure haemorrhoids once and for all, within a few days.

Natural Remedies
There are also natural cures for relief from pain of arthritis, back pain, knee pain, sore joints, sore feet, stiffness, stress, insomnia, neck pain, shoulder pain, muscle pain, bone fractures, bursitis, carpal tunnel, constipation, diabetes, neuropathy, elbow pain, foot pain, gout, headaches, heart pain, haemorrhoids, jaw pain, joint pain, leg pain, menstrual cramps, migraines, muscle sprains, rheumatism, tendonitis, whiplash and wrist pain.

Learn about Native Remedies on our natural remedies page for dozens of ailments and conditions including psoriasis and arthritis. Plus we have pages devoted specifically to Arthritis and its many related conditions.

Digestive Disorders
Do you know anyone who suffers from Acid Reflux Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns Disease or other digestive system problem? Click here to read about a breakthrough that most MDs seem reluctant to tell you about.

Hypnosis
The realities of hypnosis and ways of obtaining relief by using techniques correctly are often misunderstood. Hypnosis is actually one of the most natural and human forms of self-help. Visit our hypnosis pages to learn more about the many conditions it can alleviate.

Have a health-related question? Type in the box and get an expert answer immediately:

Home