Healthly living tips for nurses and other health nuts

Do you have tingling fingers and a pain shooting up to your shoulder? Do you find it harder to grip small objects? You might think you're having a heart attack or, simply, getting older. Instead, you may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS.

The list below contains information about CTS causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention. The list is categorized, and the links can lead you to a vast store of online information about CTS issues. In most cases, with recognition of symptoms and preventative measures, you may be able to avoid permanent damage to your wrist or surgery.

Causes of CTS

1. When the carpal tunnel is swollen or the tissue changes position in the wrist area, it presses on the median nerve. This swelling causes some pain, but it is more known for tingling and numbness of the thumb, index and middle fingers.
2. Many individuals who are prone to CTS are those with a congenital predisposition to a smaller carpal tunnel in the wrist area where the median nerve is located.
3. Some physical conditions can cause CTS such as obesity, pregnancy, hypothyriodism, arthritis, wrist fracture and diabetes.
4. It is thought that people with thin wrists also are prone to CTS.
5. People who experience pain and difficulties from this decreased carpal tunnel syndrome include assembly line workers or people who perform repetitive tasks (like typing).
6. Some rare diseases such as multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause deposition of abnormal substances in and around the carpal tunnel, leading to nerve irritation or damage.
7. Hobbies such as gardening, needlework, golfing and canoeing can sometimes bring on the symptoms.
8. Addictions, such as smoking and alcoholism also can lead to CTS.
9. Women are three times more likely to have carpal tunnel syndrome than men.

CTS Symptoms

10. Some early symptoms of CTS include numbness or tingling in the thumb, index and middle or ring fingers, but not in your little finger. This sensation often occurs while holding a steering wheel, phone or newspaper. As the disorder progresses, the numbness may become constant.
11. Other symptoms include pain, or an "electric shock" feeling that radiates from your wrist up to your shoulder or down into your palm or fingers.
12. You may also experience weakness in hand strength and a tendency to drop objects or to be unable to open jar or bottle lids.
13. Many times, this pain or numbness may occur during sleep, causing the CTS victim to awake frequently during the night.

CTS Treatment

14. If you leave the condition untreated, never and muscle damage may occur.
15. Tapping over the median nerve at the wrist may cause pain to shoot from the wrist to the hand. This is called the Tinel's sign. Bending the wrist forward all the way for 60 seconds will usually result in numbness, tingling, or weakness. This is called the Phalen's test. These tests, however, may be insignificant to CTS.
16. Initial treatment usually involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least two weeks to avoid activities that caused the pain.
17. Sometimes, the wrist may be immobilized in a neutral wrist splint to avoid further damage.
18. Your doctor may prescribe nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or other pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medicine such as prednisone (mouth) or lidocaine (injected into the wrist).
19. Since the median nerve impingement is often caused by soft tissue swelling and inflammation in the carpal tunnel, acupuncture is a treatment option to consider, especially for the those in the early stages of CTS.
20. Recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome following initial treatment is rare, as the majority of patients recover completely.
21. Surgery may be recommended for severe CTS cases or where nerve or muscle damage is irreparable.

CTS Prevention

22. Evaluate your daily routine to discover how you might develop CTS. Avoid any repetitive tasks by varying tasks or by taking frequent breaks.
23. During these breaks, you can perform stretching exercises.
24. Wear splints — especially at night or while typing — to help keep your wrist straight, and use correct posture and wrist position.
25. Wearing fingerless gloves can help keep your hands warm and flexible, which also helps to avoid carpel tunnel syndrome.

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Are you open to learning more about health and fitness? If so, many colleges and universities have supplied open courses on those subjects. These courses, which range from anatomy to nutrition and reach every age group from prenatal to the elderly, can help you get on your game.

The following fifty open courseware classes were chosen from top universities around the country. They are categorized and each link within a given category is alphabetized. We use this method to assure readers that we do not favor one resource over another.

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If you work with computers and the Internet or know someone who does, you may know already that online interaction can damage health. But, the upside to online interaction is that it brings the normally isolated Web worker into a somewhat “social” realm. This advantage is useful, especially when the Web worker seeks help for various health issues.

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When applying for an online nursing continuing education program, there are four tips to keep in mind. Finding the right program can take some time. Researching the schools that seem to have what a person is looking for is only the first step. Choosing a program that fits into a person’s busy schedule and will be worth the investment is a decision that should not be taken lightly. These tips will help a person find and chose the right program for them.

Decide on a program of study

For those who are in nursing, one should be looking at advancing a career, finding job opportunities that are challenging, and being able to cope during emergency situations. An LPN should look into an LPN to RN program, while an RN should be looking into master degree programs. Programs and their requirements are listed on most schools web sites. Sometimes a person will have to call the school and request a list of courses and programs offered. This will give them a better idea of what is available.

Speak with an admissions counselor

After choosing a program, call the school and ask to speak with an admissions counselor. They are there to help answer any questions a person might have about a program and whether he/she is the right candidate for the program. Ask as many questions as possible so that there are no surprises later on. If a person has never taken an online class before, ask questions about what it is like and what a person should expect.

Manage your time effectively

An online nursing continuing education program will last at least a year. Be sure to have the time needed to complete assignments and take tests. Many people who do not know how to mange their time correctly may end up not finishing an online degree program. While the adjustment may be a little frightening at first, a person should be able to move their work schedule around enough to compensate study time as well as one’s work schedule.

Seize the day

The final tip is to study and learn as much from an online nursing continuing education program as one can. This will lead to other job opportunities and will hopefully land a person the job of their dreams. An advanced degree will help a person feel more confident and they will succeed in their chosen career. Having choices is worth getting an advanced degree in nursing.

The University of Phoenix offers many of the things that you will need and the things that you will want in an MSN degree online. No matter if you are just starting out your education or if you are looking to add courses and degrees to your current degree, this school can help you to do so successfully. It is important to consider why you should get an MSN Degree online from the University of Phoenix though. Note that one prerequisite for the University of Phoenix MSN program is being a registered nurse.

Degrees offered

There are not many schools online that offer the level of education that it takes to accomplish the MSN degree online. The University of Phoenix offers several areas of specifically in getting your MSN.

• Master of Science in Nursing, general.
• Master of Science in Nursing, Health Care Education
• Master of Science in Nursing, Integrative Health
• Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Business Administration, Health Care Management
• Master of Science in Nursing, MHA

If you are interested in pursuing any of these career paths, there is no doubt that the University of Phoenix may be the right option for you to do just that.

How it works

While pursuing your MSN degree online, you will be able to take virtual courses that are designed to allow you to communicate not only to your teacher but to other students as well. You can debate with them; you can learn about their thoughts; and you can better your leadership and teamwork skills in this manner. Additionally, you can also further your education by using local campuses in combination with your virtual learning.

When looking to earn an online nursing degree, one should consider earning a BSN online from Kaplan University. With many online programs to offer, Kaplan is growing. The university offers students the opportunity to take classes online instead of having to sit in a classroom. For students who do not benefit from long lectures and note taking sessions, an online program might be the right one for them. There are many classes available at Kaplan that would be of interest to a nurse who is pursuing a BSN. Practical classes that will train them in patient care, management, record keeping, and much more.

An online BSN from Kaplan University will take about two years if a person decides to enroll in the program full-time. There are many advantages to enrolling in an online program like Kaplan’s. Programs at Kaplan University are taught by qualified health professionals who will guide students through the program with interesting subjects and materials to study. When a student needs help, they can contact their instructor for further guidance. Students have the ability to learn from home, but still have the ability to contact someone in case they have a question. After receiving a BSN, a nurse can either find a full-time nursing position or stay in school and earn a master in nursing. Kaplan offers these programs online also. There are many ways a person can better themselves through online programs at Kaplan University.

There are a few requirements that a person must pass in order to earn their BSN online from Kaplan University. A nurse must have an AA in nursing before pursuing a BSN. This is a two year degree. A nurse must also be able to complete all assignments given. Even though this program is online, there will still be assignments the student will have to turn in. If a nurse cannot fit this into their schedule, perhaps they should wait until they have more time. After earning a BSN, a nurse will be able to choose from more jobs and be able to qualify for a higher salary. This can lead to other job opportunities later on. Having a degree in nursing will make a person more valuable. Since the nursing industry is in need of more nurses with a BSN, nurses should not have any problems finding jobs that they find challenging. Many nurses who have a BSN find jobs they like and make solid careers for themselves.

When taking classes online, choosing online nursing courses can be overwhelming especially for students who are new to a program. There are a few steps a student can take to relieve some of the stress associated with deciding which classes to take, however. When entering a program, have a list of required courses handy so that a one does not miss the classes they will need to have when they graduate. Some programs offer elective classes, which mean that a student can choose classes that look interesting, though not necessary to graduate. This is where the confusion can begin for those who are unsure of which areas of nursing they are interested in.

Talking with an admissions counselor can oftentimes help a student decide which classes to take. The counselor will tell the student which classes are the most popular and which ones will be right for their area of nursing. Choosing an online nursing course when a student does not know which area of nursing they want to go into can be tricky, but sometimes talking with someone else can help to narrow down the options. If a person is leaning toward a particular area, a counselor can assist in pointing the student in the right direction. If after talking with a counselor and still not having made up one’s mind about classes, a student should take their required classes and choose a class or two that sound interesting. This may end up being the area of nursing they are the most interested in since they liked the course being offered.

Choosing an online nursing course may be stressful at first, but as the semesters go by, a student will realize what they are most interested in and will choose course that reflect their interests. This is when classes are the most enjoyable. The student will get to decide what to study along with classes that are recommended. When a student is happy studying, they will score higher in the class and retain more information. This will make choosing future classes easier. For those who are returning to school, choosing courses should be easier since there are fewer to choose from as advanced programs are more focused and specific. A student returning to school will not have to worry about taking basic classes as they have already been taken. Students will choose tracks instead of courses many times. This means that the courses have already been chosen.

For those who are already registered nurses, the best online nursing master program is offered at the University of Phoenix. With seven different programs to choose from, a nurse will have no problem finding one that fits their needs. There are management programs, home health programs, and also teaching programs. When a nurse decides to go back to school for their master’s, they are going for a specific purpose. A standard program will not be enough. An online program that has specific tracks a nurse can follow will give the nurse training in the area of nursing that they want to pursue. All courses are tailored around one track. For example, if a nurse chooses to teach, they will receive training on how to teach in a college setting from the University of Phoenix. Once they have completed the degree program, they will be able to find a job teaching nursing to others. This can be a very rewarding career change.

Other nurses, who do not want to teach, but have the ability to lead others, will look into managerial tracks offered by the University of Phoenix. Other programs such as Kaplan, Indiana State, and others offer similar programs. Finding the right online nursing master program will mean looking into specific classes that are offered online. They can be found by going to the school’s web site. Choosing the right program depends on what a person is looking for, the admission requirements, and how long the program will take to compete. Nurses will have to look into the amount of time they will have to devote to a program before enrolling in one.

The best online nursing master program is one that will teach nurses advanced techniques, procedures, and methods. It will prepare them for new challenges and hopefully will get them jobs they want and jobs they can perform. All jobs can be stressful, but when a person is properly trained, they should be able to handle most problems that come their way. The best online nursing master program is one that will address these problems and offer helpful advice and modes of action that a nurse can take to diffuse most situations. The University of Phoenix can offer such guidance with challenging coursework and interesting scenarios to prepare people for their new jobs. After a person gets their master degree from a school like the University of Phoenix, they can begin to look for jobs that are of interest.

Some of the more popular online college for nursing programs include the University of Phoenix, Vanderbilt, Kaplan, and Indiana State. These colleges offer extensive online programs for nurses who are just entering the field to those who are going back to school for an advanced degree. Choosing one of these programs will ensure a solid education the one can earn while working and living their lives. These schools have students that are learning how to be nurses as well as those who are trying to get into administrative fields and teaching positions.

These schools offer an extensive program for those who are going back to school to earn their master degree in nursing. Deciding on an online college for nursing when earning a master degree can be difficult only because of the many schools that are offering programs. The University of Phoenix and Indiana State offer master degree programs that have many tracks to choose from. This can narrow down what a person wants to study and only focuses on the skills needed to perform in an administration or teaching role. RN and LPN degree programs are similar, but not as many tracks are offered.

At schools like Kaplan, a person can expect personalized service and counselors that can give valuable advice and answer questions when students have them. An online college for nursing should not only be a program where people learn from home, but also a program that caters to students and their needs. Just because a person is learning from home does not mean that they should not be able to talk with instructors and counselors whenever they need to. Instructors can be reached via email or by telephone. Being able to call someone when a person has a problem or is unclear about an assignment can help a person from becoming frustrated.

Online programs have come a long way from the way they were ten years ago. More sophisticated, these programs now treat online students as if they were in the classroom. Assignments are given with specific due dates which give people a time frame in which to complete them. A student can have discussions with instructors. At universities like the University of Phoenix, Kaplan University, Vanderbilt University, and Indiana State University, a student can expect to be treated with respect, learn new skills, and improve their lives with an advanced degree in nursing that will help in many ways.