Sheryl

In that case first step might be a biopsy. Which can not only tell if it is cancer but give an idea of how aggressive. If it is cancer they will not do a TURP. The surgical option is prostatectomy. There are nerve-sparing techniques for that which can reduce risk of adverse effects. As mentioned brachytherapy is also an Non-surgical option insome cases. What is your PSA?

An inaccurate conspiracy theory post has been removed. Note that this thread is 9 years old.

Moved to health forum. Suggest https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Bavornrit-Chuckpaiwong https://www.siphhospital.com/en/medical-services/doctor-biography?id=202 (same doctor, different hiospitals. 2nd one will cost slightly less).

Sedation can be given for MRI or CT at any hospital if you can convince the doctors of the need. (Be aware that what Thais consider sedation and what you might need may differ. 2 mg oral valium knocks most Thais out, doesn't touch most farangs. You'll need to specify IV sedation. ) It will cost more as an anesthetist will have to be present. Bangkok Hospital is said to have an open MRI machine, which might be an option. In any case it is not certain you need an MRI. You need to first consult an expert in neuro-opthalmology. Suggest https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Supanut-Apinyawasisuk

The evidence linking calcium supplementation to risk of heart disease is mixed and weak. There is no evidence of causation and while some studies found correllation others did not. Notd that correllation does not always -- or even usually -- equal causation. Osteoporosis significantly worsens quality of life as well as increasing mortality. As you have osteopenia you definitely need to ensure you get enough calcium and magnesium. (Don't overlook the magnesium). Whether you need supplements to achieve that depends on your diet, age and sex. It is extremely difficult for postmenopausal women of any age, and people of both sexes over age 71, to get enough calcium by diet alone. In other words don't hesitate to take calcium (a prepartion that includes D3) if you need it but also supplement magnesium. As for cardiac screening, calcium scans are useful but costly and involves radiation exposure. I would certainly not recommend them annually. Every 3-5 years would be more reasonable. Exercise stress tests are a completly non-invasive test with no radiation exposure and inexpensive. It picks up coronary artery disease in 80-85% of cases so not perfect.. but has the added benefit of also assessing overall cardiac fitness and thus can give an early indication of a need for more exercise etc. I would suggest a baseline calcium scan and repeat in 3-5 years depending on results, and exercise stress test evey 1-2 years depending on results.

CT is not as small and tight as MRI but people with extreme claustrophobia may still have an issue. But if not, may be an option. OP where are you located?

Do you have prostate cancer or BPH? TURP is a procedure for BPH and removes just part of prostate (the R stands for resection) whereas for cancer a prostatectomy (complete removal of the prostate) is done. An alternative to prostatectomy for some cancer patients is brachytherapy.

Stop life-prolonging treatments and enter Hospice care. But the patient has to decide on/agree to it. Possible your friend is not yet ready to do so. Be aware that how things look to an outsider and how they feel to the person in question can be quite different. It is far easier to say "not worth it, I'd rather die" when you are not actually in that situation. When the time comes, it usually takes some time to fully accept a terminal diagnosis. And hospice care is available only in some parts of Thailand (but becoming more common).

In Issan without question best place is KKU Hospital (Srinagarind) Dr. Wichien Sirithanaphol if possible

This is because you are at above average risk for it in the future.

Not for a reliable dkin cancer check. Suggest you try to arrive a day earlier.

Yes, definitely Dr. Anna https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=7&depid=2

Health cover in travel policies is usually limited to emergencies/urgent care that cannot wait. Always is for pre-existing conditions and also often for other conditions as well. For pre-existing as mentioned some policies will cover an "acute exacerbation" provided you were stable prior to taking the trip. Sometimes necessary to purchase a specific exclusion waiver hor this purpose. In the case of AF, you would for examplf be covered for hospitalization necesitated by a sudden increase in heart rate (assuming heart rate was normal in hhe months prior to the trip) and for stroke, pulmonary embolism etc. .

Therd is considerably more involved in compulsive eating and obesity than just willpower. It seems to those for whom willpower aone works like that is a all that is needed, and for them it is the case. But it is not so for many. Anxiety and depression orders, variations and disturbances in brain chemistry, hormonal imbalances are but a few of the factors often at play. Depression and stress also often play a big role in lack of exercise. As often does employment; it is not easy for someone working long hours at a sedentary job to get enough exercise. People are wired differently. Some people experience a pleasurable endorphin rush with exercise but some do not; for those who do, it is much easier to take up and maintain a regular program than it is for others. I am in the latter camp; I never feel good from exercise. I force myself to maintain a (modest) fitness regime and I like the result but the process is always unpleasant and I really have to force myself. Conversely some people get literally addicted to things like jogging and may even do it to excess becxuse it feels so good to them.

Any medication for diabetes is of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry. By definition, the pharmaceutical industry develops pharmaceuticals. Not exercise programs or diets. It is what it does. Just lke the dairy industry develops dairy products not fruits. There are other agencies and sectors that research effects of exercise, diet, heredity etc. And professional associations and public health agencies which develop and issue treatment and prevention guidelines. With respect to type 2 diabetes these consistently stress diet and exercise as first line of both prevention and management.

https://www.travelinsurance.com is a clearing house that will provide list of policies based on your details. You will have to read each one to find out if they cover pre-existing (may have to purchase a specific waiver for it)

Some travel insurance will indeed cover "acute exacerbations" of pre-existing conditions. Remember that travel policies cover only emergency care, so this will not help those seeking long term health cover, but can work well for those who already have health cover in their country of residence and just need protection in case of emergency while traveling. What is your country of nationality and do you have health cover there? (Insurer may want to know and may affect your insurance options). And how old are you?

First of all, the treatment your mother received was not "outrageous". The symptoms she had often arise from serious cardiac or pulmonary problems and it was essential to rule these out. As it happens she apparently did not have a heart or lung problem, but she very well could have based on her symptoms. Judging from the partial relief obtained from anti-inflammatories she might have costochondritis (inflammation of where ribs meet the breastbone). That is largely a diagnosis of exclusion. Absolutely any doctor, anywhere, would tell you that a patient presenting with chest pain and trouble breathing needs a thorough cardiopulmonary work up as the very first step. That these sometimes yield negative results does not mean they were unnecessary. As for selecting doctors, many hospitals list doctor CVs on their website. Or you can always come on this forum and ask for recommendations. Things to look for are: training (long term, like a residency or fellowship, not just a short course) in a western country; board certification; faculty appointment at a medical school. It is true that this pre-supposes knowing what type of specialist is needed. Medical care in Thailand is quite specialized and there is not much in the way of real GPs here. One exception is an American doctor at Mission Hospital: https://www.mission-hospital.org/en/our-doctors/40-medical-services/internal-medicine-clinic/959-dr-nick-walters.html You might consider using him as you family's main doctor since you find it hard to navigate specialized care. You will still need to do some research/seek recommendations when a specialized need arises (Mission is a comparatively small hospital and best specialists are often elsewhere) but at least you'll already know what type of specialist is needed and have already had an initial work up and tests.

More to the point, she was already symptomatic, and received treatment, prior to taking out the insurance.

Jogging is fine if not done to excess (true of many things) It is excessive jogging that had been linked to some cardiac problems. Or jogging by people wiht known cardiac issues. Anyone who has a cardioloigist (and thus by definition a cardiovascular problem) is unlikely to be told to jog, more likely told to do brisk walking. And, since jogging is rather hard on the joints knee and hip), better to substitute brisk walking at older ages or if there is any arthritis.

Mesh is commonly used in adults, and sometimes in older children/teenagers. It is not used in young children.

It is possible to get an age chart showing premiums for all age groups. Just gave to ask for it. Of course what you see in a chart now will have increased some due to inflation (for all age groups) by the time you reach the later ages but the magnitude if increase between age brackets will be about the same.

Calculating age premiums based on expected claims for each age in the customer base is exactly what all insurers do. It does, however, lead to a big increase between 60 - 64/ 65-69, 70-74/75-79 etc because claims (both frequency and cost) go up significantly as people are older. There is no getting around this. The very big mistake people seem to make is to look at their need for health care (and hence utilization of insurance) until now and assume it predicts what will be the case going forward, despite the fact that they are aging.

Thank you for this. So it seems OP and others actually had Cigna Thailand, not Cigna Global. Many do indeed get confused on this point. One correction to the above, however: Pre-authorization is needed for hospitalization for the itnernational policy. This is pretty standard in all policies -- and a Thai hospital would in any case insist ion a Guarantee of Payment from the insurer before they'd admit you anyway (either that or a depositc payment by you up front -- not recommended). @Swiss1960 you should call Cigna in the UK, explain you had a policy with Cigna Thailand which is closing down and ask if it is possible to somehow roll over to an international plan. Phone number +44 (0)1475 788182

OP's issue is that he will be out of country at the time he would need to do this.