American Mission Hospital

So I finally took a trip to a hospital here. I have been asking around about good ones and American Mission Hospital popped up a few times.

So every year for the past four years I have been getting these red, very itchy, bumps on my knees and sides of my hips. I never really did anything about it because by the time I would decide to go get it checked out they were gone. Well since I have started working they have been appearing full force. We had a day off on Monday and I thought alright, it is time. So I called a few hospitals to ask if the dermatologist was available over the holiday and all said no except for AMH. So that already was a bonus for me in evaluating the hospital. So I went and saw the doctor whom was a very nice man. I am sorry to say I forgot his name. I informed him that I have psoriasis and have had it since childhood. He then took a look at my itchy, annoying bumps and then informed me that I have a form of eczema as well. He said sometimes it just appears later in life and it can just as easily disappear. He gave me antihistamine tablets to take for 15 days along with a cream to sooth the pain. So far they are still here but the itching is less.

The hospital is very nice and clean and more importantly the staff is very friendly and professional. I opened a file in less than ten minutes and was given a membership card with my picture on it and everything. BE WARNED, the computer camera they have is not the best and your picture will make you look like the cast of the cone heads. A fringe is best worn when taking you AMH picture. The process to pay and receive your medicine is also very organized. You go to the first counter and give them your prescription. You then proceed to the second counter and pay your bill. Finally you move on to the third counter, pick up your meds and voila! You are good to go. I really like this place and am ecstatic to learn that they just opened their new branch yesterday in Amwaj!!! I can walk to it from my house and be there in ten minutes or drive and be there in under a minute! It is located in the building that has the Lighthouse Cafe in it. It is the big blue building across the road from Alosra and across the street from the school. I couldn't be happier. Now they just need to open a gas station on Amwaj and it is literally perfection on an island.

As you know from previous posts, I rather use natural remedies. Right before I went to the doctor I put apple cider vinegar on the bumps to ease the itchiness and low and behold it worked like a charm. I am a firm believer in apple cider vinegar. It is the best thing for sore throats and avoiding a cold when the season arrives. Upon further research I also found that it is good for psoriasis as well. They say to add a cup up it in your bath or rub some directly on the areas of your skin that it is present. It is also good to add a tablespoon to a nice hot cup of water. Adding honey, lemon and cinnamon then turns it into a cold, strep throat combatant as well.  All in all this stuff is worth more than gold in my books.

For those of you who are interested I will explain psoriasis briefly.

Psoriasis: A skin condition that is a common, chronic immune- mediated disease which may also affect the joints. No, it is not contagious. Basically it occurs when your immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells. People with psoriasis will also find they get sick less than the average Joe which is a hidden benefit to the disease. The disease is characterized into 5 categories which I will not go into detail about. Like most diseases some are harsher than others. For example, I get white, scaly, almost rejuvenating cut looking things on my elbow and upper arms, sometimes my legs and on my ears. For me they do not itch or bother me at all. Some people get it all over their body and some cases can itch and or be open sores. So I take it that I am very lucky actually. Most people believe their are certain foods to avoid and others you should eat. From what I know, psoriasis is at its least with me when I am healthy and exercise regularly. A very big trigger is stress. Yoga works wonders for both the psoriasis and the stress. There is no actual cure for it yet and it is still a disease that is being studied. Doctors and scientists don't exactly know what causes it and what cures it. There are many creams and pills on the market that help control it but noting takes it away. I stopped with all the treatments long ago. Most of the time the pills and creams are not very good for your body. Swimming in salt water works best for me alongside a healthy lifestyle. You can find a picture below of a mild case of psoriasis. I wont post a picture of a worse case in case some of my readers have a week stomach.
               
                                                                  Psoriasis on Elbow

I will post something about eczema once I know more myself. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Well clearly I as in the mood to write today. I hope you guys found my post informative at least!!!
Catch you on the flip side!!!! xoxo