Medical tourism is now more popular than ever, with over 50 countries named as a hot destination and thousands of tourists flocking new places to visit and get treated. The concept is actually not a new one, since people from the ancient times used to move out of their place of origin to visit well-known healers and places in other countries. Today, you can get the advantages of getting the best medical help, plus a vacation to boot.

About the Concept

The first documented occasion of medical tourism was thousands of years ago when Greek pilgrims moved all throughout the Mediterranean towards Epidauria, a minor territory in the Saronic Gulf. The place was considered as the home of Asklepios, the god of healing. Epidauria was visited by thousands of people each year, for cases like fever, bone problems, heart ailments, skin disease and many more. It was the first travel destination of medical tourism.

Over the years, sanitariums and spa towns were also built and became the early types of medical tourism. Patients visited the spa towns during the 1700s to get mineral water that is believed to boost health and treat problems like bronchitis, gout and liver conditions.

Becoming Popular

Several factors triggered the vast popularity of medical tourism. Primarily the increasing cost of health care had people asking if there were other places where they can receive the same kind of treatment without the huge expense. The next was the very long waiting periods and several requirements before they can be treated or even diagnosed. Modern medical tourism destinations provide patients only a fraction of the cost they expect to pay at their local hospital.

They can also enjoy other state-of-the-art and quality accommodations, and get their dream vacation at the same time. Some destinations are known for treating patients like royalty, so everything will be taken care of. You will be provided with a complete schedule of activities, so you do not waste your time waiting in line or running everywhere to get the needed documents for the procedure.

More Reasons

Medical tourism continued to spread as the cost of international travel became much cheaper. The technology and care standards in several countries, especially in Asia have improved significantly in the past decade, making the institutions highly competitive against the best in the United States. Medical tourists usually come from the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, because individuals from these places usually have more money to spend when visiting third world countries.

Medical tourism is expected to grow ten times more from 2007 to 2017. In the United States alone, over 750,000 people traveled abroad to get treated in 2007. Experts calculated 1.5 million Americans traveling in 2008 to get treatment abroad. The United Kingdom currently advertises more about medical tourism compared to the United States. Canadians preferred the very fast medical waiting period in other destinations. Some procedures are even more convenient when done outside the United States or Europe.

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When going on a medical tour, you have to get the most out of the opportunity by choosing a country that specializes in your specific health need, as well as offers the best attractions to make your trip worthwhile. Although there are around 50 nations to choose from, there are 3 distinct places that made their mark by providing exactly what medical tourists want and staying updated with the latest standards of care and modern equipment.

Going to South Korea

South Korea or the Land of the Morning Calm is another favorite among medical tourists. The country is located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. To the east is China and to the north is North Korea. Seoul is a major global city and is one of the most developed cities in the whole world. You will find several top quality private hospitals and medical clinics in South Korea. One hospital in Seoul is accredited by JCI.

Some of these institutions have excellent facilities, English-speaking staff and VIP rooms. Other medical experts are also fluent in other languages like Chinese, French and Japanese. The Medical Act was revised by the South Korean government so that medical records and order communications will become electronic. The hospital information system in the country is among the most advanced globally.

Going to Israel

Israel is a Jewish State situated in Western Asia. Several countries border it, such as Egypt, Syria, Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. Although Israel is considerably small in terms of size, you will find that the medical institutions are globally competitive. You can also enjoy your trip more because of its rich culture and many famous biblical and archaeological sites. Some of the reasons why tourists flock to the area each year include the high standards of facilities and medicine and modern tools and equipment. Several international medical summits and conferences are held in Israel every year. Israel is also very active in joint ventures with other western hospitals.

Some of the most popular procedures done to patients in Israel include IVF or in-vitro fertilization, bone marrow transplant, neurological procedures, cancer treatment, heart surgery, weight loss surgery, eye surgery, addiction problems and catheterization. Three hospitals at present is accredited by the JCI.

Visiting Mexico

Mexico is a favorite destination of American patients because of its close proximity to the United States. You will also enjoy the different attractions and sites in the country. A number of hospitals are already accredited by the JCI. You minimize your risk of developing complications before and after the medical procedure, since you do not have to travel half across the globe to get to Mexico.

Some of the popular procedures done in the region include cosmetic surgery, orthopaedics, dental work and weight loss surgery. Spanish is widely spoken, but English is understood by majority of the locals, especially those located in border towns. The climate in Mexico is also very ideal for vacationing tourists. You can expect ambient temperatures most of the year.

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Medical tourism has made it possible for individuals to travel conveniently and affordably halfway around the globe to become youthful and beautiful. All types of cosmetic procedures can now be done in competent hospitals and nations with the right equipment and facilities. You can also get more benefits by preparing the plan well and knowing more about the different processes that applies to your personal situation. Here are some types.

Botox

Botox or Botulinum toxin has been used for many decades to treat various conditions involving the neuromuscular system. Now, it is widely used by both men and women to soften wrinkles and get rid of eyelines and crow’s feet under the eyes and on the forehead. The facial muscles that lead to wrinkles are weakened. Botox is also very effective in treating wrinkles in other parts of the body like the neck and hands. Wrinkles triggered by sun damage can also be treated.

Botox injections in Thailand, the Philippines or Singapore are only about 25% of the cost you pay in the United States or the United Kingdom. Several tourists go to Asia each year to get multiple injections. Be ready for some risks like temporary freezing of the facial expression, temporary swelling and redness and temporary dry eyes.

About Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a useful and safe way to get rid of unwanted body and facial hair and minimize the growth of hair. The procedure can only be done by board-certified and well-experienced dermatologists or plastic surgeons. Be sure to invest only in accredited hospitals and to know the background of the medical expert before you undergo the procedure. Laser hair removal can help clients eliminate hair found on their back, ears, chest, underarms, legs and genital area.

Getting Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is described as the cosmetic surgery that harmonizes the nose into the face by adjusting the shape, size and overall appearance. The nose is found at the center of the face and can influence the facial appearance of the person. Rhinoplasty is also called nose job, including processes that lengthen and shorten the nose, narrow the nostrils and define the tip. The lower half of the nose is cartilage, while the upper half is bone. The surgery can adjust both cartilage and bone.

You should ask for a sketch or photo of the expected results post-surgery to determine if you will really agree to the procedure. In most cases, patients can stay abroad for a week or more. You should also be ready for possible risks and other complications.

The Tummy Tuck

Individuals who want to eliminate a flabby abdomen because of excess skin can undergo tummy tucks. The inner girdle is adjusted because it has a lot to do with the look and tone of the abdomen. This procedure is good for patients who have loose skin because of weight gain and pregnancy. You can then tighten the loose fascia. The surgery lasts around 3 to 4 hours. Patients can go home within a week.

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A lot of people are going abroad to avail of fertility methods and procedures. Fertility tourism has become widely popular especially in countries like Thailand, Jordan and Malaysia. You can get the benefit of cutting costs, enjoying a great vacation and having a child you have always wanted. Procedures in developing countries are generally state-of-the-art, top quality and reliable. Here are some more tips and details about the approach.

What is Fertility Tourism?

Fertility tourism is also called reproductive tourism, described as the process of going to a different country to receive fertility treatments. The approach is considered a part of medical tourism. The main reasons that foreigners go to other countries to seek attention is the lower price offered by developing countries and legalities concerning the procedure in their home nation. The major procedures done include donor insemination and in-vitro fertilization. The term was also proposed to be “reproductive exile” to focus on the difficulties that infertile patients have to face, having to travel globally to receive treatment.

On IVF Procedures

Israel is the number one fertility tourism destination in the world for IVF or in-vitro fertilization techniques. It has the most number of fertility clinics per capita globally. America is preferred by several Europeans due to the bigger success rates and less stringent regulations. A lot of infertile patients go to Italy and Germany as well because of their lenient laws. Countries like America and Spain are quite restrictive when it comes to donor egg utilization as well as the number of eggs that can be fertilized.

Some of the risks include women having multiple pregnancy and the development of some complications because of the minimized restrictions on the number of eggs allowed to be implanted into the uterus at a single session.

More Details

Some individuals who wish to choose the sex of their child usually travel to the United States. A lot of people from the United Kingdom travel to the States, due to the PGD or pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, which is an extension of IVF for sex selection, which is not allowed in the United Kingdom. The UK only allows the procedure, if the patient needs to be screened for genetic problems, while other regulations in the United States are more lenient.

Other Destinations

The United Kingdom and Sweden are short on sperm donors and only allow identified donors. The stock has dropped by one-third in the United Kingdom. Sweden, at present, has an eighteen-month waiting list for donor sperm. British women, as a result, go to Spain and Belgium for donor insemination. The laws have been changed, however, so Spain and Belgium now purchase donor sperm overseas to meet the growing demand.

Other Swedish visitors go to Denmark each year for insemination. Denmark allows single women to receive artificial insemination. In Canada, you are not allowed to pay donors to provide sperm or eggs. Canadian women can get sperm from the United States. Eggs are not allowed to be imported, however. Canadian women continue to go abroad to get such treatment.

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