Health Tourism In Costa Rica » Essential Medicine

Chronic Pain

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:10:20 +0000

Chronic pain associated with a variety of medical conditions has fostered its own specialists. There is an excellent pain clinic in Costa Rica as well as several specialists in pain. The clinic has had excellent results in managing and overcoming chronic pain. One specialist in particular, Dr. Pedro Bolaños, Orthopedic Surgeon, PhD in Nutrition, Acupuncturist and Homeopath, has done considerable work in this area and with his varied skills offers many avenues for management and recovery for those suffering with chronic pain.

General Medical Specialties

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:09:55 +0000

You can easily find representatives of over 30 medical specialties, from Acupuncture to Venereal Specialists in Costa Rica. Treatments with specialists, and travel packages available from a variety of service providers can be individually tailored to meet the budget constraints of any health tourist.

Within the area of general health is the sub-category of homeopathy. There are many homeopathic medical specialists in Costa Rica whose education and training is in alternative medicine such as iridology, reflexology, herbology, etc. These specialists play an important if not integral part in the excellent medical system of the country.

Opthamology

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:09:02 +0000

Along with Colombia and Brazil, Costa Rica offers many years of experience with laser eye surgery. Relatively new to the U.S., laser eye surgery has been practiced in Costa Rica with the most modern equipment available for many years. Those eye surgeons applying the lasers (Eximer/Lasik) have trained with international renowned teachers and have themselves trained eye surgeons from many other parts of the world.

Dentistry

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:08:04 +0000

Many dentists in Costa Rica have received training in other countries. By and large, dentists here are as skilled in the latest dental practices as any to be found. The University of Costa Rica has an excellent, modern School of Dentistry which prepares Costa Rican dentists for competitive practice. As with all other health care in Costa Rica, dental costs are considerably below international averages while the quality is consistently above those same averages.

Urology

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:07:39 +0000

As with other medical specialties, a number of outstanding doctors and surgeons practice urology in Costa Rica. One prestigious team of urologists and radiologists is headed by Dr. Guido Alvarez. This team uses ultra-modern equipment and practices in a state-of-the-art facility. All procedures available in other developed countries are available here, and with the utilization of ITT surgical laser, all can be accomplished to the highest standards.

One of the most debilitating illnesses is renal failure. Often, a close living relative of the patient is available to donate one of his/her kidneys. Costa Rica’s experienced urologists are in a position to perform such transplants at a moment’s notice. Many clinics and hospitals in Costa Rica can arrange for jet charter medical transportation throughout the Americas for medical emergencies such as renal failure. Again, though cost is usually the last thing on a family’s mind in emergency situations, the costs in Costa Rica for living, related kidney donor transplants are significantly below those of the same operation in the United States.

Cardiology

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:28:44 +0000

Assuredly, heart surgery is not something to take lightly. Costa Rica has the finest heart team, using the most modern surgical theaters in Costa Rica and Latin America. Headed by Dr. Longino Soto Pacheco, this cardiac/ cardiovascular/ thoracic team performed the first successful heart transplant in Costa Rica in March of 1991 and has since given many others replacement hearts. Dr. Soto has been recognized internationally as one of the premier open heart surgeons currently operating and has received a number of awards for his pioneering work in open heart surgery. During more than thirty years, he has worked to make Costa Rica’s health system one of the best in the world, and has succeeded admirably. The other members of the cardiac team are equally qualified, and under the direction of Dr. Soto, perform all heart surgeries with a dedication and degree of excellence and success found only in the finest heart centers around the world.

Would you come to Costa Rica for heart surgery–valve replacement, by-pass surgery, etc.? Possibly not, as the risks associated with these surgeries are often best met close to home. However, if given the choice of undergoing open heart surgery close to home by mediocre surgeons or in Costa Rica (with jet air ambulance on standby) by an incredibly successful team of gifted heart surgeons, and for significantly less cost, the choice becomes less clear.

Cost is low on the list of concerns when a life threatening heart condition requires intervention, especially when adequate health insurance is available. And cost should not stand in the way of receiving the best care available. By choosing Costa Rica and Dr. Soto’s internationally recognized heart team, you are not only assured of first-class treatment in first-class surroundings with top-quality attention before, during and after the surgery, but you are assured that your health care dollar will be well spent.

Urology

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:00:28 +0000

Another important area of women’s medicine is feminine incontinence. Using the surgical technique SLLOLOMO RAZ (vesical suspension), Costa Rican urology teams have had marked success in correcting feminine incontinence.

Breast Reconstruction

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:45:36 +0000

Many of the fine cosmetic surgeons in Costa Rica also are fine reconstructive surgeons. For a woman, quality reconstruction after breast surgery can be critical, and Costa Rica’s reconstructive surgeons realize the importance of excellence. Often covered by US health insurance, this surgery can be performed in Costa Rica by experienced and caring professionals at considerable savings to both the insurer and the insured.

Infertility

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:44:17 +0000

Certainly one of the most painful conditions for those wanting a family is the condition of infertility. The Costa Rican Infertility Institute (Instituto Costarricense de Infertilidad, ICI) is a complete, modern medical complex specializing in female reproduction and related problems. ICI specializes in assisted reproduction techniques such as in-vitro fertilization and GIFT. The Institute also offers, where appropriate, surgical reversal of certain forms of tubal ligation.

The Director, Dr. Gerardo Escalante, and Assistant Director, Doctor Delia Ribas, are highly- trained medical professionals who have dedicated their medical careers to assisting women become mothers. ICI is staffed with equally dedicated professionals and the on-site laboratory and ultra-modern technological support are all mutually complementary.

There are also medical specialists in breast and uterine cancers associated with the Infertility Institute.

OB-GYN

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:43:08 +0000

Women’s health services in Costa Rica are complete, professional and performed by genuinely caring professionals. From annual check-ups, complete with ultrasound and mammography, to complete birthing services, the OB-GYN professionals, lovingly care for their patients. The Latin culture places high value on mothers and children and nowhere else is this cultural aspect so clearly evident.