The natural caution that we feel regarding our bodies and medical care is one of the last barriers to medical tourism - and word of mouth, better regulations and great communication systems are eventually breaking this barrier down. We look at how you can save money, have a better recovery, and take a well-earned break at hospitals in Bangkok to Bangalore, all while getting top notch medical care.

Private patients are discovering the benefits of being a medical tourist - going overseas to have their surgeries, either life-saving/-improving, and simple health check-ups and everyday procedures like childbirth and vaccinations. Now, employers are doing the same, and the Thai medical industry, along with hospitals in Thailand, India and Singapore, gaining in popularity and esteem.

Medical tourism is a booming industry in South East Asia, where technology and skills are growing quickly, and cost of living is still much lower than in the West, leading to much lower medical costs for Westerners; even when travel costs are added into the equation. Thailand is one of the most popular destinations, and this article should help you decide between the country's top two hospitals.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition in which the body's own immune system attacks the joints. Sometimes extreme measures like joint replacement surgery are required. However, a new gene therapy has been identified that may help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Worldwide, breast cancer is more common than any other cancer in women, and in studies counting both sexes, is the second most common cancer in the world. Breast cancer is often treatable, however a multitude of different options, all with different impacts on a woman's life, are available. What do women know about breast cancer treatment options?

Heart disease is one of the biggest killers of both men and women worldwide. In the Western world it is the number one cause of death in many countries. However, our knowledge of the causes and treatments of heart disease improves every year, and researchers have recently been able to add broccoli to their list of substances which can prevent patients ending up in hospital heart centers.

Medical tourism is one of the fastest growing trends in the West, as cost of living pressures rise and unexpected medical expenses become harder and harder to meet. The Arabic world has recently discovered the benefits of this new trend at hospitals in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Mumbai, as reported in several major Arabic newspapers.

Cancer has been a scourge on the medical profession and society in general for decades now. Most people have a rudimentary knowledge of it, but are you aware of the real risk of developing cancer, the symptoms of cancer, and the hope for a cure for cancer?

Currently, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the Western world, and in many countries, both women and men are equally susceptible. There is presently no routine way to screen people for heart attacks or heart cancer -they are usually only diagnosed after a visit to hospital. However, scientists have now identified an enzyme which may help predict that a heart attack is one the way.

Alzheimer's disease is cruel; a degenerative and terminal brain condition, which currently does not have a cure. Prevention is essential to maintain brain function, and scientists have recently identified another important and simple to administer preventative - rosemary.

Skin cancer is relatively simple to treat if it is caught early enough -melanomas can simply be cut out of the body. However, once they have spread, this type of cancer is basically always fatal. However, researchers have now identified a new type of therapy that has helped cure a man of terminal skin cancer.

Stroke is presently the third leading cause of death in the Western world, coming after the 'big two' of heart disease and cancer. Stroke can cause other health problems, from problems with speech to partial paralysis. One of the biggest risk factors for stroke is having already had a stroke. Some of these people that suffer from recurrent strokes can now be helped with a breakthrough device.

Lung cancer is often known in the Western world as primarily the bane of cigarette smokers. However, many non-smokers also suffer from this debilitating and sometimes terminal disease. Scientists in Cuba have created a revolutionary new drug that both helps to treat lung cancer and vaccinate against it.