February 6, 2018
Stents are slender, expandable, metallic mesh tubes that act as scaffolding to maintain blood flow in the artery by preventing arteries from re-narrowing upon completion of the balloon angioplasty procedure. Stents help reduce the risk of heart attack and are much easier for patients to go through as opposed to other procedures such as cardiac catheterization. Who Requires Stents? Individuals with a buildup of plaque in a localized area of an artery may benefit from a stent. Your doctor will let you know if you're a candidate for this procedure. What Happens Before the Procedure? Your... Continue Reading
February 5, 2018
Great strides have been made in the last several years for the care of those with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Immediate action to enter emergency medical care continues to be the number one goal to save lives. Even 15 minutes can be the difference between death and disability, and returning to a fulfilling life. The second goal is primary and secondary prevention of the causes surrounding CVD and reducing these risk factors. Goal #1: Immediate Action Two of the most common reasons of cardiovascular emergencies are heart attack and stroke. The cause for a heart attack or stroke is similar... Continue Reading
February 2, 2018
If you've been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), you may be feeling apprehensive. CHF can be a scary and confusing diagnosis. It can be caused by genetics, high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, infections, or heart attack. The good news is Congestive Heart Failure doesn't have to be a death sentence. By altering your lifestyle to minimize the impact CHF has on your health you can take back control of your life instead of letting CHF define you. What is Congestive Heart Failure Your heart's job is to pump old, oxygen-poor blood from your body and to the lungs for oxygenation,... Continue Reading
January 23, 2018
As the popular winter song says, "Oh the weather outside is frightful!" For many people the short days, overcast skies, and cold temperatures not only mean more time indoors but a significant change in their mood as well. In fact, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a widely accepted name for a form of depression that's related to the change of seasons. The National Institute of Health estimates that nearly 6% of people will experience SAD, while 14% of people experience a milder form of SAD, often called the "winter blues." In addition to medical care, there are several healthy ways to ward... Continue Reading
January 22, 2018
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week ® (NDAFW), January 22-28, 2018, is a national health observance linking teens to science based facts to SHATTER THE MYTHS® about drugs! Over 18.5 million persons 12 and older have misused prescription drugs in the past year. When asked how they obtained prescription opioids, a majority of the 12th graders surveyed said they were given the drugs or they bought them from a friend or relative. These statistics are particularly worrisome as youth who misuse prescription medications are more likely to report use of other drugs. Monitoring the Future is an... Continue Reading
January 18, 2018
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what other factors play into being healthy? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health and helps prevent you from developing several diseases or conditions. If you are overweight or obese, you are at a higher risk of developing serious health complications including heart disease, high blood pressure, breathing problems, and certain cancers. Being underweight may compromise your immune system making you more vulnerable to illnesses such as the flu. Being... Continue Reading
January 16, 2018
For nearly 15 million Americans, sitting down to a meal or grabbing a snack comes with a whole host of considerations because of food allergies. An allergic reaction can range from mild symptoms to critical flare-ups that require emergency care. Of the eight major food allergens including milk, eggs, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish – peanut allergies affect over 3 million Americans. Food allergies are especially pesky since most people are allergic to more than one food. The prevalence of food allergies has prompted researchers to focus on new ways of treating the condition. A... Continue Reading
January 15, 2018
You may have heard that you, or someone you love, will be receiving services from a General Surgeon. Here is all the information you need to understand the challenging and unique field of general surgery. What is general surgery? General surgery is a surgical specialty. The word "general" might make this statement seem misleading, but it's true. A general surgeon is a doctor who performs surgeries for many ailments rather than specifying one system or organ, such as neurosurgery or cardiothoracic. So, it's not the case that all surgeons are considered general surgeons, even though all... Continue Reading
January 11, 2018
Cancer is the second leading cause of death. Cancer kills more than half a million Americans every year equating to one of every four deaths in the United States. A way to drastically reduce this number is to detect cancer as early as possible. The most efficient way to do this is through a cancer screening. Catching cancer at an early stage will increase the chances of a successful recovery. Listed below are the top four screenings that you should consider. Skin Cancers-Skin Biopsy This screening is meant to diagnose skin cancers, the most common type of cancers. During a skin biopsy, a... Continue Reading
January 8, 2018
Researchers working to unearth the cause or causes for Parkinson's disease are following a line of evidence linked to farmers. It is known that farmers are more prone to getting Parkinson's disease. One of the reasons this may be the case is may be due to exposure to pesticides and other chemicals. One 2006 study that had followed patients for 9 years, showed that patients with regular exposure to pesticides had a 70% higher incidence of Parkinson's. But this study didn't look at specific types of pesticides. Now, more recent data shows that Paraquat and Rotenone, specifically, may cause more... Continue Reading
