Medical Minutes

The good news is, since the early 1960s, the number of deaths from heart disease has dropped by half. The bad news is heart disease continues to be the number one killer in the United States among women and men. Over the years, cardiovascular researchers have made some truly impressive advances. As experts in caring for your heart, cardiologists are better prepared than ever to treat all forms of heart and vascular disease with cutting-edge diagnostic tests and tools. If engaged at the right time, we can save lives. For some, that may mean emergency cardiac care.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. It protects us from microbes and the elements and helps regulate body temperature. Skin related diseases and conditions affect most people at some point in their lives and may range from a simple rash to mild or severe acne; from a deadly form of skin cancer (melanoma) to excessive and unpredictable sweating (hyperhidrosis).

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, it is “estimated that 37 million people are afflicted with sinusitis each year, making it one of the most common health conditions in America.” Sinusitis is the inflammation of the mucus lining of the sinus and is often preceded by a cold or allergic attack. The primary objectives for treating sinusitis are reduction of swelling, eradication of infection, draining of the sinuses, and ensuring that the sinuses remain open.

Warm temperatures prompt an increase in outdoor activities. A few precautions can help keep sunburns and bug bites from spoiling your outdoor family fun. Sun Protection:

During the Portugal/United States soccer game, the World Cup referee requested the first-ever water break. The break is a reminder that everyone, even professional athletes, must take extra precautions when playing in the heat. Each summer as temperatures climb, emergency rooms see an increase in heat stroke and other heat-related medical illnesses.

According to the Center for Diseases Control, one in every eight babies in the United States is born prematurely, before 37 weeks. In 2009, 35 percent of infant deaths were related to prematurity. Premature birth is a leading cause of long term health and neurologic disabilities. It is often difficult to predict which mother is likely to delivery early. In fact, the precipitating cause of early labor in nearly half of preterm births is unknown.

Childhood and adolescent obesity in America is a big issue and it is getting bigger. Over the past 30 years, childhood obesity has tripled with nearly 30 percent of children age 6-11 classified as overweight and 20 percent of those as obese. These percentages are steadily and dramatically increasing. Along with such staggering statistics, we also know that being overweight or obese can have a significant effect on both the physical and emotional health of our children.

Sweating is one of the first methods the body uses to control temperature. It is common for people to sweat more when temperatures increase, during exercise or in response to situations that make them nervous, anxious or stressed. However for those who suffer from hyperhidrosis, sweating is excessive, unpredictable and occurs even when temperatures are cool or when an individual is at rest. This condition affects millions of people around the world. While it is not life-threatening, it can lead to significant discomfort, both physically and emotionally, and often requires medical attention.

The word hysterectomy comes from the Greek work ‘hystero’ which means womb. The first description we have of a hysterectomy is in the fifth century BC when Soranus of Ephesus, a Greek physician, removed an inverted uterus that had become gangrenous. Since that first unprecedented procedure, medicine has undergone tremendous medical and technological advancements. While hysterectomies are still considered major surgery, they have become relatively common; in fact, hysterectomies are the second most performed surgery on women.