What is the placenta and why is it important?
The placenta or “afterbirth” is a living organ whose function is critical to the growth, development and survival of the fetus. It both provides your baby with oxygen and nutrients as well as a mechanism for discarding waste products and carbon dioxide. Continue reading…
In short, there are no “false positives or negatives” for this test because it doesn’t give positive or negative results; it predicts a risk ratio such as 1 in 234 or 1 in 899 for the given condition. If you are told that your test was “abnormal” it only means that your risk calculated as greater than that for a 35 yr. old woman and would be a possible indication for an amniocentesis if you chose to have one. Continue reading…
Will I have an ultrasound during the pregnancy and can it tell me the sex?
The American College of Obstetrics lists 27 reasons for ultrasound examination (sonogram) in pregnancy. Many doctors will perform a vaginal ultrasound in the first trimester (12 weeks) to determine if the pregnancy is alive, when you are due, and how many fetuses there are. Little else can be determined at this point. Continue reading…
At this time, laser photocoagulation treatment is the only therapy of proven benefit for macular degeneration. This treatment is effective only for wet AMD; and among those with wet AMD, only a small fraction with a specific configuration of new blood vessels is eligible for laser therapy. There is no proven-effective therapy or preventative strategy for dry AMD. Continue reading…
The signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism may be mild or severe depending on how high the thyroid hormone levels are in the blood. The symptoms result from the increased metabolism that occurs in various body organs. In most cases, there is no pain in the thyroid gland. So patients may not recognize that their symptoms are caused by the overactivity of this small gland in the lower part of the neck. In the case of Graves’ disease or an overactive nodular goiter, symptoms usually develop slowly over a number of months. The patient may not be aware of them until they are severe, unless a family member or friend notices that the person is having problems. With damage to the thyroid gland from thyroiditis, symptoms may develop more quickly over a few weeks or even days. Continue reading…
Although lead testing of children is not mandatory in most areas, parents should insist on yearly lead testing (a simple and inexpensive blood test) for children under age 7. Schools should require this test for kindergarten admission at the very least although the damage may already have been irrevocably done by that time. Continue reading…
* approximately 2 million children in the United States suffer from lead poisoning
* lead poisoning is the number one environmental disease of children
* lead poisoning is l00% preventable and if detected early on can be treated Continue reading…
Vitamin O is worthless, says the Federal Trade Commission, the government agency that investigates false advertising claims. Continue reading…
Interestingly enough, back pain is one of the most prevalent illnesses,and it can easily be treated with exercise. Exercise as treatment is a radical departure from that which has been prescribed for most Americans in the past. Typically, surgery or other invasive forms of treatment are prescribed, with little or no results. Continue reading…
The sedentary population hates us. Gone are the days when it was OK for them to lead couch potato lifestyles. Ten to 20 years ago, exercise was more of an individual choice. Those of us who chose to be physically active did so because it made us look and feel good. But those who didn’t, hey, it was up to them to decide what kind of lifestyle they chose to live, right? Continue reading…
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