Racial Differences and Pregnancy Care

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it will fund new research examining racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related complications and deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 700 women die each year in the United States from pregnancy-related complications. The grants to six institutions are expected to total… Continue reading Racial Differences and Pregnancy Care

Are You at High Risk for Flu and Its Complications?

Most people who get sick with flu will have mild illness, will not need medical care or antiviral drugs and will recover in less than two weeks. Some people, however, are more likely to get flu complications that can result in hospitalization and sometimes death. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of… Continue reading Are You at High Risk for Flu and Its Complications?

Tattoo Complications May Warrant A Trip to The Doctor

Research indicates that 10 percent of people with tattoos experience some sort of complication, such as pain or infection. While their first inclination may be to seek help from the artist who gave them their tattoo, it may be necessary to see a board-certified dermatologist for the proper diagnosis and treatment of skin problems, according… Continue reading Tattoo Complications May Warrant A Trip to The Doctor

Appendicitis Patients: Overnight Hospital Stay Isn’t Necessarily Healthier

Patients who undergo a laparoscopic appendectomy and are sent home the same day don’t experience higher rates of post-operative complications than those who are hospitalized overnight, according to study results published on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website ahead of print publication. Each year, more than 250,000 appendectomies are performed in the… Continue reading Appendicitis Patients: Overnight Hospital Stay Isn’t Necessarily Healthier

What You Should Know about This Year’s Flu Vaccine

Influenza – commonly known as the flu – is a serious and potentially fatal virus that causes familiar symptoms like fever, coughing and muscle aches, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can also lead to far graver complications like pneumonia, bronchitis and even death in some cases. Mayo, in an article released on its news… Continue reading What You Should Know about This Year’s Flu Vaccine

Spinal Surgery Can Help Patients Over 80

Patients over 80 can still benefit from spinal surgery, according to a new study. The finding has broad significance, since the U.S. population age 80 and older is increasing rapidly, with a jump of 22 percent between 2000 and 2010. Along with that goes an increase in the number of patients with acute spinal conditions.… Continue reading Spinal Surgery Can Help Patients Over 80

A New Way to Predict Successful Joint Replacement

Researchers have developed a simple “frailty index” to predict the risk of death and serious complications in older patients who are considering total hip and knee replacements. A person’s eligibility for such surgeries has traditionally been based on age alone. But that is changing now, as a person’s level of frailty is also being taken… Continue reading A New Way to Predict Successful Joint Replacement