History of Medical Imaging – A Brief Overview

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

The concept of medical imaging began in 1895 with the invention of the x-ray by a German professor of physics, Wilhelm Rontgen. The concept of x-ray is based on the principle of passing ionizing radiation through the body and having the images projected on a photosensitive plate placed behind it. The different densities of the tissues within the body will be detected when the plate is developed and will be able to show abnormalities that may be present. In the early 1900’s it was discovered that by using pharmaceutical contrast agents it would be possible to see organs and blood vessels.
In the 1950’s nuclear medicine started to utilized as a way to diagnose pathology in the body. This is based on having the patient infused with radionucleotides that are combined with pharmaceutical compounds that will find their way to organs or groups of cells that are more active than others. These images are recorded by a gamma camera and can detect medical problems earlier than other tests.
During the 1960’s sonar was beginning to be used after having been used for many years as a war time tool to detect enemy ships during World War Two. High frequency sound waves are transmitted through a probe into the body and these sound waves are then bounced back to the probe where they are converted into electrical pulses showing us images on a screen.
In the 1970’s Computed Tomography (CT scan) was developed. The concept of this technology is to take a serial series of images of slices of the body and to then put them back together with a computer to visualize internal structures of the body.
Also in the 1970’s the technology of MRI was developed which works on the principle of nuclear magnetic relaxation times. With the very powerful magnetic forces that are used, the alignment of protons in the cells will be examined to determine if there is a problem with tissues in the body.
Medical imaging has improved immensely since the first x-rays were taken over 120 years ago. There is much more accuracy in diagnosing a medical problem and because of these advances, there is also much less need to perform exploratory surgery. This hopefully will lead to early diagnosis and better treatment options for many patients.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Chemical Dependency Unit

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Chemical dependency is a term used to describe a disease characterized by the addiction to mood- altering chemicals found in legal or illegal drugs or alcohol. Some of the causes of chemical abuse and dependence are environmental stressors, social pressures, psychiatric problems or possible genetic traits.

People who have a chemical dependence most often abuse one or more of these agents:

Alcohol
Marijuana
Cocaine
Opiates
Inhalants
Hallucinogens
Methamphetamine
Pain medications

Warning signs that indicate a growing chemical dependence on these substances include:

Developing a tolerance to use more alcohol or drugs to get a desired effect
Interference with work, school, and relationships
Spending a lot of time getting, using or recovering from the use of substances
Craving drugs or alcohol on a continuing basis
Having withdrawal symptoms if drugs or alcohol are not available

The Chemical Dependency Unit at Flushing Hospital is a medically managed detoxification unit that offers safe withdrawal from alcohol and drugs. Culturally-sensitive treatment is provided by a dedicated and caring staff that consists of physicians, physicians’ assistants, specially trained nurses, credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors, creative arts therapists, social workers, and psychiatric consultants. Their focus is stabilizing the individual physically and emotionally so they can start the recovery process.

In addition to providing treatment, educational groups are facilitated to help patients learn about addiction as well as creative arts groups to help patients understand and express their emotions. Also self-help groups, such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and NA (Narcotics Anonymous), conduct meetings on the unit to familiarize patients with the support services they provide.

Patients are admitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The length of stay is usually between three and seven days. Discharge plans are based on the individual needs of the patient.

For more information or to schedule an appointment at the Chemical Dependency Unit at Flushing Hospital, call or .

Pulmonary Medicine

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

The specialty of Pulmonary Medicine concentrates on the respiratory system which includes the lungs, the upper airways, the thoracic cavity and the chest wall. Doctors that work with the pulmonary system are called pulmonologists. Some of the illnesses that they treat include asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) emphysema, lung cancer, and occupational lung diseases.
Flushing Hospital’s Division of Pulmonary Medicine offers a wide range of services to help diagnose and treat patients with lung disease.
Some of the diagnostic testing performed in the Pulmonary Function Lab includes:
• Spirometry
• Lung Volumes (nitrogen washout or body plethysmography)
• Diffusing capacity
• Arterial Blood Gas Testing
• Pulmonary Stress Test
• Six-minute Walk Test
• Sputum Induction
• Cold Air Exchange
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Artificial Sweetners

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Anyone who has ever tried to watch their weight, protect their teeth, or has been told that they have diabetes, has probably tried something made with an artificial sweetener. The concept of using sugar substitutes has been around for a very long time. A researcher at Johns Hopkins University accidently discovered a product that would be developed into what we now know as saccharin in 1879. The use of artificial sweeteners as part of our daily lives became more prevalent in the mid 20th century.

There are six sugar substitutes that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in foods and beverages. These are aspartame, sucralose, stevia, neotame, saccharin, and acesulfame potassium. These products are very sweet and therefore only very small quantities need to be added to food and beverages to make them taste good. For as long as these products made with artificial sweeteners have been available there has been controversy over any harmful side effects that they may pose. So far the FDA has not been able to substantiate any claims of harmful effects from their use.

As people in the United States have become more health conscious, the use of products made with artificial sweeteners has increased. More and more products are being produced each year that are labeled “Sugar Free”, “Diet”, “Low-Cal”, “Light”, or “Artificially Sweetened”. People are naturally attracted to foods that taste sweet. It has been stated that the taste of sugar may even be addictive. While limiting the intake of sugar may be seen as a good trend, people seem to be consuming more of the artificially sweetened products which may not be beneficial in the long term. Over indulgence in products that are made with these artificial sweeteners can still cause weight gain.

National Save Your Vision Month

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

The month of March has been designated as “National Save Your Vision Month” by the American Optometric Association as a way to promote good eye health. This year, the campaign wants to bring attention to eye problems that can occur at work. More people are using electronic devices for both work and for pleasure than ever before and this can lead to eye problems for some people. This year the campaign wants to bring attention to eye problems that can occur at work.
People who use computers all the time, especially at work, should be aware of developing dry eyes, blurred vision and eye strain. This is because the eyes are focused for long periods of time on an object that is at a fixed distance rather than seeing objects that are moving or at varying distances which allow the muscles of the eyes to constantly move. Also, people who use computer screens for long periods of time don’t blink as frequently and this can lead to dry eyes. To alleviate some of these problems it is important to take a break from time to time and look out a window or at least look around the room.
Some tips for good eye health include keeping the computer monitor about twenty inches from your eyes, keeping the top of the screen tilted a little below eye level, the screen should be kept clean to avoid anything that can blur the images. It is also important to eat a healthy diet which will keep the eyes well nourished.
Regular eye exams can detect problems before they become serious. Correcting faulty vision early this can prevent the problem from becoming serious later on. If you would like to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Pneumonia

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Examining chest x-ray

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, a virus or fungi. It is characterized by the air sacs in the lungs becoming inflamed and filling up with fluid or pus. Pneumonia can vary in severity from very mild to life threatening and it is most serious in infants, young children, people who are older than 65 and people who have weakened immune systems. There are two ways it can affect the lungs: Lobar pneumonia is when only one lobe is affected and bronchial pneumonia is when both lungs are affected.
Since pneumonia affects the lungs, it can severely limit the ability of oxygen to reach the blood stream, affecting other organs’ ability to function properly.
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia include:
• Difficulty breathing that causes chest pain
• Fatigue
• Cough with phlegm
• Fever, chills, sweating
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Rapid heartbeat
• Confusion
Risk factors for pneumonia include:
• Cigarette smoking
• Chronic lung disease (COPD, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis)
• Diabetes
• Cerebral Palsy
• Immunosuppression
• After surgery
There are a few ways to proactively prevent pneumonia. Anyone can develop pneumonia but those who are at high risk can ask their physician about getting a pneumonia vaccine. Practicing good hygiene and washing your hands frequently with soap and water and also using a hand sanitizer can be useful. It is also important to keep the body healthy by getting enough rest, proper nutrition, and exercise.
Pneumonia is diagnosed through a physical exam which will include listening to the lungs with a stethoscope and also may include a chest x-ray. Additional testing may include a blood test to check the white blood cell count, a sputum test, pulse oximetry or a bronchoscopy.
The treatment of simple pneumonia depends on the agent that is causing it. Many cases can be treated with antibiotics, cough medicine and fever reducer/pain reliever. More complex cases may require hospitalization and IV antibiotics. If you are having difficulty breathing it is important to get checked by a physician to diagnose the reason why. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Staph Infection on the Skin

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

You notice what looks like pimples on your skin, but these “pimples” are nothing like any pimples you’ve ever seen. They’re red, painful, and swollen. You even notice pus draining from them, and they start to crust over. What you may be experiencing is a staph infection on your skin—a health condition that might require professional medical attention.

What Is a Staph Infection?

A staph infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that has the potential to cause a variety of diseases. You can find this bacterium on your skin, but it typically won’t cause an infection unless it enters your body through a break in your skin. The bacterium may cause either a severe staph infection or a mild staph infection.

When you have a staph infection on your skin, your wound might be either superficial (for example, an abscess, or boils) or deep (for instance, cellulitis). If the infection goes into your blood, this can lead to sepsis, signs of which include shock, low blood pressure, chills, and fever.

Who Is Susceptible to Staph Infections?

A staph infection is contagious, especially if a person who has a wound that is infected directly contacts another person’s skin. However, you may also receive this infection from contaminated materials, like bandages, socks, razors, needles, and gloves. For this reason, it is critical that you wash your hands frequently and cleanse cuts quickly.

You’re especially at risk for receiving this type of infection if you fall into one of the following categories:

Your immune system is weak.
You use intravenous drugs.
You are battling vascular disease, cancer, or lung disease.
You are diabetic.

Newborn babies are also susceptible to staph infections.

What Should You Do If You Have a Staph Infection?

If you have a minor lesion, you can simply wash the area with water and soap to restore health to the area. However, if you suspect that you have contracted a more serious staph infection, you should contact a doctor right away.

Your doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic for you if you have a milder case of staph infection. Meanwhile, if your wound is more severe, you may need to take an intravenous antibiotic, take an oral antibiotic, or undergo surgery to keep the infection from spreading and ultimately resolve it.

Call us at (718) 670-5486 to schedule a doctor’s appointment and get your or your child’s lesion checked out by a family doctor, internist, or pediatrician today.

What Could Wrist Pain be Telling You ?

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Wrist pain

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is characterized by numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand caused by pressure exerted on a major nerve and tendons in the wrist. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of the wrist through which passes the median nerve and these tendons. It usually starts gradually with numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers that at first may appear to come and go and then as it progressively worsens, remains constant. Four out of the five fingers will eventually be affected, the little finger is exempt. It generally affects women more frequently than men.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
• Tingling or numbness of the thumb, index finger and middle fingers
• Weakness of the hand with difficulty holding on to objects
Compression of the median nerve can be caused by a few different factors. Some people have naturally occurring smaller carpal tunnels which can lead to increased likely hood of damage. Any damage to that area of the wrist can cause a problem. A previous wrist fracture or anything that may cause swelling in that area can lead to the problem developing. In addition, there are certain health related issues such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and arthritis which can be associated with this condition.
Temporary relief from the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be addressed by:
• taking quick breaks from repetitive activities of the hand
• rotate your wrists and stretch your palms and fingers
• avoid sleeping on your hands and wrists
• ultrasound therapy which makes the area of the wrist warm and more flexible

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome really depends on what the cause is and how severe it has become. If symptoms appear, never wait too long before seeking treatment options as this can lead to permanent damage. Some simple remedies include stopping any activity that may be compressing the nerve, putting ice on the wrist for 10 – 15 minutes once or twice an hour, taking anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling, and wearing a night splint to take the pressure off of the nerve. Some cases can be helped with injections of corticosteroids. When the condition is really severe, surgical intervention may be required.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and would like to be treated by a orthopedic physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

What to Know About Bacterial Skin Disorders

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Red pimple

Staphylococcus Aureus (staph) is a group of bacteria that can cause many diseases. It is commonly found on the skin in most people and it usually doesn’t cause infection until it enters the body through breaks in the skin or with food. These infections can range from being mild (not requiring any treatment) to very severe.
When staph infections develop on the skin, they can take on many different forms depending on the severity. The wound may be superficial (boils, abscess, furuncle) or deep (cellulitis). Usually these skin lesions are red, swollen and tender to the touch. There may also be pus that drains from the infection site. Severe infections which have entered the blood stream cause sepsis and manifest with high fever, chills, low blood pressure, and eventually shock.
Staph infections tend to be contagious when there is direct skin to skin contact with an infected wound. They can also be transmitted with shared razors, gloves, socks, needles, and bandages. Prevention of staph infections can be achieved with frequent hand washing, avoiding contact with open wounds, and thorough cleansing of scrapes and cuts as soon as they occur.
People who are at higher risk for developing staph infections include:
• Diabetics
• Newborns
• Patients with cancer, lung disease, and vascular disease
• Intravenous drug users
• People with weakened immune systems
Treatment for staph infections depends on the severity. If it is a minor skin lesion, cleaning it with soap and water regularly may be sufficient whereas other wounds may require topical antibiotic ointments. More severe wounds will require surgical intervention and oral or intravenous antibiotics to control further spreading and eventually resolve the infection.
Minor skin rashes in children can be treated by a pediatrician and for adults by an internist or family medicine doctor. More severe wounds and wounds that are difficult to heal may require the specialized care offered in the wound care clinic. To schedule an appointment with the appropriate physician, please call 718-670-5486.

History of Eyeglasses

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Over 60 percent of the adult population in the United States today wears eyeglasses. Modern day eyeglasses have their roots that date back more than 1000 years. In the middle ages Monks were known to use reading stones that were glass spheres, sometimes filled with water, that were placed on top of objects in order to magnify them. The first documented use of eyeglasses was attributed to being developed in Italy. In the 13th century Venetian glass blowers made the first solid glass lenses that were held by frames and that were a primitive version of modern day wearable eyeglasses.
In the 17th century eyeglasses started to be made that could correct vision. Glasses could be made with either concave lenses, for nearsightedness, or convex lenses for farsightedness. Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal lenses in 1784. Glass was the material used in the production of eyeglasses for centuries until the latter part of the 20th century when plastic became widely used in eyeglasses as it was lighter and safer than glass. Now many eyeglasses are being made from polycarbonate which is lighter still and more resilient to scratches.

To schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486