Different Heart Test Recommendations for High & Low Risk Patients

When it comes to heart health, many people believe that keeping an eye on their cholesterol levels and blood pressure means that they are doing what they can to avoid heart disease and heart attack. However, different people have different levels of risk, depending on certain factors, so it is important to get the right tests to protect your heart and keep it healthy. People that smoke, are overweight or have very high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes or a history of heart disease in their family are considered to be at high risk for developing heart problems. This group may require more tests to maintain a healthy heart by catching and treating problems as early as possible.

For those at high risk, some doctors recommend high resolution CT and MRI scans, which produce exceptionally clear images of the heart so that any problems can be identified and diagnosed quickly. Doctors treating patients at high risk due to high cholesterol may recommend a 64 CT scan, which provides doctors with superior 3-D image of the heart’s blood vessels, allowing them to see any blockages or calcium that may result in a blockage. However, these advanced scans do not come without some risk. CT and MRI scans use radiation to produce their images, so they are only recommended for patients at high risk or those experiencing symptoms of a heart problem. Those at high risk can also have the size of their LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or “bad” cholesterol particles tested. Smaller LDL particles may put a patient at risk of a blockage because their size allows them to enter the lining of the vessels. So, knowing the particle size may provide a better idea of a patient’s specific risk. Recent advances now allow doctors to test for C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a marker for inflammation, meaning it alerts a doctor that a patient is at risk of a heart problem. High levels of CRP may allow plaque and cholesterol to enter the blood vessels, increasing the risk of a blockage, so doctors of patients with a family history of heart disease may recommend this test.

Patients at low risk of heart disease with no risk factors are not recommended to have these types of scans performed to keep their heart in check. Instead, the American Heart Association recommends that people over 20 have their cholesterol levels, blood pressure and triglyceride levels checked annually to check for any warning signs. It is also extremely important do discuss what tests are recommended for you to keep your heart healthy and avoid any potential problems. Heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women in the U.S., so taking the necessary steps to prevent the disease is crucial to your health. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a heart attack or other heart-related problem, contact the experienced attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C., serving clients with Nassau medical malpractice, Suffolk medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice and Queens medical malpractice cases. We also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

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Removal of Cancerous Tumor from Kidney on Twitter

On February 9th, doctors at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan used the social-networking site Twitter to provide readers with real-time updates of a tumor being removed from a patient’s kidney. This was the second time a procedure has been “Twittered”, with the first being the varicose vein removal of Robert Hendrick, who “tweeted” his very own surgery just a few months ago. Hendrick is a colleague of the lead surgeon involved in the most recent “Twittered” surgery, Dr. Craig Rogers, who hopes that this new technology will help patients learn more about surgeries placed on Twitter and erase some of the fears and uncertainties by being able to follow what actually takes place. For this particular surgery, Rogers wanted to make Twitter users aware that a tumor could be successfully removed from a kidney, without having to remove the entire kidney. People following the surgery and reading the updates of doctors in the operating room could ask questions and make comments about on the real-time updates. In fact, Twitter users even got to follow along when Dr. Rogers realized that the tumor was much larger than expected, forcing him to make the decision to remove part of the kidney. Dr. Raj Laungani posted updates on Twitter describing the problem Rogers had uncovered and how he was going to proceed with the surgery.

Twitter users following this tumor removal surgery were also able to view video of the surgery on Twitter. Dr. Rogers and others involved in the surgery are sure that more “Twittered” procedures will follow, allowing people to learn what actually happens during surgery. Of course, patients must consent before their doctors can use a procedure for a site such as Twitter. Mistakes during surgery are always a possibility, whether or not the procedure is being broadcast to an audience or not. If you or a loved one was injured by surgical malpractice in New York City or Long Island, please call or e-mail us today for a free consultation with our experienced surgical malpractice attorneys. Our firm serves clients with Bronx surgical malpractice, Brooklyn surgical malpractice, Queens surgical malpractice, Nassau surgical malpractice and Suffolk surgical malpractice cases.

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Biomarkers in Blood Help Identify Stroke Risk

A study published in the online journal Stroke and conducted by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas has presented a link between blood biomarkers, which are proteins that appear when there is inflammation, and a person’s risk of ischemic stroke. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are the two biomarkers that researchers found to be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke, which occurs when an artery to the brain is blocked. For the study, researchers tested for the two blood biomarkers in 949 participants involved in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Researchers analyzed the blood tests and used those results, in addition to the traditional risk factors for each participant, to predict the risk of a stroke. The traditional risk factors that researchers looked at included age, race, sex, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and weight. Researchers also took into account whether or not each participant was taking any blood pressure medications.

Before incorporating the biomarkers into the prediction process, researchers were able to place those participants with a 2 percent chance of ischemic stroke within the next five years in the low risk category, participants with a 2 to 5 percent chance in the intermediate risk category and participants with more than a 5 percent chance in the high risk category. When the biomarker information was added to the traditional risk factors for each participant, researchers were able to get a clearer idea of the risk of ischemic stroke for each person. After biomarker data was included, about 4 percent of those participants previously in the low risk category moved into the intermediate risk category, 11 percent of those in the intermediate risk category moved into the high risk category and about 33 percent of participants previously placed in the high risk category were placed in the intermediate category.

Although there is much more to learn about the link between ischemic stroke risk and biomarkers in the blood, this study did reveal some very useful information for researchers and doctors. If doctors are able to better determine a patient’s risk of ischemic stroke by using blood biomarker data in addition to the traditional risk factors, it may be possible to provide treatment to lower the chance of stroke for high risk patients. Ischemic strokes make up about 88 percent of all stroke occurrences and can have a serious impact on a person’s health. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a stroke in New York, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today for your free consultation. Our medical malpractice attorneys will evaluate the facts of your situation and answer any questions you may have regarding your case.

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Multivitamins Ineffective in Preventing Cancer and Heart Disease in Older Women

In a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found that taking a daily multivitamin did not reduce the risk of cancer or heart disease in women over 50. The Women’s Health Initiative study, which is one of the largest to look at health and diet among women in this age group, included over 161,000 women ages 50 to 79. The women were observed for an average of eight years, with more than 40 percent of those participants taking some type of supplement during the duration of the study. Researchers found that these multivitamins were ineffective in preventing breast, ovarian, colorectal, stomach, lung, bladder and other cancers. The study also revealed that the risk of heart attack and stroke were not reduced by these daily multivitamins either. Previous studies with men involving selenium, vitamin E and vitamin C revealed that these supplements were not effective in preventing prostate cancer.

Many doctors and medical professionals encourage their postmenopausal female patients to take daily multivitamins. However, this study reveals that these supplements are not beneficial if they are only being taken to reduce the risk of cancer or heart disease, but still may help improve overall health. For those women, or men, that are looking to lower their cancer and heart disease risk, the most effective way to get those helpful antioxidants is by including fruits and vegetables in their regular diets. In studies looking at the effect of antioxidants on cancer prevention, researchers found that people with diets high in antioxidants have a lower risk of developing cancer than those with lower levels. So, it is important to maintain a healthy diet if you are looking to reap all of the benefits that come from healthy foods. Unfortunately, even when all preventative measures are taken, cancer and heart disease may still develop, requiring treatment by a doctor or hospital. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a cancer or heart attack in New York, contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today for your free consultation. We serve clients with Bronx medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Queens medical malpractice and Long Island medical malpractice cases. Our experienced attorneys will evaluate the facts of your situation and answer any questions you may have regarding your case.

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Surgical Fires and Ways to Lower Your Risk

When a person requires surgery, it is not uncommon for that person to worry about their procedure and the things that might go wrong if there is a complication or if a surgeon makes a mistake. However, most surgery patients do not worry about surgical fires because the majority of people have never heard of this type of problem occurring during surgery, since most cases go unreported. In fact, very few hospitals even include information about the possibility of surgical fires in surgery release forms, keeping patients in the dark about this terrifying hazard. According to the Emergency Care Research Institute, about 600 fires occur during surgical procedures each year in the United States, a number that is definitely inaccurate because most states do not require hospitals to report fires occurring in operating rooms. During surgical procedures involving oxygen and surgical tools, such as lasers or drills, there is a high possibility that a fire may start if one of those tools creates a spark. If a spark is produced, it is possible for cloth, paper, alcohol-based antiseptics and even the patient to catch fire. If the mask covering the patient’s face ignites, the possibility for injury increases because the fire may follow the oxygen flowing into the patient’s nose and throat.

Surgical fires occur most often during surgeries involving the head and neck because the oxygen source is extremely close to the tools being used and items that may catch fire. Unfortunately, when a fire ignites near the head or neck, the injuries incurred can be extremely painful and may disfigure a person for life. One way to lower the risk that a fire will ignite during a surgical procedure is by talking with your doctor before your surgery to ensure that your doctor is aware of the possibility of fires in the operating room. By doing this, doctors may reconsider the amount of oxygen that is going to be used during the surgery and the types of materials and liquids used before and during the procedure. Sharing your concerns with your surgeon will make him or her aware that fire prevention is important to you and prompt them to use more caution when working with tools that may produce a spark. Injuries incurred during surgery may be the result of a complication or negligence on the part of a doctor or hospital employee. If you or a loved one was injured by surgical malpractice in New York, call or e-mail the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our experienced surgery malpractice attorneys serve clients with Bronx surgical malpractice, Brooklyn surgical malpractice, Queens surgical malpractice, Nassau surgical malpractice and Suffolk surgical malpractice cases. Call today and let us evaluate the facts of your situation and answer any questions you may have regarding your case.

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Effect of Office Hours on TIA and Minor Stroke Treatment

Transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is a brief stroke that occurs when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted, is often a warning sign that a more serious stroke is possible in the future. Symptoms of TIA, or minor stroke, include numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body), difficulty speaking or understanding speech, confusion, difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance and coordination and trouble seeing in one or both eyes. When TIA occurs, immediate medical attention is necessary to determine what caused the stroke and to figure out what form of treatment would benefit the patient most. However, in a study recently published in the British Medical Journal, researchers found that patients that experienced a minor stroke during non-office hours waited significantly longer to receive medical attention. An estimated 91,000 participants were included in the study from 2002 to 2006, all of which had experienced TIA. Researchers looked at whether a patient had a stroke while their doctor’s office was open or closed, comparing the time those patients waited to get medical attention for their stroke symptoms. For study participants that had experienced stroke symptoms during office hours, the median time waited to call a doctor was 4 hours, with the majority of participants having called their doctor within 24 hours. But, for patients that had experienced TIA symptoms while their doctor's office was closed, the median time waited to call their doctor was 24.8 hours, which did not include those who called or visited an emergency room. This extreme variation in time clearly shows how a closed office may significantly effect when treatment is received by patients experiencing symptoms of a stroke.

Participants that had experienced TIA on a weekday were far more likely to call their general practitioner within 24 hours than those who had their stroke on Saturday or Sunday. In fact, some of the participants that had experienced their stroke during non-office hours did not contact their doctor or a hospital until they had experienced a second stroke. After reviewing the results of the study, researchers reported that had there been a doctor’s office open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., about 75 of those patients that had experienced stroke symptoms while offices were closed would have received treatment much earlier, with the median time dropping from 50.1 to 4.0 hours. In addition, the number of patients that would have called their doctor within a 24 hour window would have doubled. With an increase in the availability of treatment for patients experiencing TIA during non-office hours, it may be possible for these patients to lessen the effects of their stroke. If you or a loved one has been the victim of stroke malpractice in New York as a result of a delay in diagnosis or treatment, call the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our firm serves clients with Bronx medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Queens medical malpractice, Nassau medical malpractice and Nassau medical malpractice cases. Call today for your free consultation.

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Link Between Secondhand Smoke and Dementia

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal has found a link between high exposure to secondhand smoke and dementia in adults over age 50. The risk of dementia, which is a term used to describe a group of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain, increases when the risk of heart disease and stroke increase. Smoking cigarettes and exposure to significant amounts of secondhand smoke increase a person’s risk of heart attack and stroke because inhaling smoke disturbs the natural flow of blood to the brain, making one of these occurrences more likely. The study is the first to look at the link between secondhand smoke exposure and dementia on such a large-scale, including almost 5,000 non-smokers over age 50.

Researchers from Britain’s Peninsula Medical School, the University of Cambridge and the University of Michigan worked together, testing the saliva of study participants for cotinine, which is produced by nicotine, and taking a detailed smoking history. If a participant’s saliva contained high levels of cotinine, this meant that they had recently been exposed to significant amounts of secondhand smoke. The researchers then analyzed the brain function and cognitive impairment of each participant using neuropsychological tests, revealing that participants with high levels of cotinine in their saliva were almost 45 percent more likely to exhibit signs of dementia and cognitive impairment than those with extremely low levels of cotinine.

Many places around the world have recently seen smoking bans implemented in restaurants, bars and other public places. By doing this, governments are hoping to encourage people to quit smoking and keep non-smokers away from secondhand smoke, reducing the harmful effects that this exposure may have. Smoking and secondhand smoke can both lead to serious health problems, including lung and other types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, asthma complications, pneumonia and bronchitis. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating cancer, heart attack or stroke, our cancer malpractice attorneys can help. Your initial consultation is FREE and there is NO FEE to you unless we recover money. Please call us today or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our firm serves clients in the New York area with Bronx medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Queens medical malpractice, Nassau medical malpractice and Suffolk medical malpractice cases.

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Court Ruling in Vaccine-Autism Cases

A special court ruled this past Thursady, February 12th, that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine along with vaccines containing thimerosal were not the cause of autism in the children of the Cedillo, Hazlehurst and Snyder families. The three families were unsuccessful in proving a link between their child’s autism and either the measles virus, which is used in the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, or thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that was used in most vaccines for children until 2001. The families brought their cases to court in 2007, hoping to receive money from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program for their children suffering from autism. However, the judges hearing the cases, known as “special masters”, ruled that the families lacked sufficient evidence that these vaccines were the true cause of their child’s autism.

Although this ruling was a serious disappointment to those who believe that autism is caused by these childhood vaccines, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated that it will continue to support research focused on finding the cause of autism and developing better ways to treat the disorder. Also following the court ruling, autism advocacy organization Autism Speaks announced that they will continue to support the analyzation of the contributing factors of autism until all questions about this disease are answered. In addition, the Autism Society of America also insisted that additional autism research be conducted to find the causes of the disorder.

As for parents that still believe that their child’s autism was caused by childhood vaccines and wish to bring their cases to court, it is necessary to find an attorney experienced in representing these types of cases. This specific ruling affected only those cases involving families that claim that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine combined with vaccines containing thimerosal caused their child’s autism. However, families claiming that vaccines containing thimerosal can cause autism alone and that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine alone can cause autism may still want to bring their cases to court. When a defective medication or an improper dose of a medication causes a person injury or death, that person or their family may be able to receive compensation. If you or a loved one has been the victim of medication malpractice in New York, contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. We serve clients with Bronx medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Queens medical malpractice, Nassau medical malpractice and Suffolk medical malpractice cases. Call today to schedule your free initial consultation.

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Depression, Anxiety Raise Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

In a study conducted at the University College London, researchers found that people suffering from anxiety or depression were at greater risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and death resulting from cardiovascular problems. For the study, researchers tracked the almost 6,600 men and women, noting if the participants were under psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, at the start of the study. After following the participants for an average of 7 years, researchers found that those who were experiencing significant anxiety or depression were 54 percent more likely to have a stroke or some type of cardiovascular problem by the conclusion of the study. The study suggested that the majority of this increased risk is caused by factors such as smoking and lack of physical activity, which are common reactions when a person is depressed or has anxiety. Moreover, the study reported that factors such as inflammation markers in blood vessels and high blood pressure were only a minor part of the relationship between psychological distress and these cardiovascular problems.

It is recommended that patients dealing with anxiety, depression or some other type of distress talk to their doctor and begin treatment for these issues. By treating the major problem, it may reduce the chances that a person dealing with psychological distress will smoke cigarettes or avoid physical activity, which will in turn reduce their risk of stroke, heart attack and other problems. Stroke and cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and heart disease, are serious conditions and require immediate treatment by a doctor. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a heart attack or stroke in New York, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today for your free consultation. Our medical malpractice attorneys will evaluate the facts of your situation and answer any questions you may have regarding your case.

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February is National Cancer Prevention Month

National Cancer Prevention Month was created to educate people about the ways they can reduce their risk or prevent cancer from ever developing. Still, even when a person does everything in their power to prevent cancer, there is still a possibility that cancer will develop, making it necessary to get regular screenings. Taking these steps allows doctors to catch cancer early on and begin treatment, increasing a patient’s chances of eliminating the cancer all together. Annual prostate cancer screenings are recommended for men over age 50 and women over age 40 are recommended to get a mammogram every year to check for breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition, women over 21 should receive annual pap smears and pelvic examinations to allow for treatment to begin early if cervical cancer or some other problem is detected. When cancer is detected, there are several treatment options available, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. All of these options carry some type of risk, and for more advanced cancer, more rigorous treatment may be necessary, increasing those risks.

In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of death, after heart disease, with more than one million newly diagnosed cases each year. Most cancers are in the form of a tumor, which can be detected by regular screenings. However, many times when doctors find a tumor, that tumor is benign, meaning that it is non-cancerous and much less dangerous to the patient. Although benign tumors can cause health problems, depending on their location and size, malignant tumors are much more serious because they are cancerous and they spread rapidly if left untreated. There are four categories of cancer, which each develop in different areas of the body. Leukemias target the blood and the organs in the body which create blood. Lymphomas develop in organs such as the spleen, thymus gland, bone marrow, adenoids and tonsils, and can spread to other organs if untreated. Sarcomas affect the bone, muscle, cartilage and fat, which all connect, support, or surround organs and structures. Carcinomas, which is the most common form of cancer, develop in the epithelial cells, which cover the external surface of the body, form the lining of glandular tissues and line the internal cavities.

It is important to take every preventative measure to reduce the risk of developing cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating right, staying physically active, avoiding over-exposure to the sun, keeping away from radiation, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke. Still, if cancer does develop, it is crucial that it is detected and treated as early as possible for the best outcome. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating cancer, our cancer malpractice attorneys can help. Your initial consultation is FREE and there is NO FEE to you unless we recover money. Please call us today, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our firm serves clients in the New York area, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.

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Radial Angioplasty Reduces Risk, Cost & Recovery Time

Angioplasty is a common procedure performed on patients that have a blockage as a result of plaque build-up in an artery. During the procedure, a narrow tube is inserted into an artery and fed to the location of the blockage, where a small balloon is inflated to expand the artery, allowing doctors to insert a stent to hold the artery open, if necessary. Angioplasty, which ultimately improves blood flow to the heart, is usually done through the femoral artery. This major artery can be accessed by making an incision in the groin and running the narrow tube, or catheter, to the blockage. However, a recent study conducted at the Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute in Miami, Florida involving more than 5,000 procedures suggests that the alternative to femoral artery angioplasty is safer, less costly and allows patients to recover in less time. This alternative involves the radial artery, which is found in the wrist, to access blockages preventing blood flow to the heart. The study, which was presented at the annual International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET), reported that although about 75 percent of all angioplasty patients may be eligible for radial artery angioplasty, only about 2 percent of these patients actually have the procedure performed. One reason for this small percentage may be that it is more difficult for doctors to perform this procedure. That factor, and the unavailability of training for doctors that are willing to learn the alternative procedure, make radial artery angioplasty less of an option for patients.

Researchers are hopeful that the results of this study will prompt more doctors to learn this procedure and allow more radial artery angioplasties to be performed on the over one million Americans that require angioplasty each year. Still, although this radial procedure has a significantly lower risk of bleeding and nerve damage for the majority of patients requiring an angioplasty, it is not the best option for very thin patients or for those that have abnormal arteries that are twisted or misshaped. On the other hand, the femoral artery angioplasty is risky and difficult in extremely overweight patients, so in those cases, radial artery angioplasty would be the most favorable option when treating with a trained physician. There are various risks associated with different surgical procedures, so it is important to find a doctor with experience performing the procedure you require. If a mistake does occur during a surgical procedure, negligence or malpractice may be to blame. If you or a loved one was injured by surgical malpractice in New York City or Long Island, please call or e-mail us today for a free consultation with our experienced surgery malpractice attorneys in New York, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.

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More Advanced Breast Cancer in Hispanic Women due to Delayed Treatment

In recent research presented at the Science of Cancer Health Disparities Conference hosted by the American Association for Cancer Research, it was found that Hispanic women wait longer to treat their breast cancer, allowing that cancer to advance and worsen. The research suggested that the delay in treatment is a result of these women having no or minimal health insurance, language barriers and lack of understanding of the importance of breast health. In many cases, Hispanic women feel uncomfortable seeing a male doctor for treatment of breast cancer or exams, with many husbands having a strong influence over that decision. To get around this problem, many hospitals have started to make sure that Spanish-speaking female doctors are available to these women so that detection and proper treatment are possible.

For Hispanic women that know little or no English, it is nearly impossible to understand advertisements, commercials, public service announcements and other educational information that is aimed at the English-speaking public. However, many breast cancer awareness and education campaigns have now started to focus on Hispanic women of all ages, providing the necessary information these women need and encourage them to get screenings and medical attention if something is detected. Increasing awareness of how serious breast cancer really is throughout the Hispanic population will hopefully push more women to have regular mammograms and lower the rate of advanced cases of breast cancer for these women.

One study of 230 Mexican-American women in Texas and Arizona being treated for breast cancer found that about two-thirds of these women discovered their breast cancer themselves through self-examinations or obvious changes in their breasts, instead of through a mammogram or doctor visit. In addition, about half of these women waited more than one month to speak to a doctor after seeing changes in their breasts or noticing that something was different. The study makes it apparent that these women are not receiving regular mammograms or other exams to detect breast cancer at an early stage, which may be a result of a lack of insurance. However, with more focus being placed on breast health for Hispanic women, many centers now offer free screenings and clinical trials for women with breast cancer. Women of all backgrounds are also urged to reduce their risk of breast cancer by staying at a healthy weight, keeping physically active, limiting consumption of alcohol and reducing fat intake, among other things. Breast cancer treatment is most effective when the cancer is caught early on. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating breast cancer, our cancer malpractice attorneys can help. Your initial consultation is FREE and there is NO FEE to you unless we recover money. Please call Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today. Our firm serves clients throughout New York, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.

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Risk of Lead Poisoning During Renovations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a warning for people doing renovations on homes that may have some form of lead paint present. The interior walls of many homes built before 1978 were painted with lead-based paint at some point in time, creating a serious problem when renovations are done on those homes. During these renovations, paint may be removed from walls by sanding, scraping or some other method, creating dust. This dust, which may include particles of lead from older layers of paint, can enter the lungs and possibly cause lead poisoning if proper precautions are not taken. One investigation conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that almost 15 percent of elevated blood lead levels were the result of painting, repair and other home renovation activities.

When a child has even minimal levels of lead in their blood, serious problems can arise including learning, behavioral and attention difficulties. Warning signs of lead poisoning include headaches, confusion, stomachaches, vomiting, muscle weakness, seizures, anemia and/or loss of hair. With higher lead levels, a child can suffer permanent damage to the kidneys, bone marrow and brain, which may result in more serious learning disabilities, seizures, coma and possibly death. If your home was build before 1978 or may have lead paint present and you are planning to renovate or do work on your home, be sure to relocate anyone living in the home to a lead-free environment while the work is being conducted. If work is only being performed on certain areas of the home, make sure that those areas are sealed off from the rest of the house to ensure that no lead paint particles enter other areas. Also, if you believe that lead paint particles may have been inhaled or ingested during this type of work or for any other reason, it is best to have lead levels in the blood tested by a doctor to see if there is any risk of lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is serious and may not always be caused by home renovations. In many cases, negligent landlords allow lead paint to become exposed as a result of cracking or peeling paint, giving young children access to lead paint chips and dust. If your child has suffered lead poisoning as a result of the negligence of a landlord, contact the lead poison attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C., serving clients in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk. We offer complimentary case evaluations.

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Link Between Sudden Cardiac Death and Antipsychotic Medications

Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that atypical antipsychotic drugs can increase a person’s risk of sudden cardiac death when taken in high doses. Atypical antipsychotics, which were developed to be safer than typical antipsychotic drugs, are newer drugs that doctors prescribe to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other behavior and psychiatric problems. Doctors have been aware for some time that the older typical antipsychotic drugs increase a patient’s risk of sudden cardiac death by almost 2 times. However, this new study reported that patients taking the newer antipsychotic drugs have about 2.26 times the risk of sudden cardiac death, exposing that these “safer” drugs are not risk-free. In addition, a patient taking higher doses of an atypical antipsychotic medication has an even greater risk of sudden cardiac death.

Researchers conducting the study compared two groups of patients, one group taking typical antipsychotic drugs and the other taking atypical antipsychotic drugs. The research revealed that the risk of sudden cardiac death was extremely similar in patients taking either drug. The study also revealed that patients that had stopped taking some these antipsychotic drugs had no increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Experts suggest that doctors prescribing these drugs make sure that other health conditions, such as hypertension, are kept under control to lower the risk of cardiac death. In addition, it is recommended that patients taking these medications are examined for any warning signs of cardiac problems and that the lowest possible dosage be used to treat these conditions. When a doctor prescribes too high or too low a dose of some medication, or prescribes the wrong medication altogether, that doctor may be responsible for the injuries resulting from that medication error. If you or a loved one has been the victim of medication malpractice in New York, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau or Suffolk, please contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Silberstein Awad & Miklos, P.C. today to schedule your free initial consultation.

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Increase in Same-day Surgical Procedures

According to data from the most recent National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery (NSAS), the number of same-day surgeries performed in the U.S. tripled in one decade, from 1996 to 2006. Researchers collected data from 142 hospitals and 295 freestanding centers, revealing that during this ten year period, the number of same-day surgeries went from 20.8 million to 34.7 million. However, the data did reveal that this increase was mainly due to a jump in the number of these procedures being performed in freestanding centers, with the rate of same-day procedures in hospitals remaining similar to that of 1996. The survey also found that these same-day surgeries make up more than 60 percent of all elective surgery procedures, which is expected to increase in the next few years.

Same-day surgery, which is also referred to as ambulatory or outpatient surgery, does not require a patient to stay overnight in a hospital or surgery center for their procedure. The ability for patients to go home after a surgical procedure has caused many patients to opt for same-day surgery. In addition, the reduced cost and faster recovery has made this type of surgery more and more common over the years. In fact, there were an estimated 34.7 outpatient visits to hospitals and freestanding centers in 2006, with the average time spent in the operating room at about 62 minutes at hospitals and 43 minutes at surgical centers. The survey also reported that about 20 million ambulatory surgeries are performed on women each year while about 14.7 million are performed on men. The most common same-day surgical procedures included endoscopies of the large and small intestines and cataract surgery lens extraction. There are various risks associated with different surgical procedures, so it is important to find a doctor you can trust before going to a hospital or surgical center for an elective procedure. If a mistake does occur during an outpatient surgical procedure or some other type of surgery, negligence or malpractice may be to blame. If you or a loved one was injured by surgical malpractice in New York City or Long Island, please call or e-mail us today for a free consultation with our experienced surgery malpractice attorneys in New York, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.

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New Federal Law Requires Drain Covers in Pools

This past December, the federal government passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, named for the 7 year old girl that died in 2002 after being held to the bottom of a hot tub by hundreds of pounds of suction force. The new law requires that all pools and hot tubs in residential communities, hotels and apartment buildings that are open to the public have drain covers installed to prevent child injury and death. Without these drain covers, it is possible for a child to get sucked to the bottom of a pool or hot tub by the incredible suction being produced by the filtration system. Unfortunately, before this law was enacted, children like Virginia Graeme Baker fell victim to the dangers of pools. In some cases, children suffered paralyzation or severe scarring from the force of the suction, and in other cases, children were literally disemboweled and killed by these dangerous drains. Now that this law has been passed, it is logical to believe that these terrible accidents are a thing of the past and are no longer a danger to children. However, many pool and hot tub operators and managers have not complied with the new law, despite the fact that many became aware of the new law more than a year before it was put into effect.

One reason why so many pools have not had the drain covers installed may be that the law is being enforced differently from state to state. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, the agency overlooking the implementation of the law, has called upon the public health and safety departments of each state, creating a variation in the way the law is executed. Another possible reason for the lack of compliance is the unavailability of the drain covers, making it difficult for pool operators to abide by the new law. Many operators were simply not given enough time to order the drain covers, while others have come to find out that the model needed for their pool or hot tub will not be available for some time. In these cases where drain covers have not yet been installed (in states that actually enforce the law and inspect pools), the pools will have to be shut down until the covers arrive. If not, it is likely that more children will experience the same fate as Virginia Graeme Baker and other children hurt by unsafe pools and hot tubs. If your child has been hurt or killed as a result of negligence on the part of a public pool operator or manager, call the premises liability lawyers at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our experienced attorneys have represented thousands of clients in New York, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk, in every aspect of premises liability litigation involving a wide variety of monetary recovery amounts. If you believe that you or a loved one have been legally wronged or injured in any way, please call or e-mail us today to schedule a premises liability consultation for free.

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Reduced Risk of Ovarian and Breast Cancer with Ovary Removal

In a recent study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, researchers analyzed the results of 10 past studies involving ovary removal to reduce cancer risk. The team of researchers found that for women at high risk of ovarian and breast cancer as a result of gene mutations, ovary removal can substantially lower that risk. Women that carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have a 56 to 84 percent risk of developing breast cancer. As for ovarian cancer, women with the BRCA 1 gene have a 36 to 46 percent risk and women carrying the BRCA2 gene have a 10 to 27 percent risk. These increased risks of developing breast and ovarian cancer are much higher than the risks for women without these genes.

The study, which was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, reported that if the ovaries and fallopian tube were successfully removed, a woman could reduce her risk of ovarian cancer by 79 and her risk of breast cancer by 51 percent. However, since the 10 studies used in this new study were not all current, experts believe that the risks could be reduced even further as a result of more thorough surgical techniques. Women that carry these genes are recommended to have their ovaries removed when after they have decided on having no more children to prevent ovarian and breast cancer. It is also important for these high-risk women to discuss their options with their doctor and get regular screenings. A delay in diagnosis or treatment of cancer can result in additional injury or death. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating cancer, our cancer malpractice attorneys can help. Your initial consultation is FREE and there is NO FEE to you unless we recover money. Please call us today, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our firm serves clients in the New York area, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.

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Increased Risk of Stroke and Heart Attack for Seniors Getting Less Sleep

Most people know that not getting the recommended amount of sleep each night can negatively affect the immune system and make their bodies more susceptible to colds and other viruses. However, in a recent study conducted at the Jichi Medical University in Japan, researchers found that the risk of heart attack and stroke for people in their 60s and 70s increases significantly when they receive less than 7 ½ hours of sleep each night. In addition, if those older adults that aren’t getting enough sleep also have high blood pressure, their risk of heart attack and stroke increases even more, making them four times as likely suffer a heart attack or stroke when compared with older adults with normal blood pressure and adequate sleep. The study, which included 1,255 men and women, all with high blood pressure, surveyed the participants, asking how much time they spent in bed each night. The researchers then watched the blood pressure of each participant for a period of 24 hours. What they found was that those who slept less than 7 ½ hours and experienced an increase in blood pressure during the night had 4.43 times as much risk of experiencing a heart attack and stroke. In addition, researchers found that those who received a deficient amount of sleep were 1.7 times as likely to suffer some cardiovascular problem within the next few years when compared with those participants that slept more than 7 ½ hours.

The study, which was published in the American Medical Association’s Archives of Internal Medicine, did not determine whether or not more sleep for adults in their 60s and 70s would reduce their risk of stroke or heart-related problems. However, it is apparent that an insufficient amount of sleep can negatively influence a person’s health. Other research conducted on sleep found that people that receive less than 6 hours of sleep per night run the greatest risk of health problems, including decreased heart rate variability and problems with their nervous system. Doctors recommend that people get a sufficient amount of exercise each day, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed and follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the quality and quantity of sleep. Also, it is important to receive proper treatment for hypertension to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other problems. Heart attacks and strokes are serious events and require immediate treatment by a doctor or hospital in order to prevent additional injury. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a heart attack or stroke, in New York, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today for your free consultation. Our medical malpractice attorneys will evaluate the facts of your situation and answer any questions you may have regarding your case.

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Cancer Expected to Take Top Spot in 2010

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that by next year, cancer will replace heart disease as the leading cause of death in the world. However, the United States has seen a steady decline in cancer deaths in both men and women since the early 1990s as a result of improved medical treatment, faster diagnosis and decreased tobacco use. Still, in other places around the world, smoking and alcohol consumption has increased, causing more and more cases of cancer. In fact, it is estimated that 40 percent of the smokers in the world live in China and India, most likely due to their enormous populations. The number of cancer deaths for 2008 was projected to hit 7 million worldwide.

The World Health Organization report also stated that from 1970 to 2000, cancer rates doubled, which experts believe will happen again by the year 2020. However, if other countries can begin to provide screening to catch an treat cancer at an earlier stage to increase the rate of survival, it may be possible to prevent this number from rising. Unfortunately, many places have limited resources for medical care, especially cancer treatment, which can be extremely expensive. This lack of funds and the fact that treatment is unavailable in these areas has allowed the number of cancer deaths to skyrocket in less fortunate places, making it unlikely that the cancer death rate will fall in the near future. However, though quality medical care is unavailable in many places, there are ways for a person to lower their risk of developing cancer, such as avoiding tobacco products and secondhand smoke, limiting consumption of alcohol, preventing Hepatitis B and HPV through vaccination, regular screening and increasing physical activity. The earlier the treatment, the better the prognosis for cancer patients, so it is important to act at the first signs of cancer and receive routine check-ups by your physician. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating cancer, our cancer malpractice attorneys can help. Contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients with cancer malpractice cases in Nassau and Suffolk, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. We also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

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