In 2007 alone, about 11 million people were diagnosed and roughly 8 million people died from some form of cancer worldwide. However, a recent study has found that a healthier diet, increase in exercise and weight control could help prevent more than 40 percent of colon and breast cancer cases. The study, which involved 23 experts, examined how diet, exercise and weight contributed to 12 types of cancer, including kidney, mouth, lung and gallbladder cancer. In Britain, the experts found that these lifestyle improvements would prevent 42 percent of breast cancer cases and 43 percent of colon cancer cases. In the United States, they found that these healthy lifestyle changes would prevent 38 percent of breast cancer cases and 45 percent of bowel cancer cases. The group also found that in the U.S., improvements in diet, exercise and weight would stave off more than 1/3 of the 12 most common cancers. In Britain, 39 percent of those 12 cancers would be prevented.
The group of experts that conducted the study recommend that people follow diets rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and eat dairy products, red meats and fatty foods in moderation. The American Cancer Society (ACS) also recommends that people make an effort to eat right, keep active and maintain a healthy weight to reduce their risk of developing cancer, in addition to heart disease and diabetes. The ACS website also provides helpful suggestions, guidelines and tools to reach these healthy goals, including recipes, tips on staying active and other useful information. If you or a loved one have already been diagnosed with cancer, the ACS also offers nutrition resources for people living with cancer to help stay healthy. Cancer treatment is most effective when started during the earlier stages of the cancer. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating cancer, our 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
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Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Getting Smart About High Blood Pressure
When a person has high blood pressure, or hypertension, this means that the force of blood against the walls of arteries, which usually varies throughout the day, remains elevated. High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder and can cause hardening of the arteries; a condition known as atherosclerosis. These factors make both the heart and the arteries more prone to injury and increase a person’s risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, eye damage and other serious health problems. Blood pressure is usually measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded as systolic pressure (top number) over diastolic pressure (bottom number). The systolic pressure measures the pressure of blood as the heart is beating, while the diastolic pressure measures the pressure of blood as the heart relaxes between beats. Both of these numbers are important when monitoring blood pressure, however, for people age 50 and over, systolic pressure is used to get the most accurate high blood pressure diagnosis. Blood pressure levels of 140/90 mmHg or higher are considered high, so it is important to discuss treatment options with a doctor to reduce that number. Reaching a healthy goal will help reduce the risk for the various health risks that follow high blood pressure.
Among adults over age 65, about two-thirds have blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher. Many more have levels between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, which means that they have prehypertension and are at high risk of developing high blood pressure in the future if healthy lifestyle changes are not made. Hypertension can be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight, keeping physically active, maintaining a healthy diet, moderating alcohol consumption and taking prescribed drugs as directed. One of the most serious conditions that results from high blood pressure is heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. This makes it extremely for those at risk to monitor and correct the controllable risk factors for developing the disease, including high blood pressure, irregular cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, weight and physical activity. Still, even if people control these risk factors, certain factors such as age and family history of early heart disease are not controllable, so heart disease may still develop. To learn more about ways to lower the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, visit the American Heart Association website. If you or a loved one has experienced a serious injury or death as a result of a delay in diagnosis or treatment of heart disease, please contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. We serve clients with Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice, Manhattan medical malpratice, Queens medical malpracitce and Long Island medical malpractice cases. We also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.
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Among adults over age 65, about two-thirds have blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher. Many more have levels between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, which means that they have prehypertension and are at high risk of developing high blood pressure in the future if healthy lifestyle changes are not made. Hypertension can be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight, keeping physically active, maintaining a healthy diet, moderating alcohol consumption and taking prescribed drugs as directed. One of the most serious conditions that results from high blood pressure is heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. This makes it extremely for those at risk to monitor and correct the controllable risk factors for developing the disease, including high blood pressure, irregular cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, weight and physical activity. Still, even if people control these risk factors, certain factors such as age and family history of early heart disease are not controllable, so heart disease may still develop. To learn more about ways to lower the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, visit the American Heart Association website. If you or a loved one has experienced a serious injury or death as a result of a delay in diagnosis or treatment of heart disease, please contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. We serve clients with Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice, Manhattan medical malpratice, Queens medical malpracitce and Long Island medical malpractice cases. We also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.
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Friday, March 27, 2009
Lowering the Risk of Deadly Infections in Hospitals
Each year in the U.S., an estimated 90,000 patients die as a result of infections they contracted in a hospital. Cases of infections such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and C. diff (Clostridium difficile) used to be few and far between. However, by 2004, about two out of three staph infections were MRSA in U.S. hospitals. The C. diff infection was thought to be a minor problem until a November 2008 study revealed that the intestinal bug was almost 20 times as prevalent as experts had previously estimated. The study, which was sponsored by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), looked at cases of C. diff in almost 650 hospitals in the U.S. between May and August of 2008. What researchers found was that on any given day, nearly 7,200 hospital patients are either colonized or infected with C. diff, most of which are either children or older adults, due to their increased vulnerability to infection. In addition, of those 7,200 patients, an estimated 300 patients will die as a result of the C. diff infection.
The C. diff infection can be easily transmitted to hospital patients after they have been on an antibiotic, since those medications remove certain bacteria from the gut, making it difficult for the body to fight off the infection. Since the main symptom of C. diff is diarrhea, the infection spreads rapidly, infecting the hands of patients and hospital workers, sheets, bed rails, IV poles and other hospital equipment. When a hospital worker’s hands or equipment that is used between numerous patients is contaminated, it is extremely easy for this bug to travel. For this reason, health care workers should make sure that they scrub their hands with soap and warm water (not alcohol), which is the only way to kill C. diff spores on the skin. As for keeping hospital equipment clean, it is necessary to use bleach to eliminate spores on surfaces. In many cases, hospitals make some attempt to enforce hand-washing and equipment-sanitizing rules, although most fall short of ideal conditions.
Other serious infections that hospital patients run the risk of contracting are bloodstream infections, which affect about 250,000 people in the U.S. each year as a result of catheter use. Death rates for these types of bloodstream infections can be as high as one in four patients. However, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study found that MRSA bloodstream infections were cut by almost 50 percent when preventive measures were taken in the 1,684 ICUs involved in the study. If appropriate measures are taken, bloodstream infections can be eliminated completely from hospitals. Several years ago, 108 Michigan hospitals implemented a five-step checklist for doctors and nurses, requiring them to wash their hands, wear sterile gowns and gloves, and protect patients with antiseptics and sterile drapes and dressings. By following these simple steps, these Michigan hospitals completely eliminated bloodstream infections in just 18 months, saving an estimated 1,500 lives. Although hospital are meant to save lives and treat health problems, patients often incur additional injuries or death as a result of a hospital stay. If you or a loved one was injured by hospital medical malpractice in the New York area, call or e-mail the malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx hospital malpractice, Brooklyn hospital malpractice, Queens hospital malpractice, Nassau hospital malpractice and Suffolk hospital malpractice.
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The C. diff infection can be easily transmitted to hospital patients after they have been on an antibiotic, since those medications remove certain bacteria from the gut, making it difficult for the body to fight off the infection. Since the main symptom of C. diff is diarrhea, the infection spreads rapidly, infecting the hands of patients and hospital workers, sheets, bed rails, IV poles and other hospital equipment. When a hospital worker’s hands or equipment that is used between numerous patients is contaminated, it is extremely easy for this bug to travel. For this reason, health care workers should make sure that they scrub their hands with soap and warm water (not alcohol), which is the only way to kill C. diff spores on the skin. As for keeping hospital equipment clean, it is necessary to use bleach to eliminate spores on surfaces. In many cases, hospitals make some attempt to enforce hand-washing and equipment-sanitizing rules, although most fall short of ideal conditions.
Other serious infections that hospital patients run the risk of contracting are bloodstream infections, which affect about 250,000 people in the U.S. each year as a result of catheter use. Death rates for these types of bloodstream infections can be as high as one in four patients. However, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study found that MRSA bloodstream infections were cut by almost 50 percent when preventive measures were taken in the 1,684 ICUs involved in the study. If appropriate measures are taken, bloodstream infections can be eliminated completely from hospitals. Several years ago, 108 Michigan hospitals implemented a five-step checklist for doctors and nurses, requiring them to wash their hands, wear sterile gowns and gloves, and protect patients with antiseptics and sterile drapes and dressings. By following these simple steps, these Michigan hospitals completely eliminated bloodstream infections in just 18 months, saving an estimated 1,500 lives. Although hospital are meant to save lives and treat health problems, patients often incur additional injuries or death as a result of a hospital stay. If you or a loved one was injured by hospital medical malpractice in the New York area, call or e-mail the malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx hospital malpractice, Brooklyn hospital malpractice, Queens hospital malpractice, Nassau hospital malpractice and Suffolk hospital malpractice.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Cost of Preventive Care
Preventive care, such as screenings and tests, usually prove beneficial to the patient because doctors can detect problems and begin treatment before they cause serious damage. However, some health experts are now saying that this type of preventive care can be ineffective when it comes to cost, with many screenings detecting abnormalities that doctors decide to treat, even though they may pose no risk to the patient. Aside from price, some treatments for these minor abnormalities may even harm the patient more than the actual problem. One recent study looked at PSA (prostate-specific antigen) prostate screenings over the past 15 years, revealing that many men with slow-growing tumors were receiving treatment for their cancer, even though the tumors were not advancing quickly enough to pose a risk. The study linked this excessive treatment to an over-diagnosis of prostate cancer resulting from “preventive care” screenings that detected these inconsequential tumors. According to the U.S. Preventive Care Task Force, there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against prostate cancer screenings for men under age 75. The Task Force also recommends against prostate cancer screenings for men age 75 and older. In addition, the American Cancer Society (ACS) does not support routine testing for prostate cancer, backing the belief that regular prostate cancer screenings are not completely necessary.
When it comes to improvements in technology, newer techniques usually mean better results. However, one 2007 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a 3-D spiral CT screening used to detect lung cancer was ineffective, since it was not able to lower the number of lung cancer deaths. The spiral CT, which was initially welcomed by the American Cancer Society, was found to be possibly harmful because more abnormalities were detected, leading to unneeded surgeries. In addition, the ACS recently concluded that “no lung cancer screening test has been shown to prevent people from dying of this disease.” However, if a patient is at higher risk of developing cancer, their doctor may recommend more regular screenings than those with less risk. People with a family history of cancer or those that smoke, consume alcohol, are obese or have other risk factors may fall in to that high-risk category. 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 cancer, our 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
When it comes to improvements in technology, newer techniques usually mean better results. However, one 2007 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a 3-D spiral CT screening used to detect lung cancer was ineffective, since it was not able to lower the number of lung cancer deaths. The spiral CT, which was initially welcomed by the American Cancer Society, was found to be possibly harmful because more abnormalities were detected, leading to unneeded surgeries. In addition, the ACS recently concluded that “no lung cancer screening test has been shown to prevent people from dying of this disease.” However, if a patient is at higher risk of developing cancer, their doctor may recommend more regular screenings than those with less risk. People with a family history of cancer or those that smoke, consume alcohol, are obese or have other risk factors may fall in to that high-risk category. 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 cancer, our 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
More Joint Replacements Needed, Fewer Surgeons Available
At the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting in Las Vegas, two recent studies were revealed that both found that more patients will be waiting for knee and hip replacement surgeries in the near future. One study, led by Dr. Thomas K. Fehring, an orthopaedic surgeon with OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, North Carolina, found that in the year 2016, surgery will be unavailable to almost 750,000 patients (72 percent) requiring knee replacements and almost 200,000 patients (46 percent) requiring hip replacements. This is because the number of orthopaedic surgeons retiring from the field is greater than the number of new doctors coming into the field, which means that the number of doctors able to perform these joint replacement surgeries will continue to fall unless something changes. One main reason why young doctors are choosing not to go into the arthroplasty field is low insurance reimbursements, which have decreased by 60 percent since 1990. This means that these surgeons receive less money from the companies insuring joint replacement patients, making young doctors more apt to choose a more lucrative field. Fehring noted that if this trend continues, many joint replacement patients will have to wait one to two years for their surgery.
The second study presented at the meeting was conducted by Steven M. Kurtz, vice president of Philadelphia-based engineering and scientific consulting firm Exponent Inc., along with colleagues. This study found that an increase in younger patients requiring joint replacement surgery is the cause of the recent increase in demand for these types of surgery. Kurtz and his colleagues found that patients under age 65 will make up more than half of hip replacement patients by 2011 and more than half of knee replacement patients by 2016. The team also found that more and more patients between ages 45 and 54 are in need of knee replacement, with 59,077 people in this age range having had knee replacement surgery in 2006. This increase is most likely due to the high success rates of these surgeries and the fact that more people are getting active, which causes joints to deteriorate. Another reason for the increase in knee replacement surgeries in this younger age range is obesity, which can cause arthritis in the knees and other areas. The study found that by 2030, the number of people between ages 45 and 54 that require knee replacement surgery will soar to almost 1 million, an increase of 17 times the number recorded in 2006. With more knee and hip replacement surgeries being performed on younger patients, the chance these patients will require a revision procedure also increases, since the average joint replacement lasts about 20 years. This means that even more surgeons will be needed in the future to perform procedures to replace the replacements patients received when in their 40s and 50s, making it even more necessary for new doctors to enter this field.
When a doctor is careful and has experience performing a procedure, most surgeries do not have major complications. However, if a doctor is negligent or makes a mistake that results in serious injury or death, that doctor may be held responsible for the injuries incurred. 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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The second study presented at the meeting was conducted by Steven M. Kurtz, vice president of Philadelphia-based engineering and scientific consulting firm Exponent Inc., along with colleagues. This study found that an increase in younger patients requiring joint replacement surgery is the cause of the recent increase in demand for these types of surgery. Kurtz and his colleagues found that patients under age 65 will make up more than half of hip replacement patients by 2011 and more than half of knee replacement patients by 2016. The team also found that more and more patients between ages 45 and 54 are in need of knee replacement, with 59,077 people in this age range having had knee replacement surgery in 2006. This increase is most likely due to the high success rates of these surgeries and the fact that more people are getting active, which causes joints to deteriorate. Another reason for the increase in knee replacement surgeries in this younger age range is obesity, which can cause arthritis in the knees and other areas. The study found that by 2030, the number of people between ages 45 and 54 that require knee replacement surgery will soar to almost 1 million, an increase of 17 times the number recorded in 2006. With more knee and hip replacement surgeries being performed on younger patients, the chance these patients will require a revision procedure also increases, since the average joint replacement lasts about 20 years. This means that even more surgeons will be needed in the future to perform procedures to replace the replacements patients received when in their 40s and 50s, making it even more necessary for new doctors to enter this field.
When a doctor is careful and has experience performing a procedure, most surgeries do not have major complications. However, if a doctor is negligent or makes a mistake that results in serious injury or death, that doctor may be held responsible for the injuries incurred. 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.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
New Tests for Predicting and Diagnosing Prostate Cancer
At the 2009 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in Orlando, Florida, researchers presented two recent studies involving new ways to predict and diagnose prostate cancer. One of the studies proposed that a urine test that could identify both the TMPRSS2 and ERG genes may help predict which men are at greater risk of prostate cancer. The researchers noted that this gene fusion is present in about 50 percent of all prostate cancer cases, so doctors would be able to provide more extensive screenings for men with those two genes. For the study, researchers tested the urine of 556 men for the gene fusion and found that the test had a “specificity” of 84 percent. Current prostate cancer screening methods include digital rectal exams and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) readings, which has a specificity of 27 percent.
The second study presented at the Symposium incorporated multiple factors, including PSA readings, prostate size, a previous negative biopsy and family history of prostate cancer. Researchers used these factors to create a chart that would help them predict a man’s risk of prostate cancer. For this study, researchers included 5,176 men, analyzing these factors and screening these men four years after their charts were created. They found that men with PSA levels of 1.5 nanograms/milliliter were seven times as likely to develop prostate cancer when compared to men with lower levels of PSA. The combination of these factors would allow doctors to recommend additional testing for men at higher risk of developing prostate cancer and determine the frequency of future screenings for men at lower risk. Still, some experts believe that much more research needs to be done on these methods before they will be used by doctors to predict or diagnose prostate cancer. 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 treatment of 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
The second study presented at the Symposium incorporated multiple factors, including PSA readings, prostate size, a previous negative biopsy and family history of prostate cancer. Researchers used these factors to create a chart that would help them predict a man’s risk of prostate cancer. For this study, researchers included 5,176 men, analyzing these factors and screening these men four years after their charts were created. They found that men with PSA levels of 1.5 nanograms/milliliter were seven times as likely to develop prostate cancer when compared to men with lower levels of PSA. The combination of these factors would allow doctors to recommend additional testing for men at higher risk of developing prostate cancer and determine the frequency of future screenings for men at lower risk. Still, some experts believe that much more research needs to be done on these methods before they will be used by doctors to predict or diagnose prostate cancer. 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 treatment of 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Monday, March 23, 2009
Contaminants Present in Many Children’s Personal Care Products
Recent lab tests warranted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have found that more than half of tested children’s personal care products contain both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, chemicals that have been associated with cancer and skin allergies. Samples of these common children’s products, which included lotions, shampoos, soaps and other bath products, were sent to Analytical Sciences, a lab in California where the tests were conducted. Results of the lab tests showed that of the 28 products tested for both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, 23 of these products, or 82 percent, contained formaldehyde and 17 products, or 61 percent, contained both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. The lab tested 48 child bath products for 1,4-dioxane, finding that 32 of these products, or 67 percent, contained the chemical.
In their report, the CDC noted that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does consider both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane to be possible carcinogens, meaning they are chemicals that may induce cancer. In addition, manufacturers are not required to list these chemicals on product labels because they are byproducts and not ingredients, making it impossible for consumers to avoid purchasing products containing these chemicals. Byproducts are products that are produced in the manufacture of the intended product, so the only way to eliminate these chemicals from products would be to stop using certain ingredients that create these byproducts. Formaldehyde is produced when preservatives break down, causing the chemical to accumulate in the container of the product. 1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of the ethoxylation process, which uses ethylene oxide to produce some of these child care products. In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states that this chemical is a cause for concern, even as a trace contaminant.
These two chemicals are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because they cannot require manufacturers to test products for safety before they are placed on store shelves and have no control over the amounts of unsafe chemicals used in products. So, although these chemicals can be easily eliminated from products by using different ingredients and methods, manufacturers are not required to do so by law, making it likely that many of these manufacturers will continue to sell children’s products containing these harmful chemicals. If your child or someone you love has been seriously injured by a defective or dangerous product, contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today. We offer free consultations to clients with Bronx product liability, Brooklyn product liability, Queens product liability, Manhattan product liability, Nassau product liability and Suffolk product liability cases.
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In their report, the CDC noted that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does consider both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane to be possible carcinogens, meaning they are chemicals that may induce cancer. In addition, manufacturers are not required to list these chemicals on product labels because they are byproducts and not ingredients, making it impossible for consumers to avoid purchasing products containing these chemicals. Byproducts are products that are produced in the manufacture of the intended product, so the only way to eliminate these chemicals from products would be to stop using certain ingredients that create these byproducts. Formaldehyde is produced when preservatives break down, causing the chemical to accumulate in the container of the product. 1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of the ethoxylation process, which uses ethylene oxide to produce some of these child care products. In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states that this chemical is a cause for concern, even as a trace contaminant.
These two chemicals are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because they cannot require manufacturers to test products for safety before they are placed on store shelves and have no control over the amounts of unsafe chemicals used in products. So, although these chemicals can be easily eliminated from products by using different ingredients and methods, manufacturers are not required to do so by law, making it likely that many of these manufacturers will continue to sell children’s products containing these harmful chemicals. If your child or someone you love has been seriously injured by a defective or dangerous product, contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today. We offer free consultations to clients with Bronx product liability, Brooklyn product liability, Queens product liability, Manhattan product liability, Nassau product liability and Suffolk product liability cases.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Friday, March 20, 2009
Lower Survival Rate for Obese Pancreatic Cancer Patients
In a recent study published in the Archives of Surgery, researchers from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston have found that obese (BMI >35) pancreatic cancer patients have a 12 times greater risk that their cancer will spread to the lymph nodes than those with a lower body mass index (BMI). This means that their chance at surviving pancreatic cancer is lowered because by the time the cancer is diagnosed and the patient is scheduled for surgery, it has already spread, making it less likely that the surgery will be successful. Researchers believe that pancreatic cancer spreads so rapidly to the lymph nodes because of a difference in the way cancer grows in extremely overweight patients, almost doubling their chances that their pancreatic cancer will return after surgery or cause death. According to the National Cancer Institute, pancreatic cancer is the is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women in the United States because symptoms do not usually present themselves until the cancer has already spread.
Lead author Jason B. Fleming, M.D. and his colleagues observed 285 pancreatic cancer patients that underwent surgery to remove either all or some of their pancreas. Of the entire group, 20 patients were considered to be obese, with a BMI greater than 35. What the researchers found was that while study participants with a BMI less than 23 lived for a median of 27.4 months after surgery, the obese participants with a BMI over 35 only survived for 13.2 months, a difference in median of 14.2 months. When the researchers evaluated the group for the last time, they found that the pancreatic cancer had recurred in 95 percent of the obese patients, while only 61 percent of patients with a BMI under 35 saw their cancer return. In addition, 75 percent of the obese study participants had died by the final follow-up, while only about 52 percent of the rest of the participants had died, making it clear that the obese group was much less likely to survive their pancreatic cancer. The tumors found in obese patients tended to be larger, making it less likely that those patients would undergo either radiation or chemotherapy prior to having surgery.
The researchers also reported that the group with a BMI over 35 did not have a higher rate of death or recurring cancer as a result of complications with their surgery as a result of excess weight or their quality of medical care. If you or a loved one has questions regarding the medical care received for cancer or some other condition, contact the malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Queens medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Manhattan medical malpractice, Nassau medical malpractice and Suffolk medical malpractice cases. Call today for a free consultation.
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Lead author Jason B. Fleming, M.D. and his colleagues observed 285 pancreatic cancer patients that underwent surgery to remove either all or some of their pancreas. Of the entire group, 20 patients were considered to be obese, with a BMI greater than 35. What the researchers found was that while study participants with a BMI less than 23 lived for a median of 27.4 months after surgery, the obese participants with a BMI over 35 only survived for 13.2 months, a difference in median of 14.2 months. When the researchers evaluated the group for the last time, they found that the pancreatic cancer had recurred in 95 percent of the obese patients, while only 61 percent of patients with a BMI under 35 saw their cancer return. In addition, 75 percent of the obese study participants had died by the final follow-up, while only about 52 percent of the rest of the participants had died, making it clear that the obese group was much less likely to survive their pancreatic cancer. The tumors found in obese patients tended to be larger, making it less likely that those patients would undergo either radiation or chemotherapy prior to having surgery.
The researchers also reported that the group with a BMI over 35 did not have a higher rate of death or recurring cancer as a result of complications with their surgery as a result of excess weight or their quality of medical care. If you or a loved one has questions regarding the medical care received for cancer or some other condition, contact the malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Queens medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Manhattan medical malpractice, Nassau medical malpractice and Suffolk medical malpractice cases. Call today for a free consultation.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Possible Estrogen Treatment for Premature Infants
A recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and conducted by researchers at the UT Southwestern Medical Center has found that estrogen may be helpful in improving lung function in premature infants. Headed by Dr. Philip Shaul, the team of researchers used preterm primates in their study, which took place at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research Primate Center in San Antonio, Texas. The goal of the study was to explore causes and treatments for BPD, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia, which occurs most often in premature infants with underdeveloped lungs as a result of inflammation. BPD is sometimes referred to as chronic lung disease and develops in an infant’s lungs after ventilation and oxygen support. In order for an infants lungs to grow and function correctly before and after birth, they require a certain amount of nitric oxide, a gas that performs many functions in the body. Toward the end of a woman’s pregnancy and during labor, ample amounts of estrogen are produced by the placenta, exposing the fetus to the hormone. These large amounts of estrogen have been found to stimulate the genes in an infants lung cells, prompting the production of this necessary nitric oxide. This finding made researchers hopeful that this same result would occur if estrogen therapy was provided to premature infants to increase the production of nitric oxide, which would further lung development. Since these babies are born prematurely, they are not exposed to those high levels of estrogen at the final stages of pregnancy, making it more likely that they will experience respiratory problems.
After providing estrogen treatment to the preterm primates involved in the study, researchers observed an improvement in lung function as a result of an increase in production of nitric oxide. This lung development cut down on the amount of time ventilation was needed and also prevented low blood pressure, which is prevalent among premature infants. Researchers saw this and other benefits from just one estrogen treatment in the preterm primates, including an improvement in circulation. Lead author Dr. Philip Shaul and his colleagues plan to conduct additional studies using estrogen therapies and hope to begin clinical trials soon. When a baby is born more than three weeks before the due date, the birth is considered to be premature. A preterm infant has an increased risk of many health problems, since there is less time for the fetus to develop in the mother’s womb. If your infant was born prematurely and was injured or killed as a result of negligence or malpractice on the part of a doctor or hospital, contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. to discuss your potential case. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx birth injury, Brooklyn birth injury, Queens birth injury, Manhattan birth injury, Nassau birth injury and Suffolk birth injury attorneys. Call today for a free consultation.
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After providing estrogen treatment to the preterm primates involved in the study, researchers observed an improvement in lung function as a result of an increase in production of nitric oxide. This lung development cut down on the amount of time ventilation was needed and also prevented low blood pressure, which is prevalent among premature infants. Researchers saw this and other benefits from just one estrogen treatment in the preterm primates, including an improvement in circulation. Lead author Dr. Philip Shaul and his colleagues plan to conduct additional studies using estrogen therapies and hope to begin clinical trials soon. When a baby is born more than three weeks before the due date, the birth is considered to be premature. A preterm infant has an increased risk of many health problems, since there is less time for the fetus to develop in the mother’s womb. If your infant was born prematurely and was injured or killed as a result of negligence or malpractice on the part of a doctor or hospital, contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. to discuss your potential case. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx birth injury, Brooklyn birth injury, Queens birth injury, Manhattan birth injury, Nassau birth injury and Suffolk birth injury attorneys. Call today for a free consultation.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The American Cancer Society’s Health Insurance Assistance Service
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), cancer is one of the five most expensive medical conditions in the country, with better treatments costing significantly more than their alternatives. Anyone diagnosed with cancer wants the best treatment available, however, people with minimal health insurance coverage or no insurance at all are often unable to afford the best cancer care, decreasing their chances of surviving or eliminating their cancer. With health insurance premiums on the rise, people are becoming less and less able to afford adequate care, especially if they have been diagnosed with cancer and require constant treatment, which equals numerous co-pays on top of other bills. Paying medical bills is hardest for those that have had to stop working as a result of their cancer, since the majority of these people lose their insurance along with their jobs. This growing problem prompted the American Cancer Society to create the Health Insurance Assistance Service (HIAS), a call center dedicated to helping cancer patients get medical coverage and interpret confusing insurance information so educated decisions can be made. The HIAS, which reported that about 72 percent of callers are uninsured, assists people by connecting them with specialists who are able to explain complicated insurance paperwork and figure out solutions for cancer patients in need of coverage. For cancer patients that have been told that the lifetime limit on their policy has been reached, HIAS specialists may be able to help straighten out these denials of coverage.
The HIAS currently serves 36 states and the District of Columbia and has specialists that are knowledgeable about insurance coverage in each state. The HIAS specialists can also inform callers of what facilities offer breast and cervical cancer screenings that are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) so callers can take full advantage of these offerings. The HIAS also suggests ways to make sure certain cancer screenings are covered by the CDC or other organizations. So far, the HIAS has handled an estimated 21,000 cases, providing about 17 percent of those cases with complete solutions to their problems. About 57 percent of the cases taken up by the HIAS have received some form of help for their insurance problems, while about 26 percent of cases could not be helped by the HIAS due to the severity of their insurance troubles. Cancer treatment is most effective when the cancer is caught early on, so regular screenings are recommended for certain types of cancer. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating cancer, our 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
The HIAS currently serves 36 states and the District of Columbia and has specialists that are knowledgeable about insurance coverage in each state. The HIAS specialists can also inform callers of what facilities offer breast and cervical cancer screenings that are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) so callers can take full advantage of these offerings. The HIAS also suggests ways to make sure certain cancer screenings are covered by the CDC or other organizations. So far, the HIAS has handled an estimated 21,000 cases, providing about 17 percent of those cases with complete solutions to their problems. About 57 percent of the cases taken up by the HIAS have received some form of help for their insurance problems, while about 26 percent of cases could not be helped by the HIAS due to the severity of their insurance troubles. Cancer treatment is most effective when the cancer is caught early on, so regular screenings are recommended for certain types of cancer. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating cancer, our 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Leading Baby Bottle Companies Discontinuing Use of BPA
In 2006, the City of San Francisco passed an ordinance banning products intended for use by children under age 3 that contained bisphenol A (BPA). Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that is used to make polycarbonate plastic, a clear, lightweight, heat resistant and shatter-proof material used in various products, including CDs and DVDs, toys, protective safety equipment, eyeglass lenses and food storage containers. For nearly 50 years, researchers have been conducting studies and tests to evaluate the safety of BPA. Most uses of BPA pose no risk to consumers, however, when lab animals were exposed to BPA, researchers found that even minimal amounts of the chemical could cause damage to the brain, reproductive system, mammary glands and prostate, in addition to heart disease, diabetes and obesity. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not yet banned the use of BPA based on findings that it is safe and poses no known risk to human health. Still, other studies have found that even at low levels of exposure, BPA may cause developmental problems in babies in young children when the chemical leaches into their foods and drinks.
Products such as food storage containers and baby bottles that are made of polycarbonate plastic may allow these chemicals to leach into the foods or liquids, exposing children and adults to this potentially dangerous toxin on a daily basis. Babies and young children are at the highest risk of health problems as a result of BPA exposure because their bodies are still developing and they are more sensitive to such toxins. For this reason, consumer rights groups have urged manufacturers of baby bottles that use BPA to discontinue production of these products so that infants and young children can avoid exposure. Playtex Product Inc., Evenflo Co., Gerber, Dr. Brown and Disney First Years are some of the leading manufacturers of baby bottles and have all chosen to stop production of bottles and other baby products made of polycarbonate plastic in the U.S. However, most of these companies will continue to export products containing BPA to other countries that do not have restrictions on products made of polycarbonate plastic. Many baby bottle manufacturers are now switching back to older alternatives, which include glass bottles, and have been working to produce BPA-free plastic bottles. Potentially toxic products are especially dangerous to babies and young children because they are still growing and are more susceptible to injury from exposure to chemicals. If your child has been seriously injured as a result of exposure to toxic materials, including lead paint, contact the experienced attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. to see if you have a case. We offer free evaluations to clients with premises and product liability cases in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Staten Island.
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Products such as food storage containers and baby bottles that are made of polycarbonate plastic may allow these chemicals to leach into the foods or liquids, exposing children and adults to this potentially dangerous toxin on a daily basis. Babies and young children are at the highest risk of health problems as a result of BPA exposure because their bodies are still developing and they are more sensitive to such toxins. For this reason, consumer rights groups have urged manufacturers of baby bottles that use BPA to discontinue production of these products so that infants and young children can avoid exposure. Playtex Product Inc., Evenflo Co., Gerber, Dr. Brown and Disney First Years are some of the leading manufacturers of baby bottles and have all chosen to stop production of bottles and other baby products made of polycarbonate plastic in the U.S. However, most of these companies will continue to export products containing BPA to other countries that do not have restrictions on products made of polycarbonate plastic. Many baby bottle manufacturers are now switching back to older alternatives, which include glass bottles, and have been working to produce BPA-free plastic bottles. Potentially toxic products are especially dangerous to babies and young children because they are still growing and are more susceptible to injury from exposure to chemicals. If your child has been seriously injured as a result of exposure to toxic materials, including lead paint, contact the experienced attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. to see if you have a case. We offer free evaluations to clients with premises and product liability cases in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Staten Island.
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Friday, March 13, 2009
Calcium May Help Prevent Colon Cancer in Older Adults
Between 1995 and 1996, more than 500,000 AARP members from California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Louisiana and Atlanta, Georgia and Detroit, Michigan filled out a questionnaire that asked participants to provide answers about their lifestyles and diets, including information about dairy consumption. Responses from the 198,903 women and 293,907 men, ages 50 to 71, were then compared with state cancer registries, allowing researchers to see which of the study participants developed some form of cancer over the years. Researchers then analyzed their findings, comparing the amounts of calcium consumed by study participants with cancer diagnoses up to 2003. They found that women that had reported consuming higher levels of calcium (1,300 mg/daily) reduced their risk of colon cancer by about 23 percent, compared to those that reported consuming the least amounts of calcium. In addition, the study supports that women that consumed higher levels of calcium also lowered their overall cancer risk, although there were no additional benefits found for women consuming more than 1,300 milligrams of calcium each day. Men that had reported higher levels of calcium (1,500 mg/daily) in their diets lowered their risk of developing colon and other digestive cancers by 16 percent when compared with those that consumed the lowest levels (500 mg/daily) of calcium. However, there was nothing found in the study to suggest that higher calcium intakes in men reduces overall cancer risk.
The study, which was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, had to be carefully conducted to avoid involving other factors in the findings. Modifications were made to be sure that cancer risks were lowered by calcium consumption alone, since participants with higher calcium intakes were most often white, college-educated adults that were more physically active and tended to drink and smoke less, which also lower cancer risks. Experts have suggested that calcium may reduce the risk of colon and other digestive cancers because it adheres itself to fatty acids and bile, which can cause damage to the large intestine. Preventing this damage may lessen the development of abnormal cells, lowering a person's risk of cancer in these areas. Additional studies are still necessary to establish a solid link between calcium intake and reduced cancer risk. Still, this study’s findings may lead to additional research, resulting in improved cancer prevention methods. 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 cervical 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
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The study, which was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, had to be carefully conducted to avoid involving other factors in the findings. Modifications were made to be sure that cancer risks were lowered by calcium consumption alone, since participants with higher calcium intakes were most often white, college-educated adults that were more physically active and tended to drink and smoke less, which also lower cancer risks. Experts have suggested that calcium may reduce the risk of colon and other digestive cancers because it adheres itself to fatty acids and bile, which can cause damage to the large intestine. Preventing this damage may lessen the development of abnormal cells, lowering a person's risk of cancer in these areas. Additional studies are still necessary to establish a solid link between calcium intake and reduced cancer risk. Still, this study’s findings may lead to additional research, resulting in improved cancer prevention methods. 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 cervical 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Thursday, March 12, 2009
More Nontraditional Symptoms in Women Experiencing Stroke, TIA
A recent study presented at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2009 found that women are more likely than men to experience atypical stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) symptoms. For the study, data from 461 cases of stroke and TIA from the University of Michigan Hospital were used, with 48.6 percent being female participants and 51.4 percent being male participants. The study took place from January of 2005 to December of 2007, following a similar study out of the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, which took place between February of 1998 and March of 2000. The results of the two studies were similar, with both finding that women were more likely than men to experience nontraditional symptoms of ischemic stroke and TIA, with changes in mental-status occurring significantly more often in women.
According to the American Heart Association, regular stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination and sudden, severe headache with no known cause. Irregular stroke and TIA symptoms found in this study included pain, lightheadedness, headache, mental-status change and neurological and nonneurological symptoms. The study data found that women were 43 percent more likely to report these types of atypical symptoms than men, with 23 percent of women including mental-status change as one of their stroke or TIA symptoms. Only 15 percent of men with stroke or TIA were found to have experienced mental-status change, which includes loss of consciousness, confusion or disorientation. In addition, 51.8 percent of female participants reported that they had experienced at least one nontraditional symptom, while about 44 percent of male participants reported at least one of these symptoms. With this variation in symptoms between men and women, it comes as no shock that there is also a variation in the type of care received when presenting to a doctor or hospital after experiencing a stroke. Previous research has found that women with stroke or TIA wait longer to get to a hospital and experience longer delays than men when they do get to a medical center. In addition, statistics have shown that women are also less likely than men to be given tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is a drug that dissolves blood clots and restores blood flow if given within a few hours of the stroke or TIA.
For women or men experiencing a stroke or transient ischemic attack, the faster the treatment, the better the result. 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, contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our firm serves clients with Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice, Manhattan medical malpractice, Queens medical malpractice and Long Island medical malpractice cases. Call today for your free consultation.
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According to the American Heart Association, regular stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination and sudden, severe headache with no known cause. Irregular stroke and TIA symptoms found in this study included pain, lightheadedness, headache, mental-status change and neurological and nonneurological symptoms. The study data found that women were 43 percent more likely to report these types of atypical symptoms than men, with 23 percent of women including mental-status change as one of their stroke or TIA symptoms. Only 15 percent of men with stroke or TIA were found to have experienced mental-status change, which includes loss of consciousness, confusion or disorientation. In addition, 51.8 percent of female participants reported that they had experienced at least one nontraditional symptom, while about 44 percent of male participants reported at least one of these symptoms. With this variation in symptoms between men and women, it comes as no shock that there is also a variation in the type of care received when presenting to a doctor or hospital after experiencing a stroke. Previous research has found that women with stroke or TIA wait longer to get to a hospital and experience longer delays than men when they do get to a medical center. In addition, statistics have shown that women are also less likely than men to be given tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is a drug that dissolves blood clots and restores blood flow if given within a few hours of the stroke or TIA.
For women or men experiencing a stroke or transient ischemic attack, the faster the treatment, the better the result. 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, contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our firm serves clients with Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice, Manhattan medical malpractice, Queens medical malpractice and Long Island medical malpractice cases. Call today for your free consultation.
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Protecting Your Baby from Infection Before and After Birth
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released information on ways expecting mothers and mothers of newborns can protect their babies from infections that they may be carrying themselves. Infections such as group B strep (GBS), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and listeriosis may be harmless to the mother but life-threatening to a fetus or newborn. Group B strep, or GBS, is an infection caused by bacteria and is present in 15 to 40 percent of all women. The bacteria usually poses no harm to its carrier or to people around them, however, if the bacteria is passed along from a mother to her newborn during birth, it can cause serious health problems or even death to the baby. The CDC recommends that women get screened for group B strep between their 35th and 37th week of each pregnancy so that doctors can plan on giving antibiotics during labor to protect the baby from exposure to the GBS bacteria. Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is a common virus that is part of the herpes family. According to the CDC, between 50 and 85 percent of people in the U.S. experience a CMV infection by the time they reach age 40. These infections do not usually cause serious problems in healthy adults and children, however, if a pregnant woman becomes infected with CMV, it is possible for her to pass the virus to her baby before, during or after birth, which may result in serious birth defects, other health problems or death. To avoid these serious risks, expecting mothers should make every effort to avoid contracting CMV by practicing good hygiene and following these CDC guidelines:
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- Wash your hands thoroughly (15 –20 seconds) with soap and water, especially after changing diapers or coming into contact with children's body fluids.
- Use soap and water or a disinfectant to clean hard surfaces that have come into contact with children's body fluids.
- Avoid kissing young children on the face or lips.
- Don't share food, drinks, or eating utensils with young children.
- If you work in a day care center, limit your close contact with children younger than 2 ½ years of age, especially if you've never been infected with CMV or don't know if you've been infected.
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Providing Care to Aging Parents
In most cases when people get older, it gets harder and harder for them to live on their own because simple, daily activities become more and more difficult. Aging adults that require assistance getting around or doing everyday things may rely on their children (if they have them) for that type of help. However, providing care and making important health care decisions for the elderly sometimes becomes frustrating for their children involved in the process, so it is important for those care givers to learn how deal with or avoid these stressful situations. To help children of aging parents handle their growing needs, Dr. Paula Kue of Johns Hopkins Medicine composed a list of suggestions to ease decision making and regular routines. She first suggests that children talk to their elderly parents before any decisions are necessary and ask them what they expect to happen when medical treatment is needed in the future. By knowing the preferences of their parent, it may be easier for a son or daughter to decide on things like surgeries, intensive-care unit (ICU) treatments or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, if they are required to make those choices. It is also important to discuss who the parent wants making their medical decisions for them, if they are unable to make them on their own. In this event, there will be less confusion when family members disagree about the treatment of their elderly loved one. Another suggestion Dr. Kue has for children providing care is to encourage their aging parents to get routine medical care, including screenings for cancer, heart problems and other health risks, as well as immunizations to avoid certain conditions. Pushing for these tests and preventative measures will help reduce the number of medical problems their elderly parent has, making it easier to care for them.
One of the hardest tasks for children caring for elderly parents is keeping track of their medications and making sure that all prescribed medications are being taken properly, especially when that parent is less compliant with their doctors’ orders. In some cases, elderly patients feel they do not need certain medications prescribed by their doctor and make the decision to stop taking certain medications, without consulting with anyone. When this occurs, the children of that older patient are usually the ones that have to deal with the situation, if in fact they find out about the problem. For elderly patients that are not opposed to the medications their doctors prescribe to them, it is often difficult to remember what medications to take and at what times. To keep on track with medication dosages, elderly patients often require the help of their children or care givers, who may also find this task difficult if they have no knowledge of medicine or are unable to understand the directions. To avoid problems following dosages or an elderly patient taking medications that may interfere with one another, it is important for these children to talk to their parents' doctors about any and all medications and supplements being taken. Dr. Kue’s last suggestion for children caring for an elderly parent is to get help from other members of the family, agencies that provide home health care or other services that may be able to assist their parent. By doing this, the responsibilities of caring for an aging parent will be spread out among more than one person, making it less stressful to deal with the needs of that parent. If an aging parent requires more constant care, it may be necessary to look into nursing homes in the areas surrounding the homes of that person’s children so it will be easier for them to check up on their parent. Extensive research should be done before a parent or loved one is placed in a nursing home to avoid the sometimes hazardous conditions that come along with these types of facilities. Sadly, not all nursing homes offer the best quality of care, which may result in harm to their elderly patients. If you suspect a problem in the nursing home of a loved one, please call or e-mail our nursing home attorneys. Our New York negligent security lawyers know how to help families whose loved ones have suffered injury, pain, damage or emotional trauma because of nursing home negligence. We can help you remedy the situation and get you or your loved one the compensation you deserve. We serve clients with Bronx nursing home negligence, Brooklyn nursing home negligence, Queens nursing home negligence, Nassau nursing home negligence and Suffolk nursing home negligence cases.
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One of the hardest tasks for children caring for elderly parents is keeping track of their medications and making sure that all prescribed medications are being taken properly, especially when that parent is less compliant with their doctors’ orders. In some cases, elderly patients feel they do not need certain medications prescribed by their doctor and make the decision to stop taking certain medications, without consulting with anyone. When this occurs, the children of that older patient are usually the ones that have to deal with the situation, if in fact they find out about the problem. For elderly patients that are not opposed to the medications their doctors prescribe to them, it is often difficult to remember what medications to take and at what times. To keep on track with medication dosages, elderly patients often require the help of their children or care givers, who may also find this task difficult if they have no knowledge of medicine or are unable to understand the directions. To avoid problems following dosages or an elderly patient taking medications that may interfere with one another, it is important for these children to talk to their parents' doctors about any and all medications and supplements being taken. Dr. Kue’s last suggestion for children caring for an elderly parent is to get help from other members of the family, agencies that provide home health care or other services that may be able to assist their parent. By doing this, the responsibilities of caring for an aging parent will be spread out among more than one person, making it less stressful to deal with the needs of that parent. If an aging parent requires more constant care, it may be necessary to look into nursing homes in the areas surrounding the homes of that person’s children so it will be easier for them to check up on their parent. Extensive research should be done before a parent or loved one is placed in a nursing home to avoid the sometimes hazardous conditions that come along with these types of facilities. Sadly, not all nursing homes offer the best quality of care, which may result in harm to their elderly patients. If you suspect a problem in the nursing home of a loved one, please call or e-mail our nursing home attorneys. Our New York negligent security lawyers know how to help families whose loved ones have suffered injury, pain, damage or emotional trauma because of nursing home negligence. We can help you remedy the situation and get you or your loved one the compensation you deserve. We serve clients with Bronx nursing home negligence, Brooklyn nursing home negligence, Queens nursing home negligence, Nassau nursing home negligence and Suffolk nursing home negligence cases.
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Monday, March 9, 2009
Getting Angry May Hurt Your Heart
In a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers have found a connection between anger and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which is a condition where a person’s heart stops beating suddenly, preventing vital blood flow to the organs of the body. Most people that experience SCA die before they can get treatment, which is required within minutes of the occurrence. So, the results of this new study may lead to new ways to reduce the risk of heart problems caused by anger and stress, such as anger and stress management therapy, in turn reducing the number of SCA cases. For the study, researchers analyzed 62 people at risk of sudden cardiac arrest that had implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), which are small battery-powered devices that monitor heart rhythms and can pick up cardiac arrhythmias, or rhythm problems, emitting an electric shock to correct those problems. The researchers asked study participants to recall something that occurred in the past few weeks that angered or agitated them and to describe the event in detail. The heart’s electrical stability was monitored for each participant during their recall, which the researchers measured using T-wave alternans. What they found was that participants in the top 25 percent of electrical instability were 10 times more likely to experience a cardiac arrhythmia in the following 3 years compared to those who were more stable. Some doctors believe that this test may be even more helpful when used in addition to exercise-induced electrical stability tests.
Since this was a small-scale study using only 62 participants, additional studies will almost definitely be conducted evaluating the effects of anger and stress on current and future heart functions. A follow-up study conducted by the same researchers as the original study looked at whether or not stress management lowered the risk of arrhythmias in participants with ICDs. In addition to behavioral management for people with high levels of stress and anger, doctors may also prescribe medications to patients at high risk of cardiac arrhythmias. The Mayo Clinic also offers tips to deal with anger in a more constructive way and figure out what causes a person to become angry so they can learn to avoid and deal with those triggers. Sudden cardiac arrest and other heart related problems are serious and should be treated by a doctor immediately to avoid permanent injury or death. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a serious heart problem, please contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. We serve clients with Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice, Manhattan medical malpratice, Queens medical malpracitce and Long Island medical malpractice cases. We also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.
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Since this was a small-scale study using only 62 participants, additional studies will almost definitely be conducted evaluating the effects of anger and stress on current and future heart functions. A follow-up study conducted by the same researchers as the original study looked at whether or not stress management lowered the risk of arrhythmias in participants with ICDs. In addition to behavioral management for people with high levels of stress and anger, doctors may also prescribe medications to patients at high risk of cardiac arrhythmias. The Mayo Clinic also offers tips to deal with anger in a more constructive way and figure out what causes a person to become angry so they can learn to avoid and deal with those triggers. Sudden cardiac arrest and other heart related problems are serious and should be treated by a doctor immediately to avoid permanent injury or death. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a serious heart problem, please contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. We serve clients with Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice, Manhattan medical malpratice, Queens medical malpracitce and Long Island medical malpractice cases. We also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Friday, March 6, 2009
Increased Cancer Risk for Women Consuming More Alcohol
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute recently released the findings of the Million Women Study, which looked at the link between alcohol consumption in women (average age of 55) and certain cancer risks. The study found that middle-aged women that drank in moderation (one drink per day) and those that consumed a few drinks each day had more of a risk of developing breast, rectal and liver cancer compared to those who drank fewer than two drinks each week. Researchers from the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom looked at the cancer rates of the 1.3 million study participants seven years after they had filled out the study survey, which included questions about smoking, body mass index, exercise habits, medications, treatments and alcohol consumption, type and frequency. They found that the more drinks a woman consumed, the higher her risk of developing those certain types of cancer. The risk of breast cancer jumped 12 percent and the risk of rectal cancer jumped 10 percent with each additional daily drink, with study authors estimating that almost 13 percent of all UK cancer cases in women may be caused by alcohol consumption.
The study also found that the type of alcohol consumed had no effect on cancer risk, so it makes no difference if a woman drinks beer, wine, liquor or mixed drinks. This means that it is the alcohol contained in those beverages that is causing an increased risk of cancer, and not some other ingredient. Researchers also reported that the risk of mouth, esophagus, pharynx and larynx cancers also increased for women that drank moderate amounts of alcohol and currently smoked cigarettes. What the study did not find was the reason why alcohol consumption increases cancer risk in women, although researchers believe there is evidence that moderate alcohol consumption does increase the levels of hormones being circulated throughout the body, which has been linked to a greater risk of breast cancer. Another deficiency is the possibility that some of the participants did not provide accurate information, making it unclear how concrete this evidence is. Although previous studies have found that one drink per day for women and two per day for men may lower the risk of stroke and heart attack, it is important to discuss with your doctor what would benefit you the most , depending on your particular health factors. Cancer, heart attack and stroke are very serious conditions and occurrences that require the immediate care of a doctor or hospital. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of cancer, heart attack or stroke in New York, 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 Suffolk medical malpractice cases. Call today for your free consultation.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
The study also found that the type of alcohol consumed had no effect on cancer risk, so it makes no difference if a woman drinks beer, wine, liquor or mixed drinks. This means that it is the alcohol contained in those beverages that is causing an increased risk of cancer, and not some other ingredient. Researchers also reported that the risk of mouth, esophagus, pharynx and larynx cancers also increased for women that drank moderate amounts of alcohol and currently smoked cigarettes. What the study did not find was the reason why alcohol consumption increases cancer risk in women, although researchers believe there is evidence that moderate alcohol consumption does increase the levels of hormones being circulated throughout the body, which has been linked to a greater risk of breast cancer. Another deficiency is the possibility that some of the participants did not provide accurate information, making it unclear how concrete this evidence is. Although previous studies have found that one drink per day for women and two per day for men may lower the risk of stroke and heart attack, it is important to discuss with your doctor what would benefit you the most , depending on your particular health factors. Cancer, heart attack and stroke are very serious conditions and occurrences that require the immediate care of a doctor or hospital. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of cancer, heart attack or stroke in New York, 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 Suffolk medical malpractice cases. Call today for your free consultation.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Ischemic Stroke Treatment Using tPA in Addition to Other Methods
Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and occurs when one of the brain’s arteries is blocked by either a blood clot or a fatty deposit, preventing fresh blood from reaching the brain. When a person experiences an ischemic stroke, treatment is required within minutes to prevent serious damage to brain cells. Doctors most often treat stroke patients with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which dissolves clots and restores blood flow if used soon enough after the occurrence. However, although this drug is the only one approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acute ischemic stroke, recent results from the Transcranial Ultrasound in Clinical Sonothrombolysis (TUCSON) trial have shown that tPA in addition to a low-dose of microspheres and ultrasound may dissolve these clots more quickly, allowing better results for patients. The trial, which was presented at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2009, also found that within 36 hours of ischemic stroke, 67 percent of patients using low-dose microspheres with tPA and 46 percent of patients using high-dose microspheres with tPA had complete restoration of blood flow. Those are great improvements over the 33 percent that experienced complete restoration of blood flow within 36 hours when being treated solely with tPA. Researchers also found that by using transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) along with microspheres, stroke-causing blood clots could be broken up an average of 30 minutes sooner than when using just tPA.
The ultrasound would be used to excel recanalization, or blood flow, by forcing the microspheres to the location of the clot, where they would wear away at the clot, causing it to disintegrate completely. Dr. Andrei Alexandrov, who was involved with the studies, compared the process to sweetening a cup of tea, explaining that the sugar being added needs to be stirred in order to make the tea sweet. This process is similar in that if tPA is just added to the bloodstream, it may take longer to reach the clot, but if ultrasound waves and microspheres are added, the tPA moves to its destination more quickly, allowing for better results. The faster the treatment, the better the result for patients experiencing any type of 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, contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our firm serves clients with medical malpractice legal assistance in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, New York City, Long Island, and Queens. Call today for your free consultation.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
The ultrasound would be used to excel recanalization, or blood flow, by forcing the microspheres to the location of the clot, where they would wear away at the clot, causing it to disintegrate completely. Dr. Andrei Alexandrov, who was involved with the studies, compared the process to sweetening a cup of tea, explaining that the sugar being added needs to be stirred in order to make the tea sweet. This process is similar in that if tPA is just added to the bloodstream, it may take longer to reach the clot, but if ultrasound waves and microspheres are added, the tPA moves to its destination more quickly, allowing for better results. The faster the treatment, the better the result for patients experiencing any type of 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, contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Our firm serves clients with medical malpractice legal assistance in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, New York City, Long Island, and Queens. Call today for your free consultation.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Urge For Drug Fact Boxes on FDA Website and Advertisements
In an attempt to make consumers more knowledgeable about medications they may require, researchers at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire are urging federal directors to include drug fact boxes in print ads and on the Food and Drug Administration website. The drug fact boxes, or “benefit boxes”, will be similar to nutrition fact panels found on almost all packaged foods. However, instead of listing items like calories and fat content, the drug fact boxes will show the actual benefits and risk of side effects for the particular drug. Researchers from Dartmouth Medical School will present their suggestion to the FDA in an effort to raise consumer awareness by providing them with clear information about medications they may need. During their presentation, results from two trials analyzing the benefits of drug fact boxes will be used as evidence that consumers are able to select the more effective drug out of two alternatives when provided with information about their risks and benefits. (To learn more about the trials, read the full article at the Annals of Internal Medicine website.)
If this beneficial drug fact box is put into use, consumers can easily see the risks and benefits of drugs such as Lunesta, a sleep-aid medication that was found to only provide an average of 37 additional minutes of sleep to patients taking the drug when compared to those taking a placebo. If possible consumers could see this type of information printed in an ad or at the FDA website, they may ask their doctors about other alternatives to help them sleep. If the drug fact box is not utilized, consumers will have to continue to rely on the fast-paced summaries included in television and radio advertisements and the hardly comprehensible information printed in the smallest allowable font at the bottom of print ads. This means that even if consumers were being told what type of side effects were found during trials or how effective a drug was in these fleeting messages (which they are not), they probably wouldn’t be able to grasp them anyway. Any additional information provided to consumers may help them choose among alternative drugs and benefit them when discussing these options with their doctor. Increased awareness on the part of the patient may also help prevent medication mistakes. 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.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
If this beneficial drug fact box is put into use, consumers can easily see the risks and benefits of drugs such as Lunesta, a sleep-aid medication that was found to only provide an average of 37 additional minutes of sleep to patients taking the drug when compared to those taking a placebo. If possible consumers could see this type of information printed in an ad or at the FDA website, they may ask their doctors about other alternatives to help them sleep. If the drug fact box is not utilized, consumers will have to continue to rely on the fast-paced summaries included in television and radio advertisements and the hardly comprehensible information printed in the smallest allowable font at the bottom of print ads. This means that even if consumers were being told what type of side effects were found during trials or how effective a drug was in these fleeting messages (which they are not), they probably wouldn’t be able to grasp them anyway. Any additional information provided to consumers may help them choose among alternative drugs and benefit them when discussing these options with their doctor. Increased awareness on the part of the patient may also help prevent medication mistakes. 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.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Higher Cervical Cancer Rates in Deprived Areas
According to the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the cervix, which is the organ connecting the uterus and the vagina. This type of cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women and was responsible for 3,870 deaths in the U.S. last year. Over the past few decades, the number of deaths from cervical cancer have dropped significantly, most likely due to more women having regular Pap smear tests to detect any signs of cancer and allow for earlier treatment. Another preventative measure comes in the form of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June of 2006 to prevent four types of HPV, two of which are responsible for about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases.
However, even though the big picture shows an improvement in the number of deaths due to cervical cancer, a British study found that there are higher rates of cervical cancer in London’s more deprived areas. The study was conducted by researchers with the Thames Cancer Registry at King’s College London, who found that cervical cancer rates were higher in these poorer areas most likely due to fewer women receiving regular tests and vaccinations. Elizabeth Davies, medical director of the Registry at King’s College London, also emphasized other risk factors for cervical cancer, including a woman’s number of sexual partners, intercourse at a younger age and HPV infection. In the United Kingdom, HPV vaccines are only administered to young girls to lower their risk of cervical cancer, so older women are left unprotected, making regular screenings even more crucial. Still, those that receive the HPV vaccination should also have annual Pap smear tests, since the vaccine only protects against certain strains of the virus.
Hopefully, the screening rates will increase in all areas, especially those that are more deprived and have higher rates, to allow the decline in cervical cancer cases to continue. As with all cancers, cervical 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 cervical 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
However, even though the big picture shows an improvement in the number of deaths due to cervical cancer, a British study found that there are higher rates of cervical cancer in London’s more deprived areas. The study was conducted by researchers with the Thames Cancer Registry at King’s College London, who found that cervical cancer rates were higher in these poorer areas most likely due to fewer women receiving regular tests and vaccinations. Elizabeth Davies, medical director of the Registry at King’s College London, also emphasized other risk factors for cervical cancer, including a woman’s number of sexual partners, intercourse at a younger age and HPV infection. In the United Kingdom, HPV vaccines are only administered to young girls to lower their risk of cervical cancer, so older women are left unprotected, making regular screenings even more crucial. Still, those that receive the HPV vaccination should also have annual Pap smear tests, since the vaccine only protects against certain strains of the virus.
Hopefully, the screening rates will increase in all areas, especially those that are more deprived and have higher rates, to allow the decline in cervical cancer cases to continue. As with all cancers, cervical 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 cervical 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, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our experienced attorneys serve clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Nassau cancer malpractice and Suffolk cancer malpractice cases.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
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