Anesthesia Options

There are various different types of anesthesia that can be used, but do you know exactly what each option means for you?

Topical anesthesia generally refers to eye drops that numb the eye for cataract surgery. It generally takes 20 minutes for the area to become numb after applying the eye drops. Patients may potentially experience some irritation or dryness afterwards.

Local anesthesia can be utilized with or without anesthesia sedation. If used while the patient is awake, he or she may experience some pain during the injection itself, but within minutes the affected site will be numb. However, if anesthesia sedation is given, patients will be unaware of the injection. When the anesthesia is injected into the area that will be treated, it temporarily blocks the transmission of nerve impulses and motor functions in that specific area. Potential side effects include some swelling from the injections.

Is cell phone radiation actually dangerous?

Most of us have our cell phones within arms length at all hours of the day. And at one time, we have all heard that the radiation from cell phones could cause tumors, but we continue to use our phones non-stop anyway. So what does the research actually say about this?

Despite years of studies, the answer to this question is still unclear.

The majority of the research has shown no clear relationship between a cell phones’ weak radiation and tumors. However, some experts recommend using a headset or Bluetooth device when possible because it can greatly reduce radiation exposure.

Despite no evidence of a link between cell phones and tumors, you might as well get yourself a Bluetooth because the jury is still out on this one. Researchers plan to continue studying the effects of cell phone radiation on the body until they can come to more conclusive results.

Cancer Rates in the United States are Decreasing

According to a new study released by the American Cancer Society, cancer death rates have been decreasing between 2004 and 2008. The study found that cancer rates have dropped 1.8% per year in men and 1.6% per year in women.

The report attributes advances in cancer screenings and treatment to the prevention of more than a million deaths from cancer since the early 1990s.

Many of the La Peer physicians specialize in various cancer screenings and treatments. If you have a history of cancer in your family, you should begin screenings at an early age in order to increase the odds of detecting cancer at an early, treatable stage. ... read more »

Guide to Cancer Screenings

Most women know to get a pap smear once a year. Some people know they are supposed to get a mole check yearly, but did you know there also several other cancer screenings you should have done?

Regular cancer screenings are vital to protecting your health. The doctors at La Peer Health Systems recommend preventative screenings because finding cancer early greatly increases the chance for successful treatment.

While each patient has individual cancer screening needs, based on the family history of cancer, here is a general guide to when and how often you should be seeing your doctor for screenings:

&n... read more »

Can circumcision prevent STDs later in life?

Deciding whether or not to circumcise an infant can be a difficult decision for new parents.

Research shows that having your baby boy circumcised, the surgical removal of the penis foreskin, has health benefits. The risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, such as genital herpes or HPV, is reduced in men who are circumcised.

How does circumcision prevent STDs?

By removing the foreskin, the skin covering the head of the penis becomes tougher. This may protect against “microtears” during sex that con provide a point of entry for germs.
The mucosal lining of the penile foreskin may provide a moist environment for herpes and HPV to survive and penetrate cells on the skin’s surface.
After sex, the foreskin may prolong the time that skin is exposed to... read more »

Treating erectile dysfunction

For most, the thought of erectile dysfunction (ED) is unsettling. But, keep in mind that with the various treatment options available today there is almost always a solution for ED, regardless of the cause.

It is estimated that ED effects 15 – 30 million American men. There are multiple causes of erectile dysfunction. Potential causes include:

Diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, vascular disease, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis and neurological disease.
Smoking
Obesity
Chronic alcoholism
Surgery in and around the nerves that control erections
Radical prostatectomy
Bladder surgery
Pelvic surgery
Radiation therapy and cryotherapy of the prostate
Common medication used for blood pressure, depression... read more »

Biological Age vs. Chronological Age

Scientifically, humans should be able to live to the age of 120 years. But how many people do you know that lived to see 120 or, for that matter, even 90 years old? Studies have found that Humans are not living as long as we possibly could because of poor diet and over-exposure to excessive toxins, carcinogens and stress.

Biologists are able to determine “biological” results from looking at an individual’s telomere. The telomere acts as a cap that holds the DNA strands together in our cells. Each time a cell reproduces, the telomere gets shorter, and when it gets too short, the DNA strands fall apart and the cell dies. By measuring the length of the telomere, doctors can figure out how much time the cells have left before they die, and thus how much you have aged.

While looking at the telomere of a specific cell cannot accurately determine the precise age of all cells in your body, it does pro... read more »

3D Imaging Allows Patients to View Potential Post-Surgery Results

Wondering what you will look like after reconstructive surgery? With the help of advanced 3D imaging technology you can see the potential outcome during your consultation with your surgeon.

Whether you are undergoing plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons or for facial reconstruction purposes, including facial paralysis and facial trauma surgery, 3D modeling technology can be used to show you your post-surgery appearance.

The doctor will take your picture and then use the 3D imaging software to simulate a variety of surgical results. The 3D model can be viewed from all angles and allows for side-by-side comparisons and translucent overlays. Together, you and your doctor can look over the images, discuss which results you prefer and address any concern... read more »

How do I choose a good doctor?

We all know that the hunt for a new doctor can be a very long and stressful process. So what is the secret to finding a good doctor in a timely manner? Here are some guidelines to make your decision as pain-free as possible:

Credentials – Don’t hesitate to verify a doctor’s medical license, certifications and professional society memberships to ensure he is properly trained.
Experience – During a consultation with a doctor ask about his medical education and training that is specific to the procedure you are considering. You can also ask how many procedures of this kind he has performed and how often he performs them.
Referrals – Ask your friends and family if they have any doctors that they would like to recommend to you. But keep in mind that doctors specialize in different areas and most are not experts in all areas. So be sure to ask your friend or famil... read more »

Doctors are people too

Going to the doctor can often times be daunting. Not only are you nervous about finding out whether or not you are healthy, but you also can be afraid that the doctor will judge you on your health, or more likely unhealthy, habits. However, you need to remember, doctors are people too!

Doctors, just like the rest of us, have their own bad habits and are not here to judge us. You should not be embarrassed when you are discussing your health habits with your doctor.

In fact, they appreciate when you tell the truth about your bad habits instead of keeping them a secret. When a doctor knows your true habits, they will be able to better diagnose you and offer the proper treatment options.

Furthermore, you should not fret over discussing “embarrassing” problems, like bodily functions, with doctors. Anything you say will not surprise the doctor. Most likely your doctor has treated several other patients with the sa... read more »

Hemorrhoid prevention tips

Hemorrhoids are a very common health problem, in which a lump or mass of tissue in the anus contains enlarged blood vessels. They are caused by an increase in abdominal pressure.

People usually experience hemorrhoids because of:

Pregnancy
Frequent constipation
Obesity
Persistent diarrhea
Rushing to complete a bowel movement

Additionally, hemorrhoids are likely to develop in individual who do not get enough fiber in their diet or who d not exercise frequently. These poor diet and exercise habits can lead to constipation and straining during bowel movements, which cause or inflame the hemorrhoid.

Reducing your risk of suffering from hemorrhoids can be achieved by making a few simple changes to your diet and lifestyle. The following changes should help soften your stool so that you avoid the straining that leads to hemorrhoids:

The importance of knowing your family’s health history

Having a good understanding of your family’s health history is essential in disease prevention. Many of the most common and fatal disease can be hereditary, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Knowing your risks allows you take the right lifesaving steps. Together, you and your doctor will be able to take the right precautions to lower your risk of suffering from an illness that a family member has suffered from. Here are some of the key things you should know about your family health:

Medical history of relatives on both sides of your family.
The age at which a family member’s health problem began.
The races and countries of origins of family members.

Learning about patterns or common illnesses in your family will better prepare you to take early steps to reduce the risk of developing those diseases. Preventative measures can... read more »

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a procedure that allows medical professionals to look inside your body. Instruments called endoscopes have cameras attached to long, thin tubes - which are inserted into various orifices of the body to examine nearby organs.

Although traditional methods of endoscopy are used in diagnosing problems in all areas of the body, they are most commonly associated with diagnosing problems of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Traditional endoscopy procedures are performed on various components of the GI tract to diagnose conditions like ulcers, Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), polyps, tumors or to find the source of intestinal bleeding. While the traditional methods are beneficial in diagnosing problems of most portions of the GI tract, they are not able to access the small intestine, where some types of serious intestinal conditions, like Crohn’s disease, can begin. Further, some sources of intestinal bleeding a... read more »

Facelifts and VECTRA Facial Sculptor

Facelifts are a popular surgical method of facial rejuvenation, with just over 100,000 procedures being performed in the United States annually. During the procedure, incisions are made at various points on the face to take the slack out of lax skin and remove fatty deposits underneath. Some tightening of facial muscles is also done during this procedure.

Even though thousands of people opt to have a facelift done every year, there are likely just as many who have considered it, but never gone through with the idea. The most common reason people decide against having the procedure done is the uncertainty associated with the results. The effects of a facelift are permanent, barring additional procedures, and the thought of having to live with a botched facelift or endure another surgery can be overwhelming. Thanks to improved technology in the field of cosmetic surgery, patients can now see what they will look li... read more »

Cosmetic Foot Surgery

As society becomes increasingly appearance-conscious, people are paying attention to parts of their bodies they had previously overlooked.. While cosmetic surgery was most commonly used to improve and enhance the appearance of the face, the popularity of having elective cosmetic procedures has now spread throughout the body – most recently to the feet. A recent survey conducted by the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) among its podiatric surgeon members found that just over fifty percent of all their patients had inquired about cosmetic procedures for the feet. So why the sudden interest in cosmetic foot surgery? There are two reasons – to improve the appearance of the foot and to correct deformities of the foot.

Bunion Surgery

A bunion is the term given to a knot that appears on the side of the foot, just to the side of the lowest joint of the largest toe. The knot is made up of bone and soft tissue and appears when the largest toe has been pushed inward toward the other toes for an extended period of time. Heredity plays a role in bunion formation, as do illnesses such as arthritis and polio. However, the leading cause of bunions is wearing ill-fitting shoes where the toes are cramped together. Since women are more likely to wear poorly fitting shoes because of heels and such, bunions are more prominent in women. In fact, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society found that over 85 percent of women in the U.S. wear shoes that are too small and over 50 percent have bunions.

Overactive Bladder

A symptom of an overactive bladder can be the sudden urge to urinate . The urge may be difficult to suppress, which can lead to the involuntary loss of urine, also known as incontinence. For those who aren't affected by this condition, an overactive bladder may seem like a minor inconvenience, but for the 25 million Americans that are living with the effects, an overactive bladder can greatly reduce one's quality of life.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is an embarrassing condition that plagues millions of men. Estimates show that approximately one in five men experience occasional problems related to ED. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the medical term given to the condition where a man is unable to get an erection or maintain an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse. Although it can affect any man at any age, it's more common in men over the age of 75. Even the occasional bout with ED can cause relationship problems and self-esteem issues in men who have experienced it.

Pterygium Excision

A pterygium is a wing-shaped growth that can occur on the eye and eventually cover and alter the shape of the cornea. Pterygia consist of abnormal conjunctival tissue (the membrane that covers the eye) . Pterygia can be small or grow large enough to affect a person's vision. It is not clear why pterygia form, but they are twice as likely to occur in males than in females and are most often found in people who live in eye-irritating environments, such as windy climates, smoky places or sandy tropical locations.

Cataract Surgery

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. The lens is located behind the iris (the colored part of the eye) and is involved in focusing images on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back part the eye. In a young, healthy eye, this lens is clear and the image it creates on the retina is clear. This image is sent to the brain for processing into the image that we "see". If this lens is cloudy, as in the case of cataracts, the transferred image will be blurry. Cataracts are extremely common in the aged population, with more than half of Americans aged 80 or older either living with cataracts or having had cataract surgery in the past. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. This is a troubling statistic because cataracts are treatable, thanks to the technology that is available today.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that affects two components of the lower digestive system – the colon and the rectum. Colorectal cancer usually presents in the form of pre-cancerous polyps in the colon or rectum. Because they are still in their pre-cancerous or benign state, these potentially deadly polyps often produce no symptoms until they have become malignant and possibly spread to other organs in the body.

Hammertoes, StayFuse Intramedullary Fusion System

Hammertoe is a condition where one or both muscles of the toes is severely bent, causing the toe to take on a deformed appearance that resembles a ’hammer’. Hammertoes generally start out as mild defects, which are often aggravated by the pressure of wearing shoes. Over time, the joints can become more and more bent, resulting in a more extreme - and sometimes debilitating - deformity. Left untreated, hammertoes will become rigid over time and will require surgical intervention to correct.

DEPARTMENT OF ANESTHESIOLOGY

Anesthesiology is the practice of delivering anesthesia to patients during medical procedures. Anesthesiologists are trained physicians who have attended medical school followed by four years of residency training in anesthesiology. Anesthesia is used in many medical procedures and is utilized by virtually every surgical sub-specialty. There are many factors that contribute to the type of anesthesia used during a procedure including drug allergies, diabetes, heart disease, breathing problems, obesity, lung disease, and kidney disease. Anesthesiologists play a vital role in insuring a successful surgical outcome as well as overall patient satisfaction in any surgical procedure.

The Department of Anesthesiology at La Peer Health Systems is solely focused on the health of the patient, preparation for surgery, a successful surgery, and managing their patient's post-surgical pain. Prior to surgery, our anesthesiologists meet wit... read more »

What to Expect from Gastrointestinal, Colon and Rectal Procedures

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Here at LaPeer surgery center we’re busy all year round, and with so many patients walking through our doors there are always some (in fact probably most) who feel nervous about any procedure that they may have to undergo.