Based on the data collected by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 33,000 people in the United States live with cystic fibrosis, 3,000 in Canada, and 20,000 in Europe. Cystic Fibrosis happens among all races but is most common among white people from Northern Europe. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that progresses with time which causes lung infections and limits the ability to breathe. This affects the cells in your body that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices.

Some of the symptoms someone with cystic fibrosis might experience are persistent cough with thick mucus, wheezing, constant lung infections, and having a hard time breathing. Other symptoms they might experience are no weight gain or growth, and smelly, greasy stools. Treatments include medications to help with lung infections, swelling in the airways of the lungs and drugs to help cough up mucus. Some of the goals of the treatments are to prevent and control infections in the lungs and prevent intestinal blockage.

If you or someone you know would like a second opinion on what are the best treatments to follow contact us and we’ll have one of our American Board Certified doctors give you a second opinion that will give you peace of mind.

May is High Blood Pressure Education Month. High Blood pressure is when the pressure in the arteries is higher than what it should be. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against your blood vessel walls. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg, 120 being systolic, the pressure when the heart beats and 80 being diastolic, the pressure when the heart rests between beats.

The danger of high blood pressure is that it normally doesn’t show any signs or symptoms. According to the CDC about 75 million American adults suffer from high blood pressure. Some factors that can put you at risk of developing high blood pressure are diabetes, being obese or overweight, high cholesterol, unhealthy diet, smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, physical inactivity, family history.

Having high blood pressure puts you at risk of suffering from heart disease and stroke. If you have high blood pressure and are aware of it, it is important to take your medications, along with avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and being physically active. Contact us if you would like a second opinion about your diagnosis, to help you live a healthy life and have peace of mind.

Arthritis is a disease that affects 54.4 million people in the United States, according to the CDC. Arthritis covers more than 100 diseases and is an inflammation of one or more of your joints and can also affect other connective tissues and organs. Some of the symptoms you might experience are stiffness, pain, and swelling in your joints, which tend to be stronger in the morning.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid. Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage of your bones wears off. Rheumatoid happens when the body’s immune system attacks its tissues. Some factors to why arthritis happens are family history, age, joint injury, obesity, and sex because it is more common in women.

Arthritis cannot be cured but treatments are available. Treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis you suffer, which are meant to alleviate the pain and help you live a better life. If you have any concerns or questions with the treatment you are currently receiving, get in contact with us to have one of our American Board Certified professionals give you an opinion that can help you live a healthier life.

According to the CDC, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke and every 4 minutes someone dies, making it the fifth leading cause of death in the country. A stroke happens when a blood vessel that carries oxygen to the brain becomes blocked, which then causes brain cells to die. This can be caused by an artery that becomes blocked (ischemic stroke), a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke), or transient ischemic attack caused by a temporary clot. Someone might suffer a stroke for various factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and diabetes. Some ways to prevent having a stroke are by having a healthy diet, exercising, avoiding drugs, and drinking alcohol in moderation.

The treatment for stroke depends on the type of stroke you suffered. If you suffered from an ischemic stroke, one of the treatments is an injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) which is given through a vein in the arm. For a hemorrhagic stroke, treatment can be surgery to repair blood vessels. Recovery and rehabilitation come next, which its main purpose is to help you recover as many functions possible to help you live an independent life. Some professionals that help with your recovery are neurologists, physiatrists, nurses, and physical therapists.

If you suffered a stroke and want a second opinion on the recovery treatment you are taking please visit SecondOpinions.com for your peace of mind.