Entering a hospital for surgery always carries risks. Patients can suffer from preventable errors such as medication mistakes, contract a secondary infection or develop surgical complications that result in a new chronic condition. A study conducted by surgeons advised that the best way to avoid complications is simply recommend surgery less often to patients. If physicans explore all possible treatment avenues, they can cut down on surgical procedures that might not be necessary or beneficial – and therefore reduce opportunities for medical harm.

The study suggests several primary reasons potentially unneccessary surgeries continue to be performed, including surgeons’ training and background (i.e., “this is how it’s always been done”) as well as monetary and career growth incentives to perform more procedures.

Some of the most commonly overused surgeries include:

• Vertebroplasty and spinal fusion
• Hysterecomy
• Coronary bypass and stents
• Caesarean section

For back pain, research indicates spinal fusions don’t lead to improved long-term outcomes when compared to non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy and core strengthening exercises. Hysterectomy can cause bleeding and hematona, while coronary bypass can cause strokes, and all surgical procedures performed under general anesthesia include anesthesia risks. The risks of surgery may not always be worth it when weighed against the benefits.

Additionally, complications can arise simply from hospitalization: medication-related conditions, urinary tract and blood stream infections due to catheters, hospital-acquired pneumonia, blood clots, falls and bedsores.

Dr. Ashish Jha, who has served at Brown and Harvard Universities, sums up, “When patients are sick, we find that they are too often injured from the care that is meant to heal them. This should not be seen as a price of providing health care—we can and should do so much better.”

The authors of the surgery study ask surgeons to foster a transparent culture and to partner with patients to include them in decision making. Surgeons should provide scientific evidence and guidance, while patients share their priorities, fears and expectations for the outcome. Physicians should focus not on simply fixing the immediate problem but on advocating for overall patient safety.

SecondOpinions.com expert physicians want you to feel confident in your diagnosis and path to treatment. If you or a family member is facing a surgery and are unsure that it is medically necessary, contact SecondOpinions.com for a medical record review.

CNN anchor Jake Tapper’s daughter wrote an article detailing how a missed appendicitis diagnosis almost cost her her life. Alice Tapper, who was 14 at the time of her hospitalization, went to the ER with abdominal cramps, a low fever, chills and vomiting. She was given IV fluids and transferred to another hospital as her pain worsened. Her parents checked with Alice’s pediatrician who suggested doctors consider appendicitis – but since the pain wasn’t only on the typical right side, doctors chalked it up to a viral infection. As days went on, Alice got even more sick yet was only given a heating pad and over-the-counter medication for pain. The Tappers requested both an ultrasound and an assessment by a gastroenterologist, but neither were granted.

Finally, because of his journalistic connections, Mr. Tapper was able to get the hospital administrator’s phone number and begged for help. Only then did Alice receive an x-ray which revealed a perforated appendix causing a stream of harmful bacteria throughout Alice’s body. She had emergency surgery to drain the toxic leakage and had to stay in the hospital for over a week recovering from sepsis and hypovolemic shock. Months after her initial ordeal, having recovered and regained her strength, Alice had her appendix removed at a third hospital.

Research from Dr. Prashant Mahajan, a leader in emergency pediatric medicine at the University of Michigan, indicates that appendicitis can be missed in up to 15% of children at initial presentation. This is despite appendicitis being the most common surgical emergency in children. It’s most commonly misdiagnosed in children under 5 and in girls. A 5-year-old girl in England died from appendicitis in 2018, two days after a doctor sent her home with an incorrect diagnosis of a stomach bug. Appendicitis also is sometimes missed on a CT scan.

A missed diagnosis can sometimes be the difference between life and death. Alice wrote her article to inspire families who may not have the same connections as her dad to advocate for children’s health regardless of age or gender. Contact SecondOpinions.com to be a health advocate for your family.

Stroke is a serious medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by a blood clot or a ruptured blood vessel. Without enough blood flow, brain cells can die, leading to permanent brain damage or even death.

It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke so that medical help can be sought immediately. The most common signs of stroke include:

1. Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
2. Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech
3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause

If you or someone around you is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to call emergency services immediately. Time is critical in treating stroke, and the faster treatment is received, the better the chances of recovery.

There are several risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and a family history of stroke. Managing these risk factors through lifestyle changes and medication can help reduce the risk of stroke.

In addition, there are several lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of stroke, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, limiting alcohol consumption, and not smoking. It is important to talk to a healthcare provider about ways to reduce the risk of stroke and to receive regular check-ups to monitor blood pressure and other risk factors.

Sinusitis, also known as a sinus infection, is a common condition that occurs when the sinuses become inflamed or infected. The sinuses are air-filled cavities located in the skull, and they are lined with mucous membranes that produce mucus to help trap dirt, dust, and other particles.

Symptoms of sinusitis may include facial pain or pressure, nasal congestion, headache, cough, and a thick yellow or green nasal discharge. Other symptoms may include fever, fatigue, and a reduced sense of smell or taste.

Sinusitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, allergies, or structural abnormalities of the nose and sinuses. Treatment for sinusitis typically involves medications to relieve symptoms and treat the underlying cause of the infection.

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may be recommended to relieve facial pain and headaches. Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, may help to relieve nasal congestion. In some cases, nasal corticosteroid sprays may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and improve breathing.

Antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial sinus infections, but they are not effective for viral or fungal infections. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct structural abnormalities or remove nasal polyps.

Prevention of sinusitis can be achieved through good hygiene practices, such as washing hands regularly and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. It is also important to manage allergies and avoid exposure to irritants, such as smoke and pollutants, that can irritate the nasal passages and sinuses.

Singer Taylor Dayne shined in the 1980s music spotlight with hits such as “Tell It To My Heart.” Now, she’s also in the spotlight telling women to keep on top of their routine health screenings. She was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 60, and thanks to regular colonoscopies, the cancer was caught early and removed quickly with surgery. Due to previous benign polyps, Dayne undergoes a colonoscopy two times per year. Staying on top of her recommended screenings helped to initially catch her polyps, and in turn the frequently scheduled colonoscopies helped to catch her cancer early – significantly improving her prognosis.

Several weeks after Dayne’s announcement, the shocking death of actress Kirstie Alley continued the conversation about colon cancer and the importance of screenings. Her family said in a statement that the disease had only recently been discovered.

Dr. Paula Denoya, director of the Colorectal Surgery Residency Program at Stony Brook Medicine, explains, “Unfortunately, colon cancer doesn’t have a lot of symptoms until it’s advanced, which is why screening is so important.” Symptoms can overlap with common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, making colon cancer difficult to diagnose.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S., and 20% of patients have a family history of the disease. Incidence rates have fallen in older adults in recent years but have risen in all age groups under 65.

The good news is that death rates are dropping due to polyps being found and removed more often before developing into cancer. Colorectal cancer itself is also being found earlier, making it easier to treat. Doctors recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years for people 45 and older, with the possibility of more frequent screenings due to personal or family history. SecondOpinions.com can review colonoscopy findings to help ensure you’re screened and treated based on your personal needs.

Screenings are important for everyone, but women in particular often care for others at the expense of their own health. Taylor Dayne’s wish is for all women to “find a doctor that will tell you the truth. Be a warrior for yourself.”

Grammy winning pop star Kylie Minogue is another celebrity example of someone who was successfully treated for breast cancer with no lasting health impact – and another celebrity example of someone diagnosed through a second opinion.

The Australian-British singer had a routine screening at age 36 and left with a clean bill of health, but Minogue couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Several weeks later she sought out a second opinion and discovered she did, in fact, have a small tumor in her breast. She put performing on hold while she was treated with a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation.

Minogue fully recovered within eight months. Since going public with her story, she has taken every opportunity to remind women to keep up with mammograms and encourage them to advocate for their own health. Her most pressing advice? Trust your gut if you think something is wrong. Minogue emphasizes, “If you have any doubt, go back again.”

Getting regular mammograms is the most effective way to catch breast cancer early and minimize the treatment required. It’s also important to know your family medical history, as that puts you at risk and can influence the age to start screenings.

However, mammography is not perfect. The American Cancer Society reports that screening mammograms miss about 1 in 8 breast cancers for a variety of reasons including poor technique, incorrect interpretation and slow tumor growth.

Fortunately, there are increasing options to screen for and diagnose breast cancer. Ultrasound can be helpful, especially for women with dense breast tissue. It’s also important to be aware of new breast symptoms detectable externally, such as skin changes or pain.

SecondOpinions.com wants to help you advocate for yourself or a loved one. Contact us whenever a medical diagnosis – or lack thereof – raises doubt.