Author Archives: Blog Admin

Do I need Back Surgery?

4/8/2021

Every year, over 600,000 people undergo surgery for lower back pain alone. According to experts at Johns Hopkins University, only 1 in 10 surgeons follow recommended use of psychological screenings prior to surgery. The study found that Orthopedic and Neurosurgeons with a higher volume of patients, more than 200 a year, favored screening patients to understand their cases compared to colleagues who performed fewer procedures. With a greater number of patients and greater volume of cases, the doctors preferred to not spend tremendous time evaluating patients before administering the surgeries. Therefore, many patients receive treatment when it is not necessary nor helpful.

In the United States today, up to 80% of original diagnoses are said to be overturned when looked at for further review. Getting a second opinion can elucidate any confusion and provide conclusive evidence for whether to get back surgery or not.

SecondOpinions.com. For your peace of mind.

Citation:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/survey_shows_spine_surgeons_need_to_screen_more_patients_for_anxiety_and_depression

More Women are Getting Lung Cancer

4/7/2021

In a collaborative study between the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, scientists found that younger women — previously at lower risk — are now at greater risk of getting lung cancer than younger men.

The leading causes of lung cancer in younger women are cigarette smoking, smog, and marijuana. Cigarette smoking is the largest contributing factor, accounting for about 80 percent of lung cancer deaths each year.

In a day and age where only 2% of heavy smokers get lung cancer screening, it is time to become more aware. Upon getting a second opinion, up to 80% of medical diagnoses are overturned, and medical misdiagnoses are the third leading cause of death.

Getting a second opinion can save your life. SecondOpinions.com. For your peace of mind.

Citation:
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-more-women-are-getting-lung-cancer

 

Malnutrition

4/6/2021

Malnutrition is a physical condition resulting either from a faulty or inadequate diet or from a physical inability to absorb or metabolize nutrients. When the body is deprived of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function, a person can also develop this condition. Causes of malnutrition include inappropriate dietary choices, a low income, difficulty obtaining food, and various physical and mental health conditions. ​In the United States, more children suffer from malnutrition due to dietary imbalances than due to nutritional deficiencies. Malnourished children may be short for their age, thin or bloated, listless, and have weakened immune systems. There are two types of malnutrition: undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition is when a person is not getting enough vitamins and minerals, whereas overnutrition is when a person is overconsuming certain nutrients.

Nutritional disorders can affect any system in the body and the senses of sight, taste, and smell. They may also produce anxiety, changes in mood, and other psychiatric symptoms. Some symptoms may include:

  • Pale, thick, and dry skin
  • Bruising easily
  • Rashes
  • Changes in skin pigmentation
  • Thin hair that is tightly curled and pulls out easily
  • Achy joints
  • Bones that are soft and tender
  • Gums that bleed easily
  • The tongue that may be swollen or shriveled and cracked
  • Night blindness
  • Increased sensitivity to light and glare

If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Malaria

3/30/2021

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite where once an infected mosquito bites a human, the parasites multiply in the host’s liver before infecting and destroying red blood cells. In some places, early diagnosis can help treat and control malaria; however, some countries lack the resources to carry out effective screening. The biggest risk factor for developing malaria is to live in or to visit areas where the disease is common. There are many different varieties of malaria parasites and the variety that causes the most serious complications is most commonly found in African countries south of the Sahara Desert, the Asian subcontinent, in New Guinea, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

Currently, no vaccine is available for use in the United States, although one vaccine has a license in Europe. People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illnesses. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

3/24/2021

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a buildup of acids in your blood, it is a potentially fatal complication of diabetes that occurs when you have much less insulin than your body needs. The liver processes the fat into a fuel called ketones, this causes the blood to become acidic and the body to become dangerously dehydrated. This happens while there is plenty of glucose in the bloodstream, but not enough insulin to help convert glucose for use in the cells. This can lead to diabetic coma (blacking out for long periods) or even death.

Typical signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include:

Dry skin and mouth, abdominal pain, decreased level of consciousness (anything from drowsiness and confusion to unconsciousness and fatigue) frequent urination, fruity-smelling breath, shortness of breath, deep, rapid breathing, and blurred vision.

The risk of diabetic ketoacidosis is highest if you have type 1 diabetes or frequently miss insulin doses.

Uncommonly, diabetic ketoacidosis can occur if you have type 2 diabetes. In some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis may be the first sign that a person has diabetes. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Diabetic ketoacidosis and you would like a second opinion please visit secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.

March is Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Awareness Month

3/17/2021

Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. This is also known as colon  cancer, for short. Colon cancer is most common in adults 50 years and older with more than  200,000 cases per year in the US. Many people have no symptoms until the later stages of  cancer. The symptoms of colon cancer include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Blood in stool
  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating

There are no known causes however there are factors that can increase the risks such as  Inherited gene mutations. Inherited colon cancer syndromes include familial adenomatous  polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) These syndromes are  detected through genetic testing.

Other risk factors include African-American race, chronic inflammatory diseases, high-fat low fiber diet, alcoholism, smoking and older age.

Diagnosis of the condition begins with screening tests followed by the diagnostic tests and  staging where the actual condition of the patient is known. Three primary options for treatment  are radiation, chemotherapy and surgery.

If you’d like to learn more about Colon Cancer symptoms, causes, diagnoses and treatment  options you can connect with one of our board certified doctors.

When it comes to your health, you can’t afford to not get a second opinion. Speak to a doctor  now. SecondOpinions.com. For your peace of mind.

Why get a Second Opinion

3/10/2021

In the medical field, a second opinion refers to a diagnosis, treatment plan, or information provided by a second physician other than the current doctor of the patient. The second doctor will review the patient’s medical history and offer an opinion about the patient’s health problem and how it should be treated. A second opinion can confirm or question the diagnosis and treatment plan of the first doctor, provide more information about the patient’s disease or condition and provide other treatment options. A second doctor’s opinion may turn out to be the same as your primary or it may suggest a different approach or include additional recommendations.

Here are the 4 reasons why you should consider a second opinion before accepting a diagnosis or move forward with treatment

Information is power

If you get a second opinion, you will learn more about your condition and and a better knowledge of treatment options and possible side effects. Knowing more their health condition helps patients feel empowered and take control of the situation

Peace of Mind

Confidence and peace of mind is critical when dealing with a health situation. A second opinion will help the patient with the confidence they need when deciding to go forward with a certain medical treatment. Peace of mind is essential when undergoing and kind of medical treatment.

 

Exhaust your options

When according to one doctor  treatments options are limited, seeking the opinion of a second doctor is a must. Another doctor might be familiar with alternative treatment options and he may look into them with you

Nothing to lose, everything to gain.

A second opinion will not only give the patient more information on their condition and treatment options, it can also be easy to obtain. Nowaday getting a second opinion does not have to be time consuming or expensive. Open an account at www.secondopinion.com and go through the options and select the best one for you.

Acinetobacter Infection

3/10/2021

Acinetobacter causes infections in the blood, urinary tract, and lungs (pneumonia), or in wounds in other parts of the body. It can also “colonize” or live in a patient without causing infections or symptoms, especially in respiratory secretions (sputum) or open wounds. Acinetobacter is usually present in wet environments, such as

  • soil and mud
  • ponds
  • wetlands
  • wastewater
  • fish farms
  • seawater

Some symptoms for each type of infection include: For blood infections, a fever, chills, vomiting, and/or confusion. For the urinary tract infection, frequent need to urinate, pain or burning sensation when urinating, blood in the urine, cloudy urine, and/or foul-smelling urine. For pneumonia, a fever, chills, and/or coughing. For a wound infection, redness and pus in or around the wound, a fever, and/or pain around the wound.

Acinetobacter infections typically occur in people in healthcare settings. People who have weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease, or diabetes may be more susceptible to the infection. It may not always produce symptoms. A person can carry the bacteria in and on their body without it causing any infections. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Up to 30% of Mammography Readings are Incorrect

3/4/2021

In the United States today, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2020, an estimated 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. Meanwhile, according to the American Journal of Roentgenology, up to 30% of mammography readings are incorrect.

Symptoms of breast cancer include:

  •     Skin changes, such as swelling, redness, or other visible differences in one or both breasts
  •     An increase in size or change in shape of the breast(s)
  •     Changes in the appearance of one or both nipples
  •     Nipple discharge other than breast milk
  •     General pain in/on any part of the breast
  •     Lumps or nodes felt on or inside of the breast

At SecondOpinions.com, your health is our top priority. SecondOpinions.com is the leading Medical Second Opinion company and is known for its impeccable service for affordable prices. We provide access to the top American Board-Certified Doctors in minutes through our state-of-the-art platform that features Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain.

When it comes to your health, you can’t afford to not get a second opinion. Speak to a doctor now. SecondOpinions.com. For your peace of mind.

Citation:

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-facts

https://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/AJR.12.10375

https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/breast-cancer/symptoms

https://www.healthline.com/health/second-opinion-telemedicine-companies

Myths about Second Opinions

3/3/2021

You’ve had a study done and you received your report, but you’re unsure of the results. It’s not necessarily that you do not trust the doctor, but a second opinion will give you the reassurance you need. Many people consider seeking the knowledge and advice of more than one doctor. This is called a second opinion.Asking for a second opinion is common practice. The more knowledge  and information you have about your health, the more comfortable you will feel, making health care decisions. Multiple studies examined the real value of a second opinion for radiology studies. The findings all lead to the same place, they always point to an increase in accurate diagnoses when the scans are reviewed by a second party.

Myth #1

“My doctor might get offended.”

Second opinions are not only a common tool for patients to use, but one they must use when they have doubts on their diagnosis. Professionals will not only not get offended but in some cases, suggest them, especially when it comes to the patients peace of mind.

Myth #2

“Second opinions are only for treatment options.”

Error or discrepancy in radiology reporting does not always equate negligence. Radiologist errors occur for many reasons, both human- and system-derived. To have a correct treatment one should have a clear understanding of their condition and  posterior diagnosis.

Myth #3

“Second opinions are very time consuming.”

Nowadays getting a second opinion does not have to be time consuming. At www.second opinions.com, you are able to open an account, complete your medical history, upload your images, and get a report uploaded to your account in less than 24 hours. If you ever have questions on your report, you can also purchase a phone consultation.

Myth #4

“Second opinions are expensive.”

Check with your health insurance, some of them do cover second opinions. If they don’t, second opinions do not have to be expensive. You can check www.secondopinions.com for rates. The rates include a prior study comparison if you have one.

Second opinions can be sought out not only by patients but also by doctors or insurance providers. They reduce the risk of medical errors, misdiagnosis, and unnecessary procedures. It is an extra step to take for a patient’s peace of mind.