Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects over 16 million people in the United States, making it the third leading cause of death in the country. COPD obstructs airflow from the lungs, which causes breathing difficulties. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are two common conditions of this disease. Chronic bronchitis is when there’s inflammation of the bronchial tubes’ lining, which carry air to and from the lungs. Emphysema occurs when the air sacs of the lungs become damaged and larger than normal.

Smoking is the leading cause of COPD but it can also be caused by air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust. Some of the symptoms are breathing difficulties, cough, mucus production, wheezing, and chest tightness. COPD is a chronic pulmonary disease that can be treated but not cured. Quitting smoking is the first step but some of the treatments include medications and inhibitors.

Those who suffer from this pulmonary disease have a higher risk of developing conditions such as heart disease and lung cancer. Also, many smokers and former smokers tend to be misdiagnosed, which is why a second opinion is vital. A second opinion will help towards receiving the proper help to avoid other diseases and receive the right diagnostic. Visit SecondOpinions.com to receive a well detailed and informed diagnostic for your peace of mind and the peace of mind of those you love.

In the United States over 30 million Americans are living with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that results when there is high elevated amount of glucose in the blood, also known as high blood sugar. This happens when the body does not process food properly to be used as energy. The pancreas of someone with diabetes is not able to release insulin, which is used to to open the cells to allow glucose to enter and then be used for energy.

There are different types of diabetes, such as Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is where the body’s immune system attacks its own pancreas. A person with type 1 usually takes insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes is when a person is able to produce some
of their own insulin, which often appears in people who are overweight and not active. The treatment for type 2 is usually diet and exercise, sometimes medications. Gestational diabetes is when a woman develops diabetes during pregnancy, in which high blood sugar can affect the way cells use sugar and it can also affect the baby’s health. To control gestational diabetes it is important to eat healthy, exercise, and if necessary, take medication.

Diabetes has become the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, amputations, heart failure, and strokes. In 2015, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death. With such alarming numbers a second opinion is vital to take the right steps to live a healthy long life with diabetes.
You will receive the right detailed education about the diagnosis you receive, along with the right treatment to follow. Visit SecondOpinions.com for your second opinion and your peace of mind.

In the United States, over 1500 babies are born with Spina Bifida every year. Spina Bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. This is a type of neural tube defect. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that develops into the baby’s brain, spinal cord, and the tissues that enclose them. The neural tube forms early in pregnancy, and it closes 28 to 32
days after conception but with spina bifida a portion of the neural tube does not close properly which causes the defects in the spinal cord and in the bones of the spine. Spina Bifida causes many physical and intellectual dissabilities that can go from mild to severe but that depends on the size and location of the opening in the spine and if any parts of the spinal cord and nerves are affected.

There are different types of Spina bifida. The three most common are spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele. Spina Bifida occulta is the mildest form, meningocele is moderate, and myelomeningocele is the most severe form. The treatment will depend on the needs
of each person with spina bifida. Some ways to prevent it is to take folic acid, avoid overheating your body, treat your fever immediatly, and if you have any medical condition always keep it under control. If you have a case of Spine Bifida and would like a second opinion on what steps to take to live or help someone live a full life visit SecondOpinions.com.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a medical condition that affects the attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness in millions of children. Children with ADHD tend to be easily distracted, hyperactive- always moving around, and have impulsive behavior where they interrupt others. If not diagnosed at an early age ADHD can continue into adulthood. The symptoms can be noticed before the age of 12 and for some it can be noticeable as early as 3 years old.

Some of the causes include genetics, environment, and development. Children who suffer from ADHD struggle in the classroom, have more accidents and injuries, have a poor self esteem, have trouble interacting, and have a higher risk of alcohol and drug abuse. To help prevent ADHD it is important to have a healthy pregnancy for good fetal development, avoid exposure to pollutants and toxins, and limit screen time. The treatments include medicine and behavior therapy. If you’d like a second opinion on what is the right treatment visit SecondOpinions.com.

In the United States, 1 of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer along with over 2,000 men. It is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, making it the leading cause of cancer death among them.

The symptoms of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple, and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast. To prevent breast cancer it is vital to always perform a self examination to see if there are any lumps, or changes in your skin. The treatments depend on the stage of cancer. It may consist of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

If you or anyone you know suffers from breast cancer and would like a second opinion to
find the right treatment go to SecondOpinions.com.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that is caused by an error during cell division where it results in an extra full or partial chromosome. The addition of the partial or full copy of the 21st chromosome can come from either father or mother. As more research is done it has been discovered that a child is more likely to have Down Syndrome if the mother is 35 years of age or older because older eggs have a greater risk of improper chromosome division. Being carriers and already having one child with Down Syndrome can also be a cause for your child to have down syndrome.

Complications that someone with down syndrome may experience are heart defects, obesity, immune disorders, and other health problems. If you’d like a second opinion on how to treat your child with down syndrome please visit SecondOpinions.com.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake, which eventually damages many parts of your body. The symptoms you might experience include malar rash, extreme fatigue, joint swelling, and fever. Lupus is most common in women between the ages of 15 and 44.

Recently, Hollywood celebrities, like Selena Gomez, have confirmed that they suffer from Lupus. While hard to communicate to their fans that they suffer from an autoimmune disease, this has highlighted and made sure that many people learn about the disease. Most importantly, they continue working hard and living their life with the disease, which provides a great example to many people that have been recently diagnosed.

The treatment plans and medicine will help you prevent or treat flares, prevent or reduce organ and joint damage, reduce swelling and pain, help the immune system, and balance hormones. If you leave it untreated you can suffer serious health risks, such as kidney disease or cardiovascular disease.

For many recently diagnosed patients, it is important and recommended to get a second opinion. For some patients, the diagnosis is correct, but they learn more about their disease and how to live with it. Unfortunately, many people have misconceptions about the disease. They believe lupus is contagious or a type of cancer. Neither of these are true, as lupus is not contagious and not related to cancer. A second opinion can help you get the answers you need, and help you get educated about your disease and how to live your life with it.

If you would like to get a second opinion on how your lupus is being managed, you should visit SecondOpinions.com. The relationship between a patient and a doctor needs to be as clear as possible, and a second opinion can help with that too!

Celiac disease is a disorder that is affecting 1 in 10 people worldwide. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the small intestine is very sensitive to gluten, which ultimately leads to a difficulty digesting food.

It can develop at any age if you have consumed foods or medicines that contain gluten. If you have a parent, child, or sibling with celiac disease, then you have a 1 in 10 chance of developing Celiac disease. Some of the symptoms you might experience are pain in the abdomen or joints, burning in the chest, and lactose intolerance. Now, the most important thing is that many of the symptoms presented could be confused with something else. In some situations, the symptoms may occur on your digestive system and other parts of the body. In the case of infants and/or children, most of the symptoms are digestive.

The only treatment available is a strict gluten-free diet, vitamins, and dietary supplements. If you leave it untreated, it can cause serious problems, such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Before deciding on a gluten-free diet, or some other type of treatment, it is important that you know that Celiac Disease is the reason for your symptoms.

If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, unfortunately it is not something that can be cured and/or “grow out of it”. A change of lifestyle is required and a continuous review of your diagnosis needs to be in the books with your doctor frequently. You must be aware of the supplements and vitamins you are taking, and if they continue to work properly. Other exams like Bone Health and further medication need to be discussed on a regular basis to make sure everything is still working properly.

If you have had these symptoms, and are looking to be sure that you are not suffering from Celiac Disease, get in contact with us. We can provide information and a second opinion to allow you to make an informed decision. At the end of the day, if you do have Celiac Disease, we want to make sure you can continue to have a great life, and a peace of mind.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer causing more than 1 million Americans to suffer from it, and it develops when the cells that produce pigment become cancerous. We are exposed to the UV rays on a daily basis, and for the most part, do not realize that we might be victims of this cancer. Yes, melanoma is a cancer, and should be treated with the same seriousness as any other cancer, be it breast, lung, or other. Like other types of cancer, the causes for melanoma include cancerous cells; however, UV ray exposure from the sun and/or tanning beds, are also “gateways” for melanoma to form. In some cases, a patient can detect the cancer very early by checking their body for “a-typical” markings. Some might notice that a mole is asymmetrical, borders are uneven, the color is different, diameter has increase, and the has evolved.

If your doctor believes you have a melanoma, they will perform what they call “staging”. This is the process of finding out “how advanced” your melanoma is. There are 5 different stages (Stage 0,1,2,3,4) – and each of them requires different treatments. Of course, Stage 0 is much less complex and risky than Stage 4; however, all stages are important and should be treated as such.

Now- should I get a second opinion if my physician or dermatologist has mentioned that I have melanoma? The short, quick, and smart answer is – YES! In many cases, the doctors doing the diagnosis are not experts in Melanoma. They will perform the necessary tests to find out exactly what is it that they are looking at. In other cases, you might be so nervous with the diagnosis, that you are looking for some clarity and confirmation. For the most part, there are many treatments for melanoma, and you want to make sure you explore all of them, understand the benefits and the risks, before committing to one. At the end of the day, melanoma is a serious cancer and can spread quickly if not looked at in time. A second opinion provides the proper education to learn about your diagnosis, understand the steps for treatment, and provide a sense of “peace” for you and your family.

For melanoma patients, it is important to continue following-up with your doctor. Self-exams are highly recommended, and if you see something out of the normal, call your doctor right away and explain that you have had melanoma. Your doctor will communicate the next steps and do not forget, a second opinion is always a valuable resource!