Category Archives: Healthcare

Xray VS CT Scan VS MRI. How to Have better Dialogue with your Doctor

9/14/2022

If you’ve suffered an injury,then more than likely you have had some form of imaging study done. Imaging of the human body has become very influential in patient care by helping with diagnosing fractures, torn ligaments, and abnormal masses in the human body, but knowing the type of imaging that you will need does help have better dialogue with your doctor.

CT Scans, MRI Scans, and  X Rays are all diagnostic imaging tools that take internal images of your body and help doctors diagnose you the patient.

X-Rays are best for diagnosing:

  • Broken Bones
  • Dislocated Body party
  • Misalignments
  • Joint Changes
  • Dental Check-Ups (Teeth)

X Rays are a guide to check for problems within the human body.

CT Scans are best for diagnosing:

  • Brain bleeds (Brain and Spinal injuries)
  • Heart disease
  • Blood clots
  • Bowel blockages
  • Tumors

Ct Scans is a useful tool for doctors to diagnose patient internal ailments.

MRI’s are best for diagnosing:

  • Heart Damage
  • Lung Damage
  • Eye problems
  • Spinal damages
  • Brain abnormalities
  • Abdominal (Digestive Problems)

MRI’s have been used to diagnose disease and also monitor the progress of patients’ health.

We hope this helps you to take a more active role in talking to your doctor about your healthcare plan when interacting with your provider.

The War On Endometriosis

9/5/2022

It is a joy being a woman, but for millions of women around the world they struggle to find joy because they are suffering from endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that lines the uterus grows outside your uterus.Some studies show the cause of endometriosis could be retrograde menstrual, and genetic factors, but we are here to talk about how women around the world are suffering. Endo can be properly diagnosed through laparoscopy (surgical procedure), but symptoms do vary and it takes up to 10 years for some women to be diagnosed.

Endometriosis is a lot more common than you think, affecting 1 in 10 women and often leading to pain and infertility. Some of the symptoms of endometriosis are pelvic or lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, bowel and bladder symptoms, and possibly vaginal bleeding.

Is there a true cure for endometriosis? There are several ways to treat endometriosis like Ibuprofen, hormone control therapy, and many more options, but no cure. Hopefully in the future there will be a cure but until then the war on endometriosis continues.

July is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Awareness Month

7/15/2022

July is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Awareness Month

Juvenile Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects children under the age of 16, It causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. JIA is a rare disease that requires lab testing and/or imaging, is a lifelong condition, and requires treatment to manage. 

Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Pain in the joints
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Fatigue
  • Poor appetite
  • Intermittent fever
  • Eye problems
  • Rashes
  • Anemia

Though the exact cause is not known, two factors that trigger the condition are hereditary and environmental factors. Studies show that girls are more prone to have JIA.

Treatments may include medications, physical therapies, and in rare cases orthopedic surgery. Self-care such as a healthy diet and regular exercise can also aid in the management of JIA.

For additional information on the cause, symptoms, and treatments of JIA please visit an online doctor at SecondOpinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Kidney infection

11/9/2021

Kidney infection, also known as renal infection or pyelonephritis, is a common type of urinary tract infection that occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the tube (urethra) that carries urine from the body and can multiply and travel to the kidneys. If the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra get germs in it, a UTI develops. Most often, the bladder gets infected first. This can be painful but isn’t usually serious. If the bad bacteria or viruses travel up the ureters, a kidney infection is the result. If left untreated, a kidney infection can cause life-threatening problems. Symptoms of a kidney infection include: blood or pus in the urine; fever and chills; loss of appetite; pain in the lower back, side, or groin; upset stomach or vomiting; and/or weakness or fatigue. 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.

HIV

10/28/2021

HIV is a virus that targets and alters the immune system by destroying the white blood cells that fight infection and increases the risk and impact of other infections and diseases. Without treatment, the infection might progress to an advanced disease stage called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV most often spreads through unprotected sex with a person who has HIV. It may also spread by sharing drug needles or through contact with the blood of a person who has HIV. Women can give it to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth. Some people with HIV do not show symptoms until months or even years after contracting the virus. However, people may develop a set of flu-like symptoms known as acute retroviral syndrome around 2–6 weeks after the virus enters the body. The early symptoms of HIV infection may include: fever, chills, joint pain, muscle aches, sore throat, sweats (particularly at night), enlarged glands, a red rash, tiredness, weakness, unintentional weight loss, and/or thrush. There is no cure, but there are many medicines that fight the HIV infection and lower the risk of infecting others. People who get early treatment can live with the disease for a long time. 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.

Lactose Intolerance

10/2/2021

Lactose Intolerance is an inability to digest lactose, a type of sugar found in milk. As a result, diarrhea, gas and bloating occur after eating or drinking dairy products. This condition may affect a person’s health if it keeps from getting enough nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D. The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin from 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose. Common signs and symptoms include: diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating, and/or gas. 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.

Hemorrhoids

9/16/2021

Hemorrhoids are uncomfortable to talk about and even more uncomfortable to experience, but by the time one reaches 50 years old, there is a 50% chance of getting them. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins located around the anus or in the lower rectum and can either be internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids develop within the anus or rectum. External hemorrhoids develop outside of the anus and are the most common and most troublesome. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include: extreme itching around the anus, irritation and pain around the anus, itchy or painful lump or swelling near the anus, fecal leakage, painful bowel movements, and/or blood on the tissue after having a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to straining during bowel movements, sitting for long periods of time on the toilet, having chronic diarrhea or constipation, being obese, being pregnant, having anal intercourse, eating a low-fiber diet, or regular heavy lifting. 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.

Laryngitis

9/10/2021

Laryngitis occurs when your voice box or vocal cords become inflamed and swollen from overuse, irritation, or infection. Laryngitis can be acute (short-term), lasting less than three weeks or it can be chronic (long-term), lasting more than three weeks. Depending on the degree of swelling, the voice may become mildly hoarse, turn into a croak or whisper or even disappear temporarily. Acute laryngitis is a temporary condition that is caused by an infection. Treating the underlying condition causes the laryngitis to go away. Acute laryngitis can be caused by viral infections, straining your vocal cords by talking or yelling, bacterial infections, and/or drinking too much alcohol. Chronic laryngitis results from long-term exposure to irritants and is more severe and has longer-lasting effects than acute laryngitis. Chronic laryngitis can be caused by frequent exposure to harmful chemicals or allergens, acid reflux, frequent sinus infections, smoking or being around smokers, overusing your voice, and/or low-grade yeast infections caused by frequent use of an asthma inhaler. The most common symptoms of laryngitis include a weakened voice, loss of voice, hoarse or dry throat, constant tickling or minor throat irritation, and/or a dry cough. 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.

Leg cramps

8/26/2021

Leg cramps are most common in the calf muscle, but they can also happen in the thighs or feet. Muscle cramps happen when a muscle involuntarily contracts on its own. Cramps usually occur for a reason. If a muscle is not strained, cramping is occurring because the muscle is fatigued or overused, or the body is dehydrated. Sometimes, cramps might be related to alcoholism, hypothyroidism, or diabetes. Generally, the effects of a leg cramp will disappear in minutes. But with ongoing leg cramps, speak with a doctor. 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.

Liver disease

8/24/2021

Liver disease is any disturbance of liver function that causes illness. Liver disease is also referred to as hepatic disease. The liver is the second largest organ in the body. It works hard performing hundreds of complex functions including: fighting infections and illness; removing toxins, such as alcohol, from the body; controlling cholesterol levels; helping blood to clot (thicken); and releasing bile, a liquid that breaks down fats and aids digestion. Liver disease doesn’t usually cause any obvious signs or symptoms until it’s fairly advanced, and the liver is damaged. Diseases that may affect the liver include hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), cirrhosis (scarring), fatty liver, and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). Symptoms of liver disease may include: bleeding or easy bruising, swelling, fatigue, and jaundice (yellow coloring to the skin and whites of the eyes). 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.