Category Archives: Healthcare

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.

Access to Your Medical Images

2/23/2021

Having a copy of your medical images is important for a number of reasons. For example  if your condition requires monitoring over time, it’s good to have a copy to compare studies to priors. When you have images performed in a new facility or when you are seeking a second opinion on a study

When a doctor has access to you medical images and reports, it provides him with the opportunity to

  • Compare new studies with prior medical images
  • Monitor conditions and abnormalities over time
  • Avoid repeating tests you’ve already had

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) you are guaranteed access to your medical images and reports. Images are kept and stored in the facility where you had your exams done. When  you request your images, the facility may ask you to sign a release form. Facilities can deliver the images to patients in different formats, but usually done by CD.

If you are having a follow up study done, in a new facility take the CD with you so the doctor can do a thorough follow-up.Always, just in case, keep a copy.

If you are looking for a second opinion. You can upload the images from the CD directly to the website when using www.secondopinions.com.

Yellow Fever

2/16/2021

Yellow fever is a viral infection spread by a particular type of mosquito. The infection is most common in areas of Africa and South America, affecting travelers to and residents of those areas. Symptoms of yellow fever include fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. It is difficult to diagnose, especially during the early stages. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in blood and urine can sometimes detect the virus in the early stages of the disease. In later stages, testing to identify antibodies is needed (ELISA and PRNT). Yellow fever is prevented by an extremely effective vaccine, which is safe and affordable. A single dose of the vaccine is sufficient to grant sustained immunity and life-long protection against the disease. A booster dose of the vaccine is not needed. 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.

Keep an eye on glaucoma

2/10/2021

It is estimated that around 3 million Americans have glaucoma, this makes it one of the leading causes of blindness in the US. Start healthy this year by learning about this disease, who it mostly affects and how to start taking steps to reduce your risk of vision loss.

What is glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve. This happens when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye. The extra fluid increases the pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve. This damage leads to patients losing their vision, if not properly treated, can lead to blindness. Glaucoma is often called “the sneak thief of sight” because it has no symptoms until significant vision loss has occurred, and although there is no cure, routine eye exams for a diagnosis, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss.

Although anyone can suffer from glaucoma, there are certain groups that are at higher risk. People from African-American descent are 6 to 8 times more likely to get glaucoma. Also people with family members with glaucoma are considered at high risk. If you have diabetes or take corticosteroid you have a higher than normal risk of getting glaucoma.

According to the AAO ( American Academy of Ophthalmology) The only sure way to diagnose glaucoma is with a complete eye exam. A glaucoma screening that only checks eye pressure is not enough to find glaucoma.If you’re at high risk for glaucoma, you should have a dilated pupil eye examination at least every one to two years. To help diagnose glaucoma, an ophthalmologist or optometrist will perform a comprehensive eye exam

February is American Heart Month

2/9/2021

February is American Heart Month. #OurHearts is an inspiring way to encourage and motivate everyone to adopt heart-healthy behaviors, together. Studies show that having positive, close relationships benefits your heart health. When we take care of #OurHearts as part of our self-care, we set an example for those around us to do the same. Heart-healthy living involves understanding your risk, making choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease, including coronary heart disease, the most common type. Coronary and other types of heart disease cause heart attacks, but by taking preventive measures, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease and also improve your overall health and well-being. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on your heart health has never been more important. Health officials say people with poor cardiovascular health are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Health experts suggest preventing heart disease by choosing healthy habits. That involves exercising and keeping a healthy weight and diet. If you would like a second opinion on your treatment and diagnosis, contact us at secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.