| by Roger Y. Murray, M.D., F.A.C.Ph. Casanova Clinic 407-206-1504 www.casanovaclinic.com |
At the turn of the 19th century, the average life expectancy was 58. Today, it is well into the 80s. People today are connected to each other via iPhones, iPads, laptops and Voice Over Internet Protocol. But on an interpersonal level, many are losing the intimacy and connectedness they had in their youth. By age 60, most men begin having physiologic problems with intimacy, and most women yearn for the closeness they once knew. With today’s technology, the physiological barriers that many grandparents had in the past can be overcome. That technology allows everyone, even those with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, to have fulfilling relationships with their spouses. Female sexual disorder affects more than 50 million women in the U.S. and spans the gamut of arousal, aversion, desire, pain and orgasmic disorders. This subject and knowledge was taboo as little as 40 years ago, but now, more than 45 percent of women who suffer from one of these disorders are successfully treated. Using natural hormones, more definitive diagnoses and more knowledgeable physicians, more and more people are enjoying the extra 20 years that science has given them. |
| by Barry Cook, M.D. Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Health Central 407-253-2780 www.healthcentral.org/health-central-services/wound-healing |
Foot ulcers or wounds in diabetic patients are injuries in which a comprehensive wound care specialist can make a significant positive impact. Diabetes-related foot ulcers also are the most common cause of nontraumatic amputations in the developed world. It is estimated that 6 percent of the U.S. diabetic population will undergo amputation because of diabetic foot ulcers. Foot ulcers follow an injury, often due to peripheral neuropathy or numbness. Virtually all diabetics with foot ulcers have neuropathy. Foot ulcers may go unrecognized due to numbness and vision loss, which can delay a person’s own discovery of a wound that needs treatment. The initial evaluation of diabetic foot ulcers in a wound care center focuses on identifying barriers to healing, such as deep infection, ischemia or blood vessel problems, and unrelieved pressure. Next, the focus moves to reduction of bioburden — or sources of infection — and providing appropriate surface conditions for healing. Counseling diabetic patients to perform daily foot exams is critical in enabling early treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, which leads to higher rates of healing and amputation prevention, and puts patients in greater control of their care. |
| by Hang Thai, O.D. The EYEstudio 407-345-7979 www.eyestudioorlando.com |
Not only can ultraviolet light cause cancer and premature aging, it is harmful for eyes. Long-term exposure to UV rays can lead to a host of eye diseases, including macular degeneration, pterygium, photokeratitis (snow blindness) and cataracts. All are eye conditions that can cause vision impairment or loss. Some precautions to protect eyes include wearing sunglasses that filter 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays, limiting the amount of time in the sun, and wearing a wide brimmed hat. Children have a greater exposure to UV because they are outdoors more often. Eighty percent of their exposure to damaging UV rays happens by age 18, so it is never too early to protect the eyes. Those concerned about UV exposure on the eyes should consult with an eye doctor to find UV protection to best suit individual needs. For more information, visit www.aoa.org/uv-protection.xml on the Web. |
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by Robert L. Masson, M.D. |
Most symptoms caused by a stiff, aching neck get better with time. Anti-inflammatories, rest, passive range of motion, and massage can all help relieve pain. If the injury is slow to recover, more than 98 percent of the time, physical therapy and corticosteroid treatment prescribed by a physician will lead to no further problems. However, there are circumstances that should not be ignored. If one has suffered from a herniated disk in the neck, it is important not to miss any of the important clues that may lead one to miss out on golf or any of life’s activities because of damage to the spinal cord or a nerve. There are easily recognizable symptoms of spinal nerve involvement, which include neck pain associated with numbness of the hands or arms, electrical shocks going down the arms or spine, and weakness in push or pull grasp. These symptoms should receive prompt attention. If any of these symptoms are noticed, patients should see a physician who can decide whether an MRI of the cervical spine is required. This simple test can determine the risk of further nerve damage. There have been new developments in treatment of herniated disks. Recently, artificial disks in the cervical spine have become available in the U.S. and abroad that can allow for surgical repair for a herniated disk without the need for fusion and with a rapid recovery time. |
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