A rapid and accurate diagnosis is crucial for stroke victims
The effects of a debilitating stroke can be greatly reduced when patients in New York and around the country receive thrombosis quickly. Thrombosis, which is also known as thrombolytic therapy, breaks down blood clots to relive pressure on the brain. However, accurately identifying stroke victims can be difficult for even experienced emergency room doctors as several other conditions present similar symptoms. Doctors at the Helsinki University Hospital studied 1,015 cases involving possible stroke victims to determine whether or not the pressure to generate a speedy diagnosis was affecting their accuracy, and they discovered that only two of these patients received thrombosis unnecessarily.
New tool can help diagnose breast cancer
Although breast cancer is among the most common form of cancer among woman, it is possible to treat the cancer and survive. However, some patients in New York and elsewhere have lesions that are hard to detect, which can make it harder to treat in time. A project called MAMMA is turning to computers to help find those lesions and obtain positive outcomes for patients.
PMF and Gaucher: similar symptoms can cause misdiagnosis
New York has many experienced and respected doctors, but no medical professional is immune to making mistakes. A medical case from Europe that spanned over 20 years illustrates the problems that can be caused by a misdiagnosis. In this case, two diseases, Gaucher disease and myelofibrosis, were confused.
Study says penicillin misdiagnosis can lead to infection
Penicillin is a common ingredient used in medication at clinics and hospitals across New York. Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon to see patients with a serious allergy to penicillin. Allergic reactions caused by penicillin can have major health consequences, so it’s incumbent on medical professionals to confirm or rule out a penicillin allergy before prescribing it. Now, there are additional reasons to rule out a penicillin allergy.
Symptoms of Merkel cell carcinoma
When a New York patient suddenly finds a new growth on their skin, they should seek immediate attention to rule out any potentially deadly cancers, such as Merkel cell carcinoma. This rare cancer first appears as a nodule on the skin that may be skin-colored or bluish-red in color. While they usually first appear on the head, neck or face, they can spread to other parts of the body quickly if they are not dealt with in a timely manner.
Doctors less likely to detect heart disease in women
The medical community in New York does a better job of diagnosing and treating heart disease in men than in women. This disparity results from gender-based differences in symptoms and variations in cardiovascular disease between the sexes.
Cardiomyopathy, disease of the heart muscle
Busy people in New York might be aware of the risks of different types of cardiovascular disease; risks can be increased in people with hectic lifestyles, smokers or people who don’t follow a healthy diet. Cardiomyopathy, disease of the heart muscle, is a lesser-known heart condition that can be dangerous, especially because people who have it sometimes don’t notice any symptoms.
Long-term research concludes some chemotherapy unnecessary
Cancer patients in New York depend on their doctors to choose appropriate treatment plans. Presentations at a recent American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, however, shared conclusions from long-term studies that showed some cancer therapies were unnecessary or meaningless.
Bilateral MRIs more accurate for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis
New York patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, may get a more accurate diagnosis if they undergo magnetic resonance imaging on both hands. A new study shows that bilateral MRIs are better at diagnosing the disease than unilateral MRIs. The study was published in the Journal of Rheumatology.
Detecting lung cancer with blood tests
New York residents who are concerned about cancer may be interested to learn that genetic blood testing may be able to detect the early stages of some cancerous conditions. According to researchers, a set of three different genetic tests detected early-stage lung cancer between 38 and 51 percent of the time. The researchers also report that the genetic tests detected advanced-stage lung cancers with nearly 90 percent accuracy.
