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MRI Safety Week is July 21-27, and helps us all recognize the safety precautions that come with using this imaging technology. The most important thing to remember about Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is that the magnet is always on! Even when the lights are turned off and there are no patients in the room, the MRI scanner is always on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Magnetic field strengths used in an MRI can be 15,000 Gauss (G) or 1.5Tesla (T) to 30,000 Gauss (G) or 3Tesla (T) for MRI Scanners in a ...
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Who should get a colonoscopy? This is always a topic of discussion between Primary Care providers and patients and can be a daunting one. Many people feel embarrassed by the idea of a colonoscopy, and it is important that they are well educated and counseled on the need for this procedure. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 10% of all cancer cases and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deat...
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Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all these symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (tiredness) some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than ad...
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Every 66 seconds, someone in the Unites States develops Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that affects an estimated 5.4 million Americans and by 2050 that number could rise as high as 16 million. The causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are not completely understood, but researchers believe they include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. In more than 90% of people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms...
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Low-Dose CT Can Identify Lung Cancer for Those at High Risk Midland Memorial Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging Associates (DIA) offers lung cancer screenings using low-dose computed tomography (CT). Individuals who have smoked the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes daily for 30 years are at a higher risk for lung cancer. By screening those at high risk, we can identify lung cancer in earlier stages when it is more likely to be treatable. A low dose CT screening is a radiology study used to detect early lung...
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Is Diabetes Reversible? Type 2 diabetes is almost always preventable and even reversible through diet and lifestyle changes. Like other leading killers— especially heart disease and high blood pressure—type 2 diabetes is an unfortunate consequence of dietary choices. However, there is hope if you have diabetes. Through lifestyle changes, you may be able to achieve a complete remission of type 2 diabetes, even if you have been suffering for decades. Facts to Know Approximately 84 million American adults—...
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WHAT IS A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT? A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a great way to save pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified health care expenses. Contribute as much money as you can into your HSA as a part of payroll deduction, allowing you to pay medical costs pre-tax. To sign up for an HSA, contact your company’s Human Resources Department. Don’t forget to ask if your company offers an HSA matching program. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN HSA? An HSA is a great way to save pre-tax dollars to pay for qualif...
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What is arthritis? The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation. It refers to more than 100 different diseases. These diseases usually affect the area in or around joints such as muscles and tendons. There are many types of arthritis. Most forms of arthritis are chronic which means they may last a lifetime. How does arthritis feel? Arthritis usually causes stiffness pain and fatigue. The severity varies from person to person and even from day to day. In some people only a few joints are affecte...
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Early Mammography Saves Lives 40 is the magic number. Don't wait until age 50 to get a mammogram. Call (432) 221-2300 to schedule your mammogram today! Did You Know? 20% of new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women aged 40-49 Approximately 50,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in women aged 40-49 each year Cancers diagnosed in women aged 40-49 can be much more aggressive and life-threatening than cancers diagnosed in women aged 50+ An abnormality may be seen on a mammogram two ye...