Obesity has long been thought to be a mere cosmetic problem; however, it is deemed by experts as a medical issue associated with a host of medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and chronic back problems. That is to say, every major structure in your body bears the brunt of your excess weight, and among these structures is your spine. Obese patients contemplating surgery to address their chronic back problems have to consider various factors, which have the potential ... [Read More]
Lower Back Pain
Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Back Surgery
If you have suffered a back injury or have chronic back pain, your doctor may recommend back surgery to help you finally achieve pain relief. Back surgery is generally a much less serious surgery than it used to be, thanks to more advanced equipment and capabilities which enable your back surgeon to operate only on the injury in question – without causing needless harm to the surrounding tissues. Let’s talk about some of the main benefits and possible risks involved in back surgery, and where ... [Read More]
Am I a Good Candidate for Artificial Disc Replacement?
Chronic back pain affects over 16 million adults. It is one of the most common conditions limiting human function. When conservative methods no longer work to relieve your pain, your doctor may suggest artificial disc replacement. During this procedure, your surgeon will replace one or two of your spinal discs with metal or plastic discs. Before discussing the details of the surgery, your doctor will review your medical history and assess several factors to ascertain if you are a suitable ... [Read More]
The Connection Between Atrial Fibrillation and a Stroke
Atrial fibrillation (also called A-fib, or AF) is a heart rhythm disorder that is characterized by a rapid and irregular beating of the heart’s upper chambers (the atria), which results in weaker contractions that lead to poor blood flow. Also, the patient’s pulse doesn’t correspond to the heartbeat. Ideally, the upper chambers and lower chambers of the heart receive normal signals that start each heartbeat. The chambers then send blood to the rest of your body. With atrial fibrillation, ... [Read More]
Awake Brain Surgery: Overview
Awake brain surgery is a procedure performed on the brain the patient is awake and alert. This type of surgery reduces the risk of damaging critical brain areas that control vision, movement, speech, and other skills, when the neurological condition being treated is close to that particular part of the brain. Awake brain surgery, also known as awake craniotomy, is an effective way to treat certain neurological (brain) conditions such as a tumor or epileptic seizures. Being awake during ... [Read More]
