By Kimberly Applegate, M.D., M.S., F.A.C.R.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta radiologist and Vice Chair of Quality and Safety, Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine.
When faced with the need for medical imaging tests in their children, many parents are afraid as they may not understand the technology or the reasons why a test is being performed. Parents also do not often understand the risks and benefits for their child. The diagnostic radiologist is a physician imaging expert. Most radiologists receive 13 years of extensive training (medical school, residency, subspecialty). Radiologists often also endure additional training in how to perform and interpret imaging in children safety.
Pediatric radiologists are careful with the risks that tests pose for children. One particularly important risk is from ionizing radiation. Pediatric radiology facilities use low radiation dosages that are tailored for the size of each child to minimize the radiation …
Continue reading DOCTOR IS IN: Keep kids safe during radiation procedures »
One in four women will experience some kind of domestic violence during her lifetime. Each year, intimate partner violence results in an estimated 2 million injuries and 1,200 deaths among women. These statistics may be shocking, but sadly, they are very real.
Drug reactions in children may be more common than you think. A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics revealed that more than half a million U.S. children see a doctor each year after experiencing a reaction to a medicine. While some of these reactions are severe enough to require medical treatment and hospitalization, the most common types of reactions are rashes and stomach upset. The study also showed that antibiotics are the most common type of medicine to cause a reaction resulting in a doctor visit.
Ovarian cancer may not be the most common cancer in women, but it may be the most feared by women. Each year in the United States, about 21,550 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is the eighth most common cancer among women, and one for which there is no known cause. The estimate for new cases of ovarian cancer in the United States in 2009 is 21,550 and estimated deaths are14,600, according to the American Cancer Society.
Does it feel like you can’t go anywhere without hearing about the latest fad in sports or energy drinks? Some claim to give you more energy throughout the day, lose weight or even prepare you to train for the Olympics.
Almost 300,000 children play lacrosse, making it one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. While both boys and girls participate in the sport, the style of play for each gender is different.
While it is a fact that diet and exercise play crucial roles in controlling cholesterol, eating too many fatty foods – especially those high in saturated fat and trans fat – is the primary cause of high cholesterol. Thin, active people may not be aware of how much bad fat they consume.
While H1N1 flu is a new strain, at present it is acting just like a mild-to-moderate case of the flu with the same type of outcomes as seasonal influenza.
The electronic medical record (EMR) is slowly transforming the way doctors, nurses, and other health care providers deliver patient care. Patients financial records have been electronic for decades; however, clinical data (the information entered by doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals) has been lagging. Processes for capturing lab and radiology results, history and physical details, operative reports, discharge summaries and other critical data have been very basic; paper charts remain the primary means of documentation and communication among the health care team.
