My brother was in a car accident and luckily survived with only a few broken bones. However, in the hospital, after surgery he developed what doctors called a Fat Embolism. This required him to be in the ICU for a week. I never heard of this, what is it?
Fat embolism occurs in patients that have a broken bone. It is more common with more traumatic injuries, especially when there is multiple organ trauma. It is also more common with broken legs-femur bone. Fixing the broken bone early can help prevent this complication, which causes shortness of breath, and breathing
Age Spots?
by Dean Heller MD March 16th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
I turned 70, and I am starting to get too many of the brown spots that so many older people get. They are on my arms and I hate the way they look. Is it easy to get rid of those?
These are very common as you get older. Some people have sun damage that causes more diffuse browning of the skin, while others have isolated brown spots, which are frequently seborrheic keratosis. These are very slightly raised, skin colored, or brownish spots.  Both can be treated in a number of different ways. A good way to treat these quickly
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These are very common as you get older. Some people have sun damage that causes more diffuse browning of the skin, while others have isolated brown spots, which are frequently seborrheic keratosis. These are very slightly raised, skin colored, or brownish spots.  Both can be treated in a number of different ways. A good way to treat these quickly
Smoking Cessation
by Dean Heller MD March 10th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
I stopped smoking about a year ago, but my wife continues to smoke. I want to convince her to stop, what should I tell her?
Tell her that smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, that smoking puts her at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. In addition, tell her that heart disease is actually the number one killer in women. Although breast cancer happens more commonly in women, they are still more likely to die of heart disease.
To learn more about cognitive impairment, watch this video from VideoMD.com.
Dr. Elizabeth Klodas
American College of Cardiology
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Tell her that smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, that smoking puts her at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. In addition, tell her that heart disease is actually the number one killer in women. Although breast cancer happens more commonly in women, they are still more likely to die of heart disease.
To learn more about cognitive impairment, watch this video from VideoMD.com.
Dr. Elizabeth Klodas
American College of Cardiology
Congestive Heart Failure
by Dean Heller MD March 5th, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
My husband was diagnosed with CHF-congestive heart failure. Is that why he is so short of breath?
CHF, which stands for congestive heart failure occurs when fluid backs up into the lungs, and sometimes builds up in the legs, because the heart is not functioning well enough to move the blood forward. This happens frequently in people who have suffered large heart attacks, but there are other reasons why the heart muscle may fail.
Shortness of breath is the most common symptom from CHF.
To learn more about congestive heart failure, watch this video from
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CHF, which stands for congestive heart failure occurs when fluid backs up into the lungs, and sometimes builds up in the legs, because the heart is not functioning well enough to move the blood forward. This happens frequently in people who have suffered large heart attacks, but there are other reasons why the heart muscle may fail.
Shortness of breath is the most common symptom from CHF.
To learn more about congestive heart failure, watch this video from
Forgetfulness
by Dean Heller MD March 1st, 2011 | Ask the Doctor
My husband just turned 68, he still works and is a great husband, but I recently noticed that he started forgetting some things. Not all of the time, but on occasion, should I be worried?
Mild Cognitive Impairment is very common as we age. It is exactly as you are describing; although mild, it is clinically relevant. While this is more common in men, more advanced forms of impairment, such as Alzheimer's dementia, are more common in women. Men can spend many years with only mild impairment.
To learn more about cognitive impairment, watch this
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Mild Cognitive Impairment is very common as we age. It is exactly as you are describing; although mild, it is clinically relevant. While this is more common in men, more advanced forms of impairment, such as Alzheimer's dementia, are more common in women. Men can spend many years with only mild impairment.
To learn more about cognitive impairment, watch this