Video Blog: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Guest post by Gina Sam, MD, MPH, Director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Center at The Mount Sinai Hospital

In the United States, colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, is the third most common cancer in both men and women and is the second leading cancer killer among Americans. Colorectal cancer affects both men and women and is often found in people age of 50 or older. It is considered a preventable disease and if it is detected early enough it is treatable, which is why routine colonoscopies help lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer. (more…)

Typical Communication Development in Children, Part III (Ages 3-5)

In previous posts, the benefits of parental familiarity with a growing child’s hearing, speech, and language development were discussed, specifically as guidelines for pediatricians and other health and education professionals with which to monitor the child’s progress or delay, and offer help if necessary. This final post in a three-part series will cover the basic benchmarks of communication for preschool-age children. (more…)

Preventing Cardiovascular Disease: A Lifetime Endeavor

February is American Heart Month, which is wonderful for me as a cardiologist who specializes in prevention of cardiovascular disease. This month provides the opportunity to help raise awareness about heart disease and how people can prevent it. Below, I share some of the questions and topics that come up frequently when I talk with my patients about living heart-healthy lives. (more…)

Are Antibiotics Necessary for the Common Cold?

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the nose and throat with associated sneezing, headaches, and cough. The rhinovirus is the most common type of virus that causes colds; however, there are more than 200 viruses that may cause the common cold. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses and are used to treat bacterial infections.

One of the largest misconceptions is that the color of the mucus suggests a bacterial infection. A patient can have yellow or green mucus and still have the common cold. The most important sign that would indicate a bacterial infection is present is the duration of symptoms. The American Academy of Otolaryngology guidelines for acute sinusitis require the presence of symptoms for greater than 7 to 10 days before being considered a bacterial infection. In addition, symptoms of the common cold may last for up to two weeks with cough and post nasal drip being the last symptoms to go away. (more…)

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