How You Can Manage Type 2 Diabetes

Mar 24, 2023 | Diabetes, Your Health


More than 37 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 90-95 percent of them have type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your cells don’t respond normally to insulin, a hormone created by your pancreas that regulates blood sugar in your body for energy.

While the incidence of type 2 diabetes is rising, you can prevent or delay the disease with active lifestyle changes.

David Lam, MD, Associate Professor of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone disease at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains what is behind the rising number of people with type 2 diabetes and how we can actively treat and prevent this disease.

Why is type 2 diabetes so prevalent?

Type 2 diabetes has been increasing in prevalence all over the world over the last few decades, and the biggest driver is likely the rising incidence of obesity. Though it is still being studied, the prevailing thought is that obesity leads to a state of inflammation in the body caused by fat cells releasing inflammatory chemicals. When that happens, insulin, a hormone your body produces to regulate blood sugar levels, doesn’t work as well, and your body becomes more resistant to insulin. This is ultimately the pathway that leads to type 2 diabetes.

What is the impact of type 2 diabetes on a person’s life?

Type 2 diabetes can affect you in many ways—the actual disease, the monitoring recommendations that clinicians provide, and even the treatments we prescribe—can all affect your life.

From a disease perspective, symptoms of high or low blood sugar can affect how you feel. Complications that arise from long-term or not-well-controlled diabetes can include neuropathy—a type of nerve damage that can cause numbness or weakness—and kidney or eye disease. Some of the medications we prescribe can have side effects and need to be taken multiple times a day.

What are a few steps the average type 2 diabetes patient can do to remain healthy?

The first step is to receive regular care and follow-ups with your health care team—not just with your clinician, but with a nurse educator, a nutritionist, an ophthalmologist, or any other specialists that’s involved in your health care. This ensures you are on the right track to take steps to improve your overall health. It is also important to take medications as prescribed, and talk with your health care team if there are any issues. The second step is to get regular physical activity. And the final step is to be mindful of carbohydrate intake, such as limiting things like soda, refined grains such as white bread, and many snack foods.

Who is most at risk for developing type 2 diabetes?

You are most at risk for developing type 2 diabetes if you are a person with obesity; have a history of prediabetes, or a history of gestational diabetes; if you have a sedentary lifestyle and/or a family history of diabetes.

How can I support my family members with type 2 diabetes?
Be present and open to hearing what they need and understand what they are going through. Listen to what they say, avoid giving them unsolicited advice, and be sensitive to their needs. For example, if they say, “It’s really hard when I go to parties or family events, and all there is to eat is carbs,” be sensitive to that. Talk to friends and family members about why it’s important to have healthy foods at parties and gatherings. The diet we recommend for patients living with diabetes is a diet everyone can benefit from.

If societal factors are to blame, what can Mount Sinai and other health care organizations do to help reduce the prevalence of the disease?

The first is ensuring individuals have access to health care. It really takes a village to treat someone living with diabetes. You might need dieticians, primary care physicians, endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, pharmacists; it takes a big multidisciplinary team.

We have to make sure patients have access to these specialists, especially those who are at the most at risk. The medications we frequently prescribe can be very expensive. There are programs that can help reduce the cost of the medications, and patients might need the help from us in navigating these programs. Lastly, larger organizations can really help support prevention programs. There are established, research-proven diabetes prevention programs that really focus on weight loss, and they have been shown to help reduce the progression from prediabetes to diabetes. Larger organizations can help support these programs to make an impact on those who are at risk.

Learn more about diabetes care at Mount Sinai
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Should I Take a Genetic Cancer Test?

Updated on Mar 23, 2023 | Cancer, Your Health

Knowing your genetic risks for cancer might seem scary. However, by taking a genetic cancer test, you will have even more peace of mind, because you will have a powerful tool to help prevent it.

Stephanie Blank, MD, Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Director of Gynecologic Oncology for the Mount Sinai Health System, answers some common questions about genetic cancer tests. Dr. Blank is also Director of Women’s Health at the Blavatnik Family Chelsea Medical Center at Mount Sinai and Associate Director in The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai with a focus on women’s cancers.

What are hereditary cancers?

Hereditary cancers are cancers you may be more likely to get due to a pattern in one of your genes. If you have a mutation in a certain gene, you may be at a higher risk for cancer. Some of the most common mutations associated with cancer are BRCA 1 and 2. If you have a mutation in one or both genes, you have an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

How do you determine if you are at risk for hereditary cancer?

Family history is important, and there are a few different elements you need to know. It’s important that you know both the maternal and the paternal side of your family history, if those relatives had any cancers, what cancers they were, the ages of family members at diagnosis of those cancers, as well as their age of death, regardless of whether it was from cancer or not. When you have your family history and draw it out in a tree, you may notice many areas where there are relatives who had cancers, and you can trace that. Another important thing to know is if any family members had genetic testing and their results.

What would be considered a risk factor in someone’s family history?

Some red flags include relatives who got cancer extremely young or multiple family members who got the same cancer, including individuals who got more than one cancer and unusual cancers. In that situation, it is important to know the age of the family member’s diagnosis, and if they had any genetic testing done.

Does my ethnic background increase my risks for genetic cancer?

People from certain ethnic backgrounds, such as those who are Ashkenazi Jewish, may be at increased risk of having a genetic mutation, but there are others, including French Canadian and Icelandic—and we are always discovering more.

How do I find out for sure if I am at risk for hereditary cancer?

If you think you might be at increased risk of cancer based on your family history or ethnicity, speak with your doctor about how to get tested. At Mount Sinai, we provide both genetic testing and genetic counseling. In addition to testing, genetic counseling can help determine if you have one of these mutations. Oftentimes, you may see a genetic counselor either prior to getting the testing or afterwards. Testing generally consists of a blood test but can also be a swab from the inside of your cheek. If you do have a mutation, we can use that information to help you plan for how you are going to screen for or prevent cancer.

Will my health insurance cover the costs of genetic cancer testing?

Health insurance typically covers genetic testing, but you should confirm this with your health insurance provider. If your provider does not cover it, Mount Sinai’s genetic counselors can work with you to minimize the cost.

Why should I get tested to find out if I am at risk for hereditary cancer?

If you know your risk, there is a lot you can do to help yourself. If you have a BRCA 1 mutation, for example, you know you are at higher risk for several cancers, breast and ovarian being the most common, as well as pancreatic and prostate cancer. If you are a woman with a BRCA 1 mutation, you can start getting mammograms and magnetic resonance imaging early. Even if you do not have cancer yet, you might consider medication and even surgery to prevent breast cancer from forming.

If you have a genetic risk for ovarian cancer, you might go on birth control pills, which diminish the risk of ovarian cancer. Even if you already have ovarian cancer, we recommend genetic testing, because around 25 percent of ovarian cancer is genetic. Knowing if you have the mutation has a profound effect on your care, since we use different treatments depending on whether the cancer is genetic. Knowing if your cancer is genetic is even more important for determining prognosis. If you have a mutation, it is important that you tell your family members, so they can get tested and take measures to reduce their own risk.

Are most cancers genetic?

Most cancers are not genetic. Not having a mutation does not mean you won’t get cancer; we just don’t know what the likelihood is. When somebody has a mutation, we know a lot more about the likelihood of getting cancer, or the age at which they might get cancer. Hereditary information and knowing your risk of cancer is an opportunity to prevent it.

Get a genetic cancer test at Mount Sinai.

Food Intolerance or Food Allergy? How to Spot the Symptoms and Get Help

Updated on Mar 23, 2023 | Allergy, Gastroenterology, Your Health

Bloating, diarrhea, vomiting—these are just some of the unpleasant symptoms that food allergies and intolerances can trigger.

It’s normal to experience stomach issues from time to time. But if you find yourself experiencing them on a regular basis, you may have developed a food intolerance or a food allergy.

You can still enjoy a healthy, balanced diet. But if you think you have a food intolerance or allergy, you should not try to diagnose it yourself and should talk with a medical provider. Food allergies and intolerances can be difficult to identify, and trying to resolve them on your own may lead you to eliminate foods from your diet unnecessarily.

Laura Manning, MPH, RDN, CDN

In this Q&A, Laura Manning, MPH, RDN, CDN, a registered dietitian at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center in The Mount Sinai Hospital, explains the differences between food intolerances and allergies, how to identify the symptoms, and how to seek help.

What are food allergies?

When someone has an immune response and produces an allergy antibody against a certain food, they have a food allergy. The most common food allergies are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans, which are behind a majority of food allergies in the United States, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Allergic reactions typically occur within minutes, or up to two hours after ingestion.

What are the symptoms of food allergies?

An allergic reaction occurs every time you eat a food you are allergic to. Common symptoms include coughing, wheezing, itching, lip tingling, rashes, mouth swelling, hives, throwing up, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, food allergies can cause people to go into shock and can be life threatening. You can experience changes in blood pressure and narrowing of your airways, which can cause difficulty breathing or vomiting.

What are food intolerances?

A food intolerance may happen when you lack enzymes responsible for digesting a certain food or food group. A common example is lactose intolerance, in which a person lacks a key enzyme for digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk. Other common examples of foods that may be poorly tolerated are beans, garlic, mushrooms, onions, and watermelon. These are foods that are high in FODMAPS, or fermentable carbohydrates, including lactose, fructose, fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides, and polyols.  These can rapidly ferment during digestion causing gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation when consumed in high amounts. Food intolerances typically develop in the gastrointestinal tract or the digestive system, and can sometimes be triggered by stomach infections. Certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can make someone more susceptible to FODMAP intolerances. Because FODMAPs are in a wide array of foods, it is important to seek help from a medical provider and trained dietitian to identify the foods causing the problem without completely eliminating them from a healthy diet.

What are the symptoms of food intolerances?

When you eat foods your body cannot digest, you will experience discomfort, including gas and bloating, and may also experience diarrhea, constipation, reflux, and gas.

What is the difference between food intolerances and food allergies?

Unlike food allergies, food intolerances do not involve the immune system, do not cause allergic reactions, and are not life threatening. People with food intolerances can usually have small amounts of these foods without a reaction, whereas those with allergies cannot. Those with food intolerances may even be able to acclimate themselves to these foods by eating small amounts over time, whereas those with food allergies cannot have even the smallest amount without a reaction. However, some food allergies may change or go away on their own with time, especially after adolescence. If you have a known food allergy, an allergist can help you safely retrial the foods you are allergic to.

How are food allergies diagnosed and treated?

A skin prick test, typically on the upper back or forearm, or blood test can identify food allergies. Because food allergies cannot be eliminated, you will need to avoid eating foods that trigger your allergies, including foods that have been manufactured in factories where those foods are also processed (a warning should be displayed on food labels). Working closely with a board certified allergist will help determine what your reactions are to certain foods and best treatments. You can schedule an appointment at the Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. You can also find qualified food allergists nationwide through The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

How are food intolerances diagnosed and treated? Can I use a food sensitivity test?

Unlike food allergies, there are no official tests for food intolerances, which makes them more difficult to diagnose. While food sensitivity tests are available and popular, they are not FDA-approved, are unreliable, and frequently lead people to eliminate foods unnecessarily, which can lead to health issues. If you have an intolerance triggered by a FODMAP, going on a supervised food elimination diet, or low FODMAP diet, can help you identify the foods behind the intolerance. This diet involves eliminating high FODMAP foods and then slowly reintroducing them to identify the triggers. To avoid malnutrition, you should only go on this diet with guidance from a gastroenterologist and a trained registered dietitian. These experts will guide you through the process of identifying foods you are intolerant to and help you modify your diet in the healthiest way possible.

Contact the Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai
Find a gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai
Find a registered nutritionist through Clinical Nutrition Department at The Mount Sinai Hospital

Three Years After the Start of the Pandemic, Reasons for Hope and Continued Vigilance

Updated on Mar 17, 2023 | COVID Response, COVID-19, Featured, Your Health

It has been three years since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, by the World Health Organization. With New York City as an early epicenter, residents were hit hard. But from that experience, health care providers and researchers across the city found the opportunity to learn more about the virus and how to prepare for future pandemics.

Today, the city’s level of community transmission of COVID-19 is considered low, and the percentage of people who have completed their primary series of COVID-19 vaccinations is relatively high, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Similarly, hospitalization and mortality rates from COVID-19 remained low in recent months, compared to the period between 2020 and 2022.

Bernard Camins, MD

These factors mean that New Yorkers can probably afford to relax their vigilance compared to previous years, notes Bernard Camins, MD, Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Medical Director for Infection Prevention at the Mount Sinai Health System.

“We have come a long way. However, we still need to monitor how COVID-19 is affecting those who are at high risk of complications.”

Bernard Camins, MD

Who should remain vigilant?

Vulnerable groups include those who are immunocompromised, and those aged 50 and older, even if they’ve been vaccinated for COVID-19. People with certain underlying medical conditions, such as cancer; chronic kidney, lung, or liver disease; dementia; diabetes; heart conditions, or obesity are also considered at heightened risk.

For younger or healthy individuals, having COVID-19 these days might involve cold-like or mild symptoms, says Judith Aberg, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases for the Mount Sinai Health System and Dr. George Baehr Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Icahn Mount Sinai. But vulnerable populations are at risk for developing severe disease, she adds. This includes hospitalization, needing intensive care, requiring a ventilator to breathe, or even death.

For at-risk groups, masking is recommended, as is avoiding large indoor gatherings. People planning to be organ donors should also remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as an active infection could complicate one’s ability to donate, Dr. Aberg says.

“Also, people seem to have forgotten about hand hygiene; that is still important,” she notes.

What protection measures are available today?

With the federal Test to Treat initiative in place nationwide since 2022, symptomatic individuals who test positive for COVID-19 at testing sites can receive antiviral treatment, such as Paxlovid, on the spot.

“Taking Paxlovid provides that extra protection from developing complications, and the sooner it is taken, the better,” says Dr. Camins. Patients are recommended to receive antiviral treatment within five days of developing symptoms.

“One mistake people make with antivirals is that they wait to see if they feel better or worse before seeking treatment.”

Judith Aberg, MD

“If you’re a senior citizen, or have any of the underlying health conditions, when you test positive and have any symptoms, go seek treatment immediately. Do not wait,” says Dr. Aberg.

All individuals, and especially vulnerable populations, should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including the bivalent boosters, which are authorized for those ages 5 and older. “However, among people who were recommended to receive the bivalent booster, very few of them did,” Dr. Camins points out. “It seems many people have moved on regarding the pandemic before we really should.”

Judith Aberg, MD

According to the CDC, 17 percent of the U.S. population ages 5 and up have received the updated booster. In New York, that number is 18 percent.

Data have shown that the updated boosters either prevented infection or reduced the possibility of developing severe disease in people who received them. Another possible benefit of keeping up to date with vaccination is that it might prevent new variants from being as deadly as previous strains, Dr. Aberg says.

Will we need annual boosters?

Just as the bivalent boosters were updated to protect against current circulating variants and strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, researchers and officials are monitoring how the pathogen continues to evolve. Most of the scientific and medical community believe that the virus is headed in the direction of becoming endemic, or regularly occurring, Dr. Aberg says. “However, the jury is still out on whether annual updated boosters will be necessary,” she adds.

Neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the CDC has made any determinations on recommending annual COVID-19 shots, unlike what they have done with the flu. The data on COVID-19 collected over the recent winter could provide clarity on whether another shot might be needed this fall, says Dr. Aberg.

There are other seasonal coronaviruses and rhinoviruses that cause respiratory infections that do not require annual boosters. “It’s hard to predict whether the virus will take another turn to cause more morbidity or mortality. We’ll have to wait to see what the data shows us,” Dr. Aberg says.

What other things about COVID-19 should we be aware of?

The public health emergency declaration, which has been in place since 2020, will come to an end on Thursday, May 11, 2023. This might have implications regarding cost sharing or coverage regarding various COVID-19-related services, such as testing, treatment, or vaccinations. This might mean some services will no longer be free or will start requiring copays, depending on the insurance.

While the New York State Department of Health has not released any guidance on cost impacts, providers need to inform their patients and communities to follow up with their insurance companies and be aware of possible coverage changes, Dr. Aberg says.

“People need to be informed about potential costs before seeking COVID-19 care,” Dr. Aberg notes. “But on the other hand, we don’t want people to avoid seeking help because of cost.” If a patient experiences troubling symptoms, such as shortness of breath or fever, they should see a primary care doctor or go to the emergency room, she adds.

The medical and science community is also closer to understanding post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, or the condition colloquially known as “long COVID.”

Anyone who is infected with COVID-19 has a risk of going on to develop long COVID, in which individuals experience symptoms that persist beyond three months after the acute phase. An estimated 1 in 13 adults in the United States have long COVID, according to the CDC.

“We’re starting to zero in on specific biomarkers for people with long COVID,” says David Putrino, PhD, Director of Rehabilitation Innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System. These include platelet hyperactivation, microclots, immune dysfunction, and microbiome dysfunction.

“We are getting the science to a place where we may finally be able to identify this condition objectively.”

David Putrino, PhD

David Putrino, PhD

This has allowed providers to be better educated about the sorts of things that could cause long COVID symptoms to flare up, Dr. Putrino says. The availability of objective biomarkers also means the ability to start testing therapeutics to treat long COVID.

“A year ago, I would have thrown my hands in the air and said there were no good drug trials for long COVID,” Dr. Putrino says. “Now, I feel a little confident that we can start promising patients that these trials are on the horizon.”

“We’re getting close to getting therapeutics to prescribe. I’m hoping that will be a reality over the next two years or so,” Dr. Putrino says.

Read more about how COVID-19 research has progressed throughout the pandemic

Prostate Cancer Research Gala Celebrates Innovations in Research and Patient Care at Mount Sinai

Updated on Mar 16, 2023 | Community, Featured, Your Health

Frorm left: Dennis Charney, MD, Ash Tewari, MBBS, MCh, and Robert F. Smith

The Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai hosted its annual Prostate Cancer Research Gala on Tuesday, March 7, at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center.

Ash Tewari, MBBS, MCh, Chair of the Department of Urology at the Mount Sinai Health System and the Kyung Hyun Kim, MD Professor of Urology at Icahn Mount Sinai, started the gala with the goal of raising money for the Center of Excellence for Prostate Cancer within the Department of Urology. Its mission is to eliminate prostate cancer through programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and education for students, trainees, professionals, and the public.

With nearly 200 people in attendance and more than $1 million raised, the event was a success by any measure.

The first honoree to be recognized was Burton Wallack, a three-time cancer survivor who received the Patient of Courage Award.

Burton Wallack, left, and Robert F. Smith

“Go to the end…and you can still win. And that’s the story of Burt Wallack,” said Dr. Tewari in a video shown at the event. Mr. Wallack, the founder and Chairman of Wallack Management Company, also serves on the Chairman’s Urology Board, partnering with his doctor to advance research.

Dennis Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of Icahn Mount Sinai and President for Academic Affairs for the Mount Sinai Health System, received the Champion of Excellence Award. As Dr. Tewari noted in a video: “I wanted to start a program in prostate cancer. Dr. Charney turned that into a prostate cancer Center of Excellence…He made it one of the most comprehensive programs and not just by telling us how to do it, but by providing every support.”

“I’m proud of where we have come, but I’m not satisfied,” said Dr. Charney, embodying his tireless pursuit of improved outcomes for patients before continuing: “Am I still being innovative? Am I still being inspiring to others? Am I still working with our teams to come up with great ideas? That’s what I think about all the time.”

The event also saw the bestowal of the inaugural Steven Southwick, MD Memorial Award, named in memory of a leading expert on trauma and resilience who passed away from prostate cancer in 2022. Dr. Southwick, Glenn H. Greenberg Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, PTSD, and Resilience at the Yale School of Medicine, was also mentor and friend to Dr. Charney. “Steve was my buddy, my brother,” said Dr. Charney. “He was brilliant, but that doesn’t capture him. He was the finest person I’ve ever met,” Dr. Charney continued before detailing Dr. Southwick’s contributions to our understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Steven Southwick, MD Memorial Award recognizes the recipient’s dedication to prostate cancer research and was given to Sujit S. Nair, PhD, an Assistant Professor and Director of Genitourinary Immunotherapy Research in the Department of Urology at Icahn Mount Sinai. Dr. Tewari praised his innovation and hard work, while Dr. Nair noted, “The long-term goal, the fact that we can cure cancer, is the motivation—that’s what excites me.”

Sujit S. Nair, PhD, and Dennis Charney, MD

The final honoree was Robert F. Smith, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, who was presented with the Visionary Award for his commitment to addressing the disparity that sees higher rates of prostate cancer—and death—among Black men. Through his collaboration and funding, the Mount Sinai Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening unit was launched, a state-of-the-art “doctor’s office on wheels” that takes specialized staff and equipment into the neighborhoods of the men who need it most.

“We’re honoring Robert for being a kind human being,” Dr. Tewari remarked, “a philanthropist, a person who really wants to make an impact, a person who is touched by human lives, a person who cannot take his eyes away from a problem, and if he can make a difference, he does it. He has made a tremendous difference in this cause for prostate cancer.”

Graciously accepting the award, Mr. Smith said, “I’m very hopeful that this is going to be one of those sparks that really leads to a platform of access to health care for the African American community—and save lives.”

With an ambitious goal to reduce deaths from prostate cancer by 25 percent in the Mount Sinai community, this is a spark that will have far-reaching implications. While the event was a celebration of many accomplishments at the Center of Excellence for Prostate Cancer, its true significance may lie in the ongoing inspiration to keep pushing forward at the boundaries of research and patient care.

The Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology at the Mount Sinai Health System has more than 190 urologists on staff, more than any other health care system in New York City. Its robotic surgery program is among the most robust in the country. Genomic testing and advanced imaging are routine for patients with prostate cancer, providing personalized and precise treatment protocols.

Learn more about the Prostate Cancer Research Gala

Is It Time to See a Pain Specialist for My Knee or Shoulder Pain?

Updated on Mar 15, 2023 | Your Health

Your knee and shoulders contain complex joints that can make pain difficult to diagnose and treat. But with help from pain management specialists, you can find relief.

In this Q&A, Gary Esses, MD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a leader of the Pain Management Service at Mount Sinai Brooklyn, answers common questions about managing knee and shoulder joint pain and explains when to seek help from a pain management specialist.

Gary Esses, MD

Why does my knee hurt?

Knee pain is typically caused by injuries, arthritis, and mechanical problems. Injuries often include an ACL injury (ligament tear), a fracture, a torn meniscus (tear in the cartilage between the shinbone and thighbone), bursitis, and patellar tendinitis (irritation or inflammation of knee tendons).

Types of knee arthritis include osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage in the knee), rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease causing tissue deterioration), and gout (caused by uric acid crystals in the knee joint).

Mechanical problems can include loose bone or cartilage that might go into the knee joint space causing irritation, dislocation of the knee, and hip or foot pain that affects your gait, possibly impacting the knee joint.

What treatments are available for knee pain?

Depending on the cause of your knee pain, your doctor will likely recommend some treatment options to start, including:

  • Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), as well as activity modification
  • Anti-inflammatory medication or injections
  • Gel (hyaluronic acid) injections to cushion your knee joint
  • Stem cell therapy
  • Radio frequency ablation, a type of heat therapy, to silence painful nerves in the knee
  • Physical therapy
  • Wearing a brace
  • Weight loss

What can I do at home to ease my knee pain?

In addition to medications, your pain management specialist may recommend low-impact, at-home exercises such as stretches, walking, cycling, and swimming, or using the RICE method. The specialist might suggest using a heating pad and, if there is swelling, applying cold compresses. Following a routine pain management plan will strengthen the muscles around your knee over time and reduce the pressure on the knee joint. Notify your doctor if you further injure your knee, or if you experience pain or a return of symptoms during exercises.

Why does my shoulder hurt?

The most common causes of shoulder pain include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, dislocation, injury (broken collarbone, rotator cuff tear, torn cartilage, sprain, tendon rupture), and tendinitis. It is important to note that shoulder pain can be caused by referred pain from the heart, lung, or respiratory system, which is why it is important to seek a proper diagnosis.

A family physician or orthopedic surgeon can help determine a course of treatment. Your physician will use X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to pinpoint the cause of the pain. Then, your doctor will advise you on treatment options. If you don’t need surgery, you will likely be referred to a pain specialist.

What kinds of treatments are available for shoulder pain?

Your pain specialist will work with you to decide on a personalized treatment plan based on your individual needs. The pain specialist will review X-rays or MRIs to assess which approach will best manage the pain. The pain specialist might recommend non-surgical options including muscle relaxants, prescription oral anti-inflammatory medications, and over-the-counter pain medications. The specialist’s recommendation for a shoulder injection will depend on the severity of your pain. They may also recommend physical therapy.

How can I treat my shoulder pain at home?

The pain specialist might recommend a number of ways to manage pain at home including:

  • cold compresses
  • heat therapy
  • compression
  • massages
  • over-the-counter pain medications

The specialist might also recommend limiting activity directly affecting your shoulder. Gradually increasing the level and intensity of exercise will reduce the likelihood of placing stress on the shoulder and prevent the likelihood of your pain returning.

When should I see a pain management specialist?

If you have seen a regular doctor and your pain isn’t healing, it may be time to see a pain management specialist. There are board certified medical specialists dedicated to diagnosing and treating pain-related disorders. Your pain management specialist will consider multidisciplinary approaches to treating your pain, and they will discuss possible therapies and help coordinate your care with other health care professionals. If needed, they will perform interventional therapies, such as administering an epidural injection in the spine.

To make an appointment with a Mount Sinai Brooklyn pain management specialist, call 718-758-7072.

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