Articles filed under Komaroff, Anthony

• Glasses can correct blurred vision caused by astigmatism Dec 31, 2012 12:00 AM
  Astigmatism means that the cornea of the eye has an irregular shape. The cornea is the clear covering over the lens and the iris. The cornea is normally round, but in people with astigmatism, it may be an oval. As a result, light scatters as it passes through the cornea; the light rays do not focus on a single point on the retina. The result of uncorrected astigmatism is blurred vision.
  

   

• Infectious arthritis requires quick treatment Dec 24, 2012 12:00 AM
  In rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, an overactive immune system causes joint inflammation. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown. But joints also can become infected with bacteria and fungi. Once the microbe reaches the joint, it can multiply. The immune system recognizes the invading foreigner and tries to wipe it out. The infection and the immune response cause warmth, pain, stiffness and swelling.
  

   

• CRP blood test is not of use to everyone Dec 17, 2012 12:00 AM
  The C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test measures inflammation in the body. What does that have to do with heart disease? We now know that many heart attacks and strokes occur because cholesterol-rich plaques of atherosclerosis rupture. When that happens, blood clots form that can cut off the blood supply to part of the heart or brain. Many studies have shown that the CRP test does, indeed, help estimate a person's risk for heart disease. The question is whether the test should be used in everyone and how much additional information it gives.
  

   

• Vibration therapy not yet proven effective for osteoporosis Dec 10, 2012 12:00 AM
  Our bones are in constant flux, as old bone is broken down and new bone is created. If old bone is broken down faster than new bone is created, low bone density and eventually osteoporosis develops. For some women, exercise and medication may not be enough. As they age, health problems may limit women's ability to get bone-enhancing exercise. That's where vibration therapy might come in.
  

   

• Brushing, flossing critical for a healthy mouth Dec 3, 2012 12:00 AM
  How do you keep your mouth healthy as you age? You know the answer. The pillars of cavity and plaque prevention — brushing and flossing (at least twice a day), and regular cleanings at the dentist's office — remain as important as ever.If you have trouble brushing and flossing by hand because of arthritis or other conditions, switch to an electric toothbrush.
  

   

• Coronary angiography is little short of miraculous Nov 26, 2012 12:00 AM
  Coronary angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the coronary arteries that reduces blood flow to the heart. The miracle of coronary angiography is that the doctor can see not just inside your heart but also inside the arteries that feed your heart — without ever cutting the skin of your chest.
  

   

• High-fiber diet for diverticular disease can include seeds Nov 19, 2012 12:00 AM
  I no longer advise patients with diverticular disease to avoid these foods involving seeds and nuts. They are all good sources of fiber. Several large studies indicate that people who have high-fiber diets for many years are less likely to develop diverticular disease.
  

   

• Use common sense, simple tips to avoid traveler's diarrhea Nov 12, 2012 12:00 AM
  Traveler's diarrhea comes from eating food or drinking water contaminated by certain bacteria, viruses and parasites — particularly the bacteria called enterotoxigenic E. coli. About half of the people traveling to a developing country come down with traveler's diarrhea. Fortunately, it is usually not severe. Still, it can spoil a good vacation.
  

   

• Checking for asthma involves breathing tests Nov 5, 2012 12:00 AM
  My doctor thinks I may have asthma. He wants to do a pulmonary function test. What can I expect?
  

   

• Flu shot can make a difference in your child's health Oct 29, 2012 12:00 AM
  Every fall and winter, parents face the question: Should my child get an influenza (flu) shot? Many parents worry about risks and side effects, and if the shot is really necessary or worthwhile.
  

   

• Child’s ear infections can be treated with minor surgery Oct 22, 2012 12:00 AM
  Ear infections are very common and can make children miserable. Most go away and don't cause problems, even without treatment. But a few can lead to complications, including more serious infections of the bone near the ear or even the brain. Surgery is recommended for recurring or persistent infections, particularly if a child has hearing loss.
  

   

• Washing hands is simple task, but you’ve got to do it right Oct 15, 2012 12:00 AM
  I answer a lot of questions about complicated, serious diseases. Yet something all of us do every day is at least as important because we don’t always do it well ­— and we pay a price for that. Washing your hands is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria that cause colds, the flu and other infectious illnesses.
  

   

• Opioid addiction can be overcome through medication Oct 8, 2012 12:00 AM
  Oxycodone is among the most powerful painkillers available. However, opioids are notorious for producing withdrawal symptoms that make it difficult to quit. Medications for opioid addiction can help prevent or ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
  

   

• Surgical long-term relief available for facial pain Oct 1, 2012 12:00 AM
  Trigeminal neuralgia causes pain in the face. You have two trigeminal nerves, one on each side of your face. These nerves detect touch, pain, temperature and pressure. In trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve starts to malfunction, registering pain when there's no apparent reason for it. People suddenly have intense “stabbing” or electrical shock-like facial pain. But there are treatment options for it.
  

   

• Simple surgery can relieve pain of trigger finger Sep 24, 2012 12:00 AM
  Think of your hand as a collection of bones, tendons and muscles. The tendons in your arms and hands are like the strings of a marionette. Trigger finger affects those strings. The condition is named for the trigger-like snap that occurs when the finger briefly locks and then suddenly releases as you try to bend or straighten it.
  

   

• Take sensible precautions as a pet owner Sep 17, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. My children want a pet, but I'm worried a pet could make my kids sick. Should I bring a pet into the home?
  

   

• Clearing blocked carotid artery can prevent bigger stroke Sep 10, 2012 12:00 AM
  There are many possible causes of a blockage that causes an ischemic stroke. Diseases of the heart, aorta and arteries in the neck or inside the brain can all lead to blockages. A carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a blockage in a carotid artery. In general, carotid endarterectomy is performed on people who have had a TIA (not a stroke) or a mild stroke and in whom a major stroke appears imminent.
  

   

• Excess androgen is usual cause of facial hair on women Sep 3, 2012 12:00 AM
  Why does hair grow so extensively on a man's face? Each hair grows out of a little pit in the skin called a follicle. Cells that live in the base of that pit cause the hair to form when androgens ("male" hormones) in the blood reach those cells. But men and women are not as different as you might think. Women actually have measurable amounts of androgens in their blood. And the cells in the hair follicles on a woman's face also make hairs in response to androgens.
  

   

• Prevent osteoporosis with the right exercises Aug 27, 2012 12:00 AM
  Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to breaks. Weight-bearing exercises and strength-training exercises can help prevent osteoporosis, by boosting the bone-building forces. Weight-bearing exercises force you to support your own body weight. These exercises stress your bones enough to stimulate new bone growth.
  

   

• Many options exist for whitening teeth Aug 20, 2012 12:00 AM
  If discolored teeth are making you self-conscious, you've got a lot to smile about. The interest in whitening teeth has grown greatly in the past decade, and these days there are many teeth-whitening options — both at the drugstore and at the dentist's office.