Early treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) reduces the number and severity of flare-ups, delays disease progression and is associated with decreased long-term disability from neurological deficits compared with MS patients who did not begin treatment early. “Getting and staying on disease-modifying therapy is important, even when no symptoms are present, because the disease…
When considering gestational diabetes diagnosis criteria, carbohydrate intolerance with onset or recognition during pregnancy after 20 weeks is foremost. Gestational diabetes accounts for about 6 in 7 cases of diabetes in pregnancy. Risk factors are similar to nongestational diabetes: obesity, advanced maternal age, hypertension, family history of diabetes, nonwhite ethnicity and prior macrosomic infant. Diagnosing…
Researchers at the Norton Healthcare Brain Tumor Center are conducting a clinical trial to determine whether a promising new immunotherapy drug, SurVaxM, improves survivability of glioblastoma. SurVaxM targets survivin, a protein in 95% of glioblastomas and many other cancers. The immunotherapeutic is designed to trigger the patient’s immune system to attack cancer cells with survivin….
The prognosis for gastric cancer is closely tied to the stage of the diagnosis. When found early, gastric cancer has a better survival rate. “Given the difference early diagnosis can make, it’s important that clinicians are aware of the red flags for gastric cancer,” said Jaspreet S. Grewal, M.D., Ph.D., a gastrointestinal oncologist at Norton…
The patient A 67-year-old woman presented to clinic with a four-year history of right-sided facial pain. After the onset of her trouble, the pain went into remission for six months. It then recurred, and she was prescribed carbamazepine. This led to significant pain relief but caused adverse changes to her mood and balance. She was…
Kevin A. Graham, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon, has joined Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. Dr. Graham, who earned his medical degree from Indiana University, Indianapolis, and completed his residency there, has been practicing in Illinois. Dr. Graham has participated in the Summit trial, Optimize Pro study, Early TAVR trial and, as site principal investigator, the…
Carpal tunnel, the most common type of peripheral nerve compression, is primarily a clinical diagnosis and is usually confirmed with a combination of physical exam and history. A nerve test is also possible in cases where a diagnosis is not clear. Risk factors for carpal tunnel include diabetes, obesity, excessive alcohol use and hypothyroidism. Patients…
Ryan A Bricknell, M.D. Hospital Medicine Manikya Kuriti, M.D. Endocrinology Michael Beasley Jr., PA-C Family Medicine Stephanie L Goodman, APRN Pulmonology Alexis W Owens, APRN, DNP Family Medicine Aliah D. Rose, APRN Geriatrics
Physicians may be able to confirm suspected Parkinson’s disease or other neurological conditions with a skin test. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease, and many people go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed. This is because the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease mimic other conditions such as essential…
The patient A 61-year-old male, who is a practicing physician, presented with concerns over his mobility raised by fellow physicians and golf partners. The patient reported that he has always been “stiff” but that perhaps he has a more shuffling gait and notices one arm is not swinging like the other when he walks. His…
Kenneth Gregory Pugh, M.D., did not choose to become a memory specialist because it was easy. He was attracted by the intellectual challenge posed by patients with complex issues. Taking the time to properly care for patients with dementia and memory issues requires evaluation, care coordination and education. Identifying and addressing issues early can make…
Ischemic heart disease in women can lead to a heart attack, but this risk may go unnoticed. This is because a patient’s diagnostic coronary angiogram shows “clear” arteries. “When diagnosing women for ischemic heart disease, it is important to consider risk factors specific to women — and those that pose a greater risk to women,”…