Charlotte Edition

By Cherra F. Pumphrey, M.D., HarborSide Internal Medicine – According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million people in the United States (8.3% of  the population) have diabetes mellitus type II. While patients with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma, the most common diabetic eye disease is diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is retinal damage caused …

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was someone who could help you figure out the next steps in your health care journey? Someone who could answer your questions and help educate you on your options? At Blake Medical Center, there is such a person. Her name is Kelli Thompson Cox, and she is the Valve Institute Nurse Navigator. Patient care …

Riverchase Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery – So what is Coolsculpting? Coolsculpting is an FDA-approved noninvasive way to treat fat. There are no incisions, anesthesia, or medications required. How does it work? There is a medical entity called popsicle panniculitis that was first described in the 1970s where little children had popsicles placed in their mouths, but because they were so …

By The Law Offices of David L. Orosz – Medicare and Medicaid, al-though they sound similar, are as different as night and day. Medicare is… Entirely a federal program. Your government-run health insurance plan, age 65 and above. Coverage for short-term (max. 100 days) “skilled” nursing home care with limitations. A program which expects you to pay a deductible amount (Usually covered …

By Alyssa Parker – The field of medicine is growing rapidly as new treatments come into production. One of the most common misdiagnosed conditions is chronic swelling; edema. For those of you who experience swelling, or a feeling of heaviness, aching, or painful fluid retention in a limb on a daily basis, you should not overlook these symptoms as trivial. …

By Myles Rubin Samotin, MD – Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, Fellowship Trained in Foot and Ankle – If we think about the anatomy of our foot and ankle we all think that the Achilles tendon is the most important tendon in our lower leg and the one that causes the most problems. But it really isn’t. It’s actually the posterior …

Inaccurate Blood Test Versus Lifesaving Screening Tool – By William M. Figlesthaler, M.D. – Prostate cancer screening has received a great deal of press over the past decade or two. The introduction of the prostate specific antigen blood test (PSA) in the late ’80s has resulted in a significant number of prostate cancers being diagnosed at early clinical stages. In …

Try Millennium Physician Group’s Walk-in Medical Center Feeling sick on a weekend or during the evening and need treatment? There’s a new alternative to the busy Emergency Department! Millennium’s Walk-in Medical Center is a wonderful alternative to a busy Emergency Department for life’s minor health problems. This particular Walk-in Medical Center is unique to the area because it will be …

By Charles Camisa, MD, FAAD – Lichen planus (pronounced LY-KEN PLAN-US) is a fairly common skin disease which affects 1-2% of the population. It is somewhat unique among rashes because it can affect skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nails. In this article, we will focus mainly on lichen planus of the skin and mouth. SKIN LICHEN PLANUS Lichen planus of …

By Cherra F. Pumphrey, M.D., HarborSide Internal Medicine – The arrival of summer in sunny Southwest Florida invites many residents as well as tourists to engage in a variety of enjoyable outdoor activities, particularly suited to this beautiful area. While some degree of sun exposure is beneficial medically (aiding vitamin D metabolism) as well as psychologically (generally improving mood), excessive …