LifeBridge Health Blogs

February is Low Vision Awareness Month

trish — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:00:12 +0000

What is low vision? Low vision is a term used to describe significant visual impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medical treatment or surgery. Patients may be classified as having low vision due to a decrease in visual acuity — what they can read on the eye chart — or due to other visual problems that interfere with their day-to-day life, such as decreased visual field (loss of side vision), sensitivity to light or distorted vision. Many diseases, either acquired or congenital, are associated with low vision. Some common examples include glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, or vision loss after a patient suffers a stroke. The goal of low vision therapy is to help the patient make the most of their remaining vision. Low vision therapy does not restore lost vision, but rather improves how a patient functions with their existing sight. Patients still need to be ...

Gastric Bypass Versus Gastric Banding

trish — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:07 +0000

In a January 2012 Wall Street Journal article, a weight loss study conducted in Switzerland found that gastric bypass surgery was associated with “faster and more sustained weight loss than gastric banding.” The study was conducted on more than 400 morbidly obese patients between March 1998 and May 2005. During the study, half of the patients received a gastric band and half of them underwent a gastric-bypass procedure. Cynthia L. Long, M.D., F.A.C.S., advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon at Sinai Hospital, shares her opinion on the article: You can read the entire Wall Street Journal article here. Learn more about weight loss surgery at lifebridgeweightloss.org. Tweet

American Cancer Society Day Presentation February 14

trish — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:08 +0000

Patients, families and caregivers are invited to learn about programs and resources available via the American Cancer Society during an event hosted by Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at Sinai Hospital on February 14. Learn more about the event below: Tweet

Human Stem Cells May Restore Vision to Blind Patients

trish — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:00:07 +0000

A January 23 “Washington Post” article shared exciting news about the use of stem cells to correct vision. The article states that stem cells have the potential to repair delicate ocular tissues, such as the surface of the eye after burns or severe injury, or in the case of the retina, retinal tears or degeneration. Perhaps one day stem cells might even be used to repair the center of vision, known as the macula, in age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration is a disease of the retina that gradually destroys sharp central vision, and this can lead to problems with daily tasks such as driving and reading. AMD is currently the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60. At this point, the study of stem cells and their use in the eye are in their infancy, but these techniques and technologies are rapidly advancing the effort to ...

LifeBridge Health Heart Risk Screening on February 29

trish — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:51:11 +0000

February is American Heart Month, a time set aside to focus on heart health, not only for yourself, but for your loved ones. According to the Centers for Disease Control: Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. More than 616,000 people died of heart disease in 2008, causing almost 25% of deaths in the U.S. Every year about 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack. On Wednesday, February 29 from 3:45 p.m. until 6:30 p.m there will be a heart risk screening at the LifeBridge Health Medical Care Center at Mays Chapel at the office of Michael Pressel, M.D., a cardiologist at the Heart Center at Sinai. The center is located at 12221 Tullamore Road in Timonium, Maryland. Participants will receive a comprehensive screening including a lipid panel, metabolic blood profile, heart health awareness assessment, body composition analysis, exercise and nutrition information, as well as ...