PET/CT is an acronym that stands for “positron emission tomography/computed tomography.” It is a combination of PET and CT (CAT scan) which combines the best of both worlds in terms of functional metabolic imaging at the cellular level, and anatomic imaging for structural detail. It also incorporates the PET scan’s ability to use special probes… Read more »
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 65. It is believed that just over 2 million Americans have some form of ARMD which is far more common in the Caucasian population than in other ethnic groups. There are 2 types of ARMD commonly referred to… Read more »
“Storage Wars” fans surely know America’s most recognized auctioneer, Dan Dotson. He and his wife Laura lead a cast of characters seeking treasures in abandoned storage units throughout Southern California in the A&E hit reality show. Dan’s gruff voice, fast-paced chatter and packed schedule give the sense of ‘life in the fast lane’ and it… Read more »
When you think about your medical care do you envision a tennis match, a few rounds of golf, or relaxing in a spa? Many patients do! And the Coachella Valley is one of the premier locations in the United States – and the world – for both medical care and resort-style relaxation. Individuals and families… Read more »
A 2014 study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that in 2010 there were an estimated 988,000 visits to doctors’ offices, outpatient clinics, and emergency departments for keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) and other contact lens-related eye conditions. The total cost was estimated to be $175 million and treatment included… Read more »
Botulinum toxin is best known for its use in aesthetics as an agent for smoothing away facial wrinkles and turning back the signs of aging. It works by blocking the signals sent by nerve endings to muscles, preventing them from contracting and thereby smoothing out the lines of the skin over the muscles. Modern medical… Read more »
Every year in the United States, roughly two million individuals sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Approximately 60,000 of these patients die, and the remainder proceed through life with various disabilities. Unfortunately, many of the brain-injured individuals, including a significant number of athletes and soldiers today, live a life of despair and decline in function. TBI… Read more »
Everyone experiences acute or short term pain during their life. 80% of the U.S. population experiences low- to mid-back pain while others experience persistent pain without relief. Why do some patients with acute pain overcome their pain while other patients develop long-term, debilitating pain? The answer lies in how the pain is perceived by the… Read more »
Holiday traditions are a treasured part of the season. They create warmth, wonder and closeness with family and friends. But often the special memories we grew up with are no longer compatible with our new, healthier lifestyle and can leave us feeling far from healthy. What if we take the time to create new holiday… Read more »
If you’ve just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may need some help adjusting your grocery list. By working with a dietitian, you can find foods that are healthy for you and taste good, too. However, to get you started on the right nutritional path, here are some points to keep in mind the… Read more »
Taking a lead role in the community, a group of students joined together with American Heart Association professionals to help spread awareness of cardiovascular health. Five students from Cathedral City High School’s Health Environmental Academy of Learning (HEAL) Medical Health Academy and three students from Palm Desert High School’s Health Academy have teamed up to… Read more »
The holiday season is supposed to be a joyous and fun-filled time surrounded by beloved family and friends who gather to reminisce, catch up the last year’s events and pass on childhood traditions that are held dear. This is the idealistic view held by many, yet there are many people who wish they could sleep… Read more »
We previously published Understanding Clinical Trials (July/Aug 2014) featuring an interview with Don Anderson, MD, principal investigator at Desert Valley Research. As a follow-up to that story, Desert Medical Imaging presented a client, Ed Dykstra, who wanted to share his story from the perspective of a clinical trial subject. Following is our interview with Ed:… Read more »
I hear the same story over and over again in my clinic. A distraught patient comes in for an evaluation and feels there is nothing that can ease their pain because they have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. One in three people have osteoarthritis of the knee, yet only one in eight have symptoms or… Read more »
It is not often that the top executives from each of our valley hospitals come together for a night of smiles and socializing, but on a beautiful night in October, they did. Recognizing their common goal of increasing access to health care, each was honored for the contributions of their organizations to the valley’s only… Read more »
As a certified telemedicine diabetic reader, I participate in a program that is run through UC Berkeley called Eyepacs, a web-based non-proprietary application for exchanging eye-related clinical information. The bulk of Eyepacs communications involves bringing diabetic retinal assessments into the primary care physicians’ offices. The program works without regard to physical location, is validated, and… Read more »
You may have seen the odd acronym “PrEP” among the alphabet soup of medical terms so prevalent today. It stands for “pre-exposure prophylaxis” against HIV infection and is a very simple therapy: a daily dose of Truvada, the highly effective antiviral medication used since 2004 to treat patients who are already HIV-positive. Actually, Truvada is… Read more »
“I developed allergies after moving to the desert” is a common sentiment which I shared. Or so I thought. Shortly after my arrival from Northern California, I developed this chronic phlegm in the back of my throat. Claritin seemed to help, so I thought it was safe to assume that I had developed a seasonal… Read more »
If you have diabetes, heart disease can be a serious concern. In fact, cardiovascular disease leading to heart attack or stroke is by far the leading cause of death in both men and women with diabetes, says Dr. Om P. Ganda, a board-certified specialist in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Clinical Nutrition, a Senior… Read more »
The Desert Healthcare District (DHCD) has been named the 2014 Healthcare District of the Year by the Association of California Healthcare Districts. The top honor is awarded annually in recognition of a healthcare district’s noteworthy success in improving the health and well-being of its community. Director Kay Hazen and DHCD’s Executive Staff accepted the award… Read more »