How To Help Someone Through A Panic Attack. (New York Times)
The New York Times (8/16) A panic attack is a sudden wave of overwhelming fear and anxiety that is accompanied by physical symptoms, which for some people can produce the same sensations as a heart attack, including chest pain and tightness, or a racing heartbeat, said Harmony R. Reynolds, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology.
Behind The Pageantry Of Shen Yun, Untreated Injuries And Emotional Abuse. (New York Times)
The New York Times (8/15) Donald J. Rose, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, described encouraging people to dance in pain or discouraging them from treatment as “pretty barbaric and old school, to say the least,” particularly with minors.
What New Yorkers Need To Know About Mpox. (NY1-TV New York)
NY1-TV New York (8/17) New Yorkers are being urged to remain vigilant following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global emergency over a resurgence in Mpox cases, with more than two dozen cases reported in the city over the last month; Justin Chan, MD, MPH, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, discussed the latest outbreak with NY1’s Stef Manisero.
Summer COVID Surge: Cases Rise In 25 States – But New Vaccines On The Way. (Forbes)
Forbes (8/18) Michael S. Phillips, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, chief, epidemiologist, is quoted saying, “Our hospitalization rates are down, so even if we are testing and seeing more , it seems to be having less of an impact on our susceptible populations.”
Scuffling Yankees Hitter Is Allergic To His Batting Gloves: Report. (Newsweek)
Newsweek (8/16) In discussing The New York Yankees’ Alex Verdugo’s allergy to his batting gloves, Spencer Stein, MD, assistant professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, said, “It’s rare, but not that rare. Allergies to cobalt chrome or cobalt chromium are metal allergies. The body is recognizing metal as a foreign material, so it’s trying to rid itself of that or let the body know that it doesn’t like this.”
Coffee And Tea May Promote Brain Health And Stave Off Dementia. (Everyday Health)
Everyday Health (8/16) In discussing two new studies suggesting tea or coffee might promote brain health, Yu Chen, MPH, PhD, professor, Department of Population Health, who was not involved in the study, shared that “other substances in coffee might also be bad for brain health when consumed in excess,” and said, “Coffee might have other ingredients, like cafestol – which can raise cholesterol – that could negatively affect thinking.”
Excess Caffeine Intake Linked To Increased Blood Pressure, Heart Rate. (WTVT-TV Tampa (FL))
WTVT-TV (8/16) A new study reveals that excessive caffeine intake may put even healthy individuals at risk by increasing heart rates and blood pressure, with 27 percent of Americans drinking two cups of coffee per day and 20 percent consuming three; Lawrence Phillips, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, commented, “Excess of any intake is likely going to be bad, and the recommendation is always going to be that people eat and drink in moderation,” while also emphasizing the importance of monitoring heart rate and blood pressure during routine physical exams.
Also reporting was WOFL-TV (8/16).
Doctors Struggle To Get Wegovy For Older Americans With Heart Disease. (Medscape)
Paywalled* Medscape (8/16)* Older Americans are facing challenges in getting Medicare to cover prescriptions for the weight-loss drug Wegovy, despite the program’s decision to fund treatment for patients with obesity at risk of heart disease, with Holly F. Lofton, MD, clinical associate professor, Departments of Surgery, Division of Bariatric Surgery, and Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, stating, “I have not been able to determine the pattern of who is getting covered and who is not – even when we have evidence of MI (myocardial infarction, meaning heart attack) or stroke.”
Press Ganey Adds Patient Surveys To Epic EHR. (Becker's Hospital Review)
Becker’s Hospital Review (8/16) Press Ganey has expanded its PX Connect Suite to enable healthcare organizations to capture, act on, and respond to patient surveys within Epic EHR, with early adopters including Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., and NYU Langone Health. Nader Mherabi, executive vice president and vice dean, chief digital and information officer, said, “At NYU Langone Health we have recognized the value of data for excellent care delivery and patient experience.”
Also reporting is HIT Consultant (8/16).
11 Ways To Ease Symptoms Of Thyroid Eye Disease. (Everyday Health)
Everyday Health (8/16) Stella Chung, MD, assistant professor, Department of Ophthalmology, underscores the importance of good sleep for stress management and suggests that stress may exacerbate thyroid eye disease symptoms, as well as recommending a well-balanced diet for overall health.
Gene Expression Signature Predicts Immune-Related Adverse Events In Patients With Melanoma. (Dermatology Advisor)
Dermatology Advisor (8/16) A study led by Kelsey R. Monson, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow, Perlmutter Cancer Center, reveals that a gene expression signature in peripheral CD4+ T-cells can predict severe immune-related adverse events among melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab/nivolumab, with Monson stating, “Predictive information of this kind is critically important to oncologists and patients to help guide their immunotherapy decisions, to either minimize these side effects by taking additional precautions or choose alternative immunotherapies.”
Unmet Needs In Patients With Recurrent And DMMR Endometrial Cancer. (Targeted Oncology)
Targeted Oncology (8/18) A retrospective study analyzed treatment patterns and outcomes for patients with advanced endometrial cancer, with Bhavana Pothuri, MD, professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, discussing the unmet needs in these patient populations.
6 Tips For Preventing Dreaded Travel Constipation. (Real Simple)
Real Simple (8/16) Travel constipation, though not a medical term, describes a common issue where individuals struggle to have bowel movements when away from home for extended periods, with David M. Poppers, MD, PhD, professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, saying, “The person sitting next to you on the airplane, or someone on the flight crew, or another person you’re meeting likely has the same issue.”
Woman Goes Blind For Months After Infection Caused By Contact Lens. (Daily Mail (UK))
The Daily Mail (UK) (8/16) Wearing improperly fitting contact lenses can obstruct the flow of oxygen and water to the eyes, leading to irritation and tiny surface tears, with Brieann K. Adair, OD, clinical instructor, Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Langone Health Eye Center, stating it “can cause dryness or irritation on the front surface of the eyes.”
How Alcohol Affects Women Differently From Men. (Mail on Sunday (UK))
The Mail on Sunday (UK) (8/18) Julia Adamian, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, section chief, General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, Tisch Hospital, explained that due to differences in body water percentage, men typically have less alcohol circulating in their bloodstream than women after consuming the same amount, with women experiencing higher blood alcohol levels and quicker, longer-lasting effects, saying, “The immediate effect [of drunkenness] will be much quicker, and does last longer in the blood.”
‘I Mean, How Hard Is That?’: What We Heard This Week. (MedPage Today)
MedPage Today (8/18) “‘All they have to do is go into the Open Payments database. I mean, how hard is that?’ – Barbara Redman, PhD, MBE, associate, Department of Population Health, “on authors disclosing conflicts of interest.”
No-Show Fees In Healthcare: Are They Effective? (Becker's Hospital Review)
Becker’s Hospital Review (8/16) No-show fee policies in healthcare are becoming more common, according to Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor, Department of Population Health, Division of Medical Ethics, who stated, “It’s more common than it used to be,” while also noting the challenge of operating “by anecdote.”
FDA Warns People Are Overdosing On Unapproved Weight Loss Drugs. (Health)
Health (8/16) The FDA is warning against the use of compounded semaglutide due to overdose risks, with the agency stressing that these non-FDA-approved medications have not been evaluated for safety or quality; Priya Jaisinghani, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, said, “Compounded drugs do not have the same safety, quality, and effectiveness assurances as FDA-approved drugs.”
Ketamine Dangers In Spotlight After Arrests Made In Actor Matthew Perry’s Death. (Fox News)
Fox News (8/17) Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, said that ketamine, which is in the PCP family, had common causes of overdose death including “excess sedation, respiratory failure, low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, coma and seizures.”
In a separate article, Fox News (8/16) The World Health Organization declared mpox no longer an international emergency in May 2023, following a 90% decline in cases over three consecutive months with ) Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, crediting the vaccine for helping to end that outbreak.
In a separate article, Fox News (8/16) ) Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, explained that Alzheimer’s disease involves “neuroinflammation and the formation of plaques, which interfere with neuronal communication.”
News from NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn
I’m A Doctor – Don’t Delay Care If You Experience These Stroke Symptoms. (New York Post)
The New York Post (8/19) Brandon Giglio, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, discussed the signs and symptoms of stroke everyone should know – and no one should ignore.
