Published - January 14, 2002

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease, characterized by abnormally high pressure within the eye that leads to gradual irreversible loss of vision and ultimately blindness, if untreated. When the pressure in an eye increases beyond normal range (10 to22 mm Hg), the patient typically feels no symptoms; however, peripheral vision is gradually and irreversibly damaged. Patients typically notice a difficulty functioning only after 90% of peripheral vision has been lost (with residual "tunnel vision"). Unfortunately, such visual losses can never be recovered. Treatment merely arrests the disease and thus prevents further progression. The following are risk factors, which increase one's risk of developing glaucoma: Family history of glaucoma, diabetes, age (65 or over), trauma, and steroid therapy. Such patients should be evaluated annually, even if they experience no visual symptoms. Only your ophthalmologist (eye MD) is uniquely qualified to treat glaucoma.

Raj U. Dugal, M.D. Diplomate,
American Board of Opthalmology Specialist, Cataract & Laser Microsurgery Member,
South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.

Published - April 8, 2002

How can I best prepare for my Anesthetic?

There are certain things that you can and should do prior to your anesthetic. The most important thing is-do NOT eat or drink anything for eight hours before your anesthetic. This generally means nothing by mouth after midnight for a morning surgery. The reason for this is that it is very important to have an empty stomach when you come for surgery. If you have food in your stomach when the anesthetic is given there is an increased risk of vomiting. This material can then be inhaled into the lungs causing a severe pneumonia. If you do not have an empty stomach, your anesthesiologist will probably cancel the surgery unless it is an emergency.

One exception to this rule is that you may take your regular medications with a sip of water on the morning of surgery. Check with your doctor to see if he / she wants you to continue to take your medications on the morning of surgery. Generally, it is acceptable to take any medicine except blood thinners and diabetes medicine the morning of surgery. The other exception to the rule is that infants may take clear liquids up to four hours prior to surgery. Clear liquids mean a drink that you can see through--water or apple juice for example.

Mark J. Gittler, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Anesthesiology
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.

I have a serious illness; can I receive adequate health care in this community?

Many patients are often understandably overwhelmed by their illness. Large marketing budgets and marketing expertise can take advantage of patient fears by portraying certain health care facilities as having an advanced level of health care that can only be attained at their institution. The patients in the South Bay should be aware and comforted by the fact that they have access to local, state-of-the-art hospitals that have medical staffs comprised of outstanding primary care physicians and many specialists that have exceptional training, expertise, and experience. Whenever you seek health care, make certain that the care, expertise, and outcomes that you desire can be substantiated by more than just sophisticated marketing.

Irwin M.Goldberg, M.D., M.S., FACS
Diplomate, American Board of Surgery
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.

What is Rosacea and how is it treated?
Rosacea is a common skin disease that causes redness and swelling on the face. Those most likely to develop rosacea are fair skinned adults between the ages of 30 and 50. It may begin as a tendency to flush or blush easily and progress to persistent redness in the center of the face with small blood vessels and tiny pimples.
There are several helpful treatments that dermatologists can offer. Topical antibiotic gels and creams can help to reduce the acne lesions and redness. Oral antibiotics will often result in faster improvement. The persistent redness is successfully treated with blood vessel specific lasers. The treatments take 10-15 minutes, are relatively painless and require no "downtime". After treatment, the skin may be redder for 3-5 days with improvement noted within one week. Two or three treatments may be needed for best results.

Susan Goodlerner, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Dermatology
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.

Who is at risk for Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States, striking 140,000 people annually and causing 60,000 deaths. That's a staggering figure when you consider the disease is potentially curable if diagnosed in the early stages.

Though colorectal cancer may occur at any age, more than 90% of the patients are over age 40, at which point the risk doubles every ten years. In addition to age, other high risk factors include a family history of colorectal cancer and polyps and a personal history of ulcerative colitis, colon polyps or cancer of other organs, especially of the breast or uterus.

Stuart R. Grant, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.