Tag: Health Matters
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Bell’s Palsy: The Most Common Cause of Facial Paralysis
By Alisa Yamasaki, MD Bell’s palsy is a facial nerve disorder that causes paralysis or weakness on one side of the face. It is the most common cause of facial paralysis and occurs when the facial nerve — which controls the muscles of your face — becomes injured or stops working properly. At Penn Medicine…
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Geriatric Oncology Program Meets Needs of Older Adults
By Ramy Sedhom, MD The physical, emotional and social impact of cancer can often be overwhelming no matter what your age. However, this is especially true for older adults and their caregivers. At Penn Medicine Princeton Cancer Center, the new Geriatric Oncology Program is transforming cancer treatment and supportive care for older adults and working…
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RSV Vaccines on the Horizon
By David Herman, MD Typically known as a virus that is especially dangerous for babies, respiratory syncytial virus — commonly known as RSV — can also have serious consequences for older adults. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year between 60,000 and 160,000 older adults in the United…
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Loneliness Can Have Significant Impact on Health
By Jamie Winters, LCSW This spring, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory sounding the alarm about the epidemic of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in the country. As the advisory noted, disconnection fundamentally affects mental, physical, and societal health. In fact, loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health…
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Robotic-Assisted Chest and Lung Surgery Helps Speed Recovery
By Leonid Emerel, MD When thoracic surgery is recommended for a patient with lung cancer or another chest-related condition, they may be a candidate for robotic-assisted surgery, which enables the surgeon to perform intricate procedures with just a few tiny incisions. Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center’s Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery is equipped with sophisticated…
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Recurring Panic Attacks Can Lead to Panic Disorder
By Meera Balasubramaniam, MD Many people experience anxiety from time to time and can easily move on from those feelings. But for some, the feelings associated with anxiety are so overwhelming that they can cause a panic attack. And while not life threatening, panic attacks can be frightening and debilitating, and in some cases can…
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Microtraumas Can Lead to Lifetime of Emotional Pain and Distress for Gay Men
By Kyle Bonner, LCSW, LCADC June is LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) Pride month, a celebration of the LGBTQ community and commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall uprising, which was the catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world. While great strides have been made in accepting and supporting…
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Tremors? Talk With Your Doctor About Innovative Treatment Options
By Casey Halpern, MD Movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, affect millions of people across the United States. For many these conditions, which typically cause involuntary shaking, can make every-day tasks like picking up a cup of coffee or putting on makeup, extremely challenging. Fortunately, advances in medical technology have led to…
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Sleep Apnea Can Affect You Night and Day
By Navatha Kurugundla, MD When obstructive sleep apnea prevents you from getting a good night’s rest, it can wreak havoc on your day. And over time, if left untreated, it can lead to serious health consequences. If you snore loudly while you sleep and wake up groggy in the morning, you should talk with your…
