Is cerebral palsy related to a birth injury?
Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects muscle movement and motor skills. The brain develops abnormally or is damaged during birth. It used to be thought that CP was caused when the brain did not get enough oxygen during the birth process, but scientists know much more about the disorder today. Although there is no […]
Read MoreChildhood cancer and misdiagnosis
Many Missouri residents do not know how big the problem of childhood cancer is. Around 43 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each day, and 40,000 children undergo cancer treatment every year. Twelve percent of the children that are treated for cancer end up dying from the disease. While cancer itself can […]
Read MoreReporting elder abuse
Missouri residents who have made the difficult decision to place a loved one in a nursing home have many options if they suspect abuse, neglect or exploitation. The severity of the situation and the local resources that are available dictate the plan of action to combat such treatment. In the event that nursing home neglect […]
Read MorePotential dangers of plastic surgery
Many Missouri residents undoubtedly consider plastic surgery to be fairly safe. Unfortunately, the problem with plastic surgery is that, like most surgeries, the patient has to be temporarily sedated with anesthesia. Anytime anesthesia is used, there is always a chance that something could go wrong. This is especially true when one or more of the […]
Read MoreFDA guidance aims to help Missouri patients
An analysis of data from the Institute of Medicine shows that up to 7,000 Americans die each year due to medication errors. However, new guidance from the FDA may begin to reduce that figure. The guidance is part of an ongoing effort to meet the goals of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and aims […]
Read MoreThe dangers of receiving the wrong medication
Missouri residents should keep an eye on their prescription medication to make sure that they are not given the wrong medication or dosage by a pharmacist. Medication errors can have serious repercussions such as in a 2010 case in which a woman suffered a brain hemorrhage after being given a dosage of blood thinner that […]
Read MoreHospital errors cause at least 200,000 deaths annually
Missouri patients may not know that preventable medical errors that occur in hospitals are the third leading cause of death. An article in the Journal of Patient Safety examined a number of studies and found that somewhere between 200,000 and 400,000 people die each year due to these errors. In addition to the enormity of […]
Read MoreGenetic testing and colon cancer interventions
A Missouri patient dealing with stage 2 colon cancer would not typically be treated with chemotherapy after surgical removal of tumors. Traditionally, the risks presented by chemotherapy have been viewed as being too significant in comparison to the benefits that might be achieved. However, genetic studies indicate that up to 10 percent of those dealing […]
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