Don’t Eat Romaine Lettuce, CDC Warns

If you recently purchased romaine lettuce, you might want to think twice before eating it. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as the CDC, has issued a strong warning urging all Americans to avoid consumption of the leafy green vegetable, and instead says you should throw it out or take it back to your point of purchase for a refund due to fears of E. coli contamination.

This latest warning comes just three months after the initial outbreak that caused as many as 53 people to become ill, killing 2; and while there had been no new cases reported since December, and the risk of developing E. coli was considered to be quite low, some grocery stores and restaurant chains across North America decided to voluntarily pull romaine lettuce from their store shelves and off their menus out of an abundance of caution. However, following new information coming to light in recent days, the CDC now says the outbreak has expanded to at least 16 states and sickened at least 60 people, including 8 inmates from the same Alaskan jail. Hardest hit states in this most recent outbreak include Pennsylvania, with 12 reported cases, and Idaho, with 10.

While the exact source of the contamination has yet to be identified, health officials say the information they’ve received thus far suggests that the contaminated lettuce was most likely grown in Yuma, Arizona. However, if you’re unsure of the specific source of your lettuce, the CDC says consumers should avoid it all together – even if you’ve already eaten it and have had no ill effects – as it can take anywhere from 24 hours to 7 days until symptoms will present themselves. The most common symptoms associated with E. coli that you need to watch out for include abdominal pain and/or cramps, gas, severe or bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Other complications can also arise, such as decreased urine output or bloody urine, pale skin, fatigue, dehydration, and fever. If any of these symptoms develop, or if your symptoms worsen or persist, you should seek immediate medical attention, as failure to treat an E. coli infection could be fatal – though the chance of this happening is typically quite rare, and in most cases an E. coli infection will get better on its own as long as you make sure you’re getting plenty of rest and drinking plenty of water. If you’re not getting enough fluids, you may require them needing to be administered to you intravenously. You may also need to be prescribed antiemetic medication, such as Zofran, to help relieve the nausea and vomiting.

Now you’re probably wondering what this outbreak means for Canadians. Well, there’s some good news to share. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadians are free to consume romaine lettuce without worry. That being said, Dr. Ali Ghahary still recommends taking the appropriate measures to ensure that your lettuce is well washed prior to serving and consumption, and that you don’t store lettuce in your fridge any longer than 7 days.

Menopause

Menopause, often referred to as “the change of life,” occurs when a woman has not had a period for approximately 1 year, therefore marking the end of their childbearing years. Typically, menopause affects women around the age of 50, but can occur in women as early as their mid-40s as well as those who are already well into their 50s. Every body acts and reacts differently. Most of the time menopause isn’t something to worry about as far as your health is concerned, as it is a natural part of the aging process. However, it can be a startling transition for some, so it’s important to have a general idea as to what you can expect.

First, it’s important to know what actually causes menopause. Menopause is caused by a change in a female’s hormone and reproductive system. As a woman ages, so does their egg supply, therefore their body will not ovulate as frequently. This can result in the fluctuation of your hormone levels which can cause changes with you periods. Eventually, both the estrogen and progesterone levels in your body will drop, to the point where your menstrual cycle eventually stops all together. Next, you’ll also want to know the symptoms that can be associated with menopause. These include hot flashes, headaches, insomnia, behavioural and/or emotional changes (for example, you may develop mood swings, feel depressed, grouchy, or feel more anxious than usual), memory problems, vaginal dryness, and heart palpitations. Many women going through menopause will have very few or very mild symptoms, while the symptoms can be so severe for others that it may disrupt their ability to carry out day-to-day activities. During the first year of menopause the symptoms may worsen or persist longer than usually, though the hormone levels do eventually even out which means the symptoms should improve or go away all together. As mentioned, menopause is a normal part of a woman’s aging process. However, certain medical treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy can also trigger menopause, so it’s important to be prepared for the possibility of that happening and address any concerns you might have with your family physician.

There are no tests that can diagnose menopause; however, if your symptoms do happen to be severe then you should seek medical treatment just to be sure nothing else is going on with your health. If you find your symptoms difficult to deal with, there are certain things that Dr. Ali Ghahary recommends trying – lifestyle being the main focus. This includes making a conscious effort to eat well by ensuring you have a nutritious diet that is low in carbohydrates, low in saturated fats, and includes more things like fruits and vegetables, fish, beans, fibre, grains, and low or non-fat dairy products. Things like caffeine and alcohol can also make symptoms of menopause worse, so you should limit these. If you’re a smoker, quitting can actually reduce hot flashes. Quitting smoking also has many other health benefits, which you can read more about by clicking here. If you find that making a few lifestyle changes isn’t doing much to improve your symptoms, prescription medication is another option. Low-dose birth control may be considered before menopause, while low-dose hormone therapy may be considered after menopause; antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can also be prescribed to help improve the mood.

For a list of other common health concerns that can affect women, click here.

The Role of a Radiologist

As a family physician, it’s not uncommon for Dr. Ali Ghahary to refer patients for different types of tests. Blood work, for example, is something that Dr. Ghahary often requests patients have done as a part of their yearly examination to ensure that their cholesterol levels are where they should be, as well as to check for and rule out other common health conditions such as thyroid disease. Blood testing can also detect more serious health issues, too, such as cancer. In addition to having blood tests done, medical screening is also done on patients of a certain age. For example, it’s recommended that men in their 50’s should go for regular prostate cancer screening, while women between the ages of 50 and 69 should have breast cancer screening done every 2 years. Seniors should also have certain preventive testing done for things like colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and high blood pressure.

While blood work is commonly done by nurses, things like x-rays and cancer screening is typically done by someone known as a radiologist. A radiologist is an important part of the healthcare system as they help in the diagnosing of certain illnesses and injury, as well as aiding your physician in determining which examination is best suited for you. For example, would the patient benefit from an X-ray or will they need to have a more in-depth scan such as an MRI or CT scan.

A radiologist is much more than someone who simply takes a few photos, however. They are also able to determine what those photos show through careful examination and can also compare other examinations and tests to help them with their findings. In addition, they can also help treat diseases through radiation therapy – a form of cancer treatment that is often done before, during or after chemotherapy depending on the diagnosis and the stage that the cancer is in. During certain medical imaging procedures, the patient may either be asked to drink a solution or may require a dye that is injected into them intravenously. These dyes and solutions help give the radiologist a better view of certain parts of the body that may not necessarily show up as well as they would without dye or solution being present in the patient’s body. Think of it as a magnifying glass, in a way. The clearer the picture is, the easier it will be for the radiologist to provide your physician with an accurate report and diagnosis.

In order to become a radiologist, one has to graduate from an accredited school and complete a postgraduate residency, which usually lasts for approximately 4 years in the United States and Canada. During the learning and residency processes, a radiologist will learn about things like radiation safety, radiation protection, how radiation can affect the human body (for example, having frequent CT scans can increase the risk of cancer), how medical imaging tests are performed, and how to accurately read the scans.

For more information on the role of a radiologist, the important role they play in patient care, as well as education, visit the Canadian Association of Radiologists website at CAR.ca.

Sore Throat Causes and Treatment

While cold and flu season may no longer be at its peak, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of the woods and can’t still get sick.

Cold and flu symptoms are usually similar (but can vary in severity), with a sore throat being the most common (and usually the first) symptom to develop. Because it’s the first symptom to develop, it’s also the first symptom to go away – usually dissipating after just a few days. However, those few days can be uncomfortable, and everything from talking to eating to swallowing can be painful.

Although there is no cure for a sore throat, there are certain things Dr. Ali Ghahary, a family physician, recommends patients to do help make them feel more comfortable, such as: Drinking warm liquids (such as tea or lemon with honey), sucking on ice chips or lozenges, or eating popsicles. You can also try over-the-counter medications such as throat sprays and cough syrup, as well as things like Advil and Tylenol. These medications can not only help relieve a sore throat, but can also reduce things like fever and body aches, which are both common with cold and flu viruses. Dr. Ali Ghahary says patients also need to ensure they’re getting enough rest. Lack of sleep can weaken the immune system and make you much more prone to developing reoccurring colds or flu viruses. Making sure you get a good night’s rest (and even take naps during the day, if you feel like your body needs it) will help you heal faster.

If your symptoms persist after one week and you find you’re not getting any better, or your sore throat has gotten worse, it would be a good idea to follow-up with your family physician, as sometimes a sore throat may be the result of a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, or you may have tonsillitis. Strep throat is an infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. With strep throat, patients often describe it as the worst sore throat they’ve ever had. If a patient has tonsillitis, their tonsils become red and inflamed. In some cases patients will have recurring tonsillitis and may require surgery to remove their tonsils. This type of procedure is performed by an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (ENT) and is done under general anesthetic. If strep throat is the cause of the sore throat, you will need to be prescribed a course of antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Treating strep throat with antibiotics is crucial, as complications can develop if it is left untreated, including rheumatic fever, otitis media (middle ear infection), pneumonia, and even meningitis.