News from NYU Langone Health
I’m A Spine Surgeon – This Is Absolutely The Worst Thing You Can Do For Your Neck And Back. (New York Post)
The (10/13) Themistocles S. Protopsaltis, MD, professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, chief, Division of Spine Surgery, and professor, Department of Neurosurgery, provides insights into maintaining good spine health, emphasizing the importance of cardiovascular exercise, posture, and proper sleep positions, such as sleeping on your back or side with a medium-firm mattress and a supportive pillow, while advising against sleeping on couches or recliners due to potential misalignment of the spine.
Poor Adherence To Repeat Stool Tests For CRC Screening. (Medscape)
Paywalled* (10/10)* A real-world study published in BMJ Public Health found that fewer than half of adults who began colorectal cancer screening with an at-home stool test completed the recommended repeat test, with delays increasing from an average of 3 months pre-COVID to 5 months during the pandemic, posing risks to timely cancer detection; Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, the Robert M. and Mary H. Glickman Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, professor, Department of Population Health, commented on the study, saying the poor adherence observed is “not surprising,” and emphasized the need for an organized program to maintain adherence.
Oral Microbiome Composition Linked To Pancreatic Cancer Risk. (Journal of the American Medical Association)
The (10/10) A study published in JAMA Oncology discovered certain oral bacteria and fungi linked to pancreatic cancer development, highlighting the potential of oral microbiota as a biomarker for identifying high-risk individuals, according to Paul E. Oberstein, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, and Richard Hayes, DDS, MPH, PhD, professor, Department of Population Health, who noted the influence of oral bacteria on cancer risk.
Women Are More Likely To Develop Multiple Autoimmune Diseases. Here’s Why. (Health Central)
(10/11) Stacey Stamatkin’s journey through multiple autoimmune disorders began with a scleroderma diagnosis at 19, followed by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, and potential fourth autoimmune symptoms, reflecting a pattern seen in over a third of autoimmune patients, predominantly women, who experience multiple conditions; Kimberly A. O’Neill, MD, clinical instructor, Department of Neurology, explains that women’s higher susceptibility may be linked to their two X chromosomes, which house numerous immune-related genes, and fluctuating estrogen levels that can exacerbate inflammation.
‘My Cardiologist Dad Swears By This One Super-Simple Habit, And Now I Do It Every Day.’ (Parade Magazine)
(10/10) Edward A. Fisher, MD PhD, professor, Department of Cell Biology, the Leon H. Charney Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, and Pediatrics, advocates for frequent incremental exercise as a simple habit to enhance heart health, recommending activities like taking stairs, parking farther away, and walking during meetings; he practices this himself, using a FitBit to increase his step count and making dietary changes, which led to him receiving a “Lifestyle Change Award” from the local American Heart Association chapter.
Is Salt Bad For Your Heart? (Everyday Health)
(10/10) Reducing salt intake is crucial for heart health, particularly for individuals with high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease, as excessive sodium can lead to conditions like left ventricular hypertrophy and increased cardiovascular risk; Sean P. Heffron, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, said, “the average American is overweight or obese and has a number of cardiovascular risk factors,” and reducing salt is especially beneficial for those consuming high amounts or with hypertension, though some studies suggest low-salt diets do not significantly decrease cardiovascular disease risk.
The Kind Of Depression You Have Matters To Your Heart, According To New Research. (Men's Health)
(10/11) A study presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress in Amsterdam explored the link between depression profiles and cardiometabolic diseases, finding that individuals with “melancholic” symptoms are about 1.5 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, while those with “atypical/energy-related” symptoms are 2.7 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes; Thea Gallagher, PsyD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, said, “People with atypical depression had an increased appetite,” noting that if one is “eating more and not being very active, there is an association with developing type 2 diabetes.”
Eye Drop Allows Nearsighted Persons To Read Without Glasses. (WQRF-TV Rockford (IL))
(10/11) A new type of eye drop, which shrinks the pupil to improve near vision, has shown promising results, allowing hundreds of patients overseas to read small print within an hour, with some maintaining this improvement for over a year; Robert C. Cykiert, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Ophthalmology, said this kind of treatment could be life changing for people who dislike wearing or losing their reading glasses, but cautioned that more research is needed to assess long-term safety and effectiveness, and most insurance plans do not cover these drops.
6 Work Habits That May Secretly Be A Sign Of ADHD. (HuffPost)
(10/11) Deepti Anbarasan, MD, clinical associate professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, said adult ADHD often manifests through procrastination due to difficulty with executive function, and suggested that effective treatment, including behavioral and pharmacological interventions, can improve life quality and workplace performance.
Physicians Face Medicare Telehealth Woes Amid Federal Government Shutdown. (Medscape)
(10/13)* The partial U.S. government shutdown has resulted in the expiration of pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities for Medicare, affecting seniors and healthcare providers, including NYU Langone Health, which states on its website that Medicare and Medicaid patients cannot schedule new telehealth visits, although existing appointments will proceed.
3 Recent ASC Hotspots. (Becker's ASC Review)
(10/10) In a roundup, Becker’s noted that it “has reported more ASC developments in New York, Arizona and Maine than all other states,” including that “NYU Langone Health opened an ambulatory practice in Commack, NY” that now “provides services including cardiology, orthopedics and urology.”
News from NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island
Long Island Nurses Recognized For Excellence. (Long Island (NY))
(10/13) Nurse leaders from Long Island gathered at the Nurse of Excellence Award Ceremony hosted by the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council, where Lee C. Moldowsky, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, RN-BC, CPHQ, Director of Nursing Quality and Performance Improvement and Magnet Program, NYU Langone Hospital–Long Island, was awarded the top honor for clinical nursing excellence; Moldowsky, with over 30 years of experience and multiple certifications.
