The Dr. Leigh Vinocur Show

Your fitness tracker may be able to save your life in the emergency room. Changes in your heart rate from your tracker can provide doctors with valuable information.A healthy man with a history of seizures forgot to take his medicine one morning. He had a seizure at work, and his blood pressure was high when the ambulance arrived to retrieve him. Using his Fitbit, emergency physicians were able to spot when his atrial fibrulation was triggered and treat him for the condition. If you use a...

Your fitness tracker may be able to save your life in the emergency room. Changes in your heart rate from your tracker can provide doctors with valuable information.A healthy man with a history of seizures forgot to take his medicine one morning. He had a seizure at work, and his blood pressure was high when the ambulance arrived to retrieve him. Using his Fitbit, emergency physicians were able to spot when his atrial fibrulation was triggered and treat him for the condition. If you use...

Cosmetics aren't regulated as strictly as food. What's in your makeup may be horrible for your health.The regulations of the cosmetic industry are not as stringent as the food industry. A product "made with organic ingredients" can legitimately contain 30% toxins. Is it really safe for your skin? Your favorite cosmetics may be killing you. Biochemist Dr. Jennifer Dietrich recommends avoiding "Dr. Jen's Dirty Baker's Dozen" ingredients in your cosmetics: Listen in as Dr. Jen explains what...

What are varicose veins and how do you get rid of them?Varicose veins are lumpy, enlarged veins that are usually found in the legs and feet. With the legs and feet supporting the weight of the body, these veins are under a lot of pressure. Varicose veins are often just a cosmetic issue for people. In most cases, the blood can still make its way back to the heart through these twisted cords. However, some varicose veins come with serious medical consequences. There are new treatments for...

What are varicose veins and how do you get rid of them?Varicose veins are lumpy, enlarged veins that are usually found in the legs and feet. With the legs and feet supporting the weight of the body, these veins are under a lot of pressure. Varicose veins are often just a cosmetic issue for people. In most cases, the blood can still make its way back to the heart through these twisted cords. However, some varicose veins come with serious medical consequences. There are new treatments for...

Birth control pills may help prevent knee injuries in teen girls.A recent study at University of Texas Medical Branch showed that teen girls who take birth control pills may be less likely to suffer knee injuries. Study author Aaron Gray, an MD and PhD student, found an association between these factors but did not find that taking birth control pills prevents knee injuries. Many young athletes take birth control pills for predictable and light periods. Injury risk may be an additional...

Birth control pills may help prevent knee injuries in teen girls.A recent study at University of Texas Medical Branch showed that teen girls who take birth control pills may be less likely to suffer knee injuries. Study author Aaron Gray, an MD and PhD student, found an association between these factors but did not find that taking birth control pills prevents knee injuries. Many young athletes take birth control pills for predictable and light periods. Injury risk may be an additional...

A happy childhood can reduce risk of heart disease.A recent study showed that children who had a happier childhood were less likely to suffer from coronary artery calcification. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is the the result of calcium deposits in coronary arteries. CAC causes blood vessels to narrow and harden over time. The study, which was conducted in Finland, analyzed children between three and 18 years and looked at them again 27 years later. Researchers took into...

A happy childhood can reduce risk of heart disease.A recent study showed that children who had a happier childhood were less likely to suffer from coronary artery calcification. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is the the result of calcium deposits in coronary arteries. CAC causes blood vessels to narrow and harden over time. The study, which was conducted in Finland, analyzed children between three and 18 years and looked at them again 27 years later. Researchers took into...

Who is making your dermatology diagnosis when you use telemedicine?As technology develops and schedules become tighter, telemedicine is a great alternative to an in-person office visit in many cases. There are a number of websites and apps dedicated to dermatology diagnosis. With the options available for telemedicine, the level of care varies. Not everyone on the other end of the app is a dermatologist. Who is making your dermatology diagnosis when you use telemedicine? Listen in as Dr....

Women are at risk of worse outcomes among young people undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Women are at risk of worse outcomes among young people undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PCI is angioplasty with stent, a non-surgical procedure that uses a catheter to place a stent in the heart to open up blood vessels that have been narrowed by plaque buildup. Factors that may influence the risk of target vessel and target lesion failure in women include...

How can physical activity be incorporated into treatment plans for better overall health?Treatment plans from health care providers usually consist of some combination of dietary changes, taking supplements, and sometimes adding medication. There may be visits to specialists for diagnosis as well, depending on the issues you're trying to address. Exercise can also serve as medicine for the body. Elevating physical activity to the status so it becomes a standard on health care would help...

Having a high fiber diet may reduce your risk of breast cancer.Having a high fiber diet early in life can reduce breast cancer risk later in life. Dr. Maryam Farvid and her team researched the impact of diet on breast cancer. They discovered that a 10g increase in fiber consumption per day in early adulthood was linked to a 13% reduction of breast cancer risk in women. This research suggests women increase their fiber intake earlier in life to receive these benefits instead of waiting...

What are some common sources of poison within the home?National Poison Prevention Week is March 20-26. Children are susceptible to poisoning when they are uneducated on the dangers of using or consuming goods that are not meant for little bodies. Adults can be poisoned by errant chemical combinations, using household products incorrectly, overdosing, and taking the wrong medication. Common sources of poisoning: Toxicologist and emergency physician, Dr. Paul Kolecki, discusses poison...

As popular as plastic surgery is for looking good on the outside, can it make you feel better about yourself on the inside?Butt lifts, nose jobs, and breast enhancement are all procedures intended to make people look and feel their best. Plastic surgery is a strong consideration for anyone who has wanted to make an appearance change. As popular as these procedures are for looking good on the outside, can they make you feel better about yourself on the inside? Can plastic surgery make you...

How do the physical effects of depression relate to fitness?When depression kicks in, you may not feel like doing anything, much less exercise. The problem is that sadness releases chemicals in the brain that can release inflammatory proteins. These inflammatory proteins contribute to stroke, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. You don't feel great. Good eating habits fall out. Achy joints, stiff muscles, and headaches don't help get you moving. There goes your fitness routine. Listen...

How important is breakfast?You've heard before that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Was that proclamation based on research? There is new information available on the importance of breakfast: Listen in as Dr. Enhad Chowdhury discusses these breakfast revelations.

How can sex help your heart?You may be hesitant to get frisky after a cardiac event and worry that it could make your ticker worse. You may also fear the worst case scenario: having a heart attack while engaged with your partner. The good news is that less than one percent of acute heart attacks are linked to sex, according to a 2012 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology. With clearance from your doctor, you can engage in sexual activity after a cardiac event. In fact, sex...

What do you need to know about women's heart health?Heart disease is the number one killer of women, surpassing all cancers, diseases, and injuries. The Red Dress campaign was started for heart disease awareness for women, using the first Friday of February to enlighten women on heart health and encourage them to reduce their risks for heart disease. Even though heart disease is prevalent in women, there is concern about it being treated less aggressively than in men. The symptoms in women...

Finding humor in daily life may help your heart.Laughter may just be the best medicine for your heart. A recent study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore found that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh in many situations than people of the same age without heart disease. An active sense of humor and laughter may help protect you from a heart attack. Researchers compared the humor responses of 300 people in the study. Half of the...