Martin County Edition
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TAKE ME HOME!
Winter 2015
www.ifoundMYdoctor.com
Featured
ARTICLES
LASER AESTHETICS
NO-SURGERY,
5
Francis J.
DuCoin, DMD, M
A Stable Smile
NO-SWEAT FAT REDUCTION
Walk away with
less fat after this
comfortable and safe
laser treatment at
Slim Body Laser Spa.
6
10
FHCN PHOTO BY MARC EDWARDS
K
Health Care Patron
Carrier-Route Pre Sort
PRSRT.STD.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Tampa, FL
Permit No.2397
athleen Dennis was fascinated when she noticed a
substantial weight loss in
one of her patients at the
Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer
Center in Stuart. While it isn’t unusual
for cancer patients to lose weight, this
particular change was different.
“She had some lymphedema in one
of her arms that she had been carrying
around for years that had disappeared,”
relates Kathleen.
The medical assistant asked the
patient how she had achieved the remarkable result. The patient replied that she
had gone to Slim Body Laser Spa, owned
by Tred Rissacher, DC. The patient then
gave Kathleen some additional information about Slim Body.
“She told me about the place and I
was a little skeptical, but I saw she had
lost a considerable amount [of weight],”
remembers Kathleen. “I called and set up
an appointment for an initial consultation
and decided to give it a try.”
TRED J. RISSACHER, DC
Kathleen’s main problem area was her
waistline. She had some areas around her
stomach and back that she just could not
exercise or diet away. When she had her
first session at Slim Body Laser Spa, she
was impressed by the ease of the treatment, especially after learning the facts
about another fat-reducing procedure
about which she had inquired.
“It was very comfortable,” she comments, describing the Slim Body laser
treatment. “After the first one, I looked
forward to going back. You lie there
on a comfortable table, and they put
the paddles on the areas that you want
to have done. The paddles get a little
warm. It’s a very comfortable warmth;
it’s not even the low setting of a heating pad. Then they wrap you in a sheet,
and you just lie there and listen to the
nice music. It’s like you’re in a spa. It’s
beautiful. I almost fell asleep.
“I did investigate another process.
I went to a plastic surgeon, and he had
a different method by which they grab
the skin up into this vacuum-like thing,
and I had to lie there for an hour and
let this thing go. It just didn’t appeal to
me. It was very time-consuming for one
thing. You had to go more frequently.
This just made more sense to me.”
Kathleen was very thankful she
chose Slim Body.
“They concentrated on my stomach
and a little bit on my back,” she shares,
“and it was resolved. I was really surprised,
just on the first time I went in.”
System success
Dr. Tred’s Ultimate Laser-Assisted
Weight Loss System succeeds when other
attempts at weight loss have failed. In
fact, over the last four years, his system has helped more than 2,500 people
shed thousands of stubborn pounds and
inches. The difference is the laser, which
acts directly on the problem fat cells.
“Laser energy, when applied to the
body, safely causes microscopic pores to
form in the fat cells,” explains Dr. Tred.
“The fat leaks out and is absorbed by
the body. It is then burned as energy
or removed from the body safely and
naturally.”
Dr. Tred notes the difference between
his laser system and some of the other
fat-reducing options available to patients.
He stresses the safe, natural process his
system uses to rid the body of excess fat.
“This procedure shrinks fat cells,
whereas many other procedures actually
destroy fat cells. They either suck them
out or they freeze them and kill them, or
(see No-Surgery, No-Sweat Fat Reduction, page 4)
Melgen Retina
Eye Center
Caring for Macular
Degeneration
Atlas Chiropractic
of Palm City
Stop Neck Pain and
Ease Sinus Infections
Also In This
EDITION
2
3
8
8
9
10
11
12
RENU Medical
Aesthetics
Facial Rejuvenation
without Surgery
Michael C.
Solomon, MD, P.A.,FACS
Take Control of
Overactive Bladder
Associated Coastal
ENT Physicians
Join the Conversation
BHRT, Inc.
Replenishing
Hormones Naturally
Vascular Interventional &
Vein Associates
Surgery without
a Scalpel
South Florida
Eye Clinic
Eye Floaters?
The Dry Eye Spa &
V.I.P. Laser Eye Center
Dry Eye Syndrome
Relieved
Neurology Associates
of the Treasure Coast
Feeling Faint?
For more information, scan the
barcode to the right with your
mobile device to visit us online.
Page 2 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2015 | Martin County Edition
REJUVENATION
Facial Rejuvenation without Surgery
The RENU Lift™ enables patients to turn back the
clock without the risks, scarring or blood loss
associated with surgery.
A
s Bonnie Adams got closer to
the latter part of her 50s, she
began to find that the signs
of aging in her face didn’t
reflect her youthful personality.
“I was looking to start doing something,” she recalls. “That was about ten
years ago.”
says: “It’s been a great experience for me
over the last ten years. It’s a little different now – there are more things you
need to do at 67 than at 57 – but I feel
so confident with the way I look right
now, and it’s all because of Dr. Barrett.
When I started going to her, I looked so
much older. I look younger now than I
did ten years ago!”
Complete treatment
PHOTO COURTESY OF RENU MEDICAL AESTHETICS
As we age, time, gravity and environmental effects begin to show on our
faces as wrinkles and lines. Sun exposure, lifestyle choices such as smoking
and dietary habits, weight changes,
prior illnesses and heredity can also
contribute to the condition of the skin.
Bonnie went for a consultation
to learn more about facial rejuvenation treatments, but she didn’t like the
approach the provider took.
“I had gone to someone before, and I
wasn’t really happy,” she explains.
Then Bonnie met board-certified
physician Valerie A. Barrett, MD, of
RENU Medical Aesthetics.
“I had a consult with her, and when
I met her, I was very impressed that she
was so conscientious and took a conservative approach,” Bonnie says. “She wants
to know what you want, instead of coming
in and saying, I think you should do this,
I think you should do that. She listens to
your concerns, and I liked that about her.”
Bonnie began treatment with Dr.
Barrett, and ten years later, she is still
a patient. More satisfied than ever, she
Bonnie Adams Before
When you look
great, you feel great
RENU Medical Aesthetics is a
multidisciplinary center offering
a e s t h e t i c a n d re j u ve n at i o n
treatments, massage therapy
and chiropractic care in a spal i ke at m o s p h e re. Fo r m o re
information, or to schedule a
consultation, please call the office,
located at 845 SE Osceola St. in
Stuart, at (772) 834-3231. Now
open in Tequesta! 304 Tequesta
Dr., Suite 3, (561) 406-6123.
Call to find
out about monthly
specials and seminars.
FHCN PHOTO BY MARC EDWARDS
VALERIE A. BARRETT, MD
RENU Medical Aesthetics provides
a comprehensive range of aesthetic
and rejuvenation treatments in a spalike atmosphere. Services range from
BOTOX® Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM®,
EndyMed and Sculptra® to laser resurfacing, prescription-grade skincare
using the ZO® Skin Health line from
Dr. Zein Obagi, and Dr. Barrett’s patented RENU Lift.
“Everything I do in the office is
minimally invasive and nonsurgical,”
explains Dr. Barrett. “We offer a comprehensive variety of procedures, always
striving to provide our patients with the
widest possible range of options to look
and feel good.”
Fillers are most often used to lessen
deep wrinkles or for replacing volume.
The “marionette lines” (located at and
below the corners of the mouth) and
the nasolabial folds (extending from the
corner of the nose down to the chin)
respond well to this type of augmentation. Fillers may also be used to replace
lip volume. BOTOX or Xeomin® may
be used for lines in the upper face
(frown lines, crow’s feet).
“The lines that go from the edge of
the lip to the chin are a common area of
concern, and that is actually a symptom
of volume loss in the cheeks,” says the
doctor. “Over time, everyone loses bone,
muscle and fat, and because of that your
cheeks drop down. The best treatment
for that is to re-volumize the cheeks and
re-volumize at the jaw angle. Injectable
fillers such as Sculptra, RADIESSE® and
VOLUMA™ can achieve that.”
Dr. Barrett emphasizes that facial
rejuvenation and other cosmetic services
are not a “one and done” proposition. For most patients, there will be
a natural desire to return for ongoing
treatment after a period of months or
on an annual basis.
“We genuinely treat the whole person,” assures the doctor, “so I think
we’re different from other places that
offer these types of treatments. As a fullservice rejuvenation center, we don’t try to
do everything at once; we typically start
with a patient’s area of greatest concern.
We always make sure to address the skin
as well to treat pigment and sun damage
with IPL photo facials and peels.”
In Bonnie’s case, Dr. Barrett has used
her patented RENU Lift.
“The RENU Lift is a new and
Bonnie is excited about the results of the RENU Lift.
different concept,” says Dr. Barrett. “It’s
a personalized approach to determining
what combination of products and procedures each patient needs.
“Patients are often confused about
aesthetic treatments,” she explains. “They
think they want one treatment when they
really need a different one. So I developed
this concept of the RENU Lift. It simply
takes the pressure off.
“Because I customize the RENU Lift
to each patient’s needs and desires, everyone has a different plan. That’s where I
think our practice is unique. We always
try to offer our patients the widest possible variety of options while advising them
on what will be most effective to help
them look and feel younger and healthier. My patients always look younger than
they did when they first started with me,
even if it’s ten years later.”
Looking “fabulous”
For Bonnie, the RENU Lift has been a
revelation.
“I would say the last five years that
I’ve been with Dr. Barrett, I have been
doing the RENU Lift, and it’s amazing,”
Bonnie marvels. “No one can ever guess
how old I am. In fact, I went out last night
and a woman sitting next to me said, You
look fabulous. I said, Thank you. At this age,
that’s really nice to hear. She said, What do
you mean? How old are you? When I told
her, she said, I would never have guessed!”
She singles out the RADIESSE and
Sculptra treatments as being particularly effective.
Valerie A. Barrett, MD,
is board certified by the
American Board of Internal
Medicine. After receiving
her medical degree from
The Chicago Medical
School in Chicago, IL, she
completed her internship and residency at
Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in
Chicago. Dr. Barrett is a member of the American
Association of Anti-Aging, the American College
of Physicians, the Aesthetic Academy, the Liquid
Lift Association, and is a certified Merz Aesthetics
Elite and Allergan Platinum provider.
“RADIESSE was a great experience,”
Bonnie relates. “And I just had Sculptra
done today and am very pleased with it,
too. As you get older, I think you need a
filler that’s a little heavier, and that’s what
the Sculptra is,” she adds.
For anyone who feels squeamish
about the idea of getting injections,
Bonnie assures that Dr. Barrett has a gentle, effective technique.
“Dr. Barrett has such a good technique that everything is pretty painless,
really,” reports Bonnie, “but if she feels
that there’s going to be any discomfort,
she always has ice packs or numbing
cream available. When I first started going
to her, I had her do BOTOX on my forehead and around the eyes and lips, and
her technique is just fabulous.
“She’s a very nice person, very conscientious and sensitive to a person’s needs,”
says Bonnie, “and her follow-up is great.
She even calls you at home after your
treatment to see how you’re doing. She’s
wonderful.” FHCN–Michael J. Sahno
Where health and
beauty come full
circle
At RENU, patient care is truly a
labor of love. Their goal is to help
each patient get to a place in their
life where they feel good about
themselves and the way they look.
Services include:
• Laser Body Contouring
• EndyMed 3DEEP™ Skin
Tightening
• BOTOX Cosmetic
• JUVÉDERM® XC
• BELOTERO BALANCE®
• RADIESSE
• Sculptra
• DOT Fractional CO2 Laser
• Chiropractic Care
• Laser Hair Removal
• IPL
• Facials
• ZO Skin Health
from Dr. Zein Obagi
• iS CLINICAL® Products
• Peels
• Microdermabrasion
Visit RENU Medical Aesthetics online at www.renuforyou.com.
Martin County Edition | Winter 2015 | Florida Health Care News | Page 3
MINIMALLY INVASIVE UROLOGY
Take Control of Overactive Bladder
Implantable device gently stimulates the nerves that
control urination, resolving the debilitating symptoms
of overactive bladder.
A
simple test ordered by
her family doctor sent
Pennsylvania native Regina
Edwards to the office of urologist Michael C. Solomon, MD, FACS,
in Port St. Lucie. At the time, she had no
idea just how life-changing that appointment would prove to be.
MICHAEL C. SOLOMON, MD,
P.A., FACS
Leslie calls
the InterStim her
“best friend.”
Time to act
Overactive bladder is a very prevalent
condition. About 30 percent of all men
and 40 percent of all women in the
United States live with OAB symptoms. For retired General Motors
employee Leslie Muniz, her patience
had run out, and she finally decided
to do something about hers.
“I was having difficulty staying asleep
at night,” Leslie shares. “I’d get up two,
three, sometimes four times a night to
urinate, and after I got my granddaughter
off [to school] at eight, I was exhausted,
so I would go back to sleep for two hours.
It really messed up my day.
“I would also have accidents. It
was embarrassing seeing as I’m only
sixty-one. It was awful. I just got tired
of it. I said, This has gone far enough. I
need to address this issue.”
Leslie made an appointment with
her gynecologist, who referred her to Dr.
Solomon. The urologist impressed her by
how knowledgeable and up-to-date he
was. He first attempted to treat Leslie’s
OAB with medications.
“I tried three different types of
medication to help me stop going, and
none of them worked,” she reports. “I
tried that route and then I said, Dr.
Solomon, now what?”
Unphased by the medication failures,
Dr. Solomon was far from ready to give
up. He suggested the InterStim.
Calming effect
“It is actually sacral neuromodulation,
and it is delivered via the InterStim system,” clarifi es Dr. Solomon. “It is an
implantable system that sends electrical
pulses to an area near the sacral nerve
to regulate the neural activity that influences the pelvic floor.”
By stimulating the sacral nerves,
which are located near the tailbone, sacral
neuromodulation is able to control the
bladder and muscles related to urination,
thus managing the symptoms of OAB.
“The difference between oral medication and sacral neuromodulation is
that the medications target the muscular
component of the bladder,” describes Dr.
Solomon. “Sacral neuromodulation controls the symptoms of overactive bladder
through direct influence of nerve activity.”
FHCN PHOTOS BY MARC EDWARDS
“I had gone to my regular medical
doctor, and he did a urinalysis,” she
relates. “He said there was blood in
my urine but I did not have a urinary
tract infection, so he asked me to see
a urologist. Through referrals, I found
Dr. Solomon.”
With testing and a thorough
examination, Dr. Solomon discovered
that Regina had kidney stones. But
through that experience, Regina grew
very comfortable with the understanding and caring doctor, so she decided
to bring up another issue with which
she’d been struggling.
“I had a hysterectomy in 2005, and
since then, when I have to go to the
bathroom, I can’t wait,” states Regina. “I
have to go to the bathroom. Sometimes,
I go and then two minutes later, it’s just
coming out more.”
Dr. Solomon explained to Regina that
she was suffering from overactive bladder
(OAB) along with about 33 million other
Americans. Common symptoms of OAB
include the sudden and intense urge to
urinate, urge incontinence (leaking), frequent urination and nocturia, the need
to urinate often during the night. Regina
could identify with that.
“I get up every two hours at night
just to urinate, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot.”
After nine years of frequent and
urgent trips to the bathroom, Regina had
had enough. She thought she was too
young to start wearing leakage protection.
Dr. Solomon gave her a trial of an
OAB medication, which is in a class of
medications called anticholinergics. Her
symptoms improved, but she had side
effects of dry mouth and did not desire
to continue with medical therapy. So, she
asked him for a better option.
“At fifty-seven, I really didn’t want
to wear those garments and pads,” she
notes. “I thought, At my age, there has
to be something that can be done. Then
Dr. Solomon talked to me about the
InterStim®.”
Now that she visits the bathroom less frequently,
Regina can take Dexter and Woody to play in the park.
Before a permanent InterStim is
placed, Dr. Solomon has his patients
“test drive” the system with a three-day
evaluation period using a temporary,
non-implanted device. If the patient’s
symptoms improve during the evaluation, the permanent InterStim, which
is about the size of a pacemaker, is
implanted just under the skin.
“We put a small lead wire in the skin
over the tailbone where the pelvic nerve
comes out,” he explains, “and we test it for
three days. If their symptoms respond, we
will put in a permanent lead and implant
the neuromodulator.
“The test is done in the office, and the
permanent implant is done in a surgery
center with very minimal anesthesia.”
The FDA-approved InterStim
system is especially helpful for those
patients who cannot afford the medications or endure their side effects.
“I have many patients whose insurances won’t cover the cost of medication,”
says Dr. Solomon, “so cost has become a
big issue. There are also the side effects.
The anticholinergics often cause severe
dry mouth and constipation, and patients
cannot tolerate the drugs because of that.
“The InterStim is usually covered
by insurance, and patients are happy
because it works and they don’t have to
take medication.”
A good night’s sleep
After Dr. Solomon explained how the
InterStim works, Regina was ready for
her test drive. The doctor placed the
temporary leads, and Regina was sent
home to evaluate the device.
“I had the one that they do just for
the weekend, and within a few hours of it
being done, I had no leaking,” she recalls.
“It was the first time I slept for almost
eight hours. It was magic.
“Even just the weekend that I had in
it, it changed my life. It was unbelievable.”
Leslie was also thrilled to finally get a
good night’s sleep.
“Sure enough, it worked, because
I didn’t wake up one time in a few
days straight.”
“I can’t wait until I have this done
permanently,” states Regina. “I would
definitely recommend it. It worked
for me.”
“I highly recommend Dr. Solomon,”
adds Leslie. “He’s a very competent, very,
very bright doctor.”
Leslie believes that the InterStim is an
excellent option for treating OAB because
it has been highly effective for her.
“It’s my best friend.” FHCN–Patti DiPanfilo
Want to know more?
Dr. Michael Solomon and his staff
look forward to meeting the readers
of Florida Health Care News. For
more information about this article
topic or any of their services, or to
schedule an appointment, call the
office at (772) 242-9368. The office
is conveniently located at 555 NW
Lake Whitney Place, Suite 103, in
Port St. Lucie.
Michael C. Solomon, MD, P.A., FACS, is a diplomate of the American Board
of Urology and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He completed
his undergraduate education at the State University of New York (SUNY) at
Binghamton, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Dr. Solomon
went on to earn his medical degree at New York Medical College and SUNY
Health Science Center at Brooklyn. His postgraduate training includes a
residency in the Department of Urology at SUNY Health Science Center at
Brooklyn, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Solomon also was a research
fellow in the Urology Service, Department of Urology at Memorial SloanKettering Cancer Center in New York. Among his professional affiliations, Dr.
Solomon is a member of the American Urology Association, the American
College of Surgeons and the American Association of Clinical Urologists.
Visit them online at www.michaelcsolomonmd.com.
Page 4 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2015 | Martin County Edition
LASER AESTHETICS
NO-SURGERY, NO-SWEAT FAT REDUCTION
215 Bullard Parkway
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
(813) 989-1330
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
Winter 2015
with the results they see.”
Barry P. Levine
Rewarding experience
Executive Publisher
As it is for so many people, Dr. Tred’s laser system
was successful for Kathleen. She is pleased by what
she was able to accomplish with the laser’s help.
“After nine treatments, I lost ten inches,”
she states, “but I’m actually continuing to get
results. I have probably now lost about twelve
inches total around the different areas. My
clothes fit so much better.”
While losing those inches is reward enough,
Kathleen thinks the time she spent at Slim Body
Laser Spa was in itself rewarding.
“The people are pleasant,” she notes. “The
girls were so nice there. You almost form a bond
with them. I’m planning on going back, but at
one of my last treatments, I almost cried. It was
kind of sad because you get so friendly.
“It’s just a win-win situation. There’s no downtime. There’s no discomfort. It’s relaxing. It was just
a very pleasurable experience.
“And it works. That’s the big thing.”
Doctor commits to his own weight loss program and experiences lasting results.
Lasting results
BEFORE
AFTER
FHCN PHOTO BY NERISSA JOHNSON
Dr. Tred was pleased with his accomplishments, but he didn’t stop there.
He decided to continue with his treatments. As a result, he added to his
weight and inch loss totals.
“As of the first of May 2014, I lost
forty pounds and twelve inches and
dropped three pant sizes in less than
eight weeks using my own Ultimate
Laser-Assisted Weight Loss System,”
he describes. “I am also enjoying more
energy and better health than I have
had in years.
“What’s more important is I’m
keeping it off,” he adds. “I have not
gained back any of the weight or
inches because I continue to use the
laser and watch what I eat.
“I believed in this product before
I tried it myself, but now I can say
from experience, It really works!”
PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. RISSACHER
D
Gina L. d’Angelo
CFO/HR Manager
Judy Wade
Editorial Manager
Kathleen is so happy with how her
clothes fit since she lost 12 inches
from her waistline at
Slim Body Laser Spa.
FHCN–Patti DiPanfilo
The No-Fail Weight Loss Option
r. Tred has devoted his practice to helping people safely
lose stubborn pounds and
inches. When he started to develop
symptoms of pre-diabetes due to his
own excess weight gain, he first tried
dieting and exercising, but the weight
did not come off.
The solution, he realized, was the
fat-shrinking system he uses with his
patients every day.
“I decided to really commit to my
own laser program that I recommend
to others,” he observes. “I began the
laser program, and within four weeks
I dropped ten inches.”
He also lost 30 pounds in less
than six weeks, and his health issue
disappeared.
“My diabetes responded beautifully
to my weight loss. It resolved as soon as
I lost weight and got rid of the inches.”
Gail Goldy
Senior Associate Publisher
FHCN PHOTO BY MARC EDWARDS
they blast them with ultrasound or heat them
up with radio waves. Our laser procedure simply causes the fat cells to empty their contents,
and then the body absorbs that fatty acid naturally through the lymphatic system. It is burned
as fuel for the body. It is congruent with how
the body normally processes energy, which is
why it is so safe.
“This laser treatment is an effective method
that doesn’t take long,” continues the doctor. “In
a series of nine, thirty-minute sessions, patients
can lose three to nine inches of belly fat, and their
health can improve dramatically, allowing for a
long-term solution to keeping the weight off.”
Dr. Tred’s laser system can effectively treat
many different areas, such as chin fat and muffin
top (see Treatment Areas special box). Dr. Tred
does mention, however, that diet modification
and some exercise can help the process to be
more sustaining for some patients.
“Patients do need to eat right and exercise
in order for the results from these treatments
to be long-lasting,” he says. “If a person follows
the entire plan, they will be more than happy
Florida Health
Care News
Tred J. Rissacher, DC, completed his undergraduate studies at Indian River Community College and earned his Doctorate
degree in Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City. He attends postgraduate seminars on the
diagnosis and treatment of spine disorders. Dr. Rissacher can administer low-level, or “cold,” laser therapy, a new, FDAcleared, noninvasive, effective therapy that can relieve pain caused by arthritis, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
The Lapex BCS is being used “off label” for spot fat reduction and laser-assisted weight loss.
Michael J. Sahno
Senior Writer
Patti DiPanfilo
Melanie Casey
Editorial Staff
Michelle Brooks
Creative Director
Nerissa Johnson
Graphic Designer
Marc Edwards
Nerissa Johnson
Photography
Brian Levine
Project Coordinator
Laura Engel
Treatment Areas*
Production Assistant
Dr. Tred’s Ultimate Laser-Assisted
Weight Loss System can effectively
treat the following problems in both
men and women:
Steve Turk
John Gnibus
Vincent Ortiz
Aaron Ogden
•
•
•
•
•
•
Belly fat
Chin fat
Upper arm fat
Muffin top
Thigh fat
Bra bulges
And more
* Information supplied by Slim Body Laser Spa
Distribution
Contributing Editors
Slim Body Laser Spa
Laser Aesthetics
RENU Medical Aesthetics
Rejuvenation
Michael C. Solomon,
MD, P.A., FACS
Minimally Invasive Urology
Here’s where you
can find us:
Francis J. DuCoin, DMD, MS
2311 SE Ocean Blvd., Suite A
Retina Specialist
Stuart
Associated Coastal
ENT Physicians
(772) 223-5885
or call
1-800-MY-SLIMBODY
VIP Priority
Scheduling
The first 20 people to schedule
an appointment may begin
their treatments right away. These
VIP priority-scheduling times are the
most sought-after times available, so
call today for your “VIP” time.
Advanced Dentistry
Melgen Retina Eye Center
Audiology
BHRT, Inc.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Vascular Interventional &
Vein Associates
Vascular Surgery
Atlas Chiropractic of Palm City
Chiropractic
South Florida Eye Clinic
Ophthalmology
The Dry Eye Spa &
V.I.P. Laser Eye Center
Dry Eye Treatment
Neurology Associates
of the Treasure Coast
B&As of Dr. Rissacher’s patients
Neurology and
Pain Management
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SLIM BODY LASER SPA
For all health care professionals having
articles in this publication that offer free or discounted services:
THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON
RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO
REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE
REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER
SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS
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RESPONDING TO, THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR A FREE,
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9 treatments/3 weeks’ time
Total inch loss = 8 1/2”
9 treatments/3 weeks’ time
Total inch loss = 7”
For more information, please visit www.slimbodylaserspa.com.
Results may vary from person to person based on different factors, and there is no guarantee for specific results. Testimonials and examples found in this publication, in our article from the Slim
Body Laser Spa of Stuart, are verified results that have been actually achieved by our clients as described. However, these results may not apply to the average person and are not intended to represent
or guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results.
FDA indications for use FDA 510(k) The Lapex is intended to emit energy in the visible and infra red spectrum to provide topical heating for the purpose of elevating tissue temperature for the
temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness, minor arthritis pain or muscle spasm, the temporary increase in local blood circulation and/or temporary relaxation of muscle.
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Martin County Edition | Winter 2015 | Florida Health Care News | Page 5
ADVANCED DENTISTRY
A Stable Smile
Dental implants change lives by providing security,
comfort and renewed confidence.
C
arol Yates learned the hard
way that not all dentists are
created the same.
Ye a r s a g o , C a r o l
underwent extensive dental work that
included several crowns and a bridge. In
recent years, a couple of those crowns
and the bridge became loose and were
painful at times.
“Dr. DuCoin was very patient and
understanding about my concerns,”
she says. “He didn’t push me to make a
decision right away. I asked him what
my options were, and he told me there
were three options, and in the end, he
let me make my own decision. He didn’t
try to push me in any one direction. He
was very patient with me and answered
all of my questions. He has been wonderful to work with.”
What are dental implants?
FRANCIS J. DUCOIN, DMD, MS
Dental implants serve as
the base for many tooth
replacement options,
including bridges, dentures
and individual artificial
teeth. Implants are surgically
implanted in the jaw to
provide a comfortable, secure
fit and a natural appearance.
Benefits of Dental Implants:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Function and feel like
natural teeth, allowing
you to eat and speak
comfortably
Are restored to look like
natural teeth, so you can
smile with confidence
Maintain the bone
structures of the jaws
and face, preventing the
premature aging process
often associated with
tooth and bone loss
Suppor t dental work
securely, eliminating the
need for bulky, plastic
dentures or adhesives
Help prevent decay in the
jawbone
Dental implants have a
very high success rate
The benefits of implants
“For people with loose dentures, implants
can provide a tremendous benefit because
they can confidently chew their food
again,” explains Dr. DuCoin, who is
board certified by the American Board
of Oral Implantology. “The term I like
to use is social security, because patients
can smile and talk and no longer have to
worry about what they can eat or their
dentures coming out.”
Th e benefi ts of an implant, compared to another prosthesis, like a
partial denture or full denture, include
FHCN PHOTO BY MARC EDWARDS
“I felt like my whole mouth was just
uncomfortable all the time,” she explains.
“I knew then that I wanted to get dental
implants, but I had so much difficulty
with dentists in the past that I kind of
sat on the idea for a long time. I prayed
to God to give me a sign. I asked Him to
help me find the right path to take with
my dental needs because I had lost so
much faith in dentists at that point.”
About a year ago, Carol started
searching the internet for a new dentist. After reading several online patient
reviews, she decided to give Francis J.
DuCoin, DMD, a try.
“I read a lot of good things about
him, and I decided I would make an
appointment,” she says. “I knew I had to
do something, quickly.”
After an initial consultation, Dr.
DuCoin suggested three dental implants,
as well as bone grafting, for Carol.
“I have been doing implants for thirty
years now, and I have seen things reinvented numerous times as far as what
options are available for patients,”
shares Dr. DuCoin.
According to Dr. DuCoin, implants
were originally devised in the 1940s
and have since become increasingly
mainstream. “Implants are a standard
part of our operating procedures, and
a tool that helps provide the results a
patient needs and wants,” describes Dr.
DuCoin. “There are many benefits to
dental implants. They can really change
a patient’s entire life.”
The implant itself is an artificial
tooth root that he can utilize to either
replace a single tooth or use as a foundation to replace a couple of teeth with
new porcelain teeth that are cemented
in place and don’t come out. When
appropriate, he can also use implants to
provide support for a loose denture.
The implant procedure is completed
right in his office. First, he replaces the
missing natural tooth root with a titanium implant, which is inserted under
the gum. He then connects a post called
an abutment, which fits over the part of
the implant protruding from the gumline.
Later, after the gum has healed, a crown
or other prosthesis is crafted and placed
onto the integrated implant.
“In order for implants to be successful, it requires both a financial investment
and a time investment from the patient,”
Dr. DuCoin emphasizes. “We have all
seen the advertisements that offer dental
implants in a day, but here, while we can
do that, we usually place implants in a
more traditional manner. We use stateof-the-art techniques, of course, but
also time-tested protocols,” he adds. “If
a patient is going to invest financially in
implants, then they must also understand
that an implant may take time to craft and
place properly, especially when you are
talking about an implant that the patient
would like to last for many years.”
Carol can smile once again thanks to the dental
implants she received from Dr. DuCoin.
increased stability, a more natural look,
improved comfort and confidence, and
increased longevity because patients can
eat comfortably again.
“When they go to a restaurant, they
don’t have to look at the menu to see
what they can eat, but they can look at
the menu to see what they want to eat,”
Dr. DuCoin says. “Unfortunately, Carol
was afraid, or hesitant, to eat many foods
because of her old, failing dental work.
“Because of the insufficient quantity
and poor quality of her bone, placing
dental implants was a procedure that
really couldn’t be rushed. We did bone
grafting first in order to preserve what
bone was left and her facial structure.
Once the implants were placed, we gave
them enough time so that they could
integrate adequately into the bone.”
Prayers answered
Since day one, Carol has been satisfied with the care she receives at Dr.
DuCoin’s office. “From the minute that
I left there, I have felt fantastic about my
teeth,” Carol raves. “They’re just like natural teeth and they feel natural. When I
came to Dr. DuCoin, I was very hesitant
about having more dental work done
after everything else I had been through.
But he eased my fears and things went
very smoothly, as they should.”
In addition to providing exceptional
dental care, Dr. DuCoin and his staff go
above and beyond for patients.
“As I mentioned, I was very hesitant and somewhat apprehensive at
first,” Carol emphasizes, “but I was
able to tell rather quickly that they
were willing to take the time to make
it right. And they certainly did that.
The staff is very professional and courteous, and Dr. DuCoin is tremendous.
His concern for his patients is evident,
and he really listens. I am so happy I
found him. God answered my prayers.”
FHCN–Judy Wade
Francis J. DuCoin, DMD, MS, is a graduate of the School of Dental Medicine at the
University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He received his undergraduate degree
from Drexel University in Philadelphia, where he also earned his Master of Science
degree in biomedical engineering. Dr. DuCoin is a Diplomate of the American Board
of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry and is an Honored Fellow of the American
Academy of Implant Dentistry. He is also a Master of the American Academy of
Implant Prosthodontics. He served as president of the American Academy of Implant
Dentistry from 2003 to 2004 and the board of trustees of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Charitable Foundation from 2006 to 2009. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the American
Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. DuCoin has earned more than 2000 hours of continuing education
and has lectured nationally and internationally on dental implants.
For that healthy smile
Dr. DuCoin and his staff look forward to meeting the readers of
Florida Health Care News. For more information or to schedule an
appointment, please call (772) 419-9767 for his office, located at 808
SE Ocean Blvd., Suite 1, in Stuart.
For more information, visit www.fducoindmd.com.
Page 6 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2015 | Martin County Edition
RETINA S
CARING FOR MACULAR DEGENER
At this practice, expertise and empathy make for a powerful combination that helps restore patients’ vision…and even their fa
B
efore retiring from her position as
assistant director of nursing at a
large hospital, Nancy L. Rice was
involved with helping patients
with life-threatening conditions.
“We set up for open heart surgery and
acute and chronic dialysis,” she explains.
More recently, Nancy had to deal with
another kind of danger: macular degeneration, which threatened her vision.
“Just imagine being born with eyesight,
and one day you go to the ophthalmologist
to have your eyes checked and he suddenly
says you need laser treatment. Well,” continues Nancy, “I knew the doctor because
he worked at the hospital where I worked.
So he gave me the treatment and then afterward, he said, You may have problems with
your eyesight for a while.
“It was okay for several years, but then I
did start having problems,” she explains. “I
went to several different physicians, but they
all said that there was nothing they could
do. I panicked. I proceeded to look for a
specialist, but after I had exhausted all my
efforts, I felt helpless.”
Nancy finally found someone who was
able to help save her vision when she visited Salomon Melgen, MD, the founder of
Melgen Retina Eye Center.
“The other doctors never said anything
about macular degeneration. But then I went
to the finest physician, Dr. Salomon Melgen,
and he gave me the truth,” she says.
Age-related macular degeneration is
the most common cause of blindness, and
in approximately ten percent of patients,
the dry form of macular degeneration gives
way to the wet form. Wet macular degeneration develops when new blood vessels form
beneath the retina and begin to leak or bleed.
Eventually, they develop scar tissue that distorts and can damage the retina.
In Nancy’s case, the problem had already
led to a loss of central vision in her right eye
by the time she reached Dr. Melgen.
“My left eye is my good eye,” she clarifies. “I’ve been going to Dr. Melgen for three
and a half years, and he took me through the
steps of macular degeneration and told me
how he could treat it. He’s wonderful.”
Owen Shilletto had major eye health
concerns as well.
“Back in the late 1990s, I developed
some small swellings the size of a pinhead
in the back of my eye, and I was going
to an ophthalmologist for treatment for
several weeks,” he remembers. “However,
these treatments were not successful. I
spoke with my personal physician about
it, and he said, Why don’t you see Dr.
Melgen? Now, he has been taking care of
my eyes for years.”
Owen found that he immediately felt at
ease in Dr. Melgen’s office.
“He and his staff are the most conscientious and caring bunch of people,”
he continues. “At the onset, Dr. Melgen
explained to me that there was leakage in the
eye, and in order to prevent it from getting
any worse, I would need treatment.
“I’ve been associated with Dr. Melgen
and his staff ever since then, approximately
fourteen years.”
About macular degeneration
For conditions such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, Dr. Melgen
has successfully treated hundreds of patients
in the Palm Beach County area, with four
convenient clinic locations.
Dr. Melgen founded Melgen Retina
Eye Center in 1988. While much clinical
research was being conducted, his was one
of the first private practices in Florida to use
the scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO),
which helped tremendously in understanding macular degeneration.
“Our center was one of the first in
Florida to implement laser therapy for this
disease,” he reports. “When nothing was
being offered to treat patients suffering
from macular degeneration, I was able to
help them.”
Dr. Melgen notes that until they visit
him, many of his legally blind patients feel
hopeless about retaining some of their vision.
“People frequently come to me after
having been told that nothing can be done
for them,” he explains. “I see it in my practice every day. Fortunately, there are things
that can be done. Our goal is to make a
macular degeneration patient’s blind
spot smaller and lighter, thereby improving their peripheral vision. And even if
the change is so small that it cannot be
measured on a chart, many patients report
that their vision has improved.”
The macula is the central area of the
retina that makes it possible to distinguish
fine details and colors. When retinal tissue in
the macula degenerates – either because the
tissue itself begins to deteriorate or because
new blood vessels form beneath the tissue
and threaten its integrity – it can have a significant impact on vision.
SALOMON MELGEN, MD, P.A.
“Nancy is one of our age-related macular degeneration patients, but she also has
retinal vein occlusion, which is like a circulation problem in the eye,” observes Dr.
Melgen. “There are many diseases of the eye
that patients may not be aware of, and retinal vein occlusion is one such condition.
Thanks to laser and injections, her treatment
has gone very well.
“Owen has been very cooperative in his
treatment plan, and as a result, his vision is
20/15. He is a great example of how patient
compliance is extremely important. His
compliance with his treatments has resulted
in his having excellent vision today.”
Customizing care
In the presence of macular degeneration, some people will notice a gradual loss
of their ability to see objects clearly, especially noticing a blurring of areas of type on
a page of print, or dark or empty spaces that
may block the center of the field of vision.
Some patients may notice that straight
lines in the landscape – such as telephone
poles, the sides of buildings or streetlight
posts – appear wavy, crooked or distorted.
Some may notice the need for brighter light
when reading or a gradual loss of color intensity in everything around them.
Leading-edge treatments
“Today, there are medications that have
tremendously helped patients with macular degeneration and other retinal diseases
that we didn’t have in our arsenal in years
past,” assures Dr. Melgen. “Drugs such as
Lucentis® and Avastin® can help to arrest
the further progression of the disease and,
in most patients, improve their vision.
“The dry form of macular degeneration
is like a wearing out of the retina,” explains
Dr. Melgen. “It’s like when the skin wrinkles
and hair goes grey. It’s a part of aging; it’s the
golden years of the eye.
“With the wet form of macular degeneration, however, people develop abnormal,
leaky vessels and they bleed easily. As they
grow, these leaky vessels destroy the retina
and create scar tissue, which causes the loss
of central vision.”
For Owen and Nancy, the aggressive treatment proved beneficial right from the start.
“I’m very pleased with
how I am taken care of by
Dr. Melgen,” says Owen.
“Thanks to his
continuous treatment,
I’m able to see very well.”
“I see one or two patients almost every day
with this condition who have been told by
other doctors that they cannot be helped,”
continues Dr. Melgen. “These patients need
treatment, and I have had great success in
treating them. I explain to them that what
I can do is decrease the size and density of
their central ‘black spot,’ so they can function better. They may or may not be able to
read or drive, but they can see their grandchildren better and function better because
they gain better peripheral vision.”
He adds that it’s important to customize
treatment to each individual patient, not just
to what it says in their chart.
“The truth is that there are many different degrees of legal blindness. In the chart,
they all look the same, but we’re not treating
charts; we’re treating patients.
“In Florida, there are many people
who are legally blind,” explains the doctor,
“and they need frequent visits to the doctor because those leaky blood vessels in the
eye tend to recur. As they recur, they grow,
and as they grow, they destroy more healthy
retinal tissue.
“A comprehensive treatment plan prevents the progression of the disease, and that
is essential. By stopping a patient’s blind spot
from growing – and, in many cases, making
it lighter and smaller – we can improve that
person’s vision, even though they had been
told that their case was hopeless. Many of
our patients are now more independent,
more confident in their daily activities and
they manage much better at home.
Four convenie
Port St. Lucie
1751 SE Port St. Lucie Blvd.
(772) 337-4800
Delray Beach/Boca Raton
6290 Linton Blvd.
Suite 103
FHCN PHOTOS BY MARC EDWARDS
(561) 495-5333
Se habla
For more information, vi
Martin County Edition | Winter 2015 | Florida Health Care News | Page 7
SPECIALIST
RATION
aith in the medical profession.
“This is an aggressive, chronic disease,
so it has to be treated aggressively. I want
to maintain what vision the patient has
or make it better, if I can. For a person
who is in the dark, a little bit of light is
an improvement,” concludes Dr. Melgen,
“and if we can provide that for our
patients, then we have been successful.”
“I thank God every day for
giving Dr. Melgen the skill
and ability to help us with
our vision,” says Nancy.
Thankful patients
Nancy is thrilled with Dr. Melgen and his
staff, and says that they combine a strong ethical approach with empathy for every patient.
“Ethics, expertise, compassion, kindness, loyalty and integrity: those are the
words that describe Dr. Melgen,” she lists.
“This is not just my opinion; many other
patients express the same feelings. When
sitting with others in the waiting area, I
have heard patients share about having
debilitating experiences with other doctors before going to Dr. Melgen for their
treatments. Once those treatments were
performed, it was like hitting the lottery.
What separates Dr. Melgen from the
mediocre is that he strives for perfection
and never gives up.
“Furthermore,” adds Nancy, “Dr.
Melgen is not partial to a particular class
or culture. He treats everyone with dignity
and respect. The staff there are wonderful
as well. They make you feel at ease and they
have a good relationship with the patients.
Sometimes, I sit and talk to other patients
who have been coming to Dr. Melgen for
years, and they tell me their experiences and
how they feel about him, how he’s helped
them so much to have eyesight where other
doctors had told them, We don’t know what
we can do for you.”
She stresses that the results of the treatment have been uniformly excellent.
“My vision in my right eye was poor
before I saw Dr. Melgen,” reminds Nancy,
“but after I had several treatments, I began
to see. It was as if I had new glasses, or even a
new eye. I could see so much better, because
he made my peripheral vision in my right
eye so much clearer. I can see everything better. He saved my eyesight.”
For his part, Owen is thankful for all
the help he has received from Dr. Melgen
and the staff.
“I have always gone for my regular
appointments over the years,” he confirms,
“and during that time, my vision has gotten better and better. I’m very pleased with
how I am taken care of by Dr. Melgen.
Thanks to his continuous treatment, I’m
able to see very well.”
Having had a relationship with the practice for so many years, Owen knows well
how the doctor and staff interact with all of
their patients.
“They’ve made me feel so comfortable,
I could describe them as family,” he says.
“Even though there are patients lining up
to go in and see him, he’s not going to rush.
He’s always there lending an ear.
“In fact, when I lost my dad, which was
about eight years ago, Dr. Melgen embraced
me in such a way and reminded me to think
of the good things in life. There was just so
much compassion in his feeling toward me
when I lost my dad, and I will never, ever
forget it.
“Sometimes when I sit there in the waiting area with other patients, I hear them
talking among themselves about the type of
person he really is. As the kids would say, He’s
awesome!” FHCN–Michael J. Sahno
Dr. Melgen treats a variety of
ocular conditions, including:
Macular Degeneration
Diabetic Retinopathy
Retinal Detachment
Macular Puckers/Macular Holes
Retinal Vein Occlusions
Macular Edema
ent locations
West Palm Beach
2521 Metrocentre Blvd.
(561) 687-0007
Wellington
3319 State Rd. 7,
Suite 207
(561) 753-0873
a Español
Flashers and Floaters
Salomon Melgen, MD, is a Diplomate of the American
Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the American
Academy of Ophthalmology. After completing an
internship at Danbury Hospital affiliated with Yale
University and residency at the University of MissouriKansas City, he became the Chief Resident of the
Ophthalmology Department at the University of MissouriKansas City. Dr. Melgen went on to complete a VitreoRetinal Fellowship at Harvard Medical School, where he
became the Chief Fellow for the Massachusetts Eye and
Ear Infirmary. He is a former Chief of Ophthalmology at St. Mary’s Hospital
in West Palm Beach. Dr. Melgen is a founding donor of the American Retina
Foundation and a member of the American Society of Retinal Specialists,
American Board of Eye Surgery, and Florida Society of Ophthalmology, by
whom he has been awarded for his service to the community. Dr. Melgen has
received numerous awards for excellence in his field, including the Patients’
Choice Award for six consecutive years and the Patients’ Choice Award as
one of America’s Most Compassionate Doctors for four consecutive years. He
is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, and was recognized as one of America’s Top
Ophthalmologists by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.
isit Melgen Retina Eye Center at www.melgeneyecenter.com or
www.facebook.com/melgeneyecenter.
Page 8 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2015 | Martin County Edition
AUDIOLOGY
Join the Conversation
W
Being properly fit for hearing aids is a task you should entrust to a board-certified audiologist.
RICHARD B. ALLEN, MD
CHRISTOPHER L. SLACK, MD
MICHELE L. RICHARDS, MD
JONATHAN M. OWENS, MD
NICOLE THOMPSON, ARNP
LORI K. GIROUARD, AUD
ERIN E. ANDERSON, AUD
“There was a lot of background
noise,” Harold explains. “If I was in a
crowded place, like a restaurant, and I
was having a conversation, I had a hard
time tuning out the background noises
and focusing on the person I was talking
to. It was hard to pick out the words.”
His work as an attorney requires
Harold to speak to his clients often, both
on the phone and in person.
“I am always talking, one way or
the other,” Harold says and laughs. “And
it got to a point where it was not only
affecting my social lifestyle, but it was
also affecting my work with my clients.
Hearing is a very important gift that we
can easily take for granted.”
Anyone seeking a complete hearing evaluation should seek the help of a
board-certified audiologist. Thankfully,
Harold knew where to turn for help.
A longstanding patient at Associated
Coastal ENT Physicians, he gave them a
call to schedule a hearing test.
“My entire family has been seeing
the otolaryngologists there for years,
so I was already familiar with the practice and the doctors. I was comfortable
with them,” Harold says.
An audiologist knows best
“As doctorate-level audiologists, we
perform comprehensive audiological
evaluations on each patient,” explains
Lori K. Girouard, AuD. “Our high level
of training allows us to diagnose and treat
various types of hearing loss and balance
disorders. Our audiologists and ENT
physicians work as a team to provide the
best possible hearing health care to our
patients. If a patient has wax build-up or
a medical condition requiring medication
or surgery, we are able to have them see
one of our physicians the same day (like
a one-stop shop for hearing health care).”
Hearing loss can result from a variety of factors and can present itself at
any age. “Studies have found there is a
direct correlation between hearing loss
and dementia. It is important to keep the
auditory system and hearing centers of
the brain stimulated. With hearing loss,
this pathway is disrupted. The brain relies
on incoming sound, and the advanced
technology offered in our hearing aids
allows patients to hear in noise as effortlessly as possible.”
FHCN PHOTO BY MARC EDWARDS
hile in his early 20s and
serving in the US Army,
Harold Melville lost the
hearing in his right ear.
Advanced technology
“When it comes to hearing aids, technology is constantly changing and improving,”
Erin E. Anderson, AuD, also a doctorate-level audiologist in the practice,
explains. “We fit our patients with state-ofthe-art hearing aids which offer Bluetooth®
connectivity, allowing phone calls, TV and
music to stream directly into the hearing
aids via a streaming device. There is even an
iPhone® app for certain hearing aids.
“Signs of hearing loss include ringing,
or tinnitus; asking for repetition, having
the TV louder than normal and often
Lori K. Girouard, AuD, is a doctorate-level audiologist. She received
her undergraduate degree from
Worcester State College, Worcester,
MA, her Master’s degree in Audiology
from the University of Massachusetts
and Doctorate in Audiology from
Salus University. She is a fellow of the
American Academy of Audiology and a member of the
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Erin E. Anderson, AuD, is a doctorate-level audiologist. She received
her undergraduate degree from the
University of New York at Geneseo
and her Doctorate in Audiology from
Nova Southeastern University in Fort
Lauderdale. She is a fellow of the
American Academy of Audiology.
Harold can have meaningful
conversations with his clients again
after receiving his hearing aid.
withdrawing from social situations.”
Harold says life has changed dramatically since he received his hearing aids.
“I am hearing sounds now that I had
not heard in forty years,” he says. “I would
just sit in my car and listen to songs on
the radio because I was actually hearing
the words. It has opened up a whole new
world for me. It’s great!” FHCN
Hearing aid expertise
Associated Coastal ENT Physicians
takes great pride in providing
comprehensive and compassionate
ear, nose and throat care in the heart of
the Treasure Coast. Offices are located
at 1731 SW Gatlin Blvd., Port St. Lucie,
and 4632 S. 25th St., Fort Pierce. For
more information, or to schedule a
consultation, please (772) 464-9595.
Visit Associated Coastal ENT Physicians on the web at www.coastalent.org.
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Replenishing Hormones Naturally
Pellet therapy provides steady relief from menopausal symptoms through
bio-identical hormone replacement.
FHCN PHOTO BY MARC EDWARDS
S
Sophia is happier and healthier now,
thanks to Dr. Berman and BHRT.
Mikhail Berman, MD,
is a general practitioner
who focuses on holistic
and anti-aging medicine. Dr. Berman earned
his medical degree
from the Leningrad
Pediatric School of
Medicine in St. Petersburg, Russia. He
completed his internship and residency
at the Second Hospital of Leningrad and
completed residencies at the Institute
of Trauma and Orthopedics and the
Urology Second School of Medicine in
St. Petersburg, Russia. More recently, Dr.
Berman has received board certification
and is a fellow of the American Academy
of Anti-Aging Medicine. Dr. Berman
is a board member of the National
Science Foundation University-Industry
Cooperative Research Center.
ophia Rekblatt always led what
she considered to be an active
lifestyle between her job in the
home health industry and her
personal and married life.
“I work a lot of hours and I burn a
lot of energy all day long at work,” Sophia
relays. “I have always been a morning person and never had an issue getting out of
bed and going to work, then one day I felt
like my body just crashed. I just had no
energy, even after a good night’s sleep. I
was tired all the time.”
Then, the menopausal symptoms
seemed to settle in, Sophia recalls.
“I started having hot fl ashes and
mood swings,” she says. “I remember
that my mother had a really diffi cult
time with menopause, and I just did not
want to go through those same things.
She was depressed a lot. Every woman
is different, but I knew I did not want
to go through that.”
Married for 27 years to her husband,
George, Sophia recalls confiding in him
about her physical condition. “I talked to
my husband and he said, Let’s find some
options,” she says. That’s when she turned
to Mikhail Berman, MD, at BHRT, Inc.
in Palm Beach Gardens.
Feel good again
After an initial consultation, it was
determined that Sophia needed hormone replacement and Dr. Berman
recommended bio-identical pellet hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
“Hormones are messenger molecules,” explains Dr. Berman. “They are
responsible for making all systems of the
body work in unison. Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are important
hormones that are produced in ovaries,
testicles and adrenal glands. As we age,
they decline and this negatively affects
not only sexuality, but also mood, sleep,
energy and many other functions.
BHRT, INC.
MIKHAIL BERMAN, MD
“When delivered by pellets,” he continues, “which are the size of a grain of
rice, hormones provide superior relief
of menopausal symptoms. The oldest
method of hormone replacement, pellets
have been used for decades and are the
safest and most thoroughly studied way
to replace hormones. Pellets also prevent
hormone transmission to others, which
can occur when using creams.”
Dr. Berman worked closely with
Sophia and after detailed testing and thorough examinations, they determined the
proper dosage that worked best for her.
“Pellets deliver a steady stream
of hormones into the blood because
they are introduced under the skin
into fat tissue and they slowly dissolve
over a period of four to five months,”
he explains. “This ensures their levels
remain stable and do not fluctuate.”
Renewed energy
Sophia says she started feeling better
within days of receiving the pellet
treatment. “In a few days, I felt like
myself again,” Sophia notes. “I was just
full of renewed energy, hot flashes and
mood swings were gone and the desire
for intimacy returned.”
Sophia now has more energy than
ever before and can maintain her active
lifestyle.
“I’m very happy with the choice I
made,” she confides.
“Any time I have a concern, I know
I can call Dr. Berman and he is available to take any questions,” she adds.
“He’s very passionate about what he
does and very knowledgeable. I am
thrilled with the results.” FHCN
Correct Your
Hormones Today!
If you are interested in hormone
replacement, visit Dr. Berman’s office
at 8295 North Military Trail, Suite
G, in Palm Beach Gardens or call his
office at (561) 626-3205. For more
information, visit his website at
www.hormonecorrection.com.
Martin County Edition | Winter 2015 | Florida Health Care News | Page 9
VASCULAR SURGERY
SURGERY WITHOUT A SCALPEL
With less pain and quicker recovery, revolutionary new PEVAR procedure offers less invasive abdominal aneurysm repair option.
F
rank Roach was only two weeks
into his recovery from triple
bypass surgery last September
when he experienced a pain he
couldn’t explain.
“I was at home, and all of a sudden I
had this tremendous pain,” he recalls. “I
almost passed out. It was so intense in my
lower left abdomen, and I told my wife,
Something’s seriously wrong.”
VASCULAR INTERVENTIONAL
& VEIN ASSOCIATES
PRANAY T. RAMDEV, MD, FACS
About aneurysms
GRAPHIC COURTESY OF VASCULAR INTERVENTIONAL & VEIN ASSOCIATES
An abdominal aneurysm is a bulge in an
artery caused by a weakening of the blood
vessel wall. Left untreated, the condition
can be fatal. “It’s like a balloon that’s too
full of water,” explains Dr. Ramdev. “The
PEVAR technique
BEFORE:
AFTER:
An aortic
With the
aneurysm looks aneurysm fixed,
like a balloon that
the risk of
is ready to pop rupture is gone
Pranay T. Ramdev, MD,
FACS, is a Fellow of the
American College of
Surgeons and is board
certified by the National
Board of Medical Examiners
– Parts I, II, III, and by the
American Board of Surgery
with a certificate of added
qualification in vascular surgery. He earned
his medical degree from Dartmouth Medical
School in Hanover, NH and served five years
of general surgery residency at the University
of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital. Dr.
Ramdev went on to complete a fellowship in
vascular and endovascular surgery at Harvard
University in Boston. Following his fellowship,
he joined the faculty at the Division of
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at the
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Dr. Ramdev has been practicing vascular
surgery for more than 12 years.
Until a few years ago, patients needing
repair of an abdominal aneurysm would
have an operation requiring “a big incision
in the belly,” reports Dr. Ramdev. “Patients
often stayed a week to ten days or more in
the hospital. The next evolution was minimally invasive, with incisions in the groin
and relining the aorta. Now, it’s almost like
Welcome Dr. Galovich
Vascular Interventional & Vein Associates
welcomes Justin M. Galovich, MD, to the
practice. A fellowship-trained vascular
surgeon, Dr. Galovich earned his Bachelor
of Science degree in biochemistry and
molecular biology at the University of
California Santa Cruz and his medical
degree from St. George’s University School
of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies. He
completed his internship at Harbor UCLA
Medical Center followed by a residency at
the University of California Irvine, where he
was named chief resident. He completed
a fellowship in vascular surgery at Harbor
UCLA Medical Center in 2014.
A California native and avid surfer, Dr.
Galovich is married and the father of two
PHOTO FROM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
His wife, Carol, called 911, and Frank
was whisked to the emergency room.
Doctors determined that he was suffering
from an abdominal aortic aneurysm and
needed immediate emergency surgery.
Pranay T. Ramdev, MD, FACS, a
board-certified vascular surgeon at Vascular
Interventional & Vein Associates, was the
surgeon on call at the hospital that night.
“He came in and told me that I had
a leaking aneurysm and I needed to be
operated on,” remembers Frank, a retired
banker who is originally from New York. “I
said, Okay. What we gotta do, we gotta do.”
“We were able to get in very quickly
using percutaneous [through the skin using
a needle] access,” explains Dr. Ramdev. “I
put the graft into the aorta all percutaneously and closed it percutaneously. He did
extremely well.”
balloon will eventually explode, and that’s
essentially what happened to Frank.”
Though genetics can play a role in
the development of aneurysms, smokers are at higher risk because smoking
accelerates aneurysm growth, explains
the doctor. “The chemicals in the smoke
cause the breakdown and weakening of
the artery wall,” offers Justin Galovich,
MD, a fellowship-trained vascular surgeon who recently joined Vascular
Interventional & Vein Associates.
Other causes of aneurysm include
high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and
certain connective tissue disorders.
No matter the cause, an abdominal aneurysm is a serious condition
that requires treatment. Unfortunately,
aneurysms don’t always cause noticeable
symptoms unless they start to leak or rupture – situations that require immediate
emergency medical treatment.
When an abdominal aneurysm ruptures, “the mortality can be quite high,”
Dr. Ramdev reports. “If it’s a free rupture, meaning your entire blood volume
is being dumped into your belly, it can
be exceedingly high. But if it’s a contained
rupture, which is what Mr. Roach had, it
is contained in an area called the retroperitoneum, and you have a little bit more
time, a few hours.”
Unfortunately, unless they rupture,
aneurysms often go undetected. Frank, 63,
says he didn’t notice any overt symptoms. “I
might have had little twinges down there,”
he admits, “but I didn’t really pay a whole
lot of attention to them. But this one just
doubled me over. I went down on one knee
on the floor. That’s how painful it was.”
Fortunately, an ultrasound scan can
detect an aneurysm well before there is a
risk of rupture. Moreover, when individuals begin Medicare coverage at age 65, they
are entitled to receive an aneurysm screening, stresses Dr. Ramdev. “They can come
in, get an ultrasound test and Medicare
will cover the cost,” he says.
Severe abdominal pain can be a sign of an aneurysm, which
requires emergency medical treatment.
a heart catheterization with bigger devices
that go in the groin, and we now have
almost no incisions.”
“It was like I wasn’t even operated
on. The incisions were minor, and
the day after the surgery I was up
and walking around.”
- Frank Roach
This leading-edge technique, which
was FDA approved in 2013, is known as
percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair
(PEVAR). It involves a series of catheters
that are directed to the aorta through tiny,
pinkie finger-sized punctures in the groin.
Once in position, a stent graft (a long,
cylinder-like tube) is threaded through
the catheters and into the affected area
to repair the aneurysm. “It’s more of
a new procedure, and I’m not aware of
anyone else in the area doing it,” notes
Dr. Galovich.
PEVAR offers an array of benefits
for the patient, including reduced groin
complications, less blood loss, less pain,
a shorter hospital stay and a quicker
return to normal.
The day after Frank’s emergency
active, young sons, ages 5
and 8. One of the reasons
the family chose to relocate
to Vero Beach is because of
the wide array of available
outdoor activities. “There’s
a good family lifestyle here,”
he says.
Professionally, Dr. Galovich “was looking for
someone who is going to be a mentor,” he
explains. “Dr. Ramdev is someone who knows
a lot of the procedures I was trained to do
and does those procedures. I was looking for
someone who would help me grow.”
Dr. Galovich is a member of the Peripheral
Vascular Surgical Society, the Society for
Clinical Vascular Surgery and the American
College of Surgeons. He practices out of
the Sebastian office.
Please visit www.VIVAMyVeins.com for more information.
surgery, he woke to find he “had no pain,”
he marvels. “No discomfort whatsoever.
It was like I wasn’t even operated on. The
incisions were minor, and the day after
the surgery I was up and walking around.”
“He did extremely well,” observes
Dr. Ramdev. “The aneurysm is essentially repaired, with very minimal
morbidity and minimal discomfort
sensation. His prognosis is really good.
He’ll have ultrasounds and a follow-up,
but he should do really well.”
Enjoying life
Frank had never even been in a hospital prior to his triple bypass surgery last
summer. Now, after two life-threatening
events in the span of a month, he has a
new lease on life and is well on the road to
recovery. He is looking forward to spending time with Carol, his wife of 39 years;
playing golf and cards with friends and
visiting his two sons and two grandsons.
Though last September was “kind of
a rough month,” he admits, Frank is glad
that Dr. Ramdev was the doctor on call
the night his aneurysm ruptured. “He is
very confident,” Frank observes. “He was
very clear as to what he was going to do
and why he had to do it.” FHCN–Melanie Casey
Find Help
Dr. Ramdev, Dr. Galovich
and Physician Assistant
Robyn Ronzio welcome all
calls regarding this article as
well as other topics related
to vascular issues. Offices
are located at 955 37th Place
in Vero Beach, (772) 5678482; 7925 Bay Street in
Sebastian, (772) 646-4626
and 2215 Nebraska Avenue,
Suite 1A, in Ft. Pierce,
(772) 801-2108.
Page 10 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2015 | Martin County Edition
CHIROPRACTIC
Stop Neck Pain and Ease Sinus Infections
Treatment also brings relief from headaches and other symptoms simultaneously.
L
aura Vinci was suffering with
multiple symptoms.
“I had severe, chronic neck
pain, and I mean chronic,”
describes the Real Estate of Florida realtor.
ATLAS CHIROPRACTIC OF PALM CITY
THOMAS D. KLEINMAN, DC
The Atlas procedure
Dr. Kleinman, a local chiropractor, has
used a protocol known as the atlas orthogonal procedure for more than 25 years. This
procedure is based on maintaining the
precise alignment of the first cervical, or
atlas, vertebra. It is called the atlas because
it holds up the head, just as the titan Atlas
holds up the world in Greek mythology.
According to Dr. Kleinman, it is
the balance of the head on the neck
that controls the body’s posture and is
the key to good health. Misalignment
of the atlas vertebra causes the spine to
twist in order to maintain its balance.
This twist can pinch nerves and put
pressure on the spinal cord or the brain
stem itself. This can cause a myriad of
symptoms sometimes not even thought
to be associated with the spine.
“The human body is an incredible
healing mechanism,” observes the doctor. “However, the trick to health care
is to find the cause of the symptoms and
correct it. Just treating the symptoms will
have little long-term effect.
“In Laura’s case, as in so many like
hers, the problem of misalignment of
her atlas vertebra caused a constellation
of symptoms, but the focus was fi rst,
of course, on her pain. Once the pain
was correctly addressed, everything else
functioned better.”
Laura is now approximately onethird of the way through her treatment.
“I feel fi fty million times better,”
she marvels. “I knew from the results of
my first treatment that I was in the right
place, and now my neck pain is already
ninety percent better. My ears feel much
less stuffed up and are improving, the
Whole Food Nutrition Offered
Dr. Kleinman has incorporated whole food nutrition from Standard Process® as part of his
wellness program. He invites you to learn more about the role of whole food nutrition in
reversing disease. Workshops are held at Atlas Health and Wellness, located in the Palm City
Professional Center, 1516 SW Mapp Road. Please call (772) 781-9987 for further information.
FHCN FILE PHOTO
Following a couple of childhood
incidents involving her neck, Laura was
a passenger in a motor vehicle accident
in 1998, she recounts. “It was pretty
bad; when I regained consciousness, I
was shocked that I hadn’t broken my
neck. However, the pain did get significantly worse. If I turned my head to the
right or left, or tried bending it back,
the pain was excruciating. I had a lot of
headaches, and was always getting sinus
infections. I could feel that my posture
was no longer correct. Plus, since 2006,
my ears had been consistently stuffed
up, I was having dizzy spells and I was
plagued with fatigue.”
Laura says she sought help on
several fronts: “I was diagnosed with
a herniated disc and went through
physical therapy. I was treated by a
chiropractor in Connecticut, which
helped somewhat, but I still suff ered
neck pain every day. I saw a couple of
different allergists about my ears. They
talked about treating the symptoms, but
didn’t address the underlying problem.
“I’m living with all of this, thinking
that I would be like this for the rest of
my life. I thought, What’s going to happen to me when I’m older?
“Th en I saw an article in Florida
Health Care News about another patient
with multiple symptoms similar to mine
who found help. I thought, If someone
can help me after all of these years, it
would be a miracle.”
Laura scheduled an appointment
with Dr. Thomas Kleinman.
Laura says the change in her health
has been dramatic.
headaches are much better, the episodes
of dizziness are regressing and I have
much more energy.
“It’s been the biggest blessing of my
life, and it happened within such a short
time period.”
Laura says Dr. Kleinman is wonderful to work with: “He’s phenomenal. He
has such compassion for his patients, and
the staff makes you feel so welcome.
“The entire place emits a positive
light.” FHCN
Thomas D. Kleinman, DC, is board certified by the National Board of
Chiropractic Examiners. He is on the board of the Spinal Orthopedic and
Neurological Advancement and Rehabilitation Foundation and the board
of the Carpal Tunnel Relief Foundation and assists in the development
of nonsurgical protocol for relief of this debilitating syndrome.
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Eye Floaters?
E
ye floaters − those tiny specks or
strings that float into your field
of vision periodically − can be
concerning. Typically caused by
age-related changes to the vitreous humor,
the thick fluid inside the eye, eye floaters
become more common with age. But can
they cause blindness?
SOUTH FLORIDA EYE CLINIC
SCOTT L. GELLER, MD
FHCN PHOTOS BY MARC EDWARDS
“By our usual definition, of course
not,” says Scott Geller, MD, a boardcertified ophthalmologist at South
Florida Eye Clinic in Fort Myers who has
a special interest in the treatment of eye
floaters. “But imagine if you only had
one good eye. Imagine that the floater in
it was so large that when it came across
your field of vision, you could not even
see the big E on the eye chart. Imagine
if it were a car on the highway or a road
Laser treatment for
eye floaters is safe
and effective.
sign. By the statutory definition of legal word to more ophthalmologists that this
blindness, that would qualify, if only for is a safe technique,” he explains. “And
the short period of time the floater was even more than that, we need to educate
in your field of vision.”
ophthalmologists that in many instances,
Patients with eye floaters of this size − eye floaters can disable.
even if their vision is perfect − are actually
“The current ophthalmic dogma is
quite disabled, stresses Dr. Geller. “Most that an ophthalmologist will say, Well, I
ophthalmologists don’t seem to under- have floaters; what are you complaining
stand that when a patient is complaining about? So they write off the patient and
of serious eye floaters, but their vision is tell them it will go away. In most cases,
20/20, they are actually having a real prob- this is true, but the patients that come to
lem,” he says. “It’s not something that’s me have serious problems.”
only in their mind.”
When eye floaters are severe, some
Dr. Geller should know: he is one ophthalmologists may offer a vitrecof the most recognized eye floater laser tomy, the surgical removal of the gel
specialists in the United States and where the floaters reside. However, this
around the world.
is rare because the
“We have had
has some
“THE LARGEST SERIES operation
patients come from
serious drawbacks
all over the world to
and complications,
OF EYE FLOATER
our facility in Fort
and it is an expensive,
LASERS WORLDWIDE” invasive
Myers for treatment,”
procedure.
says Dr. Geller. www.vitreousfloaters.com
However, the com“Many patients come
plication rate for laser
from countries where medicine is social- treatment of eye floaters is very low.
ized, and there is a lack of training and Furthermore, there is no risk of infecproper equipment. During the past tion with laser since there is no cutting
twenty years, we have treated thousands with a scalpel.
of patients and have performed nearly
Dr. Geller has treated many meditwenty thousand laser sessions.”
cal doctors for their eye floaters as well.
“When other doctors and ophthalMaster of floater treatment
mologists come to you for their own
Dr. Geller is a master of this treatment problems, I would say that speaks for
modality. He has trained doctors from itself. We love doing laser surgery on
Holland, Italy, the United States and eye floaters, and love dealing with our
Central America. “We need to spread the patients on a personal basis.” FHCN
Scott L. Geller, MD, is board certified by the
American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a
graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and
Rush Medical College. While in medical school,
he was awarded a student fellowship to study
tropical medicine at a missionary hospital in
India, and pursued additional studies at the
famous Brompton Hospital in London, England.
He interned at Presbyterian Hospital, Pacific
Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, and completed his residency in ophthalmology at Sinai
Hospital of Detroit, which was affiliated with
Wayne State Medical School and Kresge Eye
Institute. Dr. Geller was fellowship-trained in
anterior segment and refractive surgery with
Dr. William Myers of the Michigan Eye Institute.
Dr. Geller is a fellow of the American Academy
of Ophthalmology, and has presented papers on
eye floater laser treatment at the International
Congress of Ophthalmology, European Congress
of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, European
Congress of Ophthalmology, and the Florida
Society of Ophthalmology.
For eye floater solutions...
Call Dr. Geller at (239) 275-8222 or
toll-free at (877) 371-3937. South
Florida Eye Clinic is located at 4755
Summerlin Rd. in Fort Myers.
www.vitreousfloaters.com
Martin County Edition | Winter 2015 | Florida Health Care News | Page 11
DRY EYE TREATMENT
Dry Eye Syndrome Relieved
The revolutionary LipiFlow technology from TearScience provides a long-lasting solution to the pain,
itching and blurriness of dry eyes.
L
ynne Parent has gone through
a major challenge with dry
eye syndrome. She says that
long-term use of contact lenses
played a role in either causing or exacerbating her dry eye symptoms.
“I was a contact user for many,
many years. I enjoyed wearing contacts, so I very seldom wore my glasses,”
explains Lynne, adding that the dry eye
problem actually forced her out of her
contacts and back to glasses.
THE DRY EYE SPA &
V.I.P. LASER EYE CENTER
CLIFFORD L. SALINGER, MD
Evaporative tear deficiency
When addressing dry eye syndrome, there
are four factors to consider: exposure to
the elements, inflammation, the quantity
of tear production and, most importantly,
the quality of the tears.
“Dry eye is a chronic, progressive
condition that requires some maintenance
treatment,” emphasizes Dr. Salinger.
“Exposure to the elements happens to
some degree whether we are awake or
asleep, because the eyelids do not close
completely. Even when we are sleeping,
there is some exposure of the surface of
the eye, so a ceiling fan or air conditioning
unit blowing directly on you will exacerbate the problem.”
The quality of tears is the most
significant component that can be
treated medically, and LipiFlow directly
addresses the balance between the oil
layer and the water layer, thereby
improving tear film stability.
“Oftentimes, dry eye patients are
treated for aqueous deficiency, or not
enough of the water layer,” clarifies Dr.
Salinger. “What we now know, however,
is that the majority of the dry eye condition is typically caused by evaporative tear
deficiency, not aqueous deficiency. This
problem is primarily due to the dysfunction of the oil glands.”
Revolutionary treatment
The LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System
from TearScience provides a more targeted treatment, even for seemingly
hopeless cases of dry eye syndrome that
have persisted in spite of traditional comprehensive care. Dr. Salinger has offered
the LipiFlow treatment since April 2012.
The LipiFlow system relieves
blockages of the eyelid’s oil glands
during a short office visit. Opening and
clearing these blocked glands enhances
the natural production of the oils that
are needed for a healthy layer of tears
on the surface of the eye.
“The dysfunction within the oil
glands is not particularly noticeable,” says
Dr. Salinger, “and most eye doctors are
Signs and Symptoms of
Dry Eye Syndrome
•
•
•
•
Dryness or itching
Excess tear production
Burning, stinging sensation
“Foreign body” or scratchy
sensation
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue
• Pain and redness
The
System
Fast • Noninvasive • Painless
Effective • Long-lasting
LipiFlow treatment jumpstarts the
oil glands, emptying them of a lifetime
of blocked-up material so that the new
oil being produced is healthier and flows
more naturally from the evacuated gland.
“Lynne came to us with significant
dry eye problems that were unable to
be improved by other physicians. We
were able to improve her symptoms of
the dry eye disease, as well as her ocular
signs of dry eye, sufficiently enough to
then make her a candidate for LASEK
laser vision correction.
“There is a widespread belief that
you’re not a good laser vision candidate if
you have dry eye,” adds Dr. Salinger, “and
that is true for the standard, conventional
LASIK. But for the surface laser vision
correction procedure, LASEK, although it
FHCN PHOTO BY MARC EDWARDS
“It was at the point where I was down
to only a few hours per day where I could
wear my contacts before I would have to
change into glasses – my eyes were so dry
that the contacts were irritating them.”
Dry eye syndrome, also known as
keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a problem
that affects millions of Americans like
Lynne. Symptoms of dry eye syndrome
can include intermittent blurry vision,
excess production of tears, itching, or
burning and stinging.
Once the problem became severe,
Lynne suffered for a long time with her
painful dry eyes.
“I was experiencing pain in my eyes
for almost a year, waking up so dry every
morning,” she recalls. “I was always blinking to try to moisten my eyes. It just got
so painful for me.”
Lynne finally found help after
consulting Cliff ord L. Salinger, MD,
the founder of The Dry Eye Spa &
V.I.P. Laser Eye Center in Palm Beach
Gardens. Dr. Salinger is a board-certified ophthalmologist, cornea and
refractive surgeon and dry eye specialist.
Lynne says she is
“thrilled” with the
results of her LASEK
procedure and the
comprehensive dry
eye treatment that
preceded it.
not accustomed to searching for it. You
have to actively look for it with specialized
diagnostic equipment that most practices
do not have. In fact, our office is one of
very few in the state of Florida to have the
technology, which uses infrared light to
view the oil glands directly.”
heals somewhat more slowly than LASIK,
it is not associated with making preexisting dry eye syndrome worse. As
a result, once dry eye treatments are
improving the patient enough and the
condition is under sufficient control, then
he or she may be a candidate for LASEK.”
LASEK success
When Lynne was ready, she also had
the LASEK procedure, and she chose to
return to Dr. Salinger’s office for it.
“Like I would with any doctor, I
really researched his background,” adds
Lynne. “I talked to people who have gone
to him, and he has a very good reputation here. When it comes to your eyes,
you just don’t settle. There were plenty
of doctors who would do the laser vision
correction, but I wasn’t going to trust my
eyes to just anyone.”
After the LASEK correction, she was
absolutely thrilled with the results, particularly as she was able to eliminate wearing
glasses for most tasks.
“Because of my dry eye, I could
not wear contacts any longer,” reminds
Lynne, “because they made the dry eye
more severe. So with the laser vision
correction, of course I don’t need the
contact lenses anymore, and I’m definitely more comfortable. I’m having
less dry eye issues – the scratchiness and
pain has been relieved.
“I never did want to wear glasses
all the time, so I guess you could say
Stop suffering!
Dr. Salinger is proud to present the latest
breakthrough medical technology for
dry eye syndrome. For more information,
or to schedule a consultation, please
call (561) 624-7878. The Dry Eye Spa
& V.I.P. Laser Eye Center is located in
Palm Beach Gardens. Also offering
consultations in Stuart and Vero Beach.
there was a little vanity there, too,”
she adds with a chuckle. “I still need
glasses for reading and computer work,
but that doesn’t really bother me. I’m
in my fifties, and most people in their
fifties have reading glasses.”
NOW AVAILABLE,
DNA TESTING FOR
LASIK SAFETY
Lynne suggests anyone pondering
LASEK surgery or suffering with a dry eye
problem follow her lead and consult The
Dry Eye Spa at V.I.P. Laser Eye Center
and Dr. Salinger.
“He has a great staff and they are very
well educated in everything,” she emphasizes. “The nurses are so helpful and just
explain things so well,” she adds. “If I had
a question, all I had to do was call them
and they would get right back to me. I
think they’re the best medical practice that
I have dealt with here in South Florida. I
can’t say enough about them. I am just
thrilled, and I definitely recommend
them to anyone and everyone I talk to!”
FHCN–Michael J. Sahno
Clifford L. Salinger, MD, recipient of the “Heroes in Medicine”
2014, awarded by the Palm Beach
County Medical Society, is a
board-certified ophthalmologist
with subspecialty certification in
corneal and refractive surgery,
and dry eye. After completing his undergraduate degree at The Johns Hopkins University in
Baltimore, he received his medical degree from
UMDNJ-Rutgers Medical School, New Brunswick,
NJ. Dr. Salinger completed an ophthalmology
residency at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School.
He is a member of the American Academy of
Ophthalmology, the Cornea Society, and the
Florida Society of Ophthalmology. He is a past
associate professor at the University of Rochester
and has lectured extensively nationally and
abroad. In addition to his volunteer work, traveling overseas on many occasions, he has been
the education chairman for the Florida Society of
Ophthalmology for more than ten years.
Visit The Dry Eye Spa & V.I.P. Laser Eye Center on the web at www.TheDryEyeSpa.com.
Page 12 | Florida Health Care News | Winter 2015 | Martin County Edition
NEUROLOGY
AND
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Feeling Faint?
A condition called syncope can be the cause of fainting or
passing out. However, the cause of the syncope condition
itself can be varied. Find out more.
S
“
yncope, also known as fainting spells, may not be cardiac-related,” notes Hal
M. Tobias, MD, of Neurology Associates of the Treasure Coast. “Although
people typically think that this problem is due to a cardiac arrhythmia, it
may be neurological.”
Recurring dizziness, lightheadedness or passing out spells (syncope) are often
symptoms of an underlying neurological condition, explains the doctor.
“Syncope is one of those conditions that can actually be caused by any one of a
variety of factors, from diabetes to dehydration. Other causes may include medications,
pregnancy or anemia. However, it’s crucial that a neurological workup be performed
in order to rule out something more serious.” FHCN
Do You Have Fibromyalgia?
F
Has your physician told you, “It’s all in your head”?
“
ibromyalgia patients may fibromyalgia, for example, cannot be
have lower pain thresholds found because there is no test for it. We
than people without fibro- infer the presence of fibromyalgia by rulmyalgia,” says Dr. Tobias. ing out other diseases. The problem is,
sufferers often look
“In fact, research
shows that compared
healthy, giving rise
to people without
to a feeling of hypochondria that further
fibromyalgia, fibroinhibits their chances
myalgia patients
HAL M. TOBIAS, MD
tend to process pain
of arresting the pain.”
differently and to be particularly sensiEqually frustrating, the symptoms of
tive to pain. That heightened sensitivity fibromyalgia vary from patient to patient:
to pain likely stems from pain-processing “Sufferers may have trouble sleeping
because of general discomfort, persistent
problems in the central nervous system.
“Traditionally, medical science has leg or arm pain, soreness on the skin with
difficulty giving credence to something the lightest touch, or with no touch at all.
“Fibromyalgia frequently overlies
that can’t be quantified,” observes Dr.
Tobias. “Little wonder. Conditions like other conditions, too,” adds Dr. Tobias,
“so it takes some detective work to determine symptoms caused by other, more
easily identifiable disease processes.”
Other conditions frequently
accompanying fibromyalgia include
irritable bowel, migraine, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), multiple
chemical sensitivities, numbness and
tingling, cognitive or memory deficits,
muscle twitching and chronic fatigue.
Dr. Tobias addresses both the pain
that disrupts a patient’s life and the underlying damage generating the pain signals.
“When people come to the office and
I ask what’s wrong, sometimes they say,
Everything hurts. Some physicians might
say, I can’t deal with that; go see somebody
else, but we can deal with that here. The
problem may be fibromyalgia, and there is
a treatment for it now. We take time to sit
with the patient, listen to their history and
diagnose the cause of their pain.”
Emotional Symptoms Associated with Neurological Problems
Now there may be medication available to treat uncontrolled
emotions associated with certain neurological symptoms.
S
“
PHOTOS FROM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
ome secondary symptoms of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s
disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia, memory loss, and so on, may include
problems with overwhelming emotions,” reflects Dr. Tobias. “Not all
emotional problems are depression. If your anti-depressants are not
working, you or a loved one may find yourself feeling fine one minute then crying
the next over something small or nothing at all; crying easily or something not
appropriate for the situation; or exhibiting symptoms of emotional ups and downs.
These symptoms, due to no fault of your own, can be embarrassing. We may be
able to give you ways to deal with these symptoms.”
Neuropathy?
B
“
etween ten and twenty million
Americans suffer from neuropathy, experiencing seemingly
causeless sensations of tingling,
numbness, heat, cold and even stabbing
pain,” notes Dr. Tobias, “yet the Neuropathy
Association estimates that only seven percent of
Americans have even heard of this sometimes
debilitating condition.
“Consequently, many patients don’t even
realize that their phantom sensations are symptoms of a recognized medical condition. They
fail to seek help, suffering needlessly while their
condition deteriorates and their symptoms
intensify.”
Neuropathy may also present as sudden,
involuntary movements of the extremities,
weakness in the arms or legs, lack of coordination or sensation, or both. It is a neurologic
condition, so it will be most effectively addressed
by a neurologist, who can identify treatable
medical conditions, which, when addressed,
may result in significant relief from neuropathy’s
painful and sometimes debilitating effects.
Dr. Tobias advises patients to select a
neurologist who is also well versed in pain management techniques because fully 30 percent
of patients suffering from neuropathy demonstrate no identifiable cause for their discomfort.
Another 30 percent of cases can be traced
to nerve damage that results from diabetes.
Neuropathic symptoms may also result from
trauma, infections, autoimmune disease, tumors,
heredity, compressed nerves, and drugs or toxins.
Dr. Tobias is board certified in both
neurology and pain medicine, so even if the
underlying cause of a patient’s neuropathy is not
identifiable, Dr. Tobias can still turn his efforts
to relieving that patient’s discomfort quickly.
Patients of all ages can develop neuropathy,
but it occurs more frequently with age.
Neuropathy results from damage to the
peripheral nervous system, the system of sensory, motor and autonomic (organ) nerves that
branch off from the central nervous system
comprising the brain and spinal cord.
Most cases of neuropathy involve all three
types of nerves, although patients may only be
aware of one or two.
Depending on which nerves are affected,
the symptoms of neuropathy can appear suddenly or may increase gradually over a period of
years. Early indications are persistent numbness
or weakness and unexplained pain.
Damaged sensory nerves can generate a
variety of symptoms. They often begin with
sporadic sensations of pain, electric shock,
numbness, tingling, heat or cold. These
sensations are usually more frequent and pronounced at night. Abnormal and unpleasant
sensations can be triggered by a touch, or the
patient may experience a lessening of sensation
in the affected area.
Sensory nerves can also give an inaccurate perception of body position. Patients may
find themselves unsteady or uncoordinated
while walking because they cannot accurately
gauge the placement of their feet. These sensory
misperceptions may cause them to walk with
a widened gait to maintain balance or to drag
their feet while walking to maintain awareness
of positioning.
Dr. Tobias urges anyone who experiences
any of these symptoms to seek the advice of a
skilled neurologist and pain specialist.
Gaining
on pain
Dr. Tobias welcomes your
questions regarding
this ar ticle or any
issues involving pain
management and
neurological disorders. To
schedule an appointment,
please call (772) 283-3414.
Neurology Associates
of the Treasure Coast
is located at 901 SE
Monterey Commons
Blvd., Suite 200, in Stuart.
Hal M. Tobias, MD, is
board certified in neurology and pain medicine
by the American Board of
Psychiatry and Neurology
and in pain medicine by
the American Academy
of Pain Medicine. He
completed his neurology residency at Jackson
Memorial Hospital, Miami.