Deep vein thrombosis, or more commonly DVT, is described by medical professionals as a thrombosis, or blood clot, that develops within the deep veins of the extremities, usually in the legs or arms. A DVT is considered a medical emergency due to the risk of embolization, which can occur if a piece of a blood clot breaks free and off and travels through the circulation system to the heart, and becomes lodged in one of the pulmonary arteries. If essential flow is blocked in the lungs, a life-threatening pulmonary embolism can occur. There are several risk factors for the development of a DVT, including immobility due to: Prolonged travel Obesity Pregnancy Surgery Hospitalization Casting of the arm or leg In addition, DVT can form in patients who smoke, take an estro-oral contraceptives (i.e., Yaz), or have a genetic history of blood clotting. If a doctor suspects a DVT, a physical exam will likely check the suspect area for tenderness, heat, pain, inflammation, and redness. Further diagnosis of a blood clot often entails a D-dimer blood test to examine for high levels of D-dimer (an indication of a DVT) in the blood, and an ultrasound for visual confirmation of a DVT deep within an arm, leg, chest, or pelvis.

Atrial fibrillation (or AFib) is characterized as an abnormally rapid and irregular heart rate that can cause extreme fatigue, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. AFib occurs due to several medical issues (i.e., heart surgery, high blood pressure, heart defect, thyroid imbalance, stimulants, lung disease, stress, sleep apnea, and abnormal heart valves) that cause the upper chambers of the heart (or atria) to beat at different rates than the lower heart chambers (or ventricles). AFib tends to be classified in 4 stages, as occasional, persistent, long standing persistent, or permanent: Occasional or paroxysmal AFib comes and goes and lasts for durations between a few minutes to a few hours only. Persistent atrial fibrillation requires electrical shock or drug treatment to restore a healthy heart rate when the heart’s rhythm doesn’t return to normal naturally. Long-standing persistent AFib is continual for 12 months or longer. Permanent atrial fibrillation results in a permanent and abnormal heart rhythm that requires the assistance of medication to control a healthy heart rate. While atrial fibrillation isn’t considered a threat to health at the occasional stage, AFib may demand treatment if it leads to a higher risk of other health complications, such as heart failure, stroke, or the development of a blood clot that causes ischemia (blocked blood flow).

Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal urothelial cells develop in the inner walls of this pouch-like organ located within the lower pelvic region. The bladder is attached to the kidneys and mainly responsible for urine storage. According to the American Cancer Society, bladder cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer among older U.S. men (over 55 years of age), with approximately 1 in 27 males developing bladder cancer during their lifetime. Bladder cancer is less prevalent in female patients (affecting roughly 1 in 89). Luckily, research indicates that more than 50% of bladder cancers are detected in the early stages, when the cancerous cells are non-invasive (situ cancers) still confined to the inner wall of the bladder before cancers have invaded deeper tissues or spread (metastasized) to nearby organs, tissues, or lymph nodes. The highest risk factors for bladder cancer includ e: Tobacco smokers are 3 times more likely to develop bladder cancer vs. non-smokers Exposure to industrial chemicals (i.e., aromatic amines and arsenic) A family history of bladder cancer Prior radiation or chemotherapy Chronic bladder infections Genetic bladder defects at birth Medications (i.e., Actos or pioglitazone and aristolochic acid) Race and gender (i.e., caucasian males are at highest risk) Bladder cancer develops in the following forms:

As with many other health conditions, health experts link prostate cancer with several risk factors, or circumstances that make individuals significantly more prone to developing a disease. Obviously, different types of cancer carry distinctive risk factors—some which are in the patient’s control (i.e., smoking) and some which are not (i.e., age or family history). While individuals with certain risk factors can be considered at “higher risk” of developing certain diseases; having a known risk factor doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop any specific health condition. That being said, health expert pinpoint the following risk factors for men and prostate cancer: 1. Smoking A 2003 study from Stanford University found that smoking not only increases the overall risk of developing prostate cancer, depending on how much you smoke can risk the severity of cancer as well as the risk of prostate cancer fatality. Stanford scientists claim that “cigarette smoking can increase prostate cancer risk by impacting circulating hormone levels via exposure to carcinogens.” They also note that smoking history (duration of years as a smoker), as well as quantify of cigarettes smoked/per day were linked to more aggressive prostate cancer in male subjects. While former smokers didn’t display increased risk of developing prostate cancer when compared to non smoking test subjects.

Oxygen therapy is a medical therapy prescribed to patients with interstitial lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis), cystic fibrosis, obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, cardiopulmonary disease (i.e. COPD), and associated hypoxemia (low blood oxygen). And the demand for long-term oxygen therapy for adult patients is on the rise in order to improve cognitive function, energy, and overall quality of life for patients while decreasing their frequency of hospitalization. When it comes to prescribing supplemental oxygen therapy, doctors take several things into consideration to determine the dosage of supplemental oxygen required to prevent any further complications associated with chronic hypoxemia (i.e., headache, shortness of breath, anxiety, heart palpitations, fatigue): The condition causing hypoxemia (i.e., COPD, etc.) Patient’s oxygen usage (i.e., during sleep, continuously, or following exercise) Oxygen flow rate, prescribed in liters The recommended oxygen delivery device Oxygen can be delivered via an oxygen concentrator, compressed oxygen gas, or liquid oxygen, here a the details on each: 1. Oxygen concentrators The most efficient, reliable, and inexpensive oxygen therapy device is an oxygen concentrator. This device hooks directly into a home’s electricity, and works to extract nitrogen from the air in order to deliver 95% pure oxygen to the patient via a nasal cannula (or thin tube that’s outfitted with nostril nozzles).