Just last year, the American Heart Association estimated that about 45.6 percent of Americans suffer from high blood pressure in the United States. Yet despite this, there are still some who ask, what is hypertension? If you or someone you know have been diagnosed with hypertension, here is everything you need to know.
Nuclear Medicine: Everything You Need To Know
The radiology world has continued to evolve, with new methods emerging to even further improve the diagnostic process. One notable improvement is the use of nuclear medicine. Nuclear medicine allows doctors to identify, diagnose, and treat certain conditions by using small amounts of radioactive material. It may sound scary, but it’s not. Here’s how it works.
What Is A Bone Densitometry Test?
If you are at risk for bone loss or osteoporosis either due to your age, history, or lifestyle choices, your doctor may recommend that you get a bone density test called bone densitometry. Bone densitometry testing can detect decreasing bone density much earlier than other methods of diagnosis, allowing for treatment at an earlier stage. Learn more about the procedure here:
Exploring Your Breast Cancer Screening Options
Regular screening is the best way to discover breast cancer before in its earliest stages, giving you the best chance at beating it. With modern technology always advancing, our breast cancer screening options have broadened to offer even more when it comes to choosing the best imaging method for you. We will take a look at the ins and outs of the different methods of women’s imaging to help you better understand what options are available to you.
Image-Guided Biopsy 101: What To Expect, How To Prepare, And What Questions To Ask
Getting To Know BICRAD Radiologist: Dr. T. Eric Drasin
Today we’re sharing a little bit more about Dr. T. Eric Drasin, an incredibly talented Interventional Radiologist who is Board Certified in Diagnostic Radiology, with certifications of added qualification in Vascular Radiology and Interventional Radiology. We sat down and asked him a couple of questions about life as a radiologist, his professional accomplishments, and what he loves doing when he’s not in the office. Here are his responses!
4 Reasons Why Our Rads Are The Best
It’s no secret that we love our radiologists here at Bay Imaging Consultants and we don’t need special holidays to thank them. Let’s face it, we are just not above taking the time to gush about how amazing our bright, caring, and talented board-certified radiologists are on a daily basis. But just in case you needed a few more reasons for why we think our BICARD radiologists are the best, we’ve highlighted four of our favorite below!
Women's History Month - A Reflection From Our MIA Leadership Team
March is Women’s History Month, a time for celebrating the sacrifice, hard work, and dedication of all the women who came before us, and a time for empowering and encouraging younger generations of women to dream big and never stop working to accomplish their goals. We sat down with three of our favorite women - the wonderful leadership team over at Magnetic Imaging Affiliates - and asked them a little bit about the women who inspired them to pursue their careers, and the advice they have for young women considering a career in radiology. These were their nuggets of wisdom!
Spine Health: 5 Negative Effects of Bad Posture
Over time, poor posture can literally alter the shape of a person’s spine. When this happens, the spine, which is built to naturally absorb shock and maintain proper balance, is completely compromised and will not function as it should. If you find that you’re slouching often, here are 5 negative effects of bad posture that will make you sit up straight!
Selecting An Imaging Center: Why Quality Matters
Choosing an imaging facility is an important decision and important decisions take time, effort, and care. Not all imaging facilities are created equal, and no two patients are the same. Deciding on an imaging facility ensures that you are placing trust in a place and people you trust. And nothing is more important than your health. Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting your imaging facility.
Interventional Radiology: What It Is & Why It's Important
Chances are you haven’t heard of interventional radiology unless you’ve needed it, but this specialization allows radiologist to diagnose and treat a wide range of ailments using a myriad of different procedures aided by imaging procedures. Below, we’ll talk about what interventional radiology is, the most common procedures, and its benefits to the patient.
Getting To Know BICRAD Radiologist: Dr. Christopher Lee
Today we’re sharing a little bit more about Dr. Christopher Lee, an incredibly talented jack-of-all-trades who holds Board Certifications in not one, but three categories: Diagnostic Imaging, CAQ Vascular, and Interventional Radiology. We sat down and asked him a couple of questions about life as a radiologist, his professional accomplishments, and what he loves doing when he’s not in the office. Here are his responses!
How Breast Density Determines The Best Breast Screening Test
At Bay Imaging Consultants, we stress the importance of regular mammograms and breast screenings. While mammograms are the standard for breast imaging, factors may play a role into whether or not additional imaging tests are needed. Breast MRI and ultrasound are often suggested for women at risk of breast cancer, which includes women with high breast density. Here’s a closer look at how breast density affects which screening test is best for you.
Happy Cardiovascular Professionals Week From BICRAD
You might not know this, but February 10-16th is Cardiovascular Professionals Week! CVP week aims to bring awareness to heart conditions, different cardiovascular imaging procedures used to diagnose heart conditions, the innovative treatments for heart diseases and, of course, to thank the many people who make it all happen—the cardiovascular professionals. We’re here to celebrate and pay tribute to those who make our hearts go pitter patter, especially the cardiovascular radiologists here at Bay Imaging Consultants!
BICRAD Offers MRI's That Are Safe For Patients With Pacemakers
Formerly MRIs were not supposed to be performed on patients with cardiac pacemakers, but after extensive research, radiology professionals at the American College of Radiology recently concluded that patients with pacemakers CAN safely undergo MRI procedures with the proper machines. Learn more about the specifications for these machines, which are offered at local San Francisco imaging centers by BICRAD.
Getting To Know BICRAD Radiologist: Dr. Linda Gordon
Every single one of our radiologists brings something unique to the team, and we love when we get a chance to highlight them so that patients get a chance to learn more about them not just professionally, but also on a personal level. Today we’re sharing a little bit more about Dr. Linda Gordon. We sat down and asked her a couple of questions about life as a radiologist, her professional accomplishments, and what she loves doing when she’s not in the office. Here are her responses!
Coping With Scanxiety: How To Prevent Claustrophobia
“Claustrophobia is an anxiety disorder in which the sufferer has an irrational feat of having no escape or being closed in.“ When a person experiences this they may also suffer a panic attack which results in accelerated heart rate, sweating, and nausea. Because so many patients suffer with intense scanxiety, we wanted to compile a list of helpful advice that has soothed our patients in the past. So, here are the top 9 tips our team suggests to calm your fears:
Does My Radiologist Need To Be Board Certified?
The term “board certified” gets thrown around a good amount in the medical world, but how does it apply to you, the patient? Well, for starters, board certification serves as a notable indicator for the highest standard of care available. When searching for a radiologist in your area, we strongly urge you to consider choosing a board-certified radiologist—and here’s why!
Exercises to Alleviate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Surgical treatments for carpal tunnel is common in severe cases. For symptoms that are still manageable there are some hand exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome that you can practice regularly to relieve your mild to moderate symptoms. Exercises for carpal tunnel are not intended to eliminate symptoms but they are helpful in providing temporary relief and should be practiced in accompaniment with other medically prescribed treatments.
Radiation 101: Just How Much Does Each Imaging Scan Expose You To?
It’s likely you already know that large doses of radiation can wreak havoc on your internal systems and even cause cancer long term. But how much radiation are you exposed to during common imaging tests and is it something you should be concerned about? With the prevalence of cancers in America, it’s only natural to be concerned about your exposure to radiation. Below we’ll take a look at different imaging procedures and radiation associated with each.