Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every single person has had to make changes to the way they live their lives and do their jobs. Working remotely, wearing masks, carrying bottles of hand sanitizer, and keeping our distance—even from those we love—have all become part of a new normal that has no clear end in sight. As doctors, we’ve been faced with the reality of reconsidering ...

Dear Doctor,The topic of vaccines has been in the news constantly, thanks to the imminent COVID-19 vaccine. But I’m hearing a lot of conflicting information from friends and family about what to believe. Can you set the record straight about vaccine safety?Sincerely,“Searching for the Truth”Dear Searching:Vaccine misinformation is a tremendous problem in this country. And as an ...

Dear Doctor,The cold, dry weather is usually hard on my skin, and now frequent hand-washing, sanitizing, and mask wearing is making my hands extra dry and my face break out. How do I avoid winter wreaking havoc on my skin?Sincerely,“Cracking Under COVID”Dear Cracking:Soap and warm water may keep hands germ-free—which is critical for preventing the spread of COVID-19—but they also strip ...

The COVID-19 pandemic is certainly complicating families’ plans for many cherished winter holiday traditions, from sitting on Santa's lap for photos at the mall to smooching long-missed grandparents. As coronavirus cases continue to tick up, the risks require extra caution and a science-backed understanding of the virus’ transmission.But that doesn’t have to mean the holidays are ...

What is a seizure? A seizure is the result of abnormal excessive activity of neurons in the brain. How do seizures present?Seizures can present with abnormal involuntary jerking or twitching movements of the arms or legs. Sometimes people can urinate on themselves or bite their tongue. They can make a strange sound during a seizure and may have difficulty breathing. Some seizures do ...

Gastroesophageal reflux is the normal occurrence of gastric contents back-flowing into the esophagus. We all experience this phenomenon occasionally throughout the day. When this natural occurrence results in discomfort or other symptoms, we call it gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The most common symptoms are heartburn – a burning sensation in the chest or throat, and ...

Am I eligible for a lung cancer screening?A lung cancer screening is a quick and effective low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scan that can detect lung cancer and other serious abnormalities. Only 3-5% of persons eligible for a lung cancer screening have an annual low-dose CT scan. Our new regional lung cancer screening program at Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health, and Northern ...

This year roughly 270,000 women in the U.S. will find out that they have breast cancer. While the main treatment for breast cancer is surgery, it is often followed by radiation therapy to decrease the risk of the cancer recurring.I’ve been a radiation oncologist since 2001, and in that time there have been significant advances in our field, especially when it comes to treating breast ...

Dear Doctor,My mom and grandmother both had breast cancer. I’m assuming it’s genetic, but I’ve never gotten the test to confirm. Should I get tested—and how can I reduce the risk of getting it myself?Sincerely,“Concerned and Curious”Dear Concerned:I understand why you’re worried.Anywhere from about 5% to 10% of all breast cancer cases are hereditary—meaning they’re caused by a gene ...

“You need a biopsy.”It was not what I expected to hear at my routine mammogram—as the radiologist talked, all I could think was, “What the…?!”But what seemed like the worst day ever may have been my lucky break. That mammogram in my late 40s had detected a warning sign: a tiny cluster of calcification in my left breast. I needed a stereotactic core needle biopsy, a procedure where the ...