Iowa Radiology Blog

Painful Periods May Be a Sign of a Bigger Problem

Aug 17, 2022 12:45:00 PM

Posted by Diane Campbell

If you’ve been suffering with painful periods, you might think your pain is a natural part of menstruation. While menstrual cramps are normal, excessive pain during menstruation can be a sign that something more is going on. Below, we discuss some of the conditions that can cause unusually painful periods.

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Prostate Cancer and PSA Follow-Up

Aug 3, 2022 1:21:00 PM

Posted by Diane Campbell

Who is at risk for prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is very common. It affects approximately 13% and causes early death in 2% to 3% of men in the U.S. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age, with 60% of cases occurring in men 65 and older. While all men are at risk for prostate cancer, men with African ancestry are diagnosed more frequently, at younger ages, and with higher-risk cancers than others. Men whose father or brother had prostate cancer are at more than twice the normal risk.

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Spinal Compression Fractures - Causes and Treatments

Jun 6, 2022 10:54:00 AM

Posted by Diane Campbell

Spinal compression fractures affect nearly one million people in the U.S. each year. They are most common in older people, especially women who are past menopause. Experts estimate that a quarter of women over fifty and nearly half of all people ( including 40% of women ) over eighty have experienced a spinal compression fracture.
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Topics: vertebroplasty & kyphoplasty

What Should Cancer Patients Know About Cryoablation?

Apr 25, 2022 3:04:00 PM

Posted by Diane Campbell

Physicians have long recognized the value of cold for reducing inflammation and relieving pain. Over time, they found that it is also an effective way to destroy specific tissues in a targeted way, a process called cryosurgery or cryoablation. Cryosurgery has been used since the 19th century to treat a variety of conditions, including warts, shingles, boils, and tumors. Today, cryoablation shows growing potential for the successful treatment of a variety of cancers as well as precancerous conditions.

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Lung Screening Guideline Changes in 2022

Apr 1, 2022 11:00:00 AM

Posted by Diane Campbell

Expanded Medicare Coverage

In February of this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it was expanding coverage for an early lung cancer detection procedure known as low-dose CT lung screening (LDCTLS). In its official statement, the agency said the move was aimed at improving outcomes for patients with lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the US. This screening procedure, which can detect lung cancer in its earliest stages, is now accessible to more Medicare recipients, including those who are younger and those who have smoked less over their lifetimes.

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Topics: CT scan

6 Tips for Calming Your Nerves During Colonoscopy

Mar 9, 2022 3:33:00 PM

Posted by Iowa Radiology

If you’re feeling anxious about an upcoming colonoscopy, you’re far from alone. Studies indicate that up to 1 in 5 people undergoing colonoscopy report severe anxiety, often because they anticipate pain and discomfort. Not only is this unpleasant, but it can also lead to increased use of medication and make it more difficult to complete the procedure. Fortunately, there are proven ways to reduce this anxiety and feel more relaxed during the procedure. Here are six tips that can help you get through your next colonoscopy:

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Topics: virtual colonoscopy, health tips

What Does Joint Pain Mean for My Health?

Dec 15, 2021 2:33:00 PM

Posted by Iowa Radiology

Many different types of illness and injury can cause joint pain. The underlying condition that causes it can be mild or severe, acute or chronic. If joint pain is mild, isn’t accompanied by other symptoms, and persists for less than three days, then home treatment may be all you need. Commonly recommended home treatments for joint pain include

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Topics: health tips

Diagnosing Gastrointestinal Disorders

Dec 2, 2021 10:40:51 AM

Posted by Iowa Radiology

Doctors have several types of tests at their disposal to diagnose gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. These include lab tests, MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, colonoscopy, and more. Often, doctors order a type of moving X-ray called fluoroscopy to assess patients’ GI health. Because it creates a moving image, fluoroscopy allows radiologists to watch the digestive tract in action.

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Topics: Iowa Radiology

Most Common Signs & Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Disorders

Nov 16, 2021 11:06:00 AM

Posted by Iowa Radiology

Gastrointestinal problems are extremely common.

Gastrointestinal disorders affect millions of Americans each year. People can experience a wide range of digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, blockages, infections, and cancers. Most everyone experiences symptoms like nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and digestive pain from time to time. Often, minor gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms come and go without an obvious cause. However, when symptoms are persistent, severe, or unusual, it’s important to investigate what’s behind them.

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Topics: health tips

Where Do Penguins Go to Get MRIs?

Nov 3, 2021 3:32:50 PM

Posted by Iowa Radiology

The staff at Blank Park Zoohave been treating "Chiquita," a two-year old female Magellanic penguin for a chronic limp. When examinations and treatments failed to resolve her limp they determined that more advanced imaging like an MRI would be necessary so veterinary professionals brought in an expert from Iowa Radiology who helped them perform the important medical imaging appointment while managing Chiquita’s comfort level throughout the process! Chiquita was fully anesthetized by Blank Park Zoo’s veterinary team.

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Topics: Iowa Radiology

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