Iowa Radiology Blog

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.

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.

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 19^th 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.

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.

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:

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

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.

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.