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Everyone wants to keep up with news in the ever-growing healthcare industry, which is why our blog team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center provides people in the Washington, D.C., area health tips and breaking news to keep them informed of the latest and most relevant healthcare news and information.
In 2018, we published over 200 healthcare news stories and reached over one million readers. The following are the five stories that received the most views. Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2019 from all of us at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
The Top Stories of 2018
1. Why is HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Surging among Young Adults?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. and can cause common symptoms such as coughing up blood, difficulty or pain with swallowing, and difficulty speaking or changes in a person’s voice. As HPV surges in head and neck cancers among young people, Dr. Matthew Pierce explains who is at risk and how we treat these cancers. Learn more.
2. How Bystanders Can Stop Severe Bleeding after Traumatic Injury
Imagine walking to the bus on your way to work or going for a morning walk and you spot an individual on the ground with blood pooling under their leg. Your first reaction likely is figuring out how you can help. In this blog, Dr. Jack Sava, chief of Trauma, discusses how everyday people can learn to stop blood loss after traumatic injury and save lives, and how knowing how to do so is as important as understanding CPR. Learn more.
3. Acid Reflux? Bloating? It Could Be a Paraesophageal Hernia
A paraesophageal hernia is one of the most common types of hernias and can have symptoms as simple as acid reflux or feeling bloated after a small meal—or no signs at all. Fortunately, once spotted, there are plenty of treatment options available. Dr. John Lazar discusses the treatments and how a paraesophageal hernia is diagnosed. Learn more.
4. Sudden Hearing Loss is a Medical Emergency: What Patients Need to Know
As many as 5,000 people experience sudden hearing loss every year in the U.S., which can be frightening and emotional. In this blog, Dr. Selena Briggs explains what people should do when they experience sudden hearing loss—which often is because of upper respiratory tract infections or viruses—and how early, specialized treatment can help restore your hearing. Learn more.
5. Hernia Repair through Keyhole Incisions? How Robotic Surgery Works
Hernias can occur in the abdomen, groin, thigh, belly button, upper stomach or in previous surgical incision site. And, unfortunately, when hernias block off blood supply to an organ or interferes with its function, they can cause symptoms ranging from fever, nausea, and pain at the site. In this blog, Dr. Elizabeth Zubowicz explains how treatments such as minimally invasive and robotic surgery are safe, effective options for people who wish to treat hernias. Learn more.
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