Page 4 - Boca Exposure - March '20

Page 4, Boca Exposure
Hypertension Guidelines Versus Life Experiences

By Steven E. Reznick, M.D., Today, everyone over 120 systolic is classified as having period, and who were hospitalized for noncardiac related
FACP some degree of increased risk of cardiac, cerebrovascular problems and whose blood pressure was over 120. Patients
One of the advantages of or vascular disease and hypertension. with blood pressure above 120 were given more medications
practicing clinical medicine Originally, we were taught to treat hypertension with a and higher dosages to bring their pressure down to meet the
for many years, is you develop diuretic and keep raising the dosage until the blood pressure more stringent guidelines. The conclusion was there weren’t
your own long-term study was controlled or the patient developed adverse effects. fewer cardiac events than anticipated and no better blood
regarding certain health issues. However, we learned that when we used one medication, pressure control at one year. Also, these patients suffered
In the area of hypertension, I pushing it to its limit inducing adverse effects along the from an increased number of readmissions to the hospital
have been taught by the best way, patients just stopped taking their medications. This and serious adverse events within 30 days.
including pioneers Eliseo resulted in a change in strategy to use several medicines to The new guidelines for blood pressure control may be
Perez Stable and Barry control blood pressure but all at a lower dosage which did applicable in a younger healthier population. In the geriatric
Materson at the University of not produce any ill-feeling adverse effects. The downside population we may need to readjust our goals to account for
Miami affiliated hospitals, Jackson Memorial Program. of more medications was additional costs and more pills to the physiologic changes that occur in men and women who
Nonpharmacological treatments for hypertension remember to take. age in a healthy manner. More specific data on why there
continue to be lifestyle changes including salt restriction, As hypertension experts pushed us to lower systolic were more readmissions and what serious adverse effects
weight reduction, smoking cessation, reducing alcohol blood pressure to 120 or less in our geriatric population, I occurred needs to be made public to determine if the effort
intake and regular exercise. Meanwhile, the recommended was concerned that lowering the pressure that much would to tightly control blood pressure is to blame.
systolic blood pressure at less than 140 and diastolic blood create adverse effects which were as, or more, troublesome Board Certified in internal medicine, with qualifications
pressure at less than 85 have been lowered over the years. than the risk of having a blood pressure between 120 and in geriatrics, Steven E. Reznick, M.D. has practiced locally
140 systolic. since 1979. He is recognized by physicians as a “Best

An article in JAMA Internal Medicine addressed this
Doctor” and is a national health care blogger. To schedule
Advanced issue. They looked at patients from Veterans Administration a complimentary meeting with Dr. Reznick, call (561) 368-
0191 or visit www.BocaConciergeDoc.com.
hospitals who were over 65 years of age, over a two-year
Technology To Boca Raton Public Library’s Spanish

Check Your River Branch To Host ‘Touch A

Moles Truck’ Program On March 21

By Siperstein Dermatology Group Round up the whole family to see, touch, climb aboard and
Patients always ask us: How do you know which learn about the city’s many fascinating trucks and vehicles at
spots to pay attention to during a skin exam … why Touch a Truck! In partnership with the City of Boca Raton’s
that one? Of course it has to do with experience, but we Municipal Services, Utility Services, Recreation Services,
also use a tool called a dermatoscope, and Siperstein and Police and Fire Departments, the Spanish River Library
Dermatology Group now has full body photography is hosting the program for its third year.
with artificial intelligence coming soon to identify This family event will take place in the Spanish River
changes in the skin. Technology is sometimes a beautiful Library parking lot at 1501 N.W. Spanish River Blvd. Truck
thing! operators will be on hand to demonstrate how their vehicles
What Is Dermoscopy? work and explain what they do. Check out a fire engine,
Dermoscopy is the examination of the skin using sanitation truck, aerial bucket truck, dump truck, beach
a surface microscope to identify patterns that exist in tractor, rescue boat and much more! Find out why they are
skin cancer, especially melanomas. A dermatoscope, such an important part of our community. Visitors are also public services our city provides, and the big trucks and
which is a small handheld magnification device, is used invited inside the library for special story times and coloring machines that help us make Boca the great city it truly is.”
to analyze your skin lesions, helping to identify skin pages featuring the trucks on display. No enrollment is required. This free program will take
cancer as early as possible. “I’m incredibly excited about the annual Touch a Truck place rain or shine! Children must be accompanied by an
Who Can Benefit From Dermoscopy? event, which promises to be bigger, better, and more fun adult. Food will be available for purchase.
Everyone! Everyone has moles, and dermoscopy is than ever!” notes Michael J. Kalvort, Recreation Services The Boca Raton Public Library provides outstanding
especially useful for these lesions. It is also beneficial director, CPRE. “Boca Raton Public Libraries are dedicated library services, resources, and programs that meet the
in people with a history of any kind of skin cancer, to educating our citizens of all ages through innovative and educational, recreational, cultural, and informational needs
particularly melanoma. As mentioned, when in skilled engaging methods. It’s my hope that this event inspires many of library users in its two locations—Spanish River and
hands, dermoscopy can help detect skin cancer at its of our Boca children to learn more about engineering, the Downtown.
earliest stage, which is paramount to treatment and good
prognosis.
Is This A Special Exam, Or Part Of My Regular
Skin Check?
This is part of your regular skin exam! We have our
dermatoscopes with us when we see every patient, and
we use it to further examine any skin lesion that seems
suspicious. It takes no additional time and is a wonderful
tool to add an extra level of thoroughness to your exam.
What Is Full Body Photography And How Can I
Benefit From It?
We are the first practice in Florida to incorporate the
Dermagraphix system into our practice. It allows us to
take a series of photographs of the entire body, while
identifying certain lesions that we want to follow. It
also allows us to incorporate dermoscopy and magnified
images of these lesions. Additionally, in the coming
months, it will utilize artificial intelligence to identify
changes in your skin between sets of photographs,
which is extremely important in recognizing melanoma
as early as possible. We are very excited about this new
technology and are thrilled to have added a new device
that will help us take even better care of our patients!

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