Smoking and AMD
We’re always talking about the risks of smoking: lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer--- it’s a long list.
Well, make it one item longer, because the latest research says cigarette smoking is contributing to blindness in America!
New data on twins in the archives of ophthalmology found current smoking nearly doubles the risk for macular degeneration, the leading cause of severe visual impairment and blindness among the growing older population in the u.s.
It’s estimated that around a third of the 16.5 million seniors 75 and older have some form of macular degeneration, when the macula, the part of the retina, or back of the eye that gives us our central vision, deteriorates.
Phyllis Iovino just learned she has macular degeneration. “They say it’s part of the aging process but I was really shocked, I didn’t even know what macular degeneration was.”
It is part of the aging process in many, but it’s accelerated by tobacco use.
“Smoking specifically can damage the blood vessel s and the tissues of the retina which are extremely vascular. In addition there can be decreased oxygen//which can damage the retina as well. People who stop smoking still have an increased risk of developing macular degeneration,” says Dr. Mark Fromer, Medical Director of Fromer Eye Centers.
“I don’t smoke now, I did many, many years ago,” admits Phyllis.
In fact, past smokers like Phyllis still have a 1.7 times increased risk of macular degeneration compared to non-smokers.
But what you eat can protect you against blindness.
The research also found that eating two or more servings of fish per week provided enough of the valuable omega-3 fatty acids—the good fats—which reduce the risk macular degeneration, cutting the odds of getting it nearly in half.
“Right now we eat a lot of processed foods leading to obesity. We need to eat omega three fatty acids to reduce tissue damage allow more oxygenation to our tissues and to help repair the cells in our body,” states Dr. Fromer.
The benefits of eating more omega-3 fatty acids were most apparent among those who consumed less linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, suggesting that the proper balance of fats between omega 3 and 6 fats is key.
About a fifth of the cases were estimated as preventable with higher fish and omega-3 fatty acid dietary intake.
More fish and not smoking: important for protecting the eyes against a blinding disease.
“Quit as fast as you can do it, I know it’s not easy, but definitely you have to quit,” adds Phyllis.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Richard J. Frances
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
510 East 86th Street, Apt. 1D
New York,
New York
10028
Call (212) 861-0570
Dr. Richard Frances, MD, F.A.C.P., F.A.P.A. is the current director of public and professional education at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut and has his own private practice in Manhattan. He was appointed as the Clinical Professor of Psychiatry in the Division of Substance Abuse of the Department of Psychiatry. His past credentials include being the president and medical director at the Silver Hill Hospital.
Robotic Prostate Surgery
David B. Samadi, MD
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
Mount Sinai
5 East 98th Street New York City,
New York
10029
Call 1-212-241-8779
David B. Samadi, MD, is Chief of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. A board-certified urologist, he treats prostate cancer with a focus on minimally invasive techniques. He specializes in robotic prostate surgery, and has an unparalleled expertise in the field thanks to over a thousand procedures he has performed with the da Vinci Surgical System.
Cosmetic Dermatology Manhattan, NYC
Karen Burke, M.D., Ph.D
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
River Court East 52 Street
New York,
NY
10022
Call (212) 754-1100
Karen Burke, MD, PhD is a Cosmetic Dermatologist with a private practice in Manhattan. She prides herself on treating all her clients with care and respect, and helping to ensure they have healthy, well maintained skin.
Stent Angioplasty
Dr. Valentin Fuster, MD of Mount Sinai Hospital
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
1 Gustave L Levy Pl
New York,
NY
10029
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Are you in search for someone who can help you with your heart's health? Looking for a specialist in cardiovascular? Dr. Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD is a cardiovascular expert because some of his credentials include Director of the Zena and Michael A Wiener Cardiovascular Insitute and the Marie-Josee and Henry R Kravis Center for Cardiovascular Health. So with vast amounts of experience under his belt, you can be sure that your heart will be in the best in cardiac care.
Stent Angioplasty
Dr. Valentin Fuster, MD of Mount Sinai Hospital
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
1 Gustave L Levy Pl
New York,
NY
10029
Call
Are you in search for someone who can help you with your heart's health? Looking for a specialist in cardiovascular? Dr. Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD is a cardiovascular expert because some of his credentials include Director of the Zena and Michael A Wiener Cardiovascular Insitute and the Marie-Josee and Henry R Kravis Center for Cardiovascular Health. So with vast amounts of experience under his belt, you can be sure that your heart will be in the best in cardiac care.
Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD-Cardiovascular
Dr. Dr. Valentin Fuster, MD of Mount Sinai Hospital
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
1 Gustave L Levy Pl
New York,
NY
10029
Call
Are you in search for someone who can help you with your heart's health? Looking for a specialist in cardiovascular? Dr. Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD is a cardiovascular expert because some of his credentials include Director of the Zena and Michael A Wiener Cardiovascular Insitute and the Marie-Josee and Henry R Kravis Center for Cardiovascular Health. So with vast amounts of experience under his belt, you can be sure that your heart will be in the best in cardiac care.
Gender Specific Medicine
Dr. Marianne J. Legato
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
962 Park Ave
New York,
NY
10028
Call 212-737-5663
Is heart disease affecting your life? Is it scary for you to know that you have it? Don't let it change your life for the worst. There is someone you can see: Dr. Marianne J. Legato, MD, FACP, a specialist in Gender Specific Medicine, or Women's Medicine and Men's Medicine respectively. As the founder of The Partnership for Women's Health at Columbia University and a WHF Liaison to Gender Studies on Heart Disease, she is highly reputable to treat your heart complications and you can expect great personal attention once she takes you under her care.
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Elliot Goodman, MD
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
Beth Israel Medical Center 6th Floor 1st Ave & 16th St
NYC,
NY
10003
Call (888) 351-8607
Dr. Elliot Goodman is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a Board Certified General Surgeon. Dr. Goodman and his staff treat each patient as an individual and design a treatment regimen that reflects the individuality of the patient.
Psychiatry
Dr. Joseph H. Feinberg
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
523 East 72nd Street
New York,
NY
10021
Call (212) 606-1568
Joseph H. Feinberg, MD finished his Residency training in Medicine at the New York University/ Rusk Institute of Rehab. Dr. Feinberg also had more Residency training at Mt. Sinai Hospital for General Surgery. His Internship also took place at Mt. Sinai Hospital. He completed fellowships in Orthopedic Pathology at the Hospital for Special Surgery and in Orthopedic Biomechanics at the University of Iowa. Dr. Feinberg gained his MD at Albany Medical College in Albany, New York.
Vascular Surgery
Dr. Pravin M. Shah
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
83 South Bedford Road Suite 100
Mount Kisco,
NY
10549
Call (888) 547-1437
Pravin Shah MD, FACS is a Vascular Surgeon.
Gastroenterologist
Dr. Jonathan Cohen, M.D.
Empowered Doctor Medical Board
232 East 30th Street
New York,
NY
10016
Call 212-889-5544
Are you facing stomach or intestinal problems? Do you have disorders in your gastrointestinal tract? You should consider seeing Dr. Jonathan Cohen, M.D. from the Concorde Medical Group who specializes in gastroenterology and general internal medicine. His specialization in internal medicine comes from expertise in colonoscopies, gallbladder diseases, and complications relating to the pancreas and liver.