NCH Physician Offers Innovative and Interventional Options In Pain Management
Have you ever found yourself in a doctor’s office, being asked to describe the level of pain you are feeling on a scale of one to ten – with ten being the worst pain you have ever experienced? Pain is a very subjective symptom - and many have a difficult time accurately expressing how they feel in a Physician's office. Often times, many of these patients feel frustrated and are left wondering if they will ever find a sense of relief.
and anti-inflammatory medications help to relieve pain, other alternatives in the field of regenerative medicine are growing. In an effort to help those patients for whom other treatment methods have failed – or simply have become ineffective – Dr. Andar also believes in utilizing innovative procedures like plasma-rich platelet injections
to stimulate the body's healing of injured tendons, ligaments, and tissues. Besides these procedures, Dr. Andar also utilizes Radiofrequency Ablation, a technique used to heat and lesion nerves, for certain patients with back pain. The
procedure can help patients maintain significant long-term relief for up to a year. Dr. Andar’s own experience with back pain provides a unique insight into diagnosis as well. “Pain is often convoluted and heavily subjective,” he explains. “[Because] I’ve had back pain before, I know what the feeling is like when they describe it. I see a lot of patients with back pain and many gain long-term relief,” he adds. “I genuinely feel good when I help a patient decrease their pain.”
As a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician who completed an additional year of fellowship training to sharpen his skills for interventional procedures primarily related to the spine, Dr. Andar believes in a multi-faceted approach to treating patients with pain. “It's not just about the symptoms, it's about the patient as a whole. Pain inhibits you from doing what you enjoy in life,” explains Dr. Andar. “It takes a psychological toll over time. So, I try to manage that pain by decreasing it to the point where a patient can function and participate in regular daily activities without being hampered by pain.” In his practice, Dr. Andar sees many patients with various levels of acute and chronic pain primarily dealing with the low back, neck, joints, nerves, and muscles. While tried-and-true treatment methods like cortisone shots Dr. Haroon Andar, newly arrived to the NCH Physician Group, is an Interventional Pain Management Specialist and wants to help patients find relief from pain - so they can go back to enjoying the hobbies they love.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Andar , call 239-624-0960 . His office is located at 1285 Creekside Blvd. E., Suite 102 in Naples .
such as Fosamax, Actonel or Boniva may be prescribed as they may actually help recover bone density to some degree. However, individuals taking these medications should be aware that some controversy exists over their long-term use, as there may be secondary effects on bones. If you have concerns, it should be discussed with your provider. Nonetheless, these medications are as safe as others you're exposed to, says Dr. Riveron, and none of the risks outweigh their benefits. Osteoporosis Can Turn a Simple Slip and Fall Into a Devastating Life Event
One in every three women over the age of 50 – and one of every five men – are affected by osteoporosis; a weakening of the bones that causes them to become brittle, fragile and susceptible to breaking. The problem with osteoporosis is that there are generally no symptoms – until you break an arm or a hip, or fracture a vertebrae. While most people with healthy skeletal systems would not break a bone in a simple fall, for those with osteoporosis, a fall can become a devastating life event. So, what can be done to prevent osteoporosis? Identify
Risk factors for Osteoporosis • Women past menopause or 65 and older • Tobacco and alcohol consumption • Sedentary lifestyle - little or no exercise • Hormone levels (sex hormones and thyroid and other gland levels) • Dietary (low calcium, eating disorders, medications) • Low body mass index • Exposure to long-term use of steroids • Those with immune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis • Those with chronic renal disease or colitis When to see a doctor for a bone screening • Women 65 and older • Women between age 50 and 65 if any of the risk factors are present • If you have had a fracture • If you have low body mass • Maintain a schedule of periodic monitoring to compare changes or improvements (usually every two years) Signs and symptoms of bones weakened by Osteoporosis • Back pain caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebrae • Loss of height over time • A stooped posture • A bone that breaks much more easily than expected Preventing Osteoporosis • Identify and modify risk factors
Dr. Gilberto Riveron
risk factors and initiate prevention strategies, including proper nutrition, exercise, and alcohol and smoking cessation. In addition to age and genetic predisposition to osteoporosis, immune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal disease and colitis can make individuals more likely to develop this potentially life- altering bone disease. “Osteoporosis is asymptomatic until you have a fracture, and most people who have fractures don't know they have osteoporosis,” explains Gilberto Riveron, MD, NCH Family Medicine physician. “So, the education of risk factors is important.” NCH primary physicians can guide you in diagnosis and treatment and offer prevention tips. The first line of defense against osteoporosis is a screening test for bone density, which is usually recommended for those between ages 50 and 65. The test most prescribed by family physicians is the DEXA scan; a non-invasive, painless screening with a low-density x-ray, which measures bone mineral density. Lab
studies can also indicate vitamin D and calcium levels, which are additional indicators of bone disease. “If osteoporosis is detected, treatment first starts with modifying or eliminating the risk factors,” says Dr. Riveron. “If you smoke or frequently use alcohol, then stop. If you don’t exercise, then start, as weight-bearing exercise significantly improves bone density. You cannot reverse osteoporosis, but you can improve it.” Additional recommendations for vitamin supplements may be ordered. Or, if necessary, medication
• Exercise on a regular basis • Maintain good nutrition • Maintain a healthy body weight • Take supplements like calcium (500-800 mg. daily) and vitamin D (800-2000 units daily)
Dr. Gilberto Riveron is accepting new patients at 24040 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 202 in Bonita Springs . Call 239-624-7100 to make an appointment.
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator