The Bones in Our Hands

In continuation of our series about our bone structure, we will now discuss our hands. Probably of all the bones in our bodies, the hands have the most flexible bone assembly and for good reason. Let’s take a look at how these bones and ligaments work to allow us this extreme flexibility of movement.

OK, so what are the bones in our hands?

There are 14 bones in each finger (and toes too!). Of these, they are broken down into three bone groups: Phalanges, Metacarpal and Carpal.

Phalanges

These are the actual fingers of your bones. They extend from the very tip of your nails down to the part when you can bend your fingers. The phalanges are then broken down into three additional categories: the distal, middle and proximal, with the exception of the thumb which has only two areas.

      • The distal phalanges are your fingertips. Ever hear the expression “sensitive to the touch”?, Well, it is these bones that are responsible for that! They have nerve endings that are designed to interpret the feelings of touch on your fingers into nerve impulses that are channeled to the brain.
      • The middle phalanx is just that, the middle bone section of the phalange It is connected to the distal phalanx at the top and the proximal phalanx at the bottom.
      • The proximal phalanx is the largest of the three bones in the finger, joined by the metacarpal and the middle phalanx as shown in the diagram.

Metacarpal bones

There is one of these bones with each finger, labeled Metacarpal I – Thumb, Metacarpal II – Index finger, Metacarpal III – Middle finger. Metacarpal IV – Ring finger and Metacarpal V – Little finger.

Carpal bones

The bones are located in the wrist area. There are eight of them and are relatively small compared to the other bones in the hands. The carpal are the bones that connect the hand bones to the forearm.
Heard of carpal tunnel? This happens when the nerves, namely the median nerve receives too much pressure, resulting in certain pain and if not resolved, can lead to nerve damage.

The median nerve is one of a group of nerves that originate in the neck. They combine to form a single nerve through the arm. The nerve then continues down the arm to the wrist and then into the hand.

Symptoms

      • Tingling and numbness in your fingers or hand. Usually the thumb and index, middle or ring fingers are affected, but not your little finger.
      • Weakness is another symptom.

Treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome does not require hospitalization, rather standard home procedures should cure it. Some of treatments you can try are:

      • Take breaks from repetitive tasks, such as typing, which is the most popular method of acquiring the pain.
      • Stretch your hands and wrists whenever possible.
      • Try over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Other Hand Issues

Arthritis

Arthritis, a common disorder that affects about 54 million people, almost all adults are diagnosed with arthritis. It refers to an inflammation of one or more of the joints. There are two types of arthritis that affect the joints of the hand and wrist. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis. AKA wear-and-tear arthritis mainly affects seniors and is caused by the cartilage in joints that wear away over time.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the result of the lining of the joints to swell.

Both can be painful, but over the counter medications can be the treatment for most people. If meds do not work, your doctor can decide the next step up to surgery, but usually meds will do the trick.

Conclusion

Our hands have evolved over millions of years to be the useful tools they are today. We share these gifts of nature with thousands of other species on the planet, but only now are we moving into a new generation where human hands will not be human, but android. Let’s hope they will be put into as good use as they are with we humanoids.

The Human Ribs

We at Howard Fensterman Charities believe that the more you know about your health, the better you are to identify ailments that may affect you during your lifespan or perhaps you just want to learn more about you your body functions. Either way, we welcome you here and hope you gain the knowledge you are seeking.

Drawing of the human ribsOur Ribs

Before we delve into our rib discussion, let’s lay the groundwork regarding some terms we should be familiar with.

Terms Associated with the Human Rib Cage

Rib Cage: So, we start with the rib cage, also known as the thoracic cage – what is it? Quite simply, it is the ribs that are attached along the vertebral column (spine).

Thoracic Vertebrae: These are the bones along the vertebral column between the cervical bones above and the lumbar vertebrae.

Sternum: Also known as the breastbone, it is a long flat bone situated in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs and forms the front of the rib cage and in doing so, it encloses and protects the heart and lungs from injury. It is one of the largest flat bones of the body.

Human Ribs Explained

X-Ray view of human ribs
X-Ray view of the rib cage

The human species have 24 ribs, separated in 12 pairs and are attached at the back to the thoracic vertebrae (spine). They are numbered from 1–12 (more on this later). Essentially, they are the bones that curve around the spine and form the majority of the thoracic cage. They are lightweight, but strong and are designed to protect the heart and lungs, also known as the thoracic organs.

There are 12 ribs in all on each side of the vertebral column and are designated into three categories: true (vertebrosternal) ribs, false (vertebrochondral) ribs and floating (vertebral, free) ribs. True ribs are the ones that attach directly to the sternum and are numbered one to seven. False ribs are numbered eight to ten are indirectly connected to the sternum.

What Happens When You Break a Rib?

Broken ribs are one of the most common injuries when it comes to fractured bones. The injuries are usually associated with sports or vehicle accidents. Generally speaking, broken ribs aren’t dangerous, but if they are cracked into numerous pieces, that could pose a problem. Similar to broken glass, there may be sharp or jagged edges stemming from one of the fractures and that can cause damage to internal organs or major blood vessels.

With that said, if you incur a broken rib, see a doctor. In most cases, fractured ribs can heal on their own in a few months, but it goes without saying that anytime you fracture a bone, you should seek medical help to be sure your health is not in jeopardy.

What are the Symptoms of Broken Ribs?

You may feel chest pressure or squeezing pain. If you do feel this, don’t second guess it because it may also be associated with a heart attack.

How Can I Prevent a Broken Rib?

Essentially you can’t if it occurs from an injury, but you can do some preventative maintenance such as:

    • Wear the appropriate protective equipment in sports.

    • Keep your floors clear of debris. One fall and you can get a bone broken. This is especially important for the elderly. Place a rubber mat in the shower.

    • Eat the right foods that contain calcium and vitamin D which is essential for maintaining strong bones. 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 600 International Units (IU) of vitamin D daily from food and vitamin supplements are recommended.

What is the Human Spine?

In our previous article, we discussed an overview of our bones and what they do (besides the obvious). Now let’s delve a bit deeper to learn what each section of our skeleton does, starting with the spine.

What is the Structure of the Spine?

Human Spine
Photo: Wikimedia (public domain)

The spine, also known as the vertebral column is that long curvey bone that we see on posters when we’re in the doctor’s office. It supports our upper body weight. It runs from the base of the skull to the tailbone, also known as the coccyx.

The spine supports our posture but allows us to move while allowing for movement. It also protects the spinal cord.

This column contains 26 bones in adults which include 24 separate vertebrae (interlocking bones that form the spine), but children (adolescent and younger) have 33 bones in the spine because the sacrum (a triangular set of five bones at the base of the spine just above the coccyx) does not fuse with the coccyx until adulthood.

Child-Adult Spine Increase
Child Spine Increases After Adulthood (Wikipedia Public Domain)

Vertebrae Structure

The vertebrae are divided up into three regions: cervical, thoracic and lumbar and contain several important parts: the body, vertebral foramen, spinous process and transverse process.

There are Five Major Regions of the Spine

    • Cervical: These are the vertebrae in the neck and form the cervical region of the spine. There are seven of them. They are the thinnest vertebrae in the spine, but they provide great flexibility to the neck area.
    • Thoracic: There are 12 vertebrae connected here and are in the chest area, known as the thoracic region. They are larger and stronger than the cervical vertebrae but are not as less flexible as the ones in the neck region.
    • Lumbar: You might have heard on commercials about the lumbar. These are five vertebrae in the lower back because there are many people who have issues in this area due to the fact that all of the upper body’s weight puts pressure on this area. These vendors offer cushions that help strengthen the lumbar area. Lumbar vertebrae are stronger than the thoracic vertebrae, but not strong enough to cause some people periodic pain.
    • Sacral: The sacrum is a single bone in the adult skeleton that is formed by the fusion of the five smaller vertebrae when adulthood starts.
    • Coccygeal: As the name suggests, this is where the coccyx resides. It is a single bone in the adult skeleton and is formed by the fusion of four vertebrae at the beginning of adulthood. Also known as the tailbone, it holds our body weight when we sit.

The Spine Numbering System

The Human Spine
Photo: Wikipedia

The spine is numbered by its the first letter of their vertebrae regions; accordingly, there are five categories of designation.

At the top of the vertical column are the seven cervical spinal nerves labeled C1 through C8. Then there are the 12 thoracic nerves, which are labeled T1 through T12.

Similarly, there are the 5 lumbar spinal nerves titled L1 through L5 and under the lumbar are the 5 sacral spinal nerves S1 through S5 and then the coccygeal of which there is 1.

What Are Some Diseases Associated with the Spine?

Otherwise known as back pain, there are many illnesses associated with the spine. There is Kyphosis, an abnormally excessive curvature of the spine and happens when the vertebrae in the upper back area become more wedge-shaped.

There also herniated disks. Known as the vertebral discs they have the function of shock absorption. With this disc becomes ruptured, it becomes smaller and is no longer able to provide as the amount of shock absorption is was initially intended for. This can result in back pain, sciatica and other disorders. Herniated discs can be caused by injury or from the normal wear and tear of aging. Treatment can be by medication and/or physical therapy and if these methods do not work, then surgery might be needed.

For a comprehensive list of spine disorders, please click here.

 

5 Health Benefits of Drinking Water

Young Girl Drinking Water
Photo by Johnny McClung on Unsplash

Water, the essential ingredient of life, but why is it essential? Why can’t we live without it and what are the benefits of drinking it? Here we will review its benefits and why it is so important to stay hydrated at all times.

1. Dehydration – Easily Prevented

First, what is dehydration?

When you feel thirsty, it is a sign that your body is telling you that you need to replenish yourself with liquids, so you grab a drink, but what if you don’t get that drink? What if there is no water available for a while? What if you are in a hot climate and need a drink but are miles away from any water source?

In these situations, you run the risk of getting dehydrated and that means that if you don’t rehydrate yourself within a reasonable amount of time, your organs will suffer, most specifically, your kidneys, heart and brain can be negatively affected.

This doesn’t mean that if you don’t drink anything right after a jog in the park on a hot day you will need to go to the emergency room, but it does mean that if you continue along this path of dehydration, you will start to feel the symptoms, which are:

    • Feeling tired
    • Dizziness
    • Dry mouth
    • Dry skin
    • Dark-colored urine

What symptoms you fell all depends upon your current health, as well as the environment you are in (e.g. hot climate, etc.). Some people can withstand a lack if water longer than others.

How Do You Prevent Dehydration?

If you are involved in any sport, are traveling or you know you will be in an area where liquids will be sparse, especially in hot climates, make sure you have some water bottles or drinks with you all times. Even bottles of soda will help with hydration.

2. H20 is Good ‘Food’ for Your Brain

The Neural Network in the Human BrainWater makes up 75 percent of your brain. If your brain does not have an adequate supply of this fluid you may feel foggy-headed and dizzy, but more importantly, it will affect your memory. This is especially crucial for the elderly to take note of.

Additionally, a lack of water in the brain will cause a deficiency in cognitive responses. Reduced electrolytes, which assist with the brain’s electrical signals can result in memory loss and other factors such as confusion.

3. Your Spinal Cord and Joints Depend Heavily on Water

You need to keep the tissues in your body moist. Usually, that is part of your body’s normal maintenance, but if dehydrated, your body will notify you. For one thing, your eyes, nose and mouth will feel dry. Your bones can get thirsty too, which is not good. Water acts as a lubricant and cushion to protect your bones, the spinal cord and the joints.

4. Water Aids in Digestion

Besides lubricating your body’s organs, water helps to break down the food you eat. The small and large intestines absorb water, which breaks down important nutrients. Water helps slow down digestion as this fiber turns to gel.

5. Your Heart Will Thank You

Illustration of a heartFor those who are not aware, your blood plasma is about 90 percent water. If you are dehydrated, you stand the risk of lower blood pressure to the point that you may feel light-headed or dizzy when you are standing up.  Now this condition can happen under other circumstances than dehydration (e.g. medication side effects), but if you haven’t drunk anything for a while, it may be that you are dehydrated; however, it these symptoms keep happening, a visit to the doctor would be the practical way to do.

How Much Water Do You Need?

On average, men need about four quarts of H20 per day and women should have about three quarts per day and it doesn’t have to be always water. It can be any type of fluid (but we’re not talking about alcohol here). Most beverages as well as certain fruits and vegetables. So grab that Gatorade. Eat that watermelon, but most of all, make sure you also drink the most natural fluid for your body – good old fashion water!

No Bones About It

Ever hear grandma say “Oh my aching bones”? What is she actually referring to? In order to answer that, we need to gather some preliminary information about our skeletal system and how it works.

Your Bones are Alive!

Human Bones in Vertical Position
Photo by camilo jimenez on Unsplash

Don’t think for one second that just because they are hard like a rock, you might think that they perform no service to the body, contrary to our organs like the heart and lungs which maintain blood flow and help us healthy.

What Are Bones Made of?

Your bones are made up of virtually the same materials. Here are the layers that comprise the bones:

      • periosteum – dense membrane that contains the nerves and blood vessels.
      • compact bone. This layer is smooth hard. It’s the part you see when you look at a skeleton.
      • cancellous – looks a bit like a sponge, but it’s actually very strong.
      • bone marrow looks like jelly and its job is to make blood cells.   

Here’s a brief overview of the bone sections in your body:

The Spine

The spine is the one part that gives you that flexible ability to twist around. It is actually a combination of 33 bones. They are referred to as vertebrae and each of these 33 vertebrae formed like a ring. Put your hands on your back and you can actually feel it! (Wait for our upcoming article that details the vertebrae.)

The Ribs

Human Skeletons
Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash

Think of your ribs as the security guard that circles your heart and lungs. The ribs are broken up in twos –  left and right sides and each side is identical to the other. 12 sets of ribs are what most people have. Every one of the 12 sets of ribs appends to the back to the spine, where they are held by the thoracic vertebrae. The initial seven sets of ribs append in the front to the sternum – a solid bone in the focal point of your chest that holds those ribs together.

Your skull protects the most important part of all, the brain. You can feel your skull by pushing on your head, especially in the back a few inches above your neck. The skull is actually made up of different bones. Some of these bones protect your brain, whereas others make up the structure of your face. If you touch beneath your eyes, you can feel the ridge of the bone that forms the hole where your eye sits. And although you can’t see it, the smallest bone in your whole body is in your head, too.

The stirrup bone behind your eardrum is only .1 to .13 inches long. Your lower jawbone is the only bone in your head that can move. It opens and closes to let you talk and chew. 

The Hands

We’ve all heard of carpal tunnel. Well, that is one factor that can happen to your hands, As you sit and type at the keyboard, even when you pick up a phone, you’re using the bones in your fingers, hand, wrist, and arm. Each arm is attached to a shoulder blade or scapula, a large triangular bone on the upper back corner of each side of the ribcage.

The arm is made up of three bones: the humerus which is above your elbow, and the radius and ulna,  which are below the elbow. The center part of your hand is made up of five separate bones.

The Legs

Your legs are attached to a circular group of bones called your pelvis. The pelvis is a bowl-shaped structure that supports the spine. It is made up of the two large hip bones in front, and behind are the sacrum and the coccyx. The pelvis acts as a tough ring of protection around parts of the digestive system, parts of the urinary system, and parts of the reproductive system.

Leg bones are very large and strong to help support the weight of your body. The bone that goes from your pelvis to your knee is called the femur and it’s the longest bone in your body. 

The Joints

The place where two bones meet in your body is called a joint. Some joints move and others don’t. Fixed joints are fixed in place and don’t move at all. Your skull has some of these joints which close up the bones of the skull in a young person’s head.

Moving joints are the ones that let you twist and turn. Other joints move a lot. One of the main types of moving joints is called a hinge joint. Your elbows and knees each have hinge joints, adequately called that because they are similar to hinges on a door.

Similar to putting oil on a hinge to make it stop squeaking? The joints come with their own special fluid called synovial fluid that helps them move freely. Bones are held together at the joints by ligaments which are like very strong rubber bands.

Conclusion

All in all, your bones play a significant role every day. Stay tuned for a detailed account of just how each of these bone sections works!

How to Save and Make Money During the COVID Pandemic

Working on a computer with mask
Photo: Unsplash

Many people may know about these jobs, but they don’t look at them seriously until they are in a financially stressful situation. If you have fallen into financial hardship because of COVID or any reason you feel the need to make some additional cash, you may want to look into the following:

Work at Home Jobs

You might think that all work at home jobs have some type of catch to them or are just outright scams. Well, the good news is that this is not the case. We wouldn’t recommend that you quit your day job, but you might want to try these part-time jobs. Here are four valid, legitimate part-time jobs that you can do and get paid for. There are no upfront charges or fees – there are no fees at all. All you have to do is apply!

Rideshare

Photo of toy cars with Uber, Lyft signs
Photo: Unsplash

Most of us are familiar with rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft. Even during this COVID pandemic, their business is booming. You just need to apply and send them the appropriate documents (driver’s license, insurance card, registration, etc.) as well as signing some forms.

Some people pull in $1000 per week but don’t kid yourself. There is a lot of driving and long hours! But even if you want to pull in a few hundred dollars a week, the opportunity is there. 

On the con side, you will be using your car a lot, which results in paying for gas often and additional wear and tear on the car. You can balance it out, but regardless, it is a popular way to make some good income.

You can register with Uber here. You can register for Lyft here.

Driver Eats

Similar to Uber driver, there is UberEats. There is also Grubhub and DoorDash, but instead of diving people to destinations, you pick up meals from restaurants and deliver them to the person who requested them. Again, all you need to do is apply. 

Mystery Shopping

Contrary to what some people may think, mystery shopping is a million-dollar business and there are many legitimate companies that offer this to consumers. What it entails is a visit to a local bank or store, ask them questions or do an audit, all according to the guidelines that they give you. Then you submit a report of your experience with the store or bank representatives.

Pay can range from $10.00 to over $80.00 per visit. It all depends upon what you would need to do. Definitely worth looking into. Here is one popular mystery shop website where you can gather more information or search mystery shopping on Google.

Take Surveys

Photo: Unsplash

These don’t pay much, but it’s good for some pocket change and only takes a minute or two to do. Check out UserCrowd for more info or Google Getting paid for surveys.

Saving Money by Looking Out for Promotions and Discounts

If you search, you will find. Here are ways to make a few dollars more by just doing some Google work:

Bank Promotions

Banks continuously offer money to open up a checking or savings account. The promotions can range from $100 – $250, but usually, you have to be a new customer. Regardless, it is a fast way to make a quick buck and for many accounts, you can just start with a deposit of $25 or $50. 

Just make sure you are aware of the fees and/or other expenses that may accompany these deals, but for the most part, you do come out a winner. 

Car Company Promotions

There are times when car dealerships run some amazing offers. These offers are not to buy a car and most of the time, they do not pressure you to do so. What they offer is a chance to ride in a new vehicle for free, including free gas for the day and along with that, you get anywhere from a $100 – $150 gift card to use wherever you like. 

These promotions are not advertised, so you need to keep an eye out. One company had a promotional exhibit at the malls or you can try googling for car promotions, but you will have to sift through all the car discount listings on the page.  

If you do happen to come across a deal, go for it and who knows? When you get back on your financial feet, you may just come back to the dealer and buy the car!

Cheap Gas

Cheap gas doesn’t always mean bad gas. There are tons of gas stations that don’t carry the names of the major suppliers and subsequently, do not charge the same amount for gas. Look for these stations. The difference per gallon can be substantial. Possibly a difference of 10 cents per gallon or more. Worth the trip!

Also, there are numerous ways that you can save money on gas. Some of it has to do with your driving habits, but there are other ways to save as well. 

Using the Additional Skills You Have

Woman working from home
Photo: Unsplash

No matter what you do for a living, most of us have a variety of skills other than what we get paid to do by our employer. Do you have a hobby that you can turn into a money-making business? 

Some Examples: 

    • If you enjoy photography? Offer your services to the public.
    • Are you good at teaching? If you have some experience on your resume, try applying to different schools or colleges or offer tutoring services to your local community at a reasonable fee. 
    • Do you write well? Freelance writing for blogs or other publications is routinely available.
    • Are you in good physical shape and love to go to the gym? Offer the gym your services to become a trainer there.
    • Do you take computers apart and other electronic devices just to see how they work and then reassemble them or better yet, repair them if they are broken? People are always looking for computer techs for help.
    • A NYC suburbanite who works for Nassau County Long Island makes 3D photos of people and then he sells them at flea markets and other fairs. He pulls in a few hundred dollars each month. 
    • Another person creates realistic art and sells them at galleries. This is in addition to her 9-5 job. Albeit, 3D photos are kind of unique, but are you an artist, photographer, videographer or any specific skill in the arts, take advantage of it.

Just Get Out There!

These are just some of the many part-time job opportunities available. All you have to do is look for them! 

Understanding the New York Medical Conduct Program

Doctor Using a Laptop

You feel that your doctor mistreated you or worse, botched an operation. What do you do?

The medical profession has a code of conduct for healthcare members to abide by. This is crucial to relieve suffering and promote the well-being of patients regardless of the race, religion, ethnicity, or class they belong to. It is also important to ensure that the clinical team is equipped with honest and dedicated professionals. 

To maintain and optimize a physician’s discipline in NY, there’s the New York Medical Conduct Program. 

What is the New York Medical Conduct Program? 

Each year, hundreds and thousands of complaints are lodged against physicians in New York. While just about every NY licensed physician is honorable and dedicated to treating patients and saving lives,  accidents do happen, sometimes negligently and sometimes just due to the misfortune of something happening beyond their control. 

The State Board for Professional Medical Conduct, New York, and the Health Department’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) aim to investigate and adjust complaints filed against the physicians, assistants, or other medical staff associated with the particular complaint. Each year the OPMC and the state board tackle these complaints and school the clinical staff members against which the complaints are lodged. 

Doctor looking at screen in an emergency room
Photo: Unsplash


The committee consists of two-thirds of experienced physicians and one-third of lay members, which could also be physician assistants. Who decides which physicians will be on the board? Well, the physicians are appointed by the state, county, and specialty medical societies in the USA. 

On the other hand, the lay members are nominated by the commissioner of health and the governor of the state. The committee members are chosen through strict surveillance to ensure they are fair, professional, and well-suited for the job. 

Who Can File Complaints About NY Professional Misconduct?

Medical Specialist writing notes by two computers
Photo: Scott Graham, Unsplash


The majority of the complaints against medical staff come from the public, including patients, colleagues, and sometimes family members. Basically, anyone with a solid objection against a healthcare professional can lodge a complaint. 

All licensed health specialists are required to report coworkers whom they may suspect of misconduct. If a professional physician, physician assistant, special assistant, or anyone on the clinical staff sees that their colleague’s actions are susceptible, they should contact OMPC immediately. In case the college is affiliated with another hospital, but you’re aware of his/her misconduct, you can report to the county medical society of the state you are in, which will report to OPMC. 

Please note that all calls and complaints are confidential, so you don’t need to worry about your identity getting revealed. In case you’re not sure if your colleague’s questionable actions constitute wrongdoing, you can contact OPMC and get their advice on it without revealing the practitioner’s identity.  

What Needs to be Reported?

Business women talking in a conference room
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash


Many times, OPMC fails to take any legal action due to a lack of sufficient evidence for a charge of misconduct against a professional physician. However, this should not stop you from taking the right action, i.e., file a complaint against the wrongdoer. 

Physicians should be charged with misconduct if they admit they failed to provide adequate medical assistance to their patients or they did not properly monitor their condition or treatment. Physicians should also be reported in the following circumstances:

      • They exploited a patient for sexual favors
      • Conducted inappropriate moral behavior
      • Being careless with a patient’s treatment
      • Practicing under the influence of drug or alcohol
      • Being impaired by physical or mentally
      • Being biased or unfair due to a patient’s cultural, ethnic, or religious background
      • Practicing on a suspended license
      • Failing to fulfill a patient’s request concerning medical assistance
      • Revealing a patient’s personal data or medical history without the patient’s consent
      • Ordering a patient for unnecessary tests or treatments
      • Allowing unlicensed professionals to perform professional services
      • Failing to maintain an accurate medical record of the patient

What Happens After a Complaint is Lodged? 

Once a complaint is lodged against medical professional, OPMC reviews it and investigates the medical staff. Many times, the complaints come up due to miscommunication or misunderstanding and thus do not constitute misconduct. 

Misconduct issues are handed over to investigators that interview the complainants and those against whom the complaints have been raised. Interviews are usually carried out through email, phone, or one-to-one chat. 

If the board members find a certain physician guilty, they are authorized to take action against the professional. For example, they can suspend the physician’s license for a certain period of time until the offender completes training education, or rehabilitation. The board may also exempt the physician from performing a certain type of practice or limit their practice to a specific region. The punishment is usually decided based on the nature of the offense conducted by the malefactor. 

EndNote

The Office of Professional Medical Conduct aims to take disciplinary and other actions against physicians, physician assistants, and special assistants. The purpose is solely to ensure all the practitioners follow the code of conduct and provide top-class medical assistance to all patients in New York. 

If you know a colleague who has been involved in the above-stated misconduct or if you have personally experienced a doctor misbehaving with you or mishandling your case, you should follow up with the Office of Professional Medical Conduct (email: opmc@health.ny.gov) so that the issue is not repeated with other patients. 

 

What Scientists Have Learned About the Novel Coronavirus So Far

Scientist Holding Petri Dish
Scientist Holding Petri Dish
Photo: Pexels.com

The impact of the new strain of coronavirus has unleashed unprecedented medical research across the world to find a cure for this virus. It has resulted in the loss of lives of over 582,000 and still counting.

There is no one on this planet that would deny that it is imperative as ever to determine a vaccine. Here are some things that scientists have learned about COVID-19 so far. 

Person to Person Transmission 

At first, Chinese officials claimed that the new strain does not transmit easily from person to person. We now know that it can be passed down from person to person even before any symptoms show up. This means that asymptomatic people who never display symptoms can pass the disease onto others.

The most direct way for person to person transmission is by getting any droplets from the mouth or other areas of one’s body, but the virus is known to remain on hard surfaces for hours or even days as well. Hence, people can transmit it through breathing or talking, even before they face any symptoms. That is why it is highly recommended to wash your hands frequently and to wear a mask.

At first, it was thought that coronavirus infects the lungs, so it was perceived that coughs or invasive medical procedures could spread it. However, we have learned that it affects the lung cells as well as the senses. 

Signs/Symptoms

Scientists have confirmed a wide range of symptoms including:

    • Fever 
    • Cough 
    • Shortness of breath 
    • Body aches
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue 
    • Loss of taste and smell 

High-Risk Categories 

Only older people were believed to be at high risk, but there are also other factors. Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, immune-compromised people and even racial disparities can increase the risk of fatality amongst patients. 

Low-Risk Categories 

It was believed that children would not get the virus, but the low risk does not mean any risk at all. Children can still develop inflammatory conditions that and can be quite dangerous, even though the percentage of infections among children is small. 

Rate of Transmission Per Person 

It has been confirmed that a single person can infect hundreds of people. This is why contact tracing and social distancing are so important. A single large gathering can lead to a huge cluster of infections that can stem from just one person too. For example, in South Korea, patient 31 has been traced back to turning the outbreak into a full-blown epidemic in just a week.  

Death Rate 

Death rates have been found to be different depending on the testing requirements set by the country. It will not be easy to pinpoint the exact death rate since it can vary from region to region. Scientists have learned that the infection fatality rate (including those people who have not been tested since they may not have had any symptoms) can be around 0.6%. 

Wearing Masks

Data shows that wearing masks is really important and can stop the spread of the virus by a great deal. What scientists have learned about coronavirus shows that wearing masks can hinder the ability of the virus to spread from an infected person and to a lesser extent, prevent a non-infected person from retaining the virus. They are the best source of protection, especially if everyone wears them. 

Treatment Plans 

Many scientists have rushed to test various drugs on the virus. Some have shown to be quite promising, while others decidedly have not. Malaria drugs such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine show no benefits, while Remdesivir and Dexamethasone can help on some levels. There are currently 150 vaccines under development, with 20 currently in human clinical trials. 

FAQs

You may still have some questions about the virus that scientists have explored in detail. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions that people ask. 

Where Did COVID Come From And How Did It Infect Humans? 

The Sars-CoV-2 strain has been confirmed to have originated from bats. It was not produced in a lab. The virus developed because bats’ immune systems are stronger than humans, which causes the virus to replicate faster to get past the defenses. 

It moved onto other hosts that don’t have such a fast immune system, causing it to spread quickly through mammals. 

Are You Protected for Life if You Get It Once? 

Doctors have found that many people develop neutralizing antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are created by our immune systems that coat the virus, impeding its ability to break the cells. However, there have been cases where humans have gotten the virus again after recovering from it the first time. There is no surety that you will be protected for life. 

When Will the Vaccines Arrive? 

There are currently 150 vaccines being developed with many under human clinical trials. However, the larger consensus remains that it may take up to mid-2021 for a vaccine to become widely available. 

Does Warm Weather Stop Coronavirus?

Warm weather or exposure to high temperatures does not stop the virus from persisting. 

Conclusion 

The scientific community is still working steadily on the coronavirus. What scientists have learned about coronavirus already shows that a lot of work continues to be done. The best part about science is that it keeps evolving as new evidence presents itself, as is seen through the amendments in the knowledge that has been made already. With consistent work, it will hopefully be possible to finally extinguish the virus once and for all.  

New Drug Candidates and Treatment Options for COVID-19

Red and blue tablets
Photo by Unsplash.com

Ever since COVID-19 hit, a lot has changed. From knowing nothing to cracking the virus structure to coming up with potential treatment options, it won’t be wrong to say that we’re in a much better place as compared to where we were on day one of the pandemic. 

When COVID-19 first hit, the virus was completely foreign to the scientists, researchers and doctors. Nobody knew what it was like or what could stop it. But then, a team of researchers in China was finally able to decode the virus structure and were able to figure out the enzyme arrangement of the virus. This was a starting point for scientists around the world. They knew that if they could target this unit, combating the virus was possible. Since then, there have been multiple treatment suggestions, some which the FDA approved of, some which they didn’t and some which the FDA pulled back after giving initial approval.

Currently, a number of treatment options are under experiment and research, which the scientists believe hold the potential to treat the COVID-19 infection without producing any side effects in humans. Let’s have a look at these new drug candidates and treatment options.

11a and 11b

After researchers found out that there was a protease unit in SARS-CoV-2, without which it couldn’t possibly survive, they were able to come up with two new compounds – that they referred to as 11a and 11b. These new compounds were able to target the protease unit in the COVID-19 virus and inhibit it. After monitoring the anti-viral activity of 11a and 11b, they found out that they were quite effective in fighting the infection.

The plus point of using these compounds was that the enzyme that they target to fight the infection was absent in humans, which meant little or no side effects in humans. 11a was found to be less toxic. Therefore, 11a is now one of the many new candidates that are under further study. 

Remdesivir 

Originally developed for the treatment of the Ebola virus, Remdesivir received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA for COVID-19 on May 1, 2020. According to the FDA, it can be administered in children and adults who’ve been hospitalized for COVID-19, via the IV (intravenous) route. It is still an investigational drug and there are no FDA-approved indications for it. However, it has shown a ray of hope in the treatment of COVID-19 infections in Japan.  

EIDD-2801 

Although EIDD-2801 has no FDA approval or an EUA yet, it is under investigation for the treatment of the coronavirus. One of the benefits that END-2801 has over Remdesivir is that it can be administered orally; therefore it can be used without hospitalization. It has shown promising activity against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS in animals, but whether or not it is safe for humans is still under evaluation. Clinical trials have already been conducted in May, but the results are pending.    

Suramin

It is an anti-parasite molecule which is used for the treatment of river blindness and African sleeping sickness. It is a broad-spectrum antiviral that is effective against HIV, hepatitis C, Zika virus, herpes simplex type-1, and chikungunya viruses. According to studies conducted, it might be a possible candidate for the treatment of a COVID-19 infection. It was found to offer complete protection against the cell death induced by SARS-CoV-2 and reduces the extracellular RNA levels in the virus. 

The study suggested that it can be used as an effective treatment in patients that are still in an early phase of the infection, particularly at the stage of entry in the host cells or viral binding. There have been no clinical trials yet to check its efficacy and safety in humans. 

3-Drug Combination

Phase-II clinical trials have been conducted on a 3-drug combo of Interferon beta-1b, ribavirin and Lopinavir-ritonavir, and this combination has been found to be effective when it comes to treating less severe cases of COVID-19. The trial was 14-days long, in which one group of 86 patients was given these three drugs, while the control group of 41 volunteers were given lopinavir and ritonavir only. The first group should have effective virus clearance after just 7 days, whereas, in the control group, it took an average of 12 days. The best outcome of these trials was that there were no serious adverse effects. 

According to results, researchers suggest that interferon beta-1b might be the star component of this treatment combo. Further investigation is underway.  

Favilavir

Favilavir is an already marketed anti-viral medicine. It inhibits RdRp. It has been approved for the COVID-19 infection treatment in China and Italy, but it still lacks the approval by the FDA. Phase-II clinical trials were conducted to see how effective this broad-spectrum antiviral was against COVID-19. The trials were 25 days long. It was administered to 760 CVODI-19 positive patients at the end of May in Canada. The results are yet to be released. However, some other studies conducted on the same drug molecule don’t suggest it as an effective treatment option for the COVID-19 infection. 

Baricitinib

Baricitinib is an oral drug. This JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor is in Phase-III trials at present to see its effects in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. It is an oral drug that is available in the market by the name Olumiant for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis. Its efficacy against SARS-Cov-2 is yet to be found. 

Closing Word

Several potential treatment options for the COVID-19 infection are still under investigation and testing. While there are plenty of them at the moment, none of them have been approved by the FDA as the ultimate treatment option. Hydroxychloroquine was one of the most-hyped treatment options that the FDA had given an EUA for the treatment of COVID-19, but after the discovery that its side effects outweigh the benefits, the FDA pulled the EUA back. Although there are many treatment options on the list right now, the safety of all of them still need to be evaluated. It seems like there is still a long way to go. 

In the meantime, there are things you can do to protect yourself. Some are well known, such as wearing masks (which help prevent your molecules from spreading to others(, six-foot distancing, staying home as much as possible and most important and avoiding crowds, wash your hands frequently!  

Additionally, try to stay as healthy as possible by taking vitamins (vitamin D and C are the most important) and any immune boosters. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and visit your doctor to get the most efficient advise on your health! 

Physician Discipline and Conduct

A physician reading patient records

New York is home to great many licensed physicians, most of whom are highly capable professionals who display great dedication, care and diligence to help those in need and improve the health of their patients. 

After getting your physician license in New York, you can enter the practical field and begin working as a physician at any medical institute of your preference.

However, it is important to note that there is a serious code of conduct regarding physician discipline, which, if you break in any way you can end up getting your license revoked or even get a temporary suspension from work.

This usually happens in two cases: 

  • The physician’s practice of medicine is seriously deficient 
  • The physician is dishonest in his/her work that can lead to an impairment of the profession as well as the quality of patient care.

Complaints Filed Against Physicians 

In case either of the above-mentioned scenarios does happen to be true, it often results in a complaint being filed against the physician in question.

There are numerous groups of bodies of people who filed the complaints.

They typically include:

  • The public at large such as patients, family members, relatives and friends. More than half the complaints about physicians actually come from the public alone.
  • Licensed health professionals, be it other physicians or physician assistants are required to file a complaint against any physician colleague who they suspect to be guilty of misconduct.
  • Health facilities or organizations where the physician works are also expected to report disciplinary actions that go against the medical code of conduct.

When Do Physicians Get Charged for Misconduct?

There are numerous instances in which doctors may be charged for misconduct.

Some of the most common occurrences include:

  • Guaranteeing a cure to a patient without any research or confirmation.
  • Being involved in drugs and alcohol.
  • Neglecting a patient in need who required immediate care and attention.
  • Harassing, abusing or intimidating a patient.
  • Failure to maintain proper records of patients that reflect their accurate medical evaluations.
  • Performing a medical treatment or service that hasn’t been approved or authorized by the patient.
  • Exploiting the patient by selling drugs, goods or other services in an exploitative manner.
  • Displaying bias towards a patient on the basis of their creed, race, color or origin.
  • Revealing personal information about a patient without their consent except when authorized by the law.
  • Allowing people without a license to perform a medical activity that does, in fact, require a license.
  • Continuing your professional practice with an inactive or a suspended license.

Who Gets Reported?

There have been numerous cases in the past that have ended with the physician in question being reported and subject to disciplinary action.

Some of the case examples include:

  • Failure to treat a patient with an ovarian cyst and an inability to properly investigate a patient’s medical history who complained of chest pain. This created a case of serious incompetence where the physician had to surrender his license.
  • Pleading guilty for conducting moral unfitness by displaying sexual inappropriateness with a patient leading to a suspension of license.
  • Failure to perform ultrasound examinations of a patient leading to an inability to interpret the reading, which resulted in their license being revoked due to incompetence and negligence.
  • Guilty of prescribing medicines and drugs to a patient without conducting any medical check-up or analyzing their medical history.
  • Giving too high a drug dosage to the patient against what should’ve been given that created dangerous side effects.
  • Found guilty of writing notes for patients stating that they were disabled in an attempt to get fare discounts on rail lines, subways and other areas where discounts can be exploited. The physician in question had his license suspended for five years and then five years of probation during which the doctor had to perform community service.

Different Types of Penalties for Misconduct 

Physicians in New York are subject to a variety of penalties for misconduct based on the extremity and seriousness of their doings.

The medical board is expected to take whatever action necessary against a medical professional’s license.

These actions typically include:

  • Community service for 500 hours or more
  • Annulment of a license of registration
  • Being reprimanded or censured
  • A fine up to $10, 000 for each type of guilt performed by the individual
  • Revocation
  • Different types of suspensions, such as partial suspension or actual suspension for a fixed time period.
  • Limiting the physician’s license to a particular medical practice or area
  • Making one take a course of training or educating for a definite period of time

Who Handles the Complaints?

The New York State Office of Professional Medical Contact (OPMC) follows through with any complaints that are brought to their attention. 

Final Word

There are a few important things to note about the New York State physician license.

Firstly, the ultimate disciplinary actions are public information, and once the physician is served, the charges filed against them will be made public.

Secondly, the investigative files are highly confidential that may include previously closed complaints, ongoing investigations as well as the identities of the complainants.

Lastly, resolving complaints against physicians can take a lot of time, even months, given how medical conduct investigations are so complex in nature. Some cases end up going to court hearings that can potentially take even longer than that.

However, a timely investigation is always a priority in order to protect the patients as well as the medical organization in question.