Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Human Antibiotics’ Use on Crops Poses a Threat


An established Southern California emergency physician, Zachary Lutsky, MD, handled acute medical traumas for more than a decade at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. With a focus on preventive care, Dr. Zachary Lutsky has a particular concern about overprescription of drugs and increased antibiotic resistance.

One emerging issue centers on the spraying of human antibiotics on rice cropland in countries such as Vietnam, China, and Cambodia. As reported in the journal CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, tetracycline and streptomycin are being applied as a safeguard against fungal diseases and insect infestations. In certain years, up to approximately 10 percent of rice within some regions were found to contain human antibiotics.

The risk posed by this is that resistant bacteria and the antibiotics can remain present within the harvested crop. In cases where the food is not properly cooked, they can become part of the human food chain. In addition, a large portion of the sprayed antibiotic remains in the soil, which may create “reservoirs of resistance.” Recommendations for addressing such issues center on enhancing food safety regulations at national and international levels.

Saturday, June 13, 2020

First Aid Tips to Reduce Bleeding


An experienced emergency medicine physician with close to two decades of experience, Zachary Lutsky specializes in treating patients with various life threatening conditions. Over the course of his career, he has worked at numerous hospitals, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Zachary Lutsky has treated patients with a range of major trauma injuries, including fractures and excessive bleeding.

Bleeding is a serious health emergency that can lead to shock, or even death, if it is not well addressed. When handling major bleeding injuries, it is important to act quickly and stop further blood loss. With the right interventions, bleeding can be controlled before an ambulance arrives and a patient is taken to hospital. Below are tips to help reduce bleeding before emergency help arrives.

1. Ask the individual who is bleeding to lie down if possible, and remain calm. If the bleeding wound is on their leg or arm, raise that limb above the heart to slow down the rate of bleeding. Raising the legs also helps to reduce the effects of shock, but a limb should not be moved if the individual has a broken bone.

2. Apply pressure to pressure points, which are sections of the body where blood vessels run close to the skin surface. When you press on these areas, blood flowing from other parts of the body will be slowed, enabling you to continue applying direct pressure to stop bleeding. Always apply pressure to blood vessels that are closer to the heart. Applying pressure in other areas will not reduce bleeding as effectively.

3. If you’ve applied a bandage and blood begins to seep through it, do not remove the bandage. Instead, add an extra bandage and continue applying firm pressure to the wound. Do not tie the bandage too tightly or apply a bulky dressing, as this can reduce the effects of pressure. Pale and cold skin, as well as numbness, are signs that a bandage is too tight.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Fever in Kids Can Sometimes Result in Seizures


The recipient of an MD from the Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago, Dr. Zachary Lutsky served as an emergency physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for 11 years. Dr. Zachary Lutsky is experienced in treating a variety of emergency conditions, such as accidental injuries, shootings, high-grade fevers, and other trauma.

The normal body temperature for humans is 37 C, which is equivalent to 98.6 F. Normally, body temperature can differ slightly from this value due to daily activities and some other factors. However, significant deviation (increase or decrease) from this value may be a sign of illness and can also be dangerous to health.

Fever, according to guidance from the Cleveland Clinic, is relatively common in children. It occurs when the body temperature exceeds 38 C (100.4 F). In most cases, it subsides within a few days. However, if a fever lasts longer, occurs in an infant younger than three months, exceeds 40 C (104 F), happens after a child is immunized, affects urination, or does not respond to fever reducers, it may be important to call or visit a doctor.

Severe temperature changes in some fevers can have serious side effects, such as seizures. These can appear in the form of a jerking movement or the child passing out. Seizures typically last for less than five minutes, but it is still advisable for parents or guardians to call the child’s doctor right away or seek immediate medical attention. If the seizure persists for longer, 911 should be called.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Stroke Warning Signs Using the FAST Trick


A board-certified emergency medicine physician in Los Angeles, California, Zachary Lutsky attended the Rosalind Franklin University Chicago Medical School. Zachary Lutsky served as an attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for 11 years. Cedars-Sinai holds Comprehensive Stroke Center certification and is one of the region’s top stroke-intervention facilities.

One of the top five causes of death in the United States, a stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked or bursts. To recognize the early warning signs of a stroke, the American Stroke Association recommends using the word FAST:

F: First, look for signs of a drooping face. When the person smiles, does his or her face look uneven?

A: Next, check for arm weakness. With both arms overhead, does one lower automatically?

S: Slurred speech and other speech difficulties can be another sign of stroke. Check if the person can repeat simple sentences.

T: If any of these symptoms are present, it’s time to call 911. Prompt treatment for stroke can help minimize long-term effects.