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Show AT COTTONWOOD HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER Healthcare Today is a publication of Cottonwood Hospital Medical Center. It is designed to keep the community informed and updated on current medical services available at the hospital. Any questions regarding the information in this publication should be directed to the Cottonwood Hospital Public Relations Department at 269-228- 5. The Weekend Option page 2 Menopause: The Timely Transition page 2 Life Is Too Long 2 page Healthcare Forum page 3 Baby Connection page 3 Speakers Bureau page 3 Eating Disorders Anorexia and Bulimia page 4 Plastic Surgery and You page 5 OTC Lab page Tests 6 Women and the Blues page 6 Breast Cancer page 8 Kids Line page Dr. Brinton is a board certified Ophthalmologist who specializes in the treatment of diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous (the clear gel that fills the eye.) Dr. Brinton graduated from the University of Utah College of Medicine and completed advanced training at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami and at the Medical College of Wisconsin. 8 helping to treat people w ho just a few years ago had few medical options for help. What is a laser and how does it work? Laser is an acronym, describing the way a laser works: Light Amplification through Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser uses elecand sophisticated tricity technologies to excite a medium such as carbon dioxide gas, argon gas or crystals to y emit particles high-energ- which can be focused into an intense beam. The physician then uses the beam to perform surgical-typ- e 7 Senior Programs page by Gregory Brinton, M.D. When we think general visions of of lasers, Star Wars" mm ies come to mind. But in the environment of the modem hospital, laser technology is Him Hi Types of procedures. Lasers Some lasers can be used to cut" like a knife, while others could be best characterized as spot welders to correct cer tain abnormalities. The type of laser used must be matched directly to the type of tissue being treated. Fortunately, Cotton- wood Hospital has one of the most sophisticated laser centers in Utah. For example, the hospitals Argon Laser can he used to treat many abnormalities, including those w hich are either red in color or w hich contain blood. These abnormalities include birthmarks, tatoos and many eye problems. Other lasers such as the Carbon Dioxide Laser, can be used to actually make incisions through the skin or to aporize certain types of tumors. The Tunable Dye Laser is used mainly for ophthalmology procedures and can be adjusted or tuned" to meet a physician's i M COTTONWOOD HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER An Intermountain Health Cate Facility mmmm mf-- mm need depending on the procedure. The VAG Laser can be used to cut membranes in the eye including the posterior lens capsule or what may be called a secondary cataract. Types of Procedures A variety of medical specialties have used lasers in treatment for many years while others are just beginning to diseov er applications. Technology has developed over the past five to ten years that has greatly expanded the medical applications of lasers and many procedures are now being considered for investigation. Ophthalmology, plastic sur- ge n and neurosurgery art' continued on page '2 |