Medicine’s Next Big Steps

Alzheimer’s vs. Normal Aging

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it’s estimated that more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and as the U.S. population aged 65 and older continues to grow, so will the number of individuals affected by Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. It’s not surprising then that nearly 4 in 5 Americans would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s before symptoms occurred and/or before symptoms interfered with daily activities. 

To help discern whether you or a loved one is experiencing signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association offers the following list of 10 early signs and symptoms. 

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. While it’s typical to occasionally forget names and appointments, an early warning sign can be forgetting recently learned information, increasingly relying on memory aids, and/or asking the same questions over and over. 

2. Difficulty completing familiar tasks. Doing day-to-day activities becomes harder, such as organizing a grocery list or driving to a familiar location.

3. Confusion with time or place. Individuals may lose track of dates, seasons and/or the passage of time. 

4. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. One may experience vision changes as well as problems with judging distance and/or determining colors or contrasts. 

5. New problems with words – in speaking or writing. Following or joining a conversation may be difficult and/or one may struggle with vocabulary and naming familiar objects.

6. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. One may easily lose things or accuse others of stealing.

7. Poor judgment. One may start making poor decisions with finances or paying less attention to grooming habits. 

8. Withdrawal from work or social activities. Due to the hardship in participating in daily activities, individuals may withdraw from hobbies and/or social events.

9. Changes in mood and personality, such as being unusually confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful and/or anxious.

10. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Keeping track of monthly bills or following familiar recipes becomes difficult and time-consuming.

Cognitive Fitness

The brain is a complex organ and possesses the remarkable trait of neuroplasticity — the ability to reorganize and rewire neural connections. With neuroplasticity, we’re able to continue to learn new things and embrace new challenges throughout our lives. To help keep your brain physically fit, consider the following tips. 

• Challenge your brain. Remain a lifelong learner — try a new hobby, take an interesting class and engage in new experiences. 

• Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity has been proven to help boost memory and thinking skills.  

• Eat a healthy diet. A Mediterranean diet or other similar food plans have been associated with lowering the risk of cognitive decline. 

• Get good quality sleep. Quality sleep helps both our mental and physical health, as well as supports positive cognitive performance. 

• Maintain a healthy weight, blood pressure and manage and/or prevent diabetes. Doing what you can to avoid chronic illnesses and stay physically fit is beneficial to your brain’s overall health.

Glaucoma’s Threat

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve and is most commonly caused by a buildup of extra fluid that increases the pressure inside the eye. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old — but with early treatment, reduced vision and/or blindness can be prevented. 

Steven R. Sarkisian, Jr., M.D., an ophthalmologist and founder and CEO of Oklahoma Eye Surgeons in Oklahoma City, says Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is a newer approach that helps lower eye pressure with far less disruption than traditional glaucoma surgeries. 

“Because it uses very small incisions and delicate techniques, the risk of complications is lower, and the eye heals more naturally,” says Sarkisian. “MIGS can be done on its own or at the same time as cataract surgery, giving us flexibility to match our patients’ needs.”

He says one of the biggest advantages of MIGS is a shortened recovery time. 

“Most patients have much less discomfort and get back to normal activities within days to a couple of weeks,” says Sarkisian. “This is much faster and easier than the longer recovery times often needed with older glaucoma surgeries.”

He shares that most patients are open to trying MIGS.

“The idea of lowering eye pressure with a safer, gentler surgery and potentially using fewer drops afterwards makes sense to people who are tired of daily medications or worried about vision loss,” says Sarkisian. “When I talk to someone who is a candidate for MIGS, I explain that it’s a safe and effective option that can protect their vision while allowing for a faster recovery and less disruption to daily life. I also reassure them that if MIGS alone isn’t enough over time, we still have other options available. This flexibility helps patients feel confident knowing they’re not ‘using up’ their future choices by starting with MIGS.”

Preventing Hearing Loss

Whether it’s the roar from a music concert, sporting event or the mower while doing yard work, everyone is exposed to loud noises on occasion. And while most of us know that loud noise can be harmful to our ears, we may not always consider its long-term impact — known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Jeremy Foon, M.D., an otolaryngologist with Eastern Oklahoma Ear, Nose & Throat, Inc. in Tulsa, says repeated loud noise exposure is a preventable and irreversible cause of hearing loss.

“There are three parts to the ear — the outer ear (ear canal), the middle ear (space behind the ear drum) and the inner ear (the cochlea),” he says. “The cochlea is where sound is processed and sent as an electrical signal to the brain. Loud noise exposure causes damage to the inner structures of the cochlea.”

Foon says common risks for NIHL outside of a work environment include repeated noises, prolonged noises and short-term intermittent noises.  

“Some of the most common causes for recreational loud noise exposure are loud music at concerts, listening to loud music in the car or with earbuds, shooting firearms, and the use of power tools,” says Foon. “Not using earbuds or earmuffs is a huge factor, especially in predictably loud situations like shooting firearms or operating a lawnmower.”

As essential tools to help prevent NIHL, Foon says earmuffs and properly fitted earbuds can be worn together for better protection. For intense intermittent noises (i.e. firearms), he always recommends wearing both. 

“I want to stress that NIHL is preventable,” says Foon. “A good place to start is to turn down the volume a little on the TV or while listening to music. Once we get NIHL, it will never improve — so take every step you can to avoid this common issue. Otherwise, you risk needing hearing aids at a young age or developing deafness.”

Four Numbers that Affect the Heart

When it comes to heart health, several factors and relating numbers are essential to regularly check and monitor. From blood pressure and cholesterol to A1C levels and body mass index (BMI), cardiologist Sarah Anne Shaw-Dressler, D.O., with Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa, shares why these numbers are important.

“Regularly checking blood pressure, cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C, and BMI is essential for early identification and management of cardiovascular, metabolic and renal risk,” says Shaw-Dressler. “The American Heart Association (AHA) and the Endocrine Society both emphasize that these measurements are foundational for screening metabolic risk factors, which are major contributors to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).”

Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

While blood pressure tests measure the pressure against the artery walls as the heart pumps, cholesterol tests — also known as a lipid panel — measure the amount of cholesterol and fats in the blood. 

“Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol are asymptomatic but strongly associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and other vascular complications,” says Shaw-Dressler. “The Endocrine Society recommends screening all adults aged 40–75 for these risk factors at least every three years and more frequently in those with established risk or prediabetes. The AHA recommends annual blood pressure and BMI assessment, with more frequent monitoring for those with risk factors or established disease.”

A1C Testing

She says a key marker for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes and prediabetes is a hemoglobin A1C test—a measurement of the amount of sugar in the blood. With regular assessments, individuals can seek early intervention and help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. 

“The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends at least annual A1C testing in those with prediabetes or diabetes,” she says.

BMI

Shaw-Dressler says that while imperfect, BMI is a practical measure for identifying if one’s overweight or obese, which are central drivers of metabolic and cardiovascular risk. Tracking BMI along with waist circumference helps identify potential risk factors and guide preventive strategies.

“In summary, regular monitoring of these parameters enables risk stratification, early diagnosis and targeted intervention — which are critical for reducing the burden of ASCVD, T2DM, and related complications, as recommended by the AHA, the Endocrine Society, and the ADA,” says Shaw-Dressler. 

Younger People & Heart Attacks

As heart disease remains the leading cause of the death in the United States, there has been another alarming trend — more young people are experiencing heart attacks, or in medical terms, acute myocardial infarctions (AMI).

“Recent data demonstrate that both the incidence and the proportion of AMI occurring in adults under 55 years have increased or plateaued in the United States and other developed countries, with the most pronounced rise observed in young women,” says Shaw-Dressler. “This trend contrasts with the declining rates of AMI in older adults.”

Unfortunately, she says risk factors — such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and substance abuse — have increased among young adults with AMI. 

“Notably, young patients often present with a distinct risk profile, including a higher prevalence of non-atherosclerotic etiologies (e.g., spontaneous coronary artery dissection, drug-induced vasospasm), and a greater impact of psychosocial and socioeconomic factors,” says Shaw-Dressler. “These differences are particularly relevant in young women, who have seen the largest relative increase in AMI incidence.”

In addition, she says symptoms in women can be atypical — including but not limited to chest pain, upper back pain, neck/jaw pain, epigastric pain, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath and shortness of breath on exertion.

For individuals in this younger demographic, Shaw-Dressler emphasizes the need for aggressive risk factor modification and targeted prevention strategies. 

“The literature highlights the importance of early identification and management of cardiovascular risk factors in this population to mitigate the rising burden of premature cardiovascular disease,” she says. 

Robotic-Assisted Surgery

In the field of orthopedics, robotic-assisted surgery has greatly impacted procedures — offering greater accuracy, less complications and reduced recovery times.

Yogesh Mittal, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with The Orthopaedic Center in Tulsa, explains the many benefits of robotic technology involving knee and hip replacement surgery. 

“Most people recover faster because there is less soft tissue damage and the implants are placed more accurately and better balanced than traditional surgeries,” he says.

Robotic technology provides a 3D virtual model of the patient’s joint for customized positioning of the implant and supports bone conservation by removing the minimal amount of bone needed. In addition, regarding hip replacement surgery, Mittal says robotics support a decreased risk of future dislocation and more accurate leg length recreation—which he says is the number one mistake involving non-robotic hip replacements. 

Mittal notes that while most of the procedures are outpatient, he prefers to keep patients overnight, if they desire, for additional support during recovery. 

“Typically, patients are in an older population, so I want to ensure they are able to walk well with therapy before discharged,” he says. 

As technology continues to advance, Mittal says artificial intelligence (AI) will also play a role in increasing benefits. 

“We will have an algorithm out soon that will automatically place the implants accurately,” he says. “We are collecting all the robotic data and using machine learning (ML) to advance the technology, and will be able to make the incisions needed in surgery autonomously — by the push of a button.”

Mittal, who has completed more robotic surgeries than anyone else globally, says the developing software and hardware—the robotic arm materials—continues to improve. 

“We have only scratched the surface and technology is advancing and rapidly improving patient outcomes,” he says. “In my opinion, we get so much information about the hip and knee before and during surgery, that it makes no sense to do the surgery without robotic technology.”

As well, Mittal touts the effectiveness and growth in regenerative medicine.

“Regenerative medicine has been an area of interest for years. Advances have brought forth opportunities to use micro-fat derived from adipose tissue, bone marrow derived from mesenchymal stem cells, exosomes which are micro-vesicles from ethically sourced placenta, and platelet rich plasma,” he shares.

“All of these modalities have their benefits and have been successful in treating varying ailments including arthritis, bursitis and tendinitis in well-selected patients. This area of medicine will continue to advance over the course of the next few years.” 

Digestion Red Flags

George Salem, M.D., is an inflammatory bowel disease gastroenterologist with OU Health in Edmond. He says while everyone experiences an occasional upset stomach or a short-lived digestive issue, there are certain symptoms you should never ignore.

“Especially if they persist beyond a week, recur frequently and/or are accompanied by other concerning signs — known as red flags,” says Salem. 

These ‘red flag’ symptoms include:

› Persistent abdominal pain or cramping

› Unexplained weight loss

› Ongoing diarrhea or constipation

› Blood in the stool — including black, tarry stools

› Night-time symptoms such as waking up in the middle of the night because of abdominal pain or bowel movement

› Difficulty or pain with swallowing

› Persistent nausea and vomiting, or vomiting blood (which may resemble coffee grounds)

› Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes

“When people think about digestive health,they often focus on the stomach or colon,” he says. “In reality, the gastrointestinal tract is an intricate, continuous system that starts at the mouth and ends at the rectum. It includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum and anus. Each part has a unique role — whether it’s breaking down food, absorbing nutrients or eliminating waste.”

Helpful Tips for a Healthy Digestive System

› Eat a balanced, fiber-rich diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

› Stay hydrated — water is essential for smooth digestion.

› Limit ultra-processed and high-sugar foods that can disrupt gut balance.

› Add extra-virgin olive oil to your daily meals.

› Consider following a healthy diet regimen.

› Incorporate natural probiotic and prebiotic foods to your daily regimen, such as yogurt, kefir, bananas and certain vegetables to nurture healthy gut bacteria.

› Exercise regularly to keep the intestines moving.

› Manage stress, which can have a major impact on digestion.

› Avoid excessive alcohol and stop smoking.

› Keep up with recommended screenings.

“Colonoscopies save lives by detecting problems early,” says Salem. “Colonoscopies are safe and painless when performed by board-certified, fellowship-trained providers. [In addition], upper endoscopies in certain patient populations can prevent progression of certain pre-cancerous conditions of the esophagus and stomac