`illin: The Gothamist Health Buzz

XL Rays

Imagine getting sick and ending up at a local hospital. Imagine needing a CT scan or MRI while you were there. Now imagine being transferred to an animal hospital or zoo because you’re too fat to fit into a human scanner and need to get in one reserved for horses or other large mammals. Sounds ridiculous but this is exactly what’s been going on all over the country for the past few years as patients get larger and larger. X-ray and MRI images are of terribly low quality when imaging obese patients and technology hasn’t been able to keep up with America’s ever-expanding waistline. X-rays just can’t seem to get through big patients, some of whom can’t even fit into CT and MRI tubes. And NYC’s not immune: Gothamist Health’s heard a rumor that obese patients at certain hospitals in the Bronx have been taken over the to the Bronx Zoo for CT scanning. Considering that the obesity rate in this country hovers at about 64%, we may as well see a vet next time we’re ill.

Oh and speaking of X-rays, check out this snake that ate an electric blanket.

Proof?

We’ve posted before about the cancers and respiratory problems that have continued to plague people who toiled endlessly at Ground Zero to help other New Yorkers. Until now, the City has stated that there's no established connection between the air down there and the reported illnesses. Well the Daily News reports that the FDNY and the Albert Einstein School of Medicine are on the verge of publishing a study that shows that rescuer workers have lost about 12 years of lung function thanks to exposure to dangerous fumes from that day. According to the article, Mayor Bloomberg has been less than helpful in holding anyone responsible.

+ NPR had a great piece on stretching yesterday.

+ YES! Alcohol is still good for you and, oh my God, CANDY MAY BE GOOD FOR YOU TOO!

+ This is something we hate to tell you in this nasty weather, but watermelon is healthier for you when it’s warm.

Flickr photo of a fat cat getting an x-ray from flippin_sweet.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Kapil Desai in News on July 28, 2006 10:00 AM

Comments [rss]

solidago

People need to be meaner to obese people so maybe they'd think twice about going into McDonalds. I'd like to see the NYPD start doling out $50 tickets to people whose bags of fat take up more than one subway seat. Bloomberg has done a spectacular job at making life uncomfortable for smokers -- I'd like to see him do the same with the obese.

Smalls

People with risk-taking accidents like skateboarding can be properly x-rayed or CT-scanned, and they fit in the MRI tube. They can receive proper, immediate treatment, have a much higher chance of recovery, and go on to skateboard again.

Morbidly obese folks are at tremendous risk because the layers of fatty tissue obscure the organs in scans, they do not fit in many machines, and the doctors cannot properly diagnose their ailments. They sicken, die, and their families sue the hospital for not buying the latest $2-$3 million larger-bore scanners. Insurance premiums for the doctors spike and they must charge more for services. The morbidly obese, in many ways, are driving up health-care costs for everyone.

The risk-taking hordes don't make life harder on the rest of us.

dhex

"The zoo MRI/xray is an urban myth:"

yup. with a few exceptions nearly anyone can fit into a CT machine, especially the newer ones. so exempting the walter hudsons of the world...

xnxox

kimdog,

did you really think gothamist readers would think otherwise? i mean, have you read these things before?! if its about fat people, poor people, or fun poeople, these comment boards turn into a hate-fest.

Nicole

Great picture! I know it's not right to laugh at obese animals (or people) but it's just too funny! I love the article on why candy is good for you too. Especially this part:

"And if you are craving more, consider the other flavonoid-rich foods with fewer calories, such as grapes, blueberries, strawberries and spinach."

Right, I always think of spinach as a great chaser for chocolate...

kimdog

Well, it's certainly good to know that Gothamist readers think fat people are sub-human and undeserving of medical care. And all those people who break bones or hit their head doing things like skateboarding or falling down drunk should be denied access too. Why shouldn't there be a point where one can say "enough" with trying to accomodate the risk-taking hordes?

Jen

Fat cats are crowd-pleasers, but sadly they tend to have health problems (I get this lecture whenever I coo over a fat cat).

Tim N.

I'm normally not down with cat photography, but that could be the funniest picture I've seen in a week. Thanks for the laugh!

last night last

Odd, the obese woman on last night's Grey's anotomy fit into a CT scanner just fine.

And, I never knew the Bronx zoo could even afford a CT scanner, maybe a used one.

urban myths, com'on people.

uc

The zoo MRI/xray is an urban myth:

http://www.explodingcigar.com/article1750.html

I could find a better link, but I don't effing care enough.

Constant Dater

Of course if you make 'em bigger, people are just gonna get fatter and not fit into those. Why shouldn't there be a point where one can say "enough" with trying to accomodate the ever-fattening hordes?

Jeebus

Even though NYC has its share of fatties, its Texas that accounts for a huge chunk of that 64%

Hit the Gym and loose weight people. And no, your not Big Boned and its not in your Genes, you're just FAT.