It is a common misconception that drugs and alcohol are the only offending substances to cause addictions. Many of us battle something during our lifetime that can become an unhealthy preoccupation, whether it be with drugs, money, pornography, food, gambling, dangerous risk taking, tobacco, alcohol, sex, work, or exercise to name a few. Why are […]
Recreational Waterborne Illnesses
Summertime draws area residents and visitors alike for a swim in our beautiful lakes, rivers and pools, to cool off from the daytime heat. While most outings are relaxing and uneventful, waterborne intestinal, respiratory and skin infections can ruin the best vacation plans. Knowledge and prevention of these common illnesses can keep an outing this […]
Giardia Infection
Giardia is a parasite that can cause intestinal symptoms in an infected person. Symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, belching, gas and cramps that occur while camping or traveling in a third world country are highly suspicious of giardiasis. Outbreaks at daycare centers have also been reported. It is transmitted by drinking contaminated, untreated water from […]
Tips To Fight Seasonal Depression
Why is depression and, in severe cases suicide, more common during the holiday season? You would think that with all the celebration, a “blue mood” would be much less likely. Mental health specialists speculate that there are a variety of factors that contribute to this phenomenon. People are expected to be happy, and many feel […]
How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Attack
Heart disease continues to kill a large number of Americans each year. The most common type is due to blockages in one or more heart arteries, known as coronary artery disease (CAD). Listed below are the major risk factors for heart disease as well as what you can do to lessen your chance of having […]
How to Know if a Concussion is an Emergency
Impact to the head can cause a “brain bruise”, or concussion. Only about 10% of people who have a concussion actually get knocked out, while most will have other symptoms which occur alone or in combination. Common complaints include headache, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, unsteadiness, nausea, grogginess and vision or hearing changes. While all concussions […]
Medical Conditions that make Weight Loss Difficult
What common medical conditions are associated with obesity? This is an important question, because if a condition is not recognized and treated, your best efforts at losing weight may be futile. As briefly mentioned in yesterday’s blog, six common conditions include: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): The thyroid is a walnut sized gland in the front part […]
What is a Cold Sore?
Ouch! Once you get a cold sore blister, odds are quite high that it will recur in the same spot over and over again for the rest of your life, sometimes up to a dozen times a year. Known as herpes labialis, it is caused by the same kind of virus that causes genital herpes. […]
Why am I Losing my Hair?
“Doc, I’m losing clumps of my hair in the shower!” Hair loss, or alopecia, is a common problem that most people will encounter during their lifetime. There are several causes of alopecia, and treaments for these causes can vary. Male Pattern Baldness – Male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss in men, […]
Appendicitis
I saw a patient a few weeks back who was brought in by her dad presenting with a typical medical dilemma…is the patient’s abdominal pain appendicitis or not? Unfortunately, there is usually not an obvious answer; the diagnosis is usually made by reviewing a combination of symptoms, compiling telltale findings on examination, and verification with […]