“My blood pressure is only high when I am at the doctor’s office.” This comment is a frequently heard in health care settings, and is clinically known as white coat hypertension. We used to think that this finding was benign, but a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the […]
Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Up to 15% of people suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and the majority of individuals do not even know that they have this condition. Symptoms of excessive fatigue, daytime sleepiness, morning headache and dry or sore throat upon awakening are often due to sleep apnea, which results from intermittent airway collapse throughout the night […]
Six Lifestyle Changes To Help Reduce Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a widespread medical condition in the United States. Known as hypertension, it is defined as a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher for most people, and is linked with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke as well as heart and kidney failure, among other life-threatening conditions. While many […]
Health Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency
Although medical practitioners have long recognized the role that Vitamin D plays in one’s health, only recently have we become aware of how many people are deficient in this essential vitamin. About two-thirds of individuals worldwide suffer from Vitamin D deficiency and, although that number is less in the United States, some of us experience […]
Three Warning Signs that Men and their Loved Ones Should Not Ignore
Men typically tend to be quiet about their health concerns, and at times that can have devastating consequences. Many of us have been taught from childhood to “suck it up” and not complain. While this attitude can be beneficial in some aspects of life, it should not be the standard approach when it comes to […]
Four Ways to Naturally Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major cause of disability and death in the United States each year, contributing to or causing many cases of heart attack, stroke, kidney and heart failure. Frequently, medication must be used to reduce blood pressure to a safer level. However, many people may be able to […]
Thyroid supplements are not the fountain of youth!
Please be careful with over-the-counter thyroid supplements. They usually contain large amounts of ground up pig/bovine thyroid and/or iodine, often in the form of kelp. Iodine is used by the thyroid to make thyroid hormone. These supplements are frequently misused by people in an attempt to increase energy, raise body temperature and lose weight. However, […]
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 […]
Stroke symptoms should not be ignored!
A stroke is when a part of the brain suddenly dies, either from a blocked artery not allowing blood to carry oxygen to that portion of the brain, or a sudden bleed from a ruptured artery or vein. A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is a reversible “mini stroke”, which often is a precursor to […]
Serious causes of headache
How does someone know that the headache they have is not serious and potentially life threatening? As with most medical complaints, the best answer is determined with a thorough history and exam at your physician’s office. Here are some warning symptoms and signs that we look for in determining whether a headache is life threatening […]