Expert Health Articles

  • Hepatitis A: Not the 'A' You Want
    Outbreaks of hepatitis A take place across the country. This condition is a vaccine-preventable liver disease, usually spread when a person ingests food or beverages contaminated by the stool of an infected person – one example of the importance of hand-washing! Hepatitis A can also be spread via sexual intercourse, and some individuals are more at risk than others. Be aware of the signs and symptoms of hepatitis A and be sure to speak with your physician about whether you should receive the vaccine.
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  • Female Athlete Triad
    One challenge most female athletes face while training is how to properly fuel with food. Doing so incorrectly may lead to the “female athlete triad,” which is defined as a medical condition involving long-term calorie or energy deficiency with or without disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction, and diminished bone mineral density. These three components do not often present themselves at the same time, but through education and prevention, female athletes can avoid the female triad with proper nutrition.
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  • Harmful Effects of Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
    Most people are aware of the adverse effects of smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol during pregnancy. However, many remain unaware of the dangers of utilizing marijuana during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Marijuana is legal in many states, but using it during pregnancy may result in higher risk pregnancies, developmental and/or behavioral problems for the child, and other consequences.
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  • Seasonal Allergies: A Month-by-Month Guide
    Seasonal allergies are often lumped into one category, but each season has unique allergens. Spring allergies primarily result from tree pollen and anemophilous plants, whereas summer allergies usually result from grass pollen. In the fall, many people claim to suffer from “hay fever,” but this condition is usually due to ragweed pollen rather than hay exposure. Winter months have less allergen threats, but mold spores may cause flare-ups.
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  • Hemorrhoids
    Hemorrhoids are normal clusters of veins present in the lowest part of the intestinal tract. Occasionally, these enlarge and bleed, but this does not always mean there is a serious problem. There are many possible causes of hemorrhoids and rectal bleeding. If bleeding and/or pain persist, it is important to speak with a physician right away about your symptoms.
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  • Call 911 for Chest Pain/Stroke Symptoms
    There are many signs to look for when determining whether someone is exhibiting symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. When these symptoms present themselves, it is crucial to call 911 and active emergency medical services. Many people attempt to wait for symptoms to dissipate, drive themselves to the hospital or try other means of avoiding an ambulance. However, to increase chances of positive outcomes, 911 should always be called in these instances.
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  • Allergies in Pollen Season
    Those who suffer from pollen allergies may find it difficult to control symptoms during pollen season. Fortunately, there are many treatment options including limiting exposure, over-the-counter and prescription allergy medication, allergy shots, or oral allergy tablets. Your physician and/or allergist can help you decide which treatment is best for you.
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  • Colorectal Cancer Causes and Prevention
    Statistically and depending on the year, colorectal cancer is either the second or third leading cause of cancer death among Americans. Symptoms are not always easily identified, and many patients do not experience any symptoms at all. It is crucial for individuals to be proactive and receive colorectal cancer screenings. Most should begin receiving screenings at age 50, but patients with higher risk should begin screenings sooner. There are a variety of factors that may make someone at high-risk for colorectal cancer, many of which are preventable.
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  • Allergy Immunotherapy
    If using allergy avoidance and allergy medications is unsuccessful, consider allergy immunotherapy (IT). This treatment involves injecting small doses of the allergen into the patient to help the body tolerate allergens rather than interpret them as “foreign invaders.” Most patients begin reaping the benefits of this treatment within a year of the first injection.
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  • Stop the Bleed
    Bleeding is one of the leading causes of preventable trauma deaths before reaching a hospital. Fortunately, with proper training, equipment and a willingness to help, all individuals can learn to help stop a life-threatening bleed. This knowledge can benefit people with sudden injuries such as accidental cuts from kitchen knives, chainsaw accidents or gunshot wounds. Become equipped to help save a life and stop the bleed.
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  • Limitations of Online Hearing Tests
    Online hearing tests only offer assessment of a single aspect of hearing loss, and often this assessment is inaccurate or unreliable. Visiting an audiologist provides you with a full hearing examination, including where in the ear’s anatomy the hearing loss is resulting. Additionally, audiologists can provide treatment and management options that allow you to receive higher quality care for your hearing problems.
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  • The Benefits of Annual Pelvic Exams
    It is recommended that women of all ages receive annual pelvic exams for a variety of reasons. Not only are these exams conducted as a preventative measure for cancers and other potentially harmful issues, there are benefits to visiting with your gynecologist yearly. These include screenings for sexually transmitted diseases, evaluating health risk factors, determining contraceptives, discussing bone health and more.
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  • Hair Removal Techniques
    Unwanted hair growth or growth of hair in unusual areas occur in people of all ages, mainly ranging between puberty and the depletion of estrogen in women or testosterone in men. Fortunately, there are several options for individuals desiring to remove unwanted hair, including waxing, sugaring, dermaplaning and laser hair removal.
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  • Let's Talk About Female Fecal Incontinence
    Women often avoid discussing accidental bowel leakage, otherwise known as fecal incontinence. However, as many as one in five adult women suffer from this condition. There are many causes for fecal incontinence, and fortunately there are many treatment options. It starts with a conversation with your physician.
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  • Pediatric Food Allergy vs. Intolerance
    Food allergies affect roughly five to eight percent of all children. However, many symptoms of food intolerance are commonly mistaken for food allergy. Whereas an allergy is a response by the immune system to a food allergen, intolerance is a non-immunologic response to a food that mainly causes gastrointestinal symptoms. Learn the differences and ways to talk to your physician about your child’s symptoms.
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  • Alcohol Consumption and Cirrhosis
    The main cause of cirrhosis, the late stage of progressive liver damage, is often assumed to be excessive alcohol consumption. However, approximately 80 percent of the patients on transplant waiting lists includes individuals with cirrhosis caused by other issues, including chronic viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic liver disease and autoimmune hepatitis.
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  • Hospice Care is Not a Death Sentence
    Many patients and their families decline hospice care because they fear it automatically resigns the patient to death. However, this is not true. The goal of hospice care is to maintain and/or improve the quality of life for patients with an illness, disease or condition unlikely to be cured. In fact, some patients who receive hospice care have been known to live longer than expected due to the improvements in comfort. Additionally, hospice care is a great resource for families as it offers support, guidance and counseling more so than traditional medical care.
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  • Contact Dermatitis on the Hands
    Many people suffer from itchy, dry skin on the hands, especially during the winter. “Irritant contact dermatitis” is a common condition that is caused by frequent hand-washing, low humidity or the overuse of harsh soaps and cleaning agents. “Allergic contact dermatitis” is caused by an allergen or chemical in the environment. Many fragrance-fee cleansers and moisturizers can help combat the symptoms of contact dermatitis.
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  • Nourishing the Brain
    Although diets often focus on the physical benefits, eating healthy can also improve your memory, alertness and cognitive function. There are certain diet types that focus on nourishing your mind, and many foods and nutrients have been shown improve brain function. Foods with omega-3 fatty acids and lutein as well as vegetables, berries and dark-colored fruits play a significant role in brain health. Research is ongoing and there is no miracle food, but these foods can help.
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  • Acne and Post-acne Treatments
    Active acne is caused and influenced by a variety of factors and can also lead to the development of post-acne scarring, both of which can be damaging to self-esteem. There are many treatment options available for both acne and post-acne scarring including facial services, chemical peels, microneedling, laser services and more. Speak with your dermatologist or medspa physician to find out which treatment is best for you.
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  • Bipolar Disorder
    Many individuals misunderstand the seriousness of bipolar disorder and instead use it in every day conversation, usually in reference to someone experiencing mood swings. However, mood swings are quite common for humans, whereas bipolar disorder is a diagnosis of symptoms including rapid speech, impulsive behaviors, paranoia and the lack of need to sleep. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder rather than minor changes in mood, speak with a psychiatrist for help.
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  • Men in the Medspa
    In a female dominated industry, men can also benefit from a variety of services offered in medical spas to help them look and feel better. These include hair restoration, laser treatments such as tattoo removal, wrinkle treatments and more. The number of men utilizing these medspa services is on the rise.
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  • Pull Right for Sirens and Lights
    During emergencies, seconds count. That is why it is crucial for drivers to follow the rules of the road by pulling to the right for emergency vehicles with activated lights and sirens. This article discusses the “do’s” and “don’ts” of moving over for emergency vehicles. Assist both first responders and victims in emergency situations by following these rules.
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  • Children’s Migraine and Tension Headaches: Massage Therapy Solutions
    Children who experience frequent migraine and tension headaches may benefit from massage therapy. There are many causes for both tension and migraine headaches that can be resolved by therapeutic massage. However, there are certain symptoms associated with migraine headaches in particular that should alert parents to take their child to receive medical attention.
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  • Tonsillitis
    Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils, or the two oval-shaped pads of tissue in the back of the throat, that most commonly affects children. Viral infections or bacteria such as streptococcus typically cause this condition. Rapid strep tests are usually used to determine the cause, and over-the-counter medications are often used to reduce symptoms. However, in some cases symptoms become more severe or occur too frequently. Speak with an ENT physician if you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of tonsillitis.
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  • Hearing Loss
    While age is the greatest factor in hearing loss, people of all ages may experience hearing loss and could benefit from treatment. The best way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is to avoid loud noises and protect your ears with earplugs in loud environments. There are many signs of hearing loss that make encourage you to seek an audiologist’s advice.
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  • Getting the Skinny on Fatty Liver Disease
    Fatty liver disease is a common condition that occurs when fat is deposited in the liver due to causes other than excessive alcohol use. There are several tests that can be used to diagnose this disease. Treatment often involves tending to the underlying cause of the fatty liver. This could include losing weight or controlling diet. Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to keeping your liver healthy.
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  • Biologic Injections as Treatment for Osteoarthritis
    Osteoarthritis, or the genetic or traumatic degradation of cartilage, can be treated using biologic injections, which may include concentrated amounts of plasma, platelets and stem cells. Research has shown that using biologic injections is effective in relieving patient symptoms. Orthopedic providers can determine whether biologic injections are the best treatment option for patients.
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  • Pet Therapy
    Pet therapy is a popular treatment used to reduce stress levels and promote mental and physical health in patients. Engaging with a therapy animal has been proven to release endorphins in the brain, producing a relaxation effect and increasing happiness. This treatment is beneficial during physical therapy, as it encourages patients to stay active and provides motivation. Anxiety and depression have also been known to decrease after receiving pet therapy, suggesting an increase in mental health benefits.
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  • Mammograms
    Mammograms are X-rays of the breasts that help providers detect abnormalities or changes that may be signs of breast cancer. There are two different types of mammograms: screening and diagnostic. These tests can help providers detect tumors or cancerous activity that cannot otherwise be seen or felt. By age 45, women should begin receiving mammograms yearly. However, women who experience specific symptoms such as a bumps, enlarged veins or thickening skin on the breast should speak to their health care provider immediately about receiving a mammogram.
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