Expert Health Articles

  • 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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  • Depression versus Sadness
    Depression is a common mental illness affecting thousands of people around the world. However, many people suffering from depression may believe they are simply just sad. Likewise, those who do not suffer from depression may mistake extreme sadness as depression. It is important to understand the difference between typical sadness and abnormal depression. While sadness is a normal human emotion that may be healthy at times, depression is an abnormal mental disorder that causes individuals to suffer from a variety of symptoms.
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  • Technology's Toll on Productivity and Connection
    Although many believe technology helps people connect with one another, it may have a negative effect on how we interact. Mirror neurons are brain cells that activate when we are present with each other and allow us to experience empathy and compassion. However, mirror neurons do not activate when we are communicating via technology. Additionally, technology gives us the false sense of productivity, since multitasking actually harms our performance. It is important to take time away from our devices and cherish our in-person conversations, as they are crucial to our success and relationships.
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  • Athletic Concussions (Part 2)
    This continuation of “Athletic Concussions” discusses how research has affected the evaluation and treatment of concussions in athletes. Over the past few years, research has revealed at least six different subtypes of concussion syndromes, each with their own symptoms and unique treatment methods. Additionally, research has found that previous rest methods for athletes are not sufficient, and new techniques have been developed. If you or a loved one experiences concussion symptoms, speak to your provider right away.
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  • Athletic Concussions (Part 1)
    Concussions have been a major topic in sports for the last few years. Research on concussions has taught us more about the evaluation and management of concussions than ever before. Certain symptoms act as signs of concussion, and players experiencing these symptoms should be taken out of the game and seen by a physician. Currently, tests are still being developed to tell if a patient has a concussion, but physicians still rely on reviewing the patient’s history and examination.
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  • Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Children
    Hand, foot and mouth disease is most commonly contracted by children, especially those under 5 years of age. This virus causes painful blisters in the mouth and throat as well as on the hands, feet and diaper area. Fever and sore throat are typically the first signs of this disease. Fortunately, hand, foot and mouth disease is a minor condition, but parents are encouraged to contact their family physician if their child experiences these symptoms and/or refuses to eat or drink.
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  • Fermentation Frenzy
    Fermented foods may seem like a new trend, but the process is actually one of the oldest ways to preserve food. There are many health benefits to fermenting food at home, as long as the proper precautions and steps are taken. It is important to have accurate temperature, ingredients and storage time to produce a safe and quality fermented product.
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  • Speech Delay
    Children who begin speaking at a later age than usual may be experiencing speech delay. This column includes speech and language benchmarks children ages 1-3 usually reach at specific times. Children who are falling behind in this development may need to attend speech therapy with a speech-language pathologist, who will use play strategies to help increase the child’s speech and language skills.
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  • West Nile Virus
    The West Nile virus is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who are infected with this virus do not develop any symptoms. Those that do can often treat their symptoms with over-the-counter medicine. However, less than 1 percent of infected individuals require hospitalization. The best way to prevent the West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites using commonly known techniques.
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  • "All-inside ACL Reconstruction" Procedure
    The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the ligament in the center of the knee that prevents the shin bone from separating from the thigh bone and prevents the knee from being stretched beyond its normal limits. Tears to this ligament can be especially painful and may lead to further damage. The All-inside ACL reconstruction procedure is minimally invasive, shortens recovery time and reduces pain for patients who need ACL reconstruction. Ask your provider if this procedure is right for you.
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