Expert Health Articles

  • The Importance of Knowing Your A1C for Better Health
    Understanding your health requires more than just regular checkups and occasional blood tests.
    Read More >
  • The Importance of Establishing a Relationship with a Primary Care Provider
    Building a strong relationship with a primary care provider is one of the most important steps individuals can take to safeguard their health.
    Read More >
  • Adult ADHD: Diagnosis or Mislabel?
    Adult Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a misnomer, as it implies that ADHD can develop in adulthood. Assessment of ADHD in adults has dramatically increased, as many adults have sought evaluation for the development of Adult ADHD.
    Read More >
  • Children's Bowel Movements
    Everyone poops. Despite this universal truth, monitoring your child’s toileting habits can be very stressful. Parents often express concerns about their children’s bowel movements and whether or not they are “normal.” In actuality, what is normal in terms of form, color, and frequency will vary greatly depending on the age of the child and the type of foods they are eating
    Read More >
  • Osteoarthritis of the Knee: Interventional Pain Management
    Do you have swollen, achy knees? Or do you experience early morning stiffness? You may be one of the millions of Americans suffering from osteoarthritis in your knee. The majority of patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis manage their pain through over-the-counter pain relievers, but knowing the cause and severity of the osteoarthritis can help manage the progression of this ailment.
    Read More >
  • The Basics of Urinary Tract Infections: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention
    A urinary tract infection, abbreviated commonly as UTI, is an often uncomfortable condition that may present with difficult or painful urination (dysuria). Many people experience burning or stinging with urination when they have a urinary tract infection, although it is possible for an infection to be asymptomatic or masked by other conditions, such as common symptoms of pregnancy (i.e., frequent urination).
    Read More >
  • Preventing Falls Inside Your Home
    Falls are a common cause of injury, particularly for seniors. As we discussed in a previous column, the two primary reasons for falls are a decrease in strength and balance; and environmental factors. We previously focused on preventing falls outside your home. In this column, we will focus on preventing falls inside your home.
    Read More >
  • The Perils of Misdiagnosing ADHD When OCD is the Culprit
    While ADHD and OCD have distinct core differences, their overlapping symptoms can blur diagnostic lines, leading to ineffective treatment or even worsening symptoms. Many clinicians are encountering an overwhelming number of ADHD evaluation requests. However, it is crucial for clinicians, educators, and parents to recognize the key distinctions between ADHD and OCD to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention.
    Read More >
  • Recognizing & Treating the "Winter Blues" (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
    An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a condition that can significantly impact daily life, mood, and overall well-being. Winter-patterned SAD is more common due to shorter daylight hours. Therefore, this disorder is especially prevalent in individuals living in northern regions, where daylight is limited for extended periods.
    Read More >
  • Prescribing Opioid Medication Responsibly for Pain
    Pain management has become one of the most challenging aspects of modern medical care. In the wake of the well-publicized opioid crisis, we, as physicians, must balance effective pain treatment with responsible prescribing practices, especially when it comes to opioid medications.
    Read More >
  • Preventing Falls Outside Your Home
    Did you know that one in three visits to the emergency room is due to a fall? These visits require, on average, a four-day hospital stay. They also result in some level of loss of independence and decreased quality of life. Many people who experience a fall become more afraid of the likelihood of falling, which results in them being less active and at a higher risk for nursing home placement.
    Read More >
  • Vitamin K After Birth is a Lifesaving Medication
    Pediatricians consider medications given to newborn babies very carefully. There are generally plenty of safety data and studies evaluating if the benefits of a medication outweigh the potential harms. If we are encouraging you to give a medication to your baby, it’s because we feel that it is potentially lifesaving.
    Read More >
  • The Importance & Benefits of Resistance Training
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week, with a mixture of aerobic and resistance training exercises. Adults are recommended to engage in at least two days of resistance training per week, with each session lasting 20-30 minutes. In my experience, most individuals tend to focus on aerobic or cardio-type exercises and have a lesser understanding of the importance of resistance training and the associated long-term health benefits.
    Read More >
  • The Goals of Effective Pain Management Explained
    The goals of pain management—reducing pain, improving physical function, and using medication effectively—are attainable through a balanced, multidisciplinary approach. As a pain management provider, we are committed to helping patients reclaim their lives, one step at a time.
    Read More >
  • Move it or Lose it: Rediscovering the Power of Movement
    Exploring how our reliance on convenience impacts physical and mental well-being. The good news is we don’t need to forgo convenience, just set some time aside to move.
    Read More >
  • New Treatment Updates to Protect Babies from RSV
    RSV generally looks like a common cold or allergies in healthy adults. Why is it so much worse in babies? Their immune systems are not fully developed, and they have never been exposed to this virus, so they are not able to mount a quick immune response to exposure to RSV. Also, their lungs are much smaller than an adult’s, so any inflammation of their airways is exponentially worse.
    Read More >
  • How Pet Therapy Improves Mental and Physical Health
    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.
    Read More >
  • Balancing Your Diet During the Holidays
    It's the most wonderful time of the year. It can be for some of us, while others totally dread the holiday season. The holidays are filled with seeing long-lost family and friends and maybe spending a little too much time with the family you are obligated to see. No matter what your family and friend situation may be, we all face the dreaded “holiday weight.”
    Read More >
  • Preventing Needle Stick & Sharps-Related Injuries for a Safer Workplace
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are 385,000 needle stick and other sharps-related injuries sustained by hospital-based healthcare personnel and approximately 600,000 to 800,000 injuries from contaminated sharps each year in healthcare settings nationwide. Those most at risk for needle stick and sharps-related injuries include nursing staff, laboratory staff, physicians, housekeepers, dental healthcare personnel, first responders, and other healthcare workers.
    Read More >
  • How the Body Fights Bacteria & Viruses
    Did you know our bodies are always working to fight off viruses and bacteria that can cause us to become sick? Our lungs, stomach, muscles, bones, and nerves are constantly working to fight infection.
    Read More >
  • The Flu Vaccine: Protect Yourself and Others
    The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor with flu by 40% to 60%. It has also been proven to help reduce the risk of hospitalization from flu, making it one of the most effective tools we have in preventing severe illness during flu season.
    Read More >
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
    Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neurological condition that causes severe pain in a limb. The pain is disproportionate to the injury or trauma that caused it. This affects roughly 200,000 people in the United States.
    Read More >
  • Nuclear Medicine: A Unique Insight into Physiology
    Nuclear medicine testing is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive materials, called radiopharmaceuticals, to provide information about the physiological function of tissues and organs, such as blood flow, metabolism, and biochemical processes. This can be particularly useful in diagnosing certain diseases, monitoring treatment responses, and assessing disease progression. Other imaging modalities like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI primarily provide structural images of the body.
    Read More >
  • Obesity: A Public Health Issue
    Obesity is a significant public health challenge in the United States, with more than 40 percent of adults affected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Certain demographics, such as non-Hispanic Black adults and those with lower educational levels, experience higher rates of obesity. This condition is often accompanied by other chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. The economic impact is substantial, with medical costs related to obesity reaching nearly $173 billion in 2019.
    Read More >
  • Support Networks and Safety Plans: Lifesaving Features of the Mental Healthcare Landscape
    The holiday months (mid-November to post-January) can be extremely difficult for loved ones suffering from mental illness. It’s postulated that family members and friends can reach intolerable levels of anxiety and depression during this time due to accentuated family dynamics, financial strain, and other stressors.
    Read More >
  • Promoting Healthy Sleep Habits for Children
    Oftentimes, as children transition from summer to back to school, parents frequently consult pediatricians for sleep problems. Whether having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, poor sleep can wreak havoc on a child’s physical health, mood, and school performance. Furthermore, when children don’t sleep, neither do their parents, which can mean that entire families are affected by disruptions in sleep patterns.
    Read More >
  • Examining & Treating Diabetic Neuropathy
    Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage, typically starting in the toes and feet, caused by elevated blood sugar levels. While symptoms are most commonly reported in the toes and feet, as the disease progresses, they may be experienced further up the legs and into the hands. While symptoms for some can be mild, others may report severe pain and loss of function.
    Read More >
  • Healthy Tips for the Industrial Athlete
    The definition of an athlete is a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina. Individuals who perform physical labor jobs that consistently involve standing, walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting need to think of themselves as true “industrial athletes.” That said, if you are an industrial athlete, you need to treat your body as such. Proper hydration, nutrition, stretching, and cross-training should be part of your daily routine.
    Read More >
  • Why Finishing Antibiotics is Important
    Have you ever forgotten to take a couple of doses of your antibiotics? Have you ever saved your antibiotics “just in case” you need them in the future? Have you ever taken someone else’s antibiotic? Answering yes to any of these questions contributes to increased antibiotic resistance, which is a worldwide issue.
    Read More >
  • Eating Well for Diabetes & Low-Carb Meals on a Budget
    As the cost of living continues to climb, many families are looking for ways to maintain a healthy diet without breaking the bank. For individuals with diabetes, it’s especially important to manage blood sugar levels through balanced meals while being mindful of food expenses. One strategy that is both cost-effective and health-conscious is choosing seasonal, low-carb whole foods. As we move into the cooler months, there are many ways to build nourishing, diabetic-friendly meals that support glucose control and your wallet.
    Read More >
Page Of