By now you’ve either heard about the current difficult flu season or have experienced it in your own household. In a recent FluReport, the Centers for Disease Control reports that 43 states are now experiencing widespread flu activity. In addition, flu hospitalization rates are higher this season compared to past seasons when the same strain dominated. […]
It is no secret that preventative health care — such as regular checkups, cancer screenings and routine medical tests — can help adults live healthier lives. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that each year, 100,000 lives could be saved if every adult participated in regular wellness screenings and check-ups. For women, a yearly physical often […]
Headlines across the globe have detailed the horrific nightmare of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Many Americans were shocked and disturbed to realize that the Ebola virus, which was an ocean away, had arrived in the United States with cases in Texas and New York. When news stories use images of Hazmat suits and […]
ONE TINY GLAND CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE Did you know that one tiny, butterfly-shaped gland in your body can affect your mood, cause you to gain weight, lose hair, and even cause joint pain? The thyroid gland is an important part of the endocrine system, which provides instructions to the body’s cells. When the thyroid isn’t […]
It is a well-documented fact that controlling blood sugars in patients with diabetes will help to avoid and prevent the worsening of long term complications such as eye, kidney and nerve damage. In young people with no diabetes-related complications, the hgb a1c – which reflects blood sugars for the previous three months – should be maintained below […]
The internet and popular television fitness shows often mention people who were previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but have — through diet, exercise or some other health care regimen — “reversed” type 2 diabetes to become disease-free. But is this possible? Can you actually “undo” type 2 diabetes? THE ANSWER IS NOT THAT SIMPLE […]
A diagnosis of diabetes is often overwhelming, and patients may have many questions about how to manage this illness. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are serious illnesses that can lead to health complications such as heart disease, strokes, non-healing wounds, and […]
What is a BRCA Gene Mutation? If a woman inherits a mutation on the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, her risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer increases greatly. These genes produce tumor-suppressing proteins that help repair damaged DNA. When these genes are mutated or do not function correctly, cells are more likely to transform into […]
Imagine wearing a turtleneck and long pants during the sticky summer heat of August. For millions of Americans with psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, the desire to cover up unsightly red patches outweighs the need for short sleeves and shorts. What Is It? August is Psoriasis Awareness Month. While there are many different types […]
What Is Inflammatory Breast Cancer? October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so our blog posts for this month will provide educational information on inflammatory breast cancer and BRCA testing. Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive, rare type of breast cancer that causes swelling, tenderness, redness and warmth in the breast. It accounts for 1 to 5 […]