Icky, Sticky Red Eyes

Redness and stickiness of the eyes are common complaints. Some cases are caused by infectious conjunctivitis, or “pink eye,” but there are also a variety of other causes. In the midst of winter, pink eye is an ailment you or a loved one may encounter. It is often associated with an upper respiratory infection (common… Read more »

A New Treatment for Dry Eye

Ever wonder why over-the-counter drops and even prescription drops don’t seem to resolve a chronic dry eye condition? Chances are you (or your doctor) are using the wrong approach. Dry eye is a complex disease, but the origin can be traced to two basic causes: lipid deficiency (also called evaporative and aqueous deficiency) or lack… Read more »

Diabetic Health Viewed Through the Eyes

25.8 million Americans – 8 percent of the population – have diabetes and the numbers are growing. Diabetes can cause damage to all parts of the body, and much of that damage can be viewed in the eyes. What is happening in the eye of a diabetic patient is happening throughout their body; thus, ophthalmologists… Read more »

Whole Body Screening with MRI

Wernher von Braun, who with his team launched the first American satellite into space, said, “One test is worth a thousand expert opinions.” With today’s advanced imaging technology, radiologists can take “one picture” of the entire inside of your body which is comparable to “a thousand expert opinions.” Until recently, whole body screening was performed… Read more »

Men Are Stubborn

Over and over again I see men, typically over 55, complaining of symptoms that frighten them: difficulty swallowing, food sticking in their throat, feeling as if they are suffocating due to regurgitation. They often confess to ten or more years of increasingly severe symptoms, typically starting with heartburn and/or chest pain. These are symptoms of… Read more »

Dizzy No More with Vestibular Rehabilitation

Dizziness, vertigo and disequilibrium are all signs of vestibular system dysfunction. Vestibular disorders can be caused by peripheral damage (occurring within the inner ear), or by central damage (occurring within areas of the central nervous system responsible for balance and equilibrium). These symptoms do not have to be permanently debilitating and can often be treated… Read more »

Integrative Heart Health

Reversing heart disease is a reality for many these days, and preventing it an attainable goal for millions more. It doesn’t simply take a pill or two from your doctor. It doesn’t happen solely by watching the foods you eat. Exercising alone isn’t enough, and there is no magic supplement. But through the advances in… Read more »

Advanced AFib Technology Showing Promise

Desert Regional successfully treating patients Some patients with atrial fibrillation (or AFib) and heart rhythm disorders may be able to say good-bye to their medications thanks to new technology offered at Desert Regional Medical Center. AFib occurs when the heart’s electrical system has a problem that causes the heart to fibrillate, or beat very rapidly.… Read more »

Considering Knee Replacement?

An estimated 27 million Americans have some form of osteoarthritis. Joint replacement surgery is considered the most effective option for reducing disability and restoring function of those suffering, and 95% of patients report that they are satisfied with their procedure. That is probably why there are more than 4.5 million Americans currently living with at… Read more »

Eye Health Linked to Stroke Risk

A new study published in the American Heart Association Journal Hypertension suggests a correlation between retinal microvascular changes and increased stroke risk. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study authored by Dr. Mohammad Ikram reviewed retinal images of 1406 patient ages 50-73 between 1993 and 1995. With each participant, their level of hypertensive retinal disease… Read more »

A Closer Look at the Heart

Coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of death for men and women worldwide, is the accumulation of plaque within the walls of the arteries which supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients. Hard plaque is the buildup of calcium, fats and abnormal inflammatory cells within the walls of the arteries. Over time, this plaque… Read more »

My Head is Spinning

Dear Dr. Kato: I’ve had several instances where I get a severe vertigo attack that lasts for two hours. It hits me out of the blue, and the vertigo is very debilitating! I notice that before the spinning sensation starts, my ear feels full and rings, and my hearing gets plugged. These attacks have been… Read more »

Affected by an Affair?

One of life’s most devastating traumas is finding out that one’s partner has had an affair. It is probably the most painful and hurtful experience one can go through in a marriage or committed relationship. The one person you placed your trust in above all others, and whose love on which you relied, has destroyed… Read more »

What IS That Floating By?

Ever see a small insect or thread passing through your field of vision but couldn’t quite put your finger on it?  These specks or clouds going by are often “floaters.” Floaters are actually clumps of cells inside the vitreous portion of the eye. As we age, the vitreous (a jelly like substance which is usually… Read more »