I was unaware of the prevalence of arthritis in this country until I started researching our lead feature. 50% of Americans over 65. That’s 1 in 2. It’s you or your spouse. Your Mom or your Dad. I have to admit that part of the inspiration for this topic was my own forty-something body starting… Read more »
There are more than 120 arthritic conditions, so it is no wonder that most of us will experience symptoms at some point in our life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 2 people may develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, and 1 in 4 may develop painful hip arthritis. An estimated… Read more »
When you have your health, anything is possible. When you don’t, nothing else matters. This is the message at the bottom of Patti Wright’s emails. And she certainly embodies this sentiment. Patti was a successful professional who raised a son on her own and enjoyed good health. But in her 40’s, things starting going wrong.… Read more »
The Directors of the Desert Healthcare District and Desert Healthcare Foundation approved two grant awards for a total of $1,279,851 to HealthCorps, Inc. and Clinton’s Alliance for a Healthier Generation to support health education efforts to reduce childhood obesity and help our local children live longer and healthier lives. Following the Humana Challenge and Clinton… Read more »
We often don’t think about how much we use our hands until symptoms of arthritis start to affect them. The activities we enjoyed become challenging or even impossible. Hand arthritis imposes limitations on those afflicted. According to the Center for Disease Control, of the nearly 50 million Americans with arthritis, about 2 million say that… Read more »
Over the last two decades, prescription drug use has grown in the U.S. from an average of 7.3 prescriptions per person in 1992, to 11.6 per person in 2002, to 12.6 per person in 2009 (the latest statistic). Along with increasing prescription drug use come many adverse symptoms that affect the eyes. When diagnosing symptoms,… Read more »
Lung Cancer is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States and it is still on the rise. In 1964, the Surgeon General’s report concluded that tobacco smoke was a cause of lung cancer. Today, smoking is thought to cause up to 90 percent of lung cancers. Currently, the… Read more »
Profession: Board Certified Thoracic Surgeon practicing minimally invasive non-cardiac surgical operations (in the chest cavity) Studied: General surgery residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center (NY, NY) after graduting from Ross University School of Medicine with honors Cardiothoracic Fellow at LSU (New Orleans) Cardiothoracic Fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center (San… Read more »
Osteoporosis literally means “ porous bones”. It is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and density, which makes the bones weaker and more prone to fracture. As bones become weak, they can break from minor everyday events such as sneezing or bumping into furniture. One out of every two women and one… Read more »
The eyelids perform many vital functions in maintaining ocular health and comfort. Not only do they protect the globes from foreign bodies and serve as protective barriers, they are also responsible for production of the oily layer of the tear film. This outermost layer prevents premature evaporation of tears, and ensures that a healthy tear… Read more »
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a painful condition predominantly involving muscles, and the most common cause of chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain. A diagnosis includes at least 11 of 18 specific tender points that hurt when pressed (with no reference pain elsewhere). The tender points must be present in all four quadrants of the body for more… Read more »
Medications are often the first line treatment for patients experiencing severe dizziness and vertigo. These medications are essentially “rescue” drugs that can greatly alleviate the symptom of debilitating vertigo. However, these “rescue” drugs are neither always effective nor appropriate for many types of dizziness, and they may have potentially serious side effects and drug interactions.… Read more »
When you think of summer, what comes to mind? Vacations and getaways… hiking in the mountains…or enjoying a relaxing day by the pool? For many, these are common summer time activities. But for some individuals — especially seniors 65 and older — summer in the desert can be a very isolated time that triggers a… Read more »
Arthritic pain is often constant, unremitting discomfort managed solely by non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen and Tylenol. However, long-term use of NSAIDS and other pharmaceutical pain medication can cause health complications. These complications include stomach inflammation, ulcers, and increased risk of heart disease. Rather than simply managing pain with medication, and risking long-term side… Read more »
I have scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. It was discovered at age 12 after several hints. Horse show judges told me to “square your shoulders,” as one dropped lower than the other, and at school, I remember being frustrated that the back of my chair always seemed crooked. I had no idea it was… Read more »
Iron Moxa is a unique union of Japanese massage and moxibustion, a traditional Chinese therapy using moxa, or mugwort herb. Its significant benefits include relieving fatigue, improving circulation, easing neuralgia (nerve) and muscle pain, and boosting gastrointestinal function. Iron Moxa can also be used for facial rejuvenation treatment, as its combination of gentle heat and… Read more »
Arthritis can be a debilitating condition. Some of the easiest everyday activities seem challenging — like putting on a shirt or placing one foot in front of the other. Did you know that your digestive health can be a critical factor in the treatment of arthritis? Maintaining digestive health is a key to overall body… Read more »
Nutritional deficiencies are very common in the general population and may be even more prevalent in people who suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiovascular disease. Optimal nutrition–including vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, coupled with weight loss, increased exercise, smoking cessation and moderate restriction of alcohol and caffeine–can help prevent and control nutritional deficiencies in… Read more »
A landmark study by the National Institutes of Health confirmed that acupuncture provides pain relief and improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee. They concluded that the modality serves as an effective complement to standard care. The study—the longest and largest randomized, controlled phase III clinical trial of acupuncture ever conducted— was funded… Read more »
Many of us get stuck in a rut when it comes to fitness routines. This is especially true in summer; a time when it seems hard to push the body physically in a high temperature climate. Keeping physically fit has everything to do with surprising the body! If boredom sets in, we are more likely… Read more »