You just have to take the first step. I have been a competitive equestrian since I was 9. I rode hunters and jumpers and would clear fences with grace, stamina and enthusiasm. In my teens, I competed internationally and my first trip to the desert was to show at HITS. But in my early 30’s,… Read more »
The internationally-acclaimed Clinton Foundation chose the Coachella Valley for their annual ‘Health Matters’ conference bringing industry and local leaders together to discuss our country’s health crisis and the need for change. The message was clear. Change starts with each and every one of us. “We hope that through the work that we are doing with… Read more »
Health Is A Choice showcases individuals who have significantly changed their life and/or the lives of others by making health a priority. We are pleased to present Richard Long of Rancho Mirage who was nominated for this feature and is an inspiration to us all. Richard Long is 98 years young. He is a handsome… Read more »
In celebration of American Heart Month, Desert Regional Medical Center (DRMC) hosted lectures by three expert physicians on heart health, prevention and treatment of various heart diseases. The lectures were part of the hospital’s annual Affair of the Heart event, held each year on Valentine’s Day. I attended the event and was delighted to see… Read more »
Does it sometimes feel like the world is spinning around you? You’re not alone. Dizziness is a very common symptom, experienced by patients throughout the world. In fact, it is the third most common symptom reported to primary care physicians in the US, according to the National Institutes of Health. Due to a lack of… Read more »
Alzheimer’s disease is a form a dementia that robs millions of people each year of critical thinking capabilities that are needed to live a healthy and happy life. The statistics are staggering in both number of lives affected by the disease and the cost of caring for those individuals. The Alzheimer’s Association latest figures are:… Read more »
Do you have teary eyes? Have you learned to live with constant watering, or been told that there is no treatment? Epiphora, the medical term for excessive tearing, is a common complaint the cause of which can be difficult to isolate. Patients often suffer from this condition silently for years, or become accustomed to its… Read more »
Infusion therapy is the intravenous administration of medication. IV medications are generally prescribed by a physician when a patient’s condition or disease state cannot effectively be treated by conventional therapies or oral medications. Many medications are designed to be delivered intravenously as their only means of treating a disease.[sup]1[/sup] So it’s not surprising that IV… Read more »
Although their genetic foundations differ, neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and dementia are all characterized by the untimely death of brain cells. What triggers cell death in the brain?[sup]1[/sup] In a recent study, American neurologists and sleep experts suggest that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder could be an early sign of Parkinson’s… Read more »
A connection between back pain and diet isn’t immediately obvious. But an aching back led Dr. Hessam Mahdavi, MD, DC, to develop a food lifestyle to fight inflammation. Mahdavi’s back problems began in 2002. As his pain worsened, he tried ibuprofen, exercise and spinal manipulation, but none provided more than short-term relief. As a physician,… Read more »
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition in this country, estimated at 10-15 % of the population, with a 2:1 female predominance. IBS is a group of symptoms without a known cause. The current medical criteria are chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, lasting at least three months, without a… Read more »
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal (GI) condition, most often diagnosed when all other probable conditions have been ruled out. This means, it is a clinical diagnosis based on eliminating the possibility of more serious disease when uncomfortable GI symptoms still remain present without serious progression. The most frustrating aspect of IBS is that… Read more »
April is National Autism Awareness Month bringing our focus to this serious condition which affects as many as 1 in 1,000 children nationwide1, as well as their family and friends. While there are no known cures, there is a growing treatment for autism that involves delivering more oxygen to the brain. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)… Read more »
The science of Chinese nutrition dates back some 6000 years and is based on the idea that the healing properties of foods can correct disharmonies within the body and promote health. These properties are: temperature (hot/cold/warm); taste (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, pungent or bland); drying or lubricating; and the energetic action as a result of… Read more »
The American diet is filled with calorie-rich and nutrient-poor foods. No wonder there is an epidemic of childhood obesity, ADD/ADHD, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. People are overweight yet nutritionally starving! So what can we do about this crisis? The answer starts with your fork! When talking about nutrition with my patients, I always tell… Read more »
Lyme disease is grabbing headlines nationwide. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) new Lyme disease cases are 4 times more common annually than new cases of HIV/AIDS. It is also thought to be the leading cause of ‘vector-borne’ infections in the U.S. Lyme disease is defined as an infectious illness that results from… Read more »
March is National Nutrition Month and the theme this year is “Revamp Your Plate.” The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is encouraging Americans to follow the guidelines set forth by the USDA’s new MyPlate graphic that illustrates half your plate should be fruits and vegetables, one fourth lean protein and one fourth whole grains. MyPlate… Read more »
Winter and spring are challenging for a person like me for two reasons: the cold weather does not agree with my joints; and my practice is busier during this season due to the influx of desert visitors. As a massage therapist, I give 30 massages a week, approximately 6- 60 minute massages , 5 days… Read more »
When you plan your next meal, don’t forget to include some raw broccoli and a few strawberries…they may just save your life. Heart attack, cancer, stroke and respiratory disease are the leading causes of death in the U.S., and for the most part these conditions are easily preventable. Sulforaphane, diindolylmethane and ellagic acid are three… Read more »
The first official day of spring is March 20th. It marks a time to welcome the beautiful hues and heady aromas nature provides. Morning Glories, Lilacs, Pansies and Lavender open their blooms and thrive. The benefits of Lavender are that it adds beauty to a table in the form of a fresh or dried bouquet,… Read more »