The Champagne is chilling, and we’re all about ready to POP! Things are beginning to open up, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. We can’t wait for the days of hugs, hospitality, friends and festivals to return; these previously presumed pleasures are starting to feel within reach. March marks a full… Read more »
What led me to write this article is the noticeable increase in clients seeking help for their mental and emotional distress, particularly as the pandemic has drawn on. Is the rise in people seeking psychological help coming from the stress of the current pandemic’s circumstances? For many, it is. However, I’ve also seen a surge… Read more »
Over the past year, I’ve been working to bring mindfulness into all aspects of my life. In addition to starting my day with slow, deep breathing, happy thoughts, a crafted coffee, meditation and sunshine, I’ve been consciously working to “come back to the now” when thoughts race and actions get harried. Returning to sports has… Read more »
Now is not the time to ignore your health for fear of COVID-19. If you have chronic health issues or develop something acute, do not delay having a check-up. Please do not ignore physical signs due to fear of the unknown. If your concern is going to the hospital, rest assured that they are taking… Read more »
It’s starting to get warmer again, and James and his wife have been active enjoying the outdoors. Over the past few weeks, they have been playing pickleball, swimming laps in their pool and taking walks. Life is great, but he has noticed increasing pain in his right shoulder and doesn’t know what to do. James… Read more »
We are about a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and our lives have changed in many ways. As a dentist, we, like many other professions, have had to change the way we operate to help keep our patients and employees safe. At the beginning of the pandemic, there was a high level of concern about… Read more »
La Quinta High School’s Medical Health Academy offers students a hands-on approach to exploration and preparation for a career in the health field. The academy is a three-year program that exposes students to a variety of health care careers. The courses include an introduction to medicine, medical terminology, proficiency in basic skills, career exploration and… Read more »
If you were to ask me, “What one imaging study should I have performed to check on my overall health?” I would, without hesitation, answer a computed tomographic angiogram (CTA) of your coronary arteries. To me, the reason why is glaringly obvious. Heart disease is the number one cause of health complications, expense and death… Read more »
The itch of eczema is maddening. It’s an old disease we are continually learning more about. Many consider it an autoimmune disease; others say it is caused by a defective skin barrier. Which came first? Or perhaps they are two different aspects of the disease process. Since the 1950s, topical steroid creams have been the… Read more »
Imagine bringing in a favorite photo of yourself from the past and being able to turn back the clock. If you think that’s unreachable, just a few years ago, we never believed an entire face transplant could be possible. Now we know it’s reality. Medical technology is advancing at a faster pace than ever before,… Read more »
Which one of the following is your favorite food? 1) pizza, 2) chocolate desserts, 3) chips, 4) cookies, 5) fries or 6) ice cream. Did you have trouble picking just one? If so, it’s no surprise. These are the most addictive foods, according to the Yale Food Addiction Survey. It’s not uncommon to crave these… Read more »
Do you want to feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Then give thanks in the morning. When you give thanks for a great day as soon as you wake, your subconscious mind primes you to actually have a great day. When you thank your body for healing from disease or injury while sick, your… Read more »
It is likely that you are currently or have experienced chronic pain at some point in your life. Low back pain, advanced cancer pain, arthritis, headaches and pain that seemingly can’t be linked to any specific cause are frequent complaints. Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care and one of… Read more »
Heartburn medication is the fifth most purchased over-the-counter medication. Dyspepsia or indigestion affects 21 percent of people, commonly women and smokers. The most common symptoms include abdominal discomfort, burning pain, bloating, nausea, or getting full as soon as you start to eat. There are a variety of reasons one may have indigestion, including infection, ulcers,… Read more »
For most of my life, I thought becoming a woman involved suffering and that it was a normal process of a woman’s development. As I watched my mother endure pain and distress, which made her unavailable to be a nurturing and loving mother, it left me wondering what was wrong with her – or what… Read more »
As we discussed in the January/February issue of Desert Health, the approach of accepting ourselves as multi-parted beings (mind/soul, body, spirit and ego) brings up a more significant meaning to our lives, but also to the process of healing, our health and sense of harmony. We will only find happiness and wholesomeness in our achievement… Read more »
Many of us have developed a heightened appreciation of the great outdoors this past year. This reconnection with nature comes during a time when the environment faces an unparalleled climate crisis with the rapid escalation of fossil fuels, pollution growth, plastic waste and CO2 emissions. Activities that allow us to cultivate mindfulness with Mother Earth… Read more »
Do you have mixed feelings about going “back to normal?” The past year has required many changes to our routines and socialization. The pandemic precautions included the cessation of so many activities. We stopped going to school. We stopped eating out. We stopped exercising in gyms or studios. We stopped gathering at church. We stopped… Read more »
I’m not sure where this fable comes from, but I remember first hearing it in church as a young adult and discussing it with my mother afterward. It is one of my favorites to share with patients and my own children because it really simplifies the difficult concept of recognizing how much power we have… Read more »
To my knowledge, no one knows nutrition history better than Gary Taubes. As a science writer, he has been studying the subject matter full time for over 25 years. Taubes helped launch the modern low-carbohydrate healthy fat understanding with his 2002 cover article in the New York Times Magazine entitled “What If It’s All Been… Read more »