Terry Wahls, MD, is an Assistant Chief of Staff at Iowa City VA Health Care and clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa. She has practiced medicine for over 30 years and is board-certified in internal medicine. Like most physicians, Dr. Wahls treated her patients’ ailments with drugs and surgical procedures, until she… Read more »
Health is a choice, but when access to health care is a challenge, that choice can become a luxury. For some, the choice comes down to a dental filling for your child or food on the table; a pair of glasses for your spouse or paying rent; a doctor’s appointment co-pay or bus fare for… Read more »
When amazing things come together with great ease, you know they were meant to be. And with awareness, you become overwhelmed with gratitude. A year ago, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Terry Wahls and to hear her incredible story. I knew we had to feature her in Desert Health®, and planned it for… Read more »
Randal Bonnell of Banning went to bed at 11:30pm on a Thursday night and awoke the next morning with half his body paralyzed. His wife, Vickie, heard a noise around 4:45am and realized that her 55 year-old husband had fallen out of bed. Although he said he felt fine, Randall wasn’t speaking clearly and couldn’t… Read more »
Bending forward to put on shoes, a quick reach to catch a falling pencil, or even simply rolling over in bed. Typically, the onset of new low back pain is initiated by a seemingly harmless activity; all of a sudden you go from high functioning to debilitating pain. As you begin to contemplate skipping work… Read more »
What is type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body fails to properly use and store glucose. Formerly called ‘adult-onset’ or ‘non insulin-dependent’, Type 2 diabetes results when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin and/or is unable to use insulin properly (insulin resistance). This form of diabetes usually occurs… Read more »
CLIA, short for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, is a federal regulatory body that oversees laboratory processes and testing on humans. It also grants waivers for testing that may be done in-office. There are hundreds of CLIA waived tests utilized by different specialties to provide better care, and it is important that these tests be performed… Read more »
Dr. Johnson, I have had GERD for twenty years and have taken PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) for many of those years. However, last year my symptoms returned and my physician doubled my dose. I’m still having issues today and think it might be time to consider surgery on my valve. I would really like to… Read more »
The Coachella Valley has two prominent demographic characteristics: a larger-than-average senior population and one of the highest per capita rates of persons living with HIV/AIDS. You may know one of those people, whether they know their status or not. Nationally, one in five people who have HIV are unaware of it; that rate is likely… Read more »
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death with approximately 795,000 strokes occurring annually according to the National Stroke Association. These are big numbers, but there is good news. Despite the damage to brain cells, there is room for improvement, thanks to neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself… Read more »
The Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) has been described as offering universal health care coverage to all Americans. As such, some may ask, “If everyone is required to buy health insurance, and sliding scale rates are now available, why do we still need free medical clinics?” While the ACA is significantly decreasing the number of… Read more »
Here in the Desert many symptoms are attributed to allergies, but pneumonia is more common than you think. Early diagnosis and treatment can save you a trip to the hospital and ultimately a visit from me. Symptoms. The most common symptoms of pneumonia include a cough which may produce greenish, yellow, or bloody mucus; fever;… Read more »
There is a new group in the Coachella Valley created to address the issues of substance abuse in our community. As part of the Clinton Health Matters Initiative and led by the California State University San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus, the Substance Abuse Advisory Committee (SAAC) has identified four areas of focus: alcohol abuse, marijuana… Read more »
Sports massage is a form of massage that utilizes specific protocols and techniques to help athletes obtain maximum performance and physical conditioning by increasing power, endurance and mobility. It is a vital tool for keeping athletes primed for top performance, and in the game for as long as possible. It is particularly beneficial when an… Read more »
Last November I had the privilege of working on Homeward Bound, a national fundraising telethon presented by Haven from the Storm Foundation that supports military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury. Programs and organizations like these are vital, as the incidence of PTSD among our military veterans is truly alarming. Recent… Read more »
May is here and many of our local residents have left, or will be going back to their main homes all over the country and Canada. I actually get a little sad saying “good-bye until next season,” although I realize there are more year-rounder’s than ever here in the Coachella Valley. And many of us… Read more »
Do you suffer from IBS, bloating, dermatitis, migraines, an autoimmune disorder, or anxiety? Perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. There are over 200 symptoms associated with gluten, and if you have been diagnosed, you may have been given a simple prescription: go gluten-free. With high hopes of feeling and looking better,… Read more »
Therapeutic Massage has come into its own as an industry. With alternative medicine accepted in more and more mainstream health establishments, bodywork has emerged as a rewarding, financially sound career. It’s especially well suited for people who want to prosper while remaining close to core beliefs about the true source of health and well-being. Locally,… Read more »
Over the past ten years, numerous scientific studies have emerged forcing many doctors and nutritionists to revise their thinking of what is considered a “healthy diet.” Researchers have discovered more about the causes and mechanisms underlying diseases like diabetes, cancer, and arteriosclerosis, and for this reason, many previously held concepts of a healthy food pyramid… Read more »
As spring flowers blossom and release pollen, our allergies awaken, resulting in a variety of symptoms. For us desert dwellers the winds can not only blow these allergens around, but also dry our sinuses, causing sneezing, congestion, watery eyes and a runny nose. Spring is traditionally the main season when allergies blossom because of new… Read more »